The Fura-2 method is used to examine a possible action of 17 beta-estr
adiol (E-2) on [Ca2+](i) of splenic T cells isolated from female C57BL
/10 mice, E-2 concentrations between 10 fM and 10 nM induce a rapid an
d dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+](i) due to Ca2+ influx and release
of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, Ca2+ influx is mediated by Ca2+ cha
nnels which are completely blockable by Ni2+ and partly by nifedipine,
The antiestrogen tamoxifen does not inhibit the E-2-induced rise in [
Ca2+](i), Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores is al
so inducible by plasma membrane impermeable E-2 conjugated to BSA, E-2
-BSA-FITC binds to the surface of T cells of both the CD4(+) and CD8() subset, Our data suggest a novel E-2-signalling pathway in T cells w
hich is not mediated through the classical nuclear estrogen receptor r
esponse but rather through putative plasma membrane receptors for E-2.
(C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.