Non-genomic regulation of vascular cell function and growth by estrogen

Estrogens exert rapid, non-genomic effects, which are mediated by plasma membrane-associated estrogen receptors (mER) mER alpha and mER beta, and the intracellular transmembrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Membrane-initiated responses contribute to transcriptional activation, resulting in a complex interplay of nuclear and extra-nuclear mechanisms that mediate the acute physiological responses to estrogens. Non-genomic estrogen signaling also activates a variety of intracellular estrogen signaling pathways that regulate vascular function and cell growth involving rapid but also long-term effects. This review discusses recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms of non-genomic estrogen receptor signaling in the vascular wall. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.