Open Access

Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Ting Liu
    • Yifei Huang
    • Hui Lin
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 2, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4906
  • Article Number: 73
  • Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) are the most important source of estrogen. Therefore, aromatase (estrogen synthase), which is the key enzyme in estrogen synthesis, is not only an important factor of ovarian development, but also the key to estrogen secretion by GCs. Disorders of the ovarian estrogen secretion are more likely to induce female estrogen‑dependent diseases and fertility issues, such as ovarian cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome. Hence, aromatase is an important drug target; treatment with its inhibitors in estrogen‑dependent diseases has attracted increasing attention. The present review article focuses on the regulation and mechanism of the aromatase activity in the GCs, as well as the specific regulation of aromatase promoters. In GCs, follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) is dependent on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway to regulate the aromatase activity, and the regulation of this enzyme is related to the activation of signaling pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, endocrine‑disrupting substance and other related factors affect the expression of aromatase, which eventually create an imbalance in the estrogen secretion by the target tissues. The present review highlights these useful factors as potential inhibitors for target therapy.
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May-2021
Volume 47 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Liu T, Huang Y and Lin H: Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review). Int J Mol Med 47: 73, 2021
APA
Liu, T., Huang, Y., & Lin, H. (2021). Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 47, 73. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4906
MLA
Liu, T., Huang, Y., Lin, H."Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47.5 (2021): 73.
Chicago
Liu, T., Huang, Y., Lin, H."Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47, no. 5 (2021): 73. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4906