Membrane estrogen receptor alpha is essential for estrogen signaling in the male skeleton

• The importance of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) for the regulation of bone mass in males is well established. ERa mediates estrogenic effects both via nuclear and membraneinitiated ER alpha (mER alpha) signaling. The role of mERa signaling for the effects of estrogen on bone in male mice is unknown. To investigate the role of mERa signaling, we have used mice (Nuclear-Only-ER; NOER) with a point mutation (C451A), which results in inhibited trafficking of ER alpha to the plasma membrane. Gonadal-intact male NOER mice had a significantly decreased total body areal bone mineral density (aBMD) compared to WT littermates at 3, 6 and 9 months of age as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). High-resolution microcomputed tomography (mu CT) analysis of tibia in 3-month-old males demonstrated a decrease in cortical and trabecular thickness in NOER mice compared to WT littermates. As expected, estradiol (E2) treatment of orchidectomized (ORX) WT mice increased total body aBMD, trabecular BV/TV and cortical thickness in tibia compared to placebo treatment. E2 treatment increased these skeletal parameters also in ORX NOER mice. However, the estrogenic responses were significantly decreased in ORX NOER mice compared with ORX WT mice. In conclusion, mER alpha is essential for normal estrogen signaling in both trabecular and cortical bone in male mice. Increased knowledge of estrogen signaling mechanisms in the regulation of the male skeleton may aid in the development of new treatment options for male osteoporosis.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

estrogen receptor alpha

male skeleton

bone mineral density

membrane-initiated steroid signaling

cortical bone

er-alpha

null mice

older men

estradiol

serum

mass

localization

extranuclear

specificity

Endocrinology & Metabolism

iences

v68

p1226

ates of america

v106

p2053

ates of america

v111

pe283

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)