New Insight into Progesterone-dependent Signalization

Abstract

Background:Various effects of steroid hormone activity cannot easily be explained by the action of classical nuclear receptors and genomic signal transduction pathways. These activities are manifested principally as rapid processes, lasting from seconds to minutes, resulting in changes in ion transduction, calcium intracellular concentration, and level of the second messengers, which cannot be realized through the genomic pathway. Hence, it has been proposed that other kinds of mediators should be involved in steroid-induced processes, namely receptors located on the cell surface. The search for their chemical nature and role is of utmost importance. Current state of knowledge confirms their relation to GPCRs. Moreover, it seems that almost every nuclear receptor specific for steroid hormone family has its membrane-bound equivalent. Objective:In this review, we summarize current state of knowledge about nuclear and membrane receptors for progesterone, and describe their potential functions alone, as well as in cooperation with other receptors. Conclusion:In the light of common expression, both in species and organs, membrane receptors could play a role that is at least comparable to nuclear receptors. Further exploration of membrane receptor-dependent signaling pathways could give a new insight in the treatment of many endocrine and oncological pathologies.

Estrogens modulate progesterone receptor expression and may contribute to progesterone-mediated apoptotic β-cell death

“…Nevertheless, PGRMC1-depleted cells exhibited apoptotic phenotype when treated with progesterone, 39 suggesting a potential role of this receptor as a marker for neoplasia. 40 Little is known about the PGRMC1 function in insulin producing cells, as well as and in pregnancy and gestational diabetes scenario, but it has been shown that this receptor is expressed in human placenta, primarily in syncytiotrophoblasts, smooth muscle cells of the placental vasculature, and in villous capillaries during the pregnancy. 41 The function of PGRMC1 in preterm delivery prevention by progesterone treatment has been also studied.…”

Efeito da progesterona na expressão de genes envolvidos no estresse oxidativo e defesa antioxidante em células beta pancreáticas: uma abordagem <i>in vitro</i> para o estudo do diabetes gestacional

“…Nevertheless, PGRMC1-depleted cells exhibited apoptotic phenotype when treated with progesterone (158), suggesting a potential role of this receptor as a marker for neoplasia (159).…”