雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ER)属于核受体超家族成员,主要通过与雌激素结合的方式诱导下游靶基因转录,从而发挥其重要的生物学功能。在此过程中,ER招募一系列辅调节因子参与其介导的基因转录调控。ER不仅在促进性器官成熟、副性征发育及维持性功能中起重要作用,在多种性激素受体相关癌症的发生发展中也扮演着重要角色。其中,甲状腺癌的发生女性比男性更普遍,是一种有性别倾向的肿瘤,并与性激素受体功能有相关性。研究证实,ER辅调节因子通过参与ER下游靶基因的转录调控,在雌激素受体相关肿瘤中发挥不可或缺的作用,另外,各种环境刺激和细胞活动也参与了ER对肿瘤的调控。该文主要对近年来雌激素受体在甲状腺癌中的作用及机制进行综述,试图为甲状腺癌的治疗和预防提供新思路和新靶点。
Estrogen receptor(ER) is the members of the nulear receptor superfamily. It plays an important role in its biological functions through inducing the transcription of its target genes in a ligand-dependent manner. In the process, ER recruits a series of co-regulators to be involved in regulation of gene transcription mediated by ER. ER plays a crucial role in the promotion of the maturity of sexual organ, the development of secondary sexual characteristics and maintenance of sexual function. On the other hand, ER plays an important role in the tumorigenesis and the development of a number of cancers which are connected with esteogen hormone receptors. Tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer is more prevalent in female than that in male, and thyroid cancer is a kind of tumor with sexual tendnecy. It has been reported that thyroid cancer is related to the function of sexual hormone receptors. The researches have proved that the co-regulators of ER also play an important roles in ER-related cancer by participating in the modulation of its target gene transcription. In addition, a variety of environmental stimuli and the cell activity are also involved in the regulation of ER for tumor control. Here, we would review the effect and the machanism of estrogen receptor in thyroid cancer. All in all, we would try to provide some new ideas and novel targets for the treatment and prevention in the thyroid cancer.