Sex and tissue differences in estrogen receptor mRNA using ddPCR

Estrogen is formed by the enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1) and signals via three identified receptors ERα (ESR1), ERß (ESR2), and the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER). Understanding, the relative contribution of each receptor to estrogenic signaling may elucidate the disparate effects of this sex hormone across tissues. Moreover, droplet digital PCR is a novel technology that allows absolute quantification and direct comparison of multiple targets. We hypothesized that utilization of this new technology would reveal tissue- and sex-specific differences in estrogen receptor mRNA.