Estrogen-responsive element

An Estrogen-responsive element (ERE) is a specific DNA sequence in a gene's promoter region that responds to estrogen hormones. When estrogen binds to its receptor, the receptor attaches to the ERE, acting like a switch that turns the gene on or off. This process helps control the production of proteins involved in various bodily functions, especially in reproductive systems. Essentially, EREs serve as molecular bookmarks that allow estrogen signals to influence gene activity directly, coordinating how genes respond to hormonal changes in the body.