Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2009

Keywords

Animals, Chlorine, Estrogens, Female, Humans, Intestines, Ion Channels, Menstrual Cycle, Potassium, Sex Factors, Signal Transduction

Comments

The original publication is available at http://jp.physoc.org

Abstract

The intestine is an oestrogen responsive organ and circulatory oestrogens suppress Cl(-) secretion across the epithelium of the colon to promote fluid retention at the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle. Ion transporters in the colon which are involved in Cl(-) secretion show differential expression between males and females as do the signalling protein kinase intermediates involved in acutely regulating these transporters. Work from our laboratory has identified the KCNQ1/KCNE3 channel as one of the principal targets for oestrogen-induced signalling cascades in the distal colon. Through inhibition of the KCNQ1 channel, basolateral K(+) recycling is decreased so reducing the favourable electrochemical gradient for Cl(-) extrusion at the apical membrane. The actions of oestrogen on non-reproductive tissues such as the colon, kidney, lung and sweat gland will affect whole body electrolyte and fluid homeostasis and also have consequences for reproductive potential.

Disciplines

Medical Molecular Biology | Medical Sciences

Citation

O'Mahony F. Thomas W. Harvey BJ. Novel female sex-dependent actions of oestrogen in the intestine. Journal of Physiology. 2009; 587(Pt 21):5039-44.

PubMed ID

19723780

DOI Link

10.1113/jphysiol.2009.177972


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