Oestrogen helps calm stressed cells, Yale researchers find

Illustration by Patrick Lynch

Yale researchers have developed a system that solved the experimental problem and in the process made a surprising discovery: the hormone oestrogen seems to help cells weather stress.

In the 21 September 2014 issue of the journal Nature Chemical Biology, the Yale team led by Craig Crews found that the estrogen pathway is activated when cells are subjected to stress. Following up on this study, the team has also discovered that introduction of the hormone can help cells negotiate certain stressful environments. The findings have interesting implications - beyond fueling speculation that oestrogen helps women live longer than men, Crews said. For instance, anti-oestrogen therapy could help kill cancer cells and prolong survival of patients, he said.

Source: Yale University