# Estrogen Receptor Homeostasis

> **NIH NIH R01** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $393,956

## Abstract

Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) acts to integrate systemic signals from estrogens and growth factors to control
numerous aspects of development and homeostasis within the organism. In response to acute exposure to
ligand binding ERα is degraded via the 26S proteasome pathway. However, in order for continued estrogen
responsiveness to be maintained during the reproductive, premenopausal stage mechanisms must exist to
regulate steady state protein levels of ERα. Little is known about the regulation of ERα steady state levels.
Unexpectedly, using multiple approaches including various mouse models and mammary gland transplants we
have identified a novel mechanism in which physical association of the Ser/Thr protein kinase, RSK2, with
ERα regulates the steady state protein levels of ERα in the adult mammary gland. Furthermore, the ability of
RSK2 to regulate ERα levels was not confined to the mammary gland as we observed decreased ERα levels
in the uteri and liver of adult female mice in which RSK2 was knocked out. We hypothesize that the RSK2/
ERα complex regulates the steady state protein levels of ERα in vivo to maintain estrogen-responsiveness in
the adult. To further investigate our hypothesis we will focus on the mammary gland because mammary gland
regeneration experiments in combination with altering gene expression greatly facilitates mechanistic studies.
We propose to test our overall hypothesis through these Aims. In Aim 1 we will identify the mechanism by
which RSK2 stabilizes ERα protein levels in vivo. In Aim 2 we will identify how the RSK2 contributes to
estrogen responsiveness in vivo. Data generated in this proposal will be analyzed using the appropriate
statistics for end point and longitudinal analysis. The outcome of these experiments will increase our
understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the functions of ERα in normal homeostasis and will provide
insight into disruption of this process that can result in estrogen-dependent cancers and metabolic dysfunction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10164759
- **Project number:** 5R01DK113423-04
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Deborah Lannigan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $393,956
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10164759

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10164759, Estrogen Receptor Homeostasis (5R01DK113423-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10164759. Licensed CC0.

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