“…However, the function of these extranuclear receptors in OLs is not known. Prolonged exposure to estradiol stimulates proliferation and differentiation of OLs (Jung-Testas et al, 1992;Marin-Husstege et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2004), and protects them from cell death because of hyperoxia or cytotoxic agents (Gerstner et al, 2007;Takao et al, 2004), but these effects may have been mediated through the nuclear receptor. To provide evidence for a role for a membrane ER in rapid signaling in OLs, we have investigated the effect of both 17a-and 17b-estradiol on short-term activation of several signaling pathways known to be involved in development of myelinating cells, involving MAPK, Akt, and GSK-3b (Cui et al, 2005;Khorchid et al, 1999;Ogata et al, 2004;Palacios et al, 2005).…”