[Non-genomic action of estrogens].

Estrogens can promote the development, proliferation, migration, and survival of target cells. Estrogen mediates its biological effects through its association with estrogen receptors (ERs). ERs act via the regulation of transcriptional processes, involving nuclear translocation and binding to specific response elements, leading to the regulation of gene expression. However, estrogens can also act without direct binding to DNA. This effect is called "non-genomic" and does not depend on gene transcription or protein synthesis. Through non-transcriptional (non-genomic) mechanisms, estrogens can modulate regulatory cascades such as MAPK, PI3K, and tyrosine kinases, and also membrane-associated molecules such as ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors. Important targets of estrogen action are mitochondria, within which ERs have been identified, thus implicating their role in the regulation of mitochondrial genome transcription. Estrogens may also regulate mitochondrial respiratory physiology at the post-translational level. They can inhibit mitochondrial respiratory complexes I, II, III, and IV, and can then also induce various isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS).