G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics to Impair Cell Polarization Articles uri icon

publication date

  • October 2020

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 13

issue

  • 592628

volume

  • 8

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2296-634X

abstract

  • Mechanical forces regulate cell functions through multiple pathways. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a seven-transmembrane receptor that is ubiquitously expressed across tissues and mediates the acute cellular response to estrogens. Here, we demonstrate an unidentified role of GPER as a cellular mechanoregulator. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor signaling controls the assembly of stress fibers, the dynamics of the associated focal adhesions, and cell polarization via RhoA GTPase (RhoA). G protein-coupled estrogen receptor activation inhibits F-actin polymerization and subsequently triggers a negative feedback that transcriptionally suppresses the expression of monomeric G-actin. Given the broad expression of GPER and the range of cytoskeletal changes modulated by this receptor, our findings position GPER as a key player in mechanotransduction.

subjects

  • Biology and Biomedicine

keywords

  • actin cytoskeleton; focal adhesions; cell polarization; mechanosensing; rhoa; g protein-coupled receptors