The cholesterol metabolite 25-hydroxycholesterol activates estrogen receptor α-mediated signaling in cancer cells and in cardiomyocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The hydroxylated derivatives of cholesterol, such as the oxysterols, play important roles in lipid metabolism. In particular, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25 HC) has been implicated in a variety of metabolic events including cholesterol homeostasis and atherosclerosis. 25 HC is detectable in human plasma after ingestion of a meal rich in oxysterols and following a dietary cholesterol challenge. In addition, the levels of oxysterols, including 25 HC, have been found to be elevated in hypercholesterolemic serum.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we demonstrate that the estrogen receptor (ER) α mediates gene expression changes and growth responses induced by 25 HC in breast and ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, 25 HC exhibits the ERα-dependent ability like 17 β-estradiol

SUBMITTER: Lappano R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3031608 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature