Organ-Selective Actions of Steroid Hormones (Ernst Schering Foundation Symposium Proceedings (16))

Steroids regulate differentiation, growth and functioning of many tissues via a nuclear receptor gene activation mechanism. Molecular biology has opened the way for more detailed investigation of the complex set of intracellular interactions contributing to organ-selective actions of steroids and steroid-like compounds such as vitamin D. In this volume leading experts address basic molecular mechanisms of tissue specificity and related issue, with the goal of attaining a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of organ selective actions of steroids. Discussed is the extent to which tissue specificity might selectively be modified by chemical modification of the hormones and how this may be applied towards improved therapies by taking advantage of tissue selectivity. Front Matter....Pages I-XIV Development of Tissue-Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators....Pages 1-28 Estrogen-Receptor and Antiestrogen-Receptor Complexes: Cell- and Promoter-Specific Effects and Interactions with Second Messenger Signaling Pathways....Pages 29-50 Analysis of Genetically Altered Mice Without Glucocorticoid Receptor....Pages 51-63 Organ-Selective Actions of Tamoxifen and Other Partial Antiestrogens....Pages 65-84 Progestin Regulation of Cell Proliferation in the Breast and Endometrium....Pages 85-105 Central Versus Endometrial Effects of Antiprogestins: Is Endometrial Selectivity Possible?....Pages 107-120 Androgen Action on the Bone....Pages 121-136 General Principles of Vitamin D Action and Mechanism-Based Search for Analogs with Specific Actions....Pages 137-159 Organ-Specific Actions of Vitamin D Analogs: Relevance of Rapid Effects....Pages 161-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-184