17β-Estradiol stimulates the translocation of endogenous estrogen receptor α at the plasma membrane of normal anterior pituitary cells

► We show that about 8% of anterior pituitary cells expressed ERα in the plasmalemma. ► Short exposition to E2 and ERα agonist, PPT, increases the membrane ERα expression. ► E2, E2-BSA and PPT activate the PKCα/ERK1/2 revealing a functional membrane ERα.