Article: INTERACTIONS OF PHYTOESTROGENS WITH ESTROGEN-SIGNALLING PATHWAYS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL PROCESSES: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.110368

Pages: 88-97

Author: Radallah Driss *, Brogi Hind, Amsaguine Siham, El Amrani Najat

Abstract: Phytoestrogens are a group of biologically active compounds derived from plants that structurally or functionally mimic some of the effects of estrogens and show potential benefits for human health. Further research continues to demonstrate the biological complexity of phytoestrogens, which act through diverse mechanisms. This review discusses the mechanisms of phytoestrogens intake and their interactions with estrogen receptors. Phytoestrogen actions are mediated through the classical nuclear receptors, ERα and ERβ, directly or through a tethered transcription factors binding. In addition to full length ERα (ER66), tow truncated isoforms of ERα, ER46 and ER36, can associate with the plasma membrane and influence rapid cytosolic signaling. Phytoestrogens serve also as ligands for the non-classical estrogen receptor GPR30 and can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinases, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C signaling pathways.

Keyword: Phytoestrogens; estrogen; estrogen receptors; mitogen-activated protein kinases; signaling pathways