17 beta-Oestradiol stimulates capacitative Ca2+ entry in human endometrialcells

Oestrogen plays an essential role in regulating growth and differentiation in the human endometrium which undergoes dynamic morphological and function al changes during the menstrual cycle in preparation for implantation. In t his tissue, it has been suggested that intracellular calcium could be a key signal in transducing early responses to steroid hormones. Here, we have i nvestigated the rapid effects of 17 beta -oestradiol on [Ca2+]i in a human endometrial cell line (RL95-2). Using confocal imaging microscopy, we show that physiological concentrations of 17 beta -oestradiol trigger rapid and transient increases in [Ca2+]i. Our results demonstrate that 17 beta -oestr adiol-induced [Ca2+]i variations are critically dependent on calcium influx via lanthanum-sensitive calcium channels. Moreover, the 17 beta -oestradio l-induced Ca2+ influx is significantly increased by the depletion of intrac ellular stores by thapsigargin and decreased by chelerythrine chloride, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. These data indicate a non-genomic action of 17 beta -oestradiol to stimulate capacitative Ca2+ entry through store-oper ated calcium channels via a PKC-sensitive pathway. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.