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ERα

Meaning

ERα, or Estrogen Receptor Alpha, is one of the two primary intracellular nuclear receptors that mediate the vast majority of estrogen’s biological effects within target cells. This specific receptor subtype is predominantly expressed in tissues such as the breast, endometrium, hypothalamus, and liver, and is often associated with the proliferative and growth-promoting actions of estrogen. The functional status and expression level of ERα are critical determinants of a tissue’s responsiveness to estrogen and are highly relevant in conditions like breast cancer and endometrial hyperplasia. Understanding the differential roles of ERα and its counterpart, ERβ, is essential for targeted hormonal modulation.