| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
The steroid hormone progesterone plays a central role in the reproductive events associated with pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Physiological effects of progesterone are mediated by interaction of the hormone with specific intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs) that are expressed as two protein isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. Both proteins arise from the same gene and are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. Since these two isoforms were identified in the early 1970s, extensive controversy has existed regarding the selective contributions of the individual PR proteins to the physiological functions of progesterone. During the past decade, significant progress has been made in this regard using two complimentary approaches. First, analysis of the structural and functional relationships of each isoform using in vitro systems has generated compelling evidence to support the conclusion that PR-A and PR-B have different transcription activation properties when liganded to progesterone. Second, the advent of gene-targeting approaches to introduce subtle mutations into the mouse genome has facilitated the evaluation of the significance of observations made in vitro in a physiological context. Selective ablation of PR-A and PR-B proteins in mice using these technologies has allowed us to address the spatiotemporal expression and contribution of the individual PR isoforms to the pleiotropic reproductive activities of progesterone. Analysis of the phenotypic consequences of these mutations on female reproductive function has provided proof of concept that the distinct transcriptional responses to PR-A and PR-B observed in cell-based transactivation assays are, indeed, reflected in an ability of the individual isoforms to elicit distinct, physiological responses to progesterone. In PR-A knockout mice, in which the expression of the PR-A isoform is selectively ablated (PRAKO), the PR-B isoform functions in a tissue-specific manner to mediate a subset of the reproductive functions of PRs. Ablation of PR-A does not affect responses of the mammary gland or thymus to progesterone but instead results in severe abnormalities in ovarian and uterine function, leading to female infertility. These tissue-selective activities of PR-B are due to this isoforms ability to regulate a subset of progesterone-responsive target genes in reproductive tissues rather than to differences in its spatiotemporal expression relative to the PR-A isoform. More recent studies using PR-B knockout (PRBKO) mice have shown that ablation of PR-B does not affect ovarian, uterine, or thymic responses to progesterone but rather results in reduced mammary ductal morphogenesis. Thus, PR-A is both necessary and sufficient to elicit the progesterone-dependent reproductive responses necessary for female fertility, while PR-B is required to elicit normal proliferative responses of the mammary gland to progesterone. This chapter will summarize recent progress in our understanding of the selective contribution of the two PR isoforms to progesterone action.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
X. Sun, L. Zhang, H. Xie, H. Wan, B. Magella, J. A. Whitsett, and S. K. Dey Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is critical for conferring uterine receptivity to implantation PNAS, January 24, 2012; 109(4): 1145 - 1150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. M. Yellon, B. T. Oshiro, T. Y. Chhaya, T. J. Lechuga, R. M. Dias, A. E. Burns, L. Force, and E. M. Apostolakis Remodeling of the Cervix and Parturition in Mice Lacking the Progesterone Receptor B Isoform Biol Reprod, September 1, 2011; 85(3): 498 - 502. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. S. Reddy and A. Mohan Development and Persistence of Limbic Epileptogenesis Are Impaired in Mice Lacking Progesterone Receptors J. Neurosci., January 12, 2011; 31(2): 650 - 658. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. A. Janowski and D. R. Corey Minireview: Switching on Progesterone Receptor Expression with Duplex RNA Mol. Endocrinol., December 1, 2010; 24(12): 2243 - 2252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. Winuthayanon, S. C. Hewitt, G. D. Orvis, R. R. Behringer, and K. S. Korach Uterine epithelial estrogen receptor {alpha} is dispensable for proliferation but essential for complete biological and biochemical responses PNAS, November 9, 2010; 107(45): 19272 - 19277. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. B. Karlsson, E. T. Maizels, M. P. Flynn, J. C. Jones, E. A. Shelden, J. R. Bamburg, and M. Hunzicker-Dunn Luteinizing Hormone Receptor-Stimulated Progesterone Production by Preovulatory Granulosa Cells Requires Protein Kinase A-Dependent Activation/Dephosphorylation of the Actin Dynamizing Protein Cofilin Mol. Endocrinol., September 1, 2010; 24(9): 1765 - 1781. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. K. Lee, I. Kurihara, J. W. Jeong, J. P. Lydon, F. J. DeMayo, M. J. Tsai, and S. Y. Tsai Suppression of ER{alpha} Activity by COUP-TFII Is Essential for Successful Implantation and Decidualization Mol. Endocrinol., May 1, 2010; 24(5): 930 - 940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. H. Kim, D.-K. Lee, H. L. Franco, J. P. Lydon, and J.-W. Jeong ERBB Receptor Feedback Inhibitor 1 Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Activity Is Critical for Uterine Implantation in Mice Biol Reprod, April 1, 2010; 82(4): 706 - 713. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Boney-Montoya, Y. S. Ziegler, C. D. Curtis, J. A. Montoya, and A. M. Nardulli Long-Range Transcriptional Control of Progesterone Receptor Gene Expression Mol. Endocrinol., February 1, 2010; 24(2): 346 - 358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. Sriraman, M. Sinha, and J. S. Richards Progesterone Receptor-Induced Gene Expression in Primary Mouse Granulosa Cell Cultures Biol Reprod, February 1, 2010; 82(2): 402 - 412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Kim, I. C. Bagchi, and M. K. Bagchi Control of ovulation in mice by progesterone receptor-regulated gene networks Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2009; 15(12): 821 - 828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Sun, L. Jackson, S. K. Dey, and T. Daikoku In Pursuit of Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor-5 Regulation and Function in the Uterus Endocrinology, November 1, 2009; 150(11): 5065 - 5073. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M Clemente, J de La Fuente, T Fair, A Al Naib, A Gutierrez-Adan, J F Roche, D Rizos, and P Lonergan Progesterone and conceptus elongation in cattle: a direct effect on the embryo or an indirect effect via the endometrium? Reproduction, September 1, 2009; 138(3): 507 - 517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J.-W. Jeong, H. S. Lee, K. Y. Lee, L. D. White, R. R. Broaddus, Y.-W. Zhang, G. F. Vande Woude, L. C. Giudice, S. L. Young, B. A. Lessey, et al. Mig-6 modulates uterine steroid hormone responsiveness and exhibits altered expression in endometrial disease PNAS, May 26, 2009; 106(21): 8677 - 8682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Progesterone Signaling Outside the TATA Box Biol Reprod, April 1, 2009; 80(4): 842 - 842. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Gellersen, M.S. Fernandes, and J.J. Brosens Non-genomic progesterone actions in female reproduction Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2009; 15(1): 119 - 138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Mani Progestin Receptor Subtypes in the Brain: The Known and the Unknown Endocrinology, June 1, 2008; 149(6): 2750 - 2756. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. C. Velarde, Z. Zeng, J. R. McQuown, F. A. Simmen, and R. C. M. Simmen Kruppel-Like Factor 9 Is a Negative Regulator of Ligand-Dependent Estrogen Receptor {alpha} Signaling in Ishikawa Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Cells Mol. Endocrinol., December 1, 2007; 21(12): 2988 - 3001. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Yin, Z. Lin, Y.-H. Cheng, E. E. Marsh, H. Utsunomiya, H. Ishikawa, Q. Xue, S. Reierstad, J. Innes, S. Thung, et al. Progesterone Receptor Regulates Bcl-2 Gene Expression through Direct Binding to Its Promoter Region in Uterine Leiomyoma Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2007; 92(11): 4459 - 4466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Lefevre, D. B. Campos, and B. D. Murphy Talk to Me: The Embryo Dictates Gene Expression by the Endometrium Endocrinology, September 1, 2007; 148(9): 4170 - 4172. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Schumacher, R. Guennoun, A. Ghoumari, C. Massaad, F. Robert, M. El-Etr, Y. Akwa, K. Rajkowski, and E.-E. Baulieu Novel Perspectives for Progesterone in Hormone Replacement Therapy, with Special Reference to the Nervous System Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2007; 28(4): 387 - 439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. J. Han, S. Y. Tsai, M.-J. Tsai, and B. W. O'Malley Distinct Temporal and Spatial Activities of RU486 on Progesterone Receptor Function in Reproductive Organs of Ovariectomized Mice Endocrinology, May 1, 2007; 148(5): 2471 - 2486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. W. McCool, X. Xu, D. B. Singer, F. E. Murdoch, and M. K. Fritsch The Role of Histone Acetylation in Regulating Early Gene Expression Patterns during Early Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation J. Biol. Chem., March 2, 2007; 282(9): 6696 - 6706. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. S. Palanisamy, Y.-P. Cheon, J. Kim, A. Kannan, Q. Li, M. Sato, S. R. Mantena, R. L. Sitruk-Ware, M. K. Bagchi, and I. C. Bagchi A Novel Pathway Involving Progesterone Receptor, Endothelin-2, and Endothelin Receptor B Controls Ovulation in Mice Mol. Endocrinol., November 1, 2006; 20(11): 2784 - 2795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Pan, L. Zhu, Y. Deng, and J. W. Pollard Microarray Analysis of Uterine Epithelial Gene Expression during the Implantation Window in the Mouse Endocrinology, October 1, 2006; 147(10): 4904 - 4916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Padilla-Banks, W. N. Jefferson, and R. R. Newbold Neonatal Exposure to the Phytoestrogen Genistein Alters Mammary Gland Growth and Developmental Programming of Hormone Receptor Levels Endocrinology, October 1, 2006; 147(10): 4871 - 4882. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. L. Kelley, K. L. Kind, M. Lane, R. L. Robker, J. G. Thompson, and L. J. Edwards Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone alters maternal ovarian hormone concentrations and the uterus and perturbs fetal development in mice Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 2006; 291(4): E761 - E770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J-W Jeong, K Y Lee, J P Lydon, and F J DeMayo Steroid hormone regulation of Clca3 expression in the murine uterus. J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2006; 189(3): 473 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. K. Mani, A. M. Reyna, J. Z. Chen, B. Mulac-Jericevic, and O. M. Conneely Differential Response of Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in Hormone-Dependent and -Independent Facilitation of Female Sexual Receptivity Mol. Endocrinol., June 1, 2006; 20(6): 1322 - 1332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. C. Velarde, M. Iruthayanathan, R. R. Eason, D. Zhang, F. A. Simmen, and R. C. M. Simmen Progesterone Receptor Transactivation of the Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor Gene in Ishikawa Endometrial Epithelial Cells Involves Recruitment of Kruppel-Like Factor 9/Basic Transcription Element Binding Protein-1 Endocrinology, April 1, 2006; 147(4): 1969 - 1978. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Goldman and E. Shalev Difference in Progesterone-Receptor Isoforms Ratio Between Early and Late First-Trimester Human Trophoblast Is Associated with Differential Cell Invasion and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression Biol Reprod, January 1, 2006; 74(1): 13 - 22. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. M. Price, E. L. Hansen, and T. N. Oliver Immunofluorescent Localization of a Novel Progesterone Receptor(s) in a T47D-Y Breast Cancer Cell Line Lacking Genomic Progesterone Receptor Expression Reproductive Sciences, December 1, 2005; 12(8): 610 - 616. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Z. Cai and C. Stocco Expression and Regulation of Progestin Membrane Receptors in the Rat Corpus Luteum Endocrinology, December 1, 2005; 146(12): 5522 - 5532. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T Itagaki, I Shimizu, X Cheng, Y Yuan, A Oshio, K Tamaki, H Fukuno, H Honda, Y Okamura, and S Ito Opposing effects of oestradiol and progesterone on intracellular pathways and activation processes in the oxidative stress induced activation of cultured rat hepatic stellate cells Gut, December 1, 2005; 54(12): 1782 - 1789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M S Fernandes, V Pierron, D Michalovich, S Astle, S Thornton, H Peltoketo, E W-F Lam, B Gellersen, I Huhtaniemi, J Allen, et al. Regulated expression of putative membrane progestin receptor homologues in human endometrium and gestational tissues J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2005; 187(1): 89 - 101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Z. Zhang, A. M. Olland, Y. Zhu, J. Cohen, T. Berrodin, S. Chippari, C. Appavu, S. Li, J. Wilhem, R. Chopra, et al. Molecular and Pharmacological Properties of a Potent and Selective Novel Nonsteroidal Progesterone Receptor Agonist Tanaproget J. Biol. Chem., August 5, 2005; 280(31): 28468 - 28475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Chen, H. Pan, L. Zhu, Y. Deng, and J. W. Pollard Progesterone Inhibits the Estrogen-Induced Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase->AKT->GSK-3{beta}->Cyclin D1->pRB Pathway to Block Uterine Epithelial Cell Proliferation Mol. Endocrinol., August 1, 2005; 19(8): 1978 - 1990. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Hasegawa, A. Yanaihara, S. Iwasaki, Y. Otsuka, M. Negishi, T. Akahane, and T. Okai Reduction of progesterone receptor expression in human cumulus cells at the time of oocyte collection during IVF is associated with good embryo quality Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 20(8): 2194 - 2200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. U. Agoulnik, X.-W. Tong, D.-C. Fischer, K. Korner, N. E. Atkinson, D. P. Edwards, D. R. Headon, N. L. Weigel, and D. G. Kieback A Germline Variation in the Progesterone Receptor Gene Increases Transcriptional Activity and May Modify Ovarian Cancer Risk J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2004; 89(12): 6340 - 6347. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Sumida, Y. Itahana, H. Hamakawa, and P.-Y. Desprez Reduction of Human Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Aggressiveness on Introduction of Either Form A or B of the Progesterone Receptor and Then Treatment with Progestins Cancer Res., November 1, 2004; 64(21): 7886 - 7892. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Q. Ji, C. Aoyama, Y.-D. Nien, P. I. Liu, P. K. Chen, L. Chang, F. Z. Stanczyk, and A. Stolz Selective Loss of AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 in Breast Cancer and Their Potential Effect on Progesterone Signaling Cancer Res., October 15, 2004; 64(20): 7610 - 7617. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Kajitani, T. Mizutani, K. Yamada, T. Yazawa, T. Sekiguchi, M. Yoshino, H. Kawata, and K. Miyamoto Cloning and Characterization of Granulosa Cell High-Mobility Group (HMG)-Box Protein-1, a Novel HMG-Box Transcriptional Regulator Strongly Expressed in Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells Endocrinology, May 1, 2004; 145(5): 2307 - 2318. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Cheng, Z. Weihua, M. Warner, and J.-A. Gustafsson Inaugural Article: Estrogen receptors ER{alpha} and ER{beta} in proliferation in the rodent mammary gland PNAS, March 16, 2004; 101(11): 3739 - 3746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. L. Smith and B. W. O'Malley Coregulator Function: A Key to Understanding Tissue Specificity of Selective Receptor Modulators Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2004; 25(1): 45 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R J Sizemore, P R Hurst, and B J McLeod Effect of steroid hormones on tissue remodelling and progesterone receptors in the uterus of seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) Reproduction, February 1, 2004; 127(2): 255 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y.-P. Cheon, X. Xu, M. K. Bagchi, and I. C. Bagchi Immune-Responsive Gene 1 Is a Novel Target of Progesterone Receptor and Plays a Critical Role during Implantation in the Mouse Endocrinology, December 1, 2003; 144(12): 5623 - 5630. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Chen, D. Zhang, and J. W. Pollard Progesterone Regulation of the Mammalian Ortholog of Methylcitrate Dehydratase (Immune Response Gene 1) in the Uterine Epithelium during Implantation through the Protein Kinase C Pathway Mol. Endocrinol., November 1, 2003; 17(11): 2340 - 2354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Li and B. W. O'Malley Unfolding the Action of Progesterone Receptors J. Biol. Chem., October 10, 2003; 278(41): 39261 - 39264. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Mulac-Jericevic, J. P. Lydon, F. J. DeMayo, and O. M. Conneely Defective mammary gland morphogenesis in mice lacking the progesterone receptor B isoform PNAS, August 19, 2003; 100(17): 9744 - 9749. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X.-L. Zhang, D. Zhang, F. J. Michel, J. L. Blum, F. A. Simmen, and R. C. M. Simmen Selective Interactions of Kruppel-like Factor 9/Basic Transcription Element-binding Protein with Progesterone Receptor Isoforms A and B Determine Transcriptional Activity of Progesterone-responsive Genes in Endometrial Epithelial Cells J. Biol. Chem., June 6, 2003; 278(24): 21474 - 21482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Endocrinology | Endocrine Reviews | J. Clin. End. & Metab. |
| Molecular Endocrinology | Recent Prog. Horm. Res. | All Endocrine Journals |