Phytoestrogens as estrogen receptor ligands

Abstract

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are ligand-regulated transcription factors that modulate essential transcriptional programs by either promoting or repressing targeted gene expression. Given the impact of ER signaling on development, metabolism and physiology, it is no surprise to find impaired ER function as the basis of many disorders; thus, ERs have long been recognized as important biological and pharmaceutical targets. While 17b-estradiol (E2) is the main ER cognate ligand, ERs can be activated by diverse estrogen-mimicking compounds e.g. phytoestrogens, capable of binding receptors in a variable manner and influencing estrogen-dependent pathways, with both, beneficial and harmful health consequences. In this review we assessed current knowledge in the field of phytoestrogens as ER alternative ligands.