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Estrogen Receptor Α

Meaning

Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα), formally known as NR3A1, is one of two major intracellular nuclear receptors that mediate the vast majority of estrogen’s genomic effects within target cells throughout the body. This specific receptor subtype exhibits a high affinity for the primary endogenous estrogen, estradiol, and is particularly abundant in tissues like the uterus, mammary gland, bone, and hypothalamus. ERα activation is fundamentally associated with proliferative and growth-promoting cellular responses, playing a critical role in reproductive function and the pathogenesis of hormone-sensitive cancers. It serves as a key therapeutic target in endocrinology and oncology.