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Bello-Alvarez C, Zamora-Sánchez CJ, Peña-Gutiérrez KM, Camacho-Arroyo I. Progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone promote invasion of human glioblastoma cells through metalloproteinase‑9 and cSrc kinase. Oncol Lett 2023; 25:223. [PMID: 37153033 PMCID: PMC10157356 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas are the most aggressive and common primary brain tumors in adults. Glioblastoma cells have a great capacity to migrate and invade the brain parenchyma, often reaching the contralateral hemisphere. Progesterone (P4) and its metabolite, allopregnanolone (3α-THP), promote the migration and invasion of human glioblastoma-derived cells. P4 induces migration in glioblastoma cells by the activation of the proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (cSrc) and focal adhesion kinase (Fak). In breast cancer cells, cSrc and Fak promote invasion by increasing the expression and activation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, the mechanism of action by which P4 and 3a-THP promote invasion in glioblastoma cells remains unclear. The effects of P4 and 3α-THP on the protein expression levels of MMP-2 and -9 and the participation of cSrc in progestin effects in U251 and U87 human glioblastoma-derived cells were evaluated. It was determined by western blotting that the P4 increased the protein expression level of MMP-9 in U251 and U87 cells, and 3α-THP increased the protein expression level of MMP-9 in U87 cells. None of these progestins modified MMP-2 protein expression levels. The increase in MMP-9 expression was reduced when the intracellular progesterone receptor and cSrc expression were blocked with small interfering RNAs. Cell invasion induced by P4 and 3α-THP was also blocked by inhibiting cSrc activity with PP2 or by cSrc gene silencing. These results suggest that P4 and its metabolite 3α-THP induce the invasion of glioblastoma cells by increasing MMP-9 expression through the cSrc kinase family. The results of this study provide information of interest in the context of targeted therapies against molecular pathways involved in glioblastoma invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bello-Alvarez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Carmen J. Zamora-Sánchez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Karla M. Peña-Gutiérrez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Correspondence to: Dr Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo, Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenue Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico, E-mail:
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Balthazart J. Membrane-initiated actions of sex steroids and reproductive behavior: A historical account. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 538:111463. [PMID: 34582978 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
It was assumed for a long time that sex steroids are activating reproductive behaviors by the same mechanisms that produce their morphological and physiological effects in the periphery. However during the last few decades an increasing number of examples were identified where behavioral effects of steroids were just too fast to be mediated via changes in DNA transcription. This progressively forced behavioral neuroendocrinologists to recognize that part of the effects of steroids on behavior are mediated by membrane-initiated events. In this review we present a selection of these early data that changed the conceptual landscape and we provide a summary the different types of membrane-associated receptors (estrogens, androgens and progestagens receptors) that are playing the most important role in the control of reproductive behaviors. Then we finally describe in more detail three separate behavioral systems in which membrane-initiated events have clearly been established to contribute to behavior control.
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Domínguez-Ordóñez R, García-Juárez M, Lima-Hernández FJ, Gómora-Arrati P, Domínguez-Salazar E, Luna-Hernández A, Hoffman KL, Blaustein JD, Etgen AM, González-Flores O. Protein kinase inhibitors infused intraventricularly or into the ventromedial hypothalamus block short latency facilitation of lordosis by oestradiol. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12809. [PMID: 31715031 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
An injection of unesterified oestradiol (E2 ) facilitates receptive behaviour in E2 benzoate (EB)-primed, ovariectomised female rats when it is administered i.c.v. or systemically. The present study tested the hypothesis that inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase G (PKG) or the Src/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) complex interfere with E2 facilitation of receptive behaviour. In Experiment 1, lordosis induced by i.c.v. infusion of E2 was significantly reduced by i.c.v. administration of Rp-cAMPS, a PKA inhibitor, KT5823, a PKG inhibitor, and PP2 and PD98059, Src and MAPK inhibitors, respectively, between 30 and 240 minutes after infusion. In Experiment 2, we determined whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is one of the neural sites at which those intracellular pathways participate in lordosis behaviour induced by E2 . Administration of each of the four protein kinase inhibitors into the VMH blocked facilitation of lordosis induced by infusion of E2 also into the VMH. These data support the hypothesis that activation of several protein kinase pathways is involved in the facilitation of lordosis by E2 in EB-primed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymundo Domínguez-Ordóñez
- Licenciatura en Ingeniería Agronómica y Zootecnia, Complejo Regional Centro, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Tecamachalco, Mexico
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Marcos García-Juárez
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
| | - Francisco J Lima-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México
| | - Porfirio Gómora-Arrati
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
| | - Emilio Domínguez-Salazar
- Área de Neurociencias, Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, México
| | - Ailyn Luna-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
| | - Kurt L Hoffman
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
| | - Jeffrey D Blaustein
- Licenciatura en Ingeniería Agronómica y Zootecnia, Complejo Regional Centro, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Tecamachalco, Mexico
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Anne M Etgen
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Oscar González-Flores
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Tlaxcala, México
- Área de Neurociencias, Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, México
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4
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Rudzinskas SA, Williams KM, Mong JA, Holder MK. Sex, Drugs, and the Medial Amygdala: A Model of Enhanced Sexual Motivation in the Female Rat. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:203. [PMID: 31551730 PMCID: PMC6746834 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychomotor stimulant that is reported to enhance sexual desire and behavior in both men and women, leading to increases in unplanned pregnancies, sexually-transmitted infections, and even comorbid psychiatric conditions. Here, we discuss our rodent model of increased sexually-motivated behaviors in which the co-administration of METH and the ovarian hormones, estradiol and progesterone, intensify the incentive properties of a sexual stimulus and increases measures of sexually-motivated behavior in the presence of an androgen-specific cue. We then present the neurobiological mechanisms by which this heightened motivational salience is mediated by the actions of METH and ovarian hormones, particularly progestins, in the posterodorsal medial nucleus of the amygdala (MePD), a key integration site for sexually-relevant sensory information with generalized arousal. We finally demonstrate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this facilitation of sexual motivation by METH, including the upregulation, increased phosphorylation, and activation of progestin receptors (PRs) in the MePD by METH in the presence of ovarian hormones. Taken together, this work extends our understanding of the neurobiology of female sexual motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rudzinskas
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Katrina M Williams
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jessica A Mong
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mary K Holder
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Domínguez-Ordóñez R, Garcia-Juárez M, Lima-Hernández FJ, Gómora-Arrati P, Domínguez-Salazar E, Blaustein JD, Etgen AM, González-Flores O. Lordosis facilitated by GPER-1 receptor activation involves GnRH-1, progestin and estrogen receptors in estrogen-primed rats. Horm Behav 2018; 98:77-87. [PMID: 29269179 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study assessed the participation of membrane G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER-1) and gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 (GnRH-1) receptor in the display of lordosis induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of G1, a GPER-1 agonist, and by unesterified 17β-estradiol (free E2). In addition, we assessed the participation of both estrogen and progestin receptors in the lordosis behavior induced by G1 in ovariectomized (OVX), E2-benzoate (EB)-primed rats. In Experiment 1, icv injection of G1 induced lordosis behavior at 120 and 240min. In Experiment 2, icv injection of the GPER-1 antagonist G15 significantly reduced lordosis behavior induced by either G1 or free E2. In addition, Antide, a GnRH-1 receptor antagonist, significantly depressed G1 facilitation of lordosis behavior in OVX, EB-primed rats. Similarly, icv injection of Antide blocked the stimulatory effect of E2 on lordosis behavior. In Experiment 3, systemic injection of either tamoxifen or RU486 significantly reduced lordosis behavior induced by icv administration of G1 in OVX, EB-primed rats. The results suggest that GnRH release activates both estrogen and progestin receptors and that this activation is important in the chain of events leading to the display of lordosis behavior in response to activation of GPER-1 in estrogen-primed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Domínguez-Ordóñez
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, México
| | - M Garcia-Juárez
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, México
| | - F J Lima-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, México
| | - P Gómora-Arrati
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, México
| | - E Domínguez-Salazar
- Area de Neurosciencias, Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México
| | - J D Blaustein
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - A M Etgen
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - O González-Flores
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, México; Area de Neurosciencias, Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México.
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6
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Marquina-Sánchez B, González-Jorge J, Hansberg-Pastor V, Wegman-Ostrosky T, Baranda-Ávila N, Mejía-Pérez S, Camacho-Arroyo I, González-Arenas A. The interplay between intracellular progesterone receptor and PKC plays a key role in migration and invasion of human glioblastoma cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 172:198-206. [PMID: 27717886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs) and protein kinases C (PKCs) are known regulators of cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Both PRs and PKCs are found overexpressed in grade IV human astrocytomas, also known as glioblastomas, which are the most frequent and aggressive brain tumors. In the present study, we investigated whether PR activation by PKC induces the migration and invasion of glioblastoma derived cell lines and if PKCα and δ isoforms are involved in PR activation. We observed that PKC activation with tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) increases the migration and invasion capacity of two human glioblastoma derived human cell lines (U251 MG and U87) and that the treatment with the PR receptor antagonist RU486 blocks these processes. Interestingly, the pharmacological inhibition of the isoenzymes PKCα and PKCδ also resulted in a blocked PR transcriptional activity. Also, TPA-dependent PR activation increases the expression of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), a known PR target gene. These results hint to an existing cross-talk between PKCs and PRs in regulating the infiltration process of human glioblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Marquina-Sánchez
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Programa de Investigación en Cancer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jesús González-Jorge
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Programa de Investigación en Cancer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Valeria Hansberg-Pastor
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Talia Wegman-Ostrosky
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Noemi Baranda-Ávila
- División de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Sonia Mejía-Pérez
- Subdirección de Neurocirugía, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Aliesha González-Arenas
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Programa de Investigación en Cancer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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González-Mariscal G, Gallegos JA, Rueda Morales RI, Hoffman K. Estrogen-dependent estrous behavior in rabbits is antagonized by the antiprogestin RU486. Horm Behav 2017; 89:189-192. [PMID: 28161388 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) dimerizes with unliganded progesterone receptor (PR) in target tissues to trigger genomic and non-genomic effects. In ovariectomized rats the antiprogestin RU486 or antisense nucleotides against PR antagonize estradiol-induced sexual receptivity. We determined the relevance of unliganded PR for the expression of estrogen-dependent scent-marking (chinning) and sexual receptivity by injecting RU486 to: a) ovariectomized (ovx) rabbits given estradiol benzoate (EB; 5μg/day); b) intact rabbits. Chinning and lordosis were quantified in ovx animals before (5days; baseline) and during hormonal treatments: EB+RU486 (20mg/day; n=18) or EB+vehicle (n=18). On treatment day 4 LQ (lordosis quotient) increased in both groups, relative to baseline (mean±se): LQ=1±5 (baseline) vs 25±21 (EB+RU486) and 2±6 (baseline) vs 37±29 (EB+vehicle). On day 9 LQ values were: 22±23 (EB+RU486) and 54±39 (EB+vehicle). Chinning increased only in the EB+vehicle group (day 9=55±46 vs baseline=17±20 marks/10min). In intact rabbits one RU486 injection: reduced the LQ from 72±7to 36±8 five hrs later, increased the latency to receive first ejaculation from 45 to 98s, and decreased the number of ejaculations received in the test from 3 to 2 but did not modify mounting latency or chinning. Results support a participation of unliganded PR for the induction (ovx) and maintenance (intact) of rabbit estrous behavior by estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Antonio Gallegos
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Rafael I Rueda Morales
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Kurt Hoffman
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Mexico
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González-Arenas A, Peña-Ortiz MÁ, Hansberg-Pastor V, Marquina-Sánchez B, Baranda-Ávila N, Nava-Castro K, Cabrera-Wrooman A, González-Jorge J, Camacho-Arroyo I. PKCα and PKCδ activation regulates transcriptional activity and degradation of progesterone receptor in human astrocytoma cells. Endocrinology 2015; 156:1010-22. [PMID: 25514083 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone regulates cancer cell proliferation and invasion through its receptors (PR-A and PR-B), whose phosphorylation modifies their transcriptional activity and induce their degradation. We identified by in silico analysis a putative residue (Ser400) in PR that might be phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC), a family of enzymes involved in the proliferation and infiltration of astrocytomas, the most frequent and aggressive brain tumors. A grade III human astrocytoma-derived cell line was used to study the role of PKC in PR phosphorylation, transcriptional activity, and degradation. Treatment with PKC activator [tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)] increased PR phosphorylation in Ser400 after 5 minutes, which in turn induced PR transcriptional activity and its subsequent degradation by the 26S proteasome 3-5 hours after treatment. Silencing or inhibition of PKCα and PKCδ blocked PR phosphorylation and degradation induced by TPA. Both PR isoforms were associated with PKCα and reached the maximum association after 5 minutes of TPA addition. These data correlated with immunnofluorescence assays in which nuclear colocalization of PKCα with PR increased after TPA treatment. We observed a 2-fold increase in cell proliferation after PKC activation with TPA that was reduced with the PR antagonist, RU486. The PR S400A mutant revealed that this residue is essential for PKC-mediated PR phosphorylation and degradation. Our results show a key participation of PKCα and PKCδ in PR regulation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliesha González-Arenas
- Departamento de Biología (A.G.-A., M.A.P.-O., V.H.-P., B.M.-S., K.N.-C., A.C.-W., J.G.-J., I.C.-A.), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Distrito Federal, México; and División de Investigación Básica (N.B.-A.), Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México City 14080, Distrito Federal, México
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9
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Dose-dependent effects of the antiprogestin, RU486, on sexual behavior of naturally cycling Fischer rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 282:95-102. [PMID: 25591479 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2014] [Revised: 01/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Regularly cycling Fischer female rats were treated with either a low (5mg/kg) or high (5mg/RAT; approximately 30mg/kg) dose of the antiprogestin, RU486, before the morning of proestrus or on the morning of proestrus. The emergence of sexual behavior after treatment with RU486 was examined in a mating test with a sexually active male rat. Lordosis behavior was remarkably resistant to the effects of RU486. Only the high dose of RU486 given the evening before proestrus, approximately 22h before mating, reduced lordosis behavior. Independent of dose or time of treatment, proceptivity was reduced and resistance to the male's attempts to mount was increased by RU486 treatment. In addition, the effect of a 5min restraint stress on sexual behavior was examined. In contrast to the relative resistance of lordosis behavior of unrestrained rats to RU486 treatment, RU486 treated rats showed a significant decline in lordosis behavior after restraint. These findings allow the suggestion that the emergence of lordosis behavior is relatively resistant to the antiprogestin while the maintenance of lordosis behavior after restraint may require participation of intracellular progesterone receptors.
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Lima-Hernández FJ, Gómora-Arrati P, García-Juárez M, Blaustein JD, Etgen AM, Beyer C, González-Flores O. Estrogen receptors regulate the estrous behavior induced by progestins, peptides, and prostaglandin E2. Horm Behav 2014; 66:361-8. [PMID: 24954691 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The role of classical estrogen receptors (ERs) in priming female reproductive behavior has been studied previously; however, the participation of this receptor during activation of estrous behavior has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this work was to test the possibility that the facilitation of lordosis behavior in estrogen-primed rats by progesterone (P) and its 5α- and 5β-reduced metabolites, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), leptin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vagino-cervical stimulation (VCS) involves interactions with classical ERs by using the selective ER modulator, tamoxifen. To further assess the role of ERs, we also explored the effects of the pure ER antagonist, ICI182780 (ICI), on estrous behavior induced by P and GnRH. Ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats (5μg estradiol benzoate 40h earlier) were injected intraventricularly with the above-mentioned compounds, or they received VCS. All compounds and VCS effectively facilitated estrous behavior when tested at 60, 120 or 240min after infusion or application of VCS. Intraventricular infusion of tamoxifen (5μg), 30min before, significantly attenuated estrous behaviors induced in estradiol-primed rats by P, most of its 5α- and 5β-reduced metabolites, GnRH, and PGE2, but not by VCS. Although there was a trend for reduction, tamoxifen did not significantly decrease lordosis in females treated with 5β-pregnan-3,20-dione. ICI also inhibited lordosis behavior induced by P and GnRH at some testing intervals. These results suggest that activation of classical ERs participates in the triggering effects on estrous behavior induced by agents with different chemical structures that do not bind directly to ERs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Lima-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Plaza Hidalgo S/N, Panotla, Tlaxcala 90140, México; Doctorado en Ciencias Naturales del Centro Tlaxcala en Biología de la Conducta
| | - P Gómora-Arrati
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Plaza Hidalgo S/N, Panotla, Tlaxcala 90140, México
| | - M García-Juárez
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Plaza Hidalgo S/N, Panotla, Tlaxcala 90140, México
| | - J D Blaustein
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, Tobin Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9271, USA
| | - A M Etgen
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - C Beyer
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Plaza Hidalgo S/N, Panotla, Tlaxcala 90140, México
| | - O González-Flores
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Plaza Hidalgo S/N, Panotla, Tlaxcala 90140, México.
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11
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Bali A, Jaggi AS. Multifunctional aspects of allopregnanolone in stress and related disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 48:64-78. [PMID: 24044974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one) is a major cholesterol-derived neurosteroid in the central nervous system and is synthesized from progesterone by steroidogenic enzymes, 5α-reductase (the rate-limiting enzyme) and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The pathophysiological role of allopregnanolone in neuropsychiatric disorders has been highlighted in several investigations. The changes in neuroactive steroid levels are detected in stress and stress-related disorders including anxiety, panic and depression. The changes in allopregnanolone in response to acute stressor tend to restore the homeostasis by dampening the hyper-activated HPA axis. However, long standing stressors leading to development of neuropsychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety are associated with decrease in the allopregnanolone levels. GABAA receptor complex has been considered as the primary target of allopregnanolone and majority of its inhibitory actions are mediated through GABA potentiation or direct activation of GABA currents. The role of progesterone receptors in producing the late actions of allopregnanolone particularly in lordosis facilitation has also been described. Moreover, recent studies have also described the involvement of other multiple targets including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glutamate, dopamine, opioids, oxytocin, and calcium channels. The present review discusses the various aspects of allopregnanolone in stress and stress-related disorders including anxiety, depression and panic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Bali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University Patiala, 147002, India
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Micevych P, Sinchak K. Temporal and concentration-dependent effects of oestradiol on neural pathways mediating sexual receptivity. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:1012-23. [PMID: 24028299 PMCID: PMC3943611 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The acceptance of oestradiol signalling through receptors found in the cell membrane, as well as, the nucleus, has provided for a re-examination of the timing and location of the actions of oestradiol on neural circuits mediating sexual receptivity (lordosis). Oestradiol membrane signalling involves the transactivation of metabotrophic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) that transduce steroid information through protein kinase C signalling cascades producing rapid activation of lordosis-regulating circuits. It has been known for some time that oestradiol initially produces an inhibition of the medial preoptic nucleus. We have demonstrated that underlying this inhibition is oestradiol acting in the arcuate nucleus to induce β-endorphin release, which inhibits the medial preoptic nucleus through a μ-opioid receptor mechanism. This transient inhibition is relieved by either subsequent progesterone treatment or longer exposure to higher doses of oestradiol to facilitate lordosis behaviour. We review recent findings about oestradiol membrane signalling inducing dendritic spine formation in the arcuate nucleus that is critical for oestradiol induction of sexual receptivity. Moreover, we discuss the evidence that, in addition to oestrogen receptor α, several other putative membrane oestrogen receptors facilitate lordosis behaviour through regulation of the arcuate nucleus. These include the GRP30 and the STX activated Gq-mER. Finally, we report on the importance of GABA acting at GABAB receptors for oestradiol membrane signalling that regulates lordosis circuit activation and sexual receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Micevych
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840
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Petersen SL, Intlekofer KA, Moura-Conlon PJ, Brewer DN, Del Pino Sans J, Lopez JA. Nonclassical progesterone signalling molecules in the nervous system. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:991-1001. [PMID: 23763432 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) regulates a wide range of cognitive, neuroendocrine, neuroimmune and neuroprotective functions. Therefore, it is not surprising that this ovarian hormone acts through multiple receptors. Ever since the 1980s, studies investigating the neural effects of P4 have focused mainly on genomic and nongenomic actions of the classical progestin receptor (PGR). More recently, two groups of nonclassical P4 signalling molecules have been identified: (i) the class II progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family, which includes PAQR 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, also called membrane progestin receptor α (mPRα; PAQR7), mPRβ (PAQR8), mPRγ (PAQR5), mPRδ (PAQR6) and mPRε (PAQR9), and (ii) the b5-like haeme/steroid-binding protein family, which includes progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1), Pgrmc2, neudesin and neuferricin. In this review, we describe the structures, neuroanatomical localisation and signalling mechanisms of these molecules. We also discuss gonadotrophin-releasing hormone regulation as an example of a physiological function regulated by multiple progesterone receptors but through different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Petersen
- Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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García-Juárez M, Beyer C, Gómora-Arrati P, Domínguez-Ordoñez R, Lima-Hernández FJ, Eguibar JR, Galicia-Aguas YL, Etgen AM, González-Flores O. Lordosis facilitation by leptin in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats requires simultaneous or sequential activation of several protein kinase pathways. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 110:13-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Frye CA, Walf AA, Kohtz AS, Zhu Y. Membrane progestin receptors in the midbrain ventral tegmental area are required for progesterone-facilitated lordosis of rats. Horm Behav 2013; 64:539-45. [PMID: 23770270 PMCID: PMC4541797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone (P₄) and its metabolites, rapidly facilitate lordosis of rats partly through actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The study of membrane progestin receptors (mPRs), of the Progestin and AdipoQ Receptor (PAQR) superfamily, has been limited to expression and regulation, instead of function. We hypothesized that if mPRs are required for progestin-facilitated lordosis in the VTA, then mPRs will be expressed in this region and knockdown will attenuate lordosis. First, expression of mPR was examined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in brain and peripheral tissues of proestrous Long-Evans rats. Expression of mPRα (paqr7) was observed in peripheral tissues and brain areas, including hypothalamus and midbrain. Expression of mPRβ (paqr8) was observed in brain tissues and was abundant in the midbrain and hypothalamus. Second, ovariectomized rats were estrogen (E₂; 0.09 mg/kg, SC), and P₄ (4 mg/kg, SC) or vehicle-primed, and infused with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) targeted against mPRα and/or mPRβ intracerebroventricularly or to the VTA. Rats were assessed for motor (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), social (social interaction), and sexual (lordosis) behavior. P₄-facilitated lordosis was significantly reduced with administration of AS-ODNs for mPRα, mPRβ, or co-administration of mPRα and mPRβ to the lateral ventricle, compared to vehicle. P₄-facilitated lordosis was reduced, compared to vehicle, by administration of mPRβ AS-ODNs, or co-administration of mPRα and mPRβ AS-ODNs, but not mPRα AS-ODNs alone, to the VTA. No differences were observed for motor, anxiety, or social behaviors. Thus, mPRs in the VTA are targets of progestin-facilitated lordosis of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Frye
- Dept. of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Dept. of Biological Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; The Centers for Neuroscience, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Life Science Research, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Alaska-Fairbanks, IDeA Network of Biomedical Excellence (INBRE), 202 West Ridge Research Bldg., Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
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Lima-Hernández FJ, Beyer C, Gómora-Arrati P, García-Juárez M, Encarnación-Sánchez JL, Etgen AM, González-Flores O. Src kinase signaling mediates estrous behavior induced by 5β-reduced progestins, GnRH, prostaglandin E2 and vaginocervical stimulation in estrogen-primed rats. Horm Behav 2012; 62:579-84. [PMID: 23010621 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The progesterone receptor (PR) is a dual function protein that acts in the nucleus as a transcriptional factor and at the cytoplasm as a scaffold for the Src-MAPK signaling pathway. Several agents lacking affinity for the PR, such as 5β-reduced progestins, GnRH or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) facilitate estrous behavior in ovariectomized (ovx), estrogen-primed rats yet their action is blocked by the antiprogestin RU486. We hypothesize that these agents act by using the PR-Src-mitogen activated protein kinase alternative pathway. To test this hypothesis we used PP2, a specific inhibitor of the Src kinase family. Intraventricular infusion of 30 μg of PP2, 30 min before behavioral testing, significantly attenuated estrous behaviors induced in estradiol benzoate (E(2)B)-primed rats by 5β-dihydroprogesterone (5β-DHP), 5β-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one (5β,3β-Pgl), GnRH, PGE(2) and by manual flank/vaginocervical stimulation. These results suggest that the Src signaling system, by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases, participates in the facilitation of estrous behavior in E(2)B-primed rats induced by agents lacking affinity for the PR.
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Uphouse L, Adams S, Miryala CSJ, Hassell J, Hiegel C. RU486 blocks effects of allopregnanolone on the response to restraint stress. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 103:568-72. [PMID: 23046854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
These experiments were designed to provide information about the potential involvement of progesterone receptors in the ability of allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one) to reduce the lordosis-inhibiting effects of restraint stress. Ovariectomized Fischer rats were hormonally primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate and 4 mg/kg allopregnanolone or vehicle. One hour before allopregnanolone, rats were injected with the progesterone receptor antagonist, RU486 (11β-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl-17β-hydroxy-17-(1-propynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one), or vehicle. Four hours after allopregnanolone or vehicle, sexual behavior was examined before and after a 5-min restraint stress. Lordosis behavior of rats primed only with estradiol benzoate declined after the 5 min of restraint while allopregnanolone prevented this decline. RU486 attenuated the ability of allopregnanolone to prevent the restraint-induced decline in lordosis behavior. These findings are consistent with earlier suggestions that progesterone receptors are involved in allopregnanolone's ability to reduce the effects of restraint stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Uphouse
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman's University, United States.
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Estrous cycle variations in GABA(A) receptor phosphorylation enable rapid modulation by anabolic androgenic steroids in the medial preoptic area. Neuroscience 2012; 226:397-410. [PMID: 22989919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), synthetic testosterone derivatives that are used for ergogenic purposes, alter neurotransmission and behaviors mediated by GABA(A) receptors. Some of these effects may reflect direct and rapid action of these synthetic steroids at the receptor. The ability of other natural allosteric steroid modulators to alter GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents is dependent upon the phosphorylation state of the receptor complex. Here we show that phosphorylation of the GABA(A) receptor complex immunoprecipitated by β(2)/β(3) subunit-specific antibodies from the medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the mouse varies across the estrous cycle; with levels being significantly lower in estrus. Acute exposure to the AAS, 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MeT), had no effect on the amplitude or kinetics of inhibitory postsynaptic currents in the mPOA of estrous mice when phosphorylation was low, but increased the amplitude of these currents from mice in diestrus, when it was high. Inclusion of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, calphostin, in the recording pipette eliminated the ability of 17α-MeT to enhance currents from diestrous animals, suggesting that PKC-receptor phosphorylation is critical for the allosteric modulation elicited by AAS during this phase. In addition, a single injection of 17α-MeT was found to impair an mPOA-mediated behavior (nest building) in diestrus, but not in estrus. PKC is known to target specific serine residues in the β(3) subunit of the GABA(A) receptor. Although phosphorylation of these β(3) serine residues showed a similar profile across the cycle, as did phosphoserine in mPOA lysates immunoprecipitated with β2/β3 antibody (lower in estrus than in diestrus or proestrus), the differences were not significant. These data suggest that the phosphorylation state of the receptor complex regulates both the ability of AAS to modulate receptor function in the mPOA and the expression of a simple mPOA-dependent behavior through a PKC-dependent mechanism that involves the β(3) subunit and other sites within the GABA(A) receptor complex.
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Mani SK, Blaustein JD. Neural progestin receptors and female sexual behavior. Neuroendocrinology 2012; 96:152-61. [PMID: 22538437 PMCID: PMC3498483 DOI: 10.1159/000338668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The steroid hormone, progesterone (P), modulates neuroendocrine functions in the central nervous system resulting in integration of reproduction and reproductive behaviors in female mammals. Although it is widely recognized that P's effects on female sex behavior are mediated by the classical neural progestin receptors (PRs) functioning as 'ligand-dependent' transcription factors to regulate genes and genomic networks, additional mechanisms of PR activation also contribute to the behavioral response. Cellular and molecular evidence indicates that PRs can be activated in a ligand-independent manner by neurotransmitters, growth factors, cyclic nucleotides, progestin metabolites and mating stimuli. The rapid responses of P may be mediated by a variety of PR types, including membrane-associated PRs or extranuclear PRs. Furthermore, these rapid nonclassical P actions involving cytoplasmic kinase signaling and/or extranuclear PRs also converge with classical PR-mediated transcription-dependent pathways to regulate reproductive behaviors. In this review, we summarize some of the history of the study of the role of PRs in reproductive behaviors and update the status of PR-mediated mechanisms involved in the facilitation of female sex behavior. We present an integrative model of PR activation via crosstalk and convergence of multiple signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaila K Mani
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Center on Addiction, Learning and Memory, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Hassell J, Miryala CSJ, Hiegel C, Uphouse L. Mechanisms responsible for progesterone's protection against lordosis-inhibiting effects of restraint I. Role of progesterone receptors. Horm Behav 2011; 60:219-25. [PMID: 21635894 PMCID: PMC3126914 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Progestins and antiprogestins are widely used therapeutic agents in humans. In many cases, these are indicated for the treatment of reproductive activities. However, progesterone has widespread physiological effects including a reduction of the response to stress. We have reported that 5 min of restraint reduced lordosis behavior of ovariectomized rats hormonally primed with estradiol benzoate. When ovariectomized rats received both estradiol benzoate and progesterone priming, restraint had minimal effects on lordosis. Progesterone influences behavior through classical intracellular progesterone receptor-mediated nuclear events as well as extranuclear events. How these multiple events contribute to the response to stress is unclear. The current project was designed to initiate examination of the mechanisms responsible for progesterone's ability to protect against the effects of the restraint. In the first experiment, ovariectomized rats, primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate, received 500 μg progesterone 4 h, 1 h, or 30 min before restraint. When progesterone was injected 4h before restraint, progesterone eliminated the effects of restraint. In contrast, progesterone 30 min before restraint offered no protection. Effects of progesterone 1h before restraint were equivocal allowing the suggestion that less than 4h of progesterone priming might be sufficient. In the second experiment, the synthetic progestin, medroxyprogesterone, was shown to mimic effects of progesterone in preventing effects of restraint. Finally, the progesterone receptor antagonist, RU486, attenuated progesterone's protection against restraint. These findings offer evidence that ligand-activated progesterone receptor mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of lordosis behavior in the presence of mild stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hassell
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas 76204, USA,
| | | | - Cindy Hiegel
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas 76204, USA,
| | - Lynda Uphouse
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas 76204, USA, Phone: 940-898-2356, Fax: 940-898-2382,
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Miryala CSJ, Hassell J, Adams S, Hiegel C, Uzor N, Uphouse L. Mechanisms responsible for progesterone's protection against lordosis-inhibiting effects of restraint II. Role of progesterone metabolites. Horm Behav 2011; 60:226-32. [PMID: 21621542 PMCID: PMC3130304 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
When ovariectomized Fischer female rats are hormonally primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate, a 5 min restraint experience rapidly inhibits lordosis behavior. Addition of progesterone to the hormonal priming prevents this restraint-induced inhibition. In prior work, we reported evidence that progesterone receptors (PR) may contribute to this protective effect of progesterone. In the current manuscript, we provide evidence that progesterone metabolites may also contribute to progesterone's ability to reduce the effects of restraint. Ovariectomized female rats were hormonally primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate followed 2 days later with 4.0 mg/kg of the progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone, administered either 4 h or 2 h before the restraint experience, was as effective as progesterone in reducing the lordosis-inhibitory effects of restraint. In the second experiment, progesterone metabolism was blocked with 50 mg/kg of the 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. Surprisingly, finasteride did not prevent progesterone from reducing the effects of restraint. In a third experiment, we tested the possibility that allopregnanolone acted through metabolism to dihydroprogesterone. Rats were treated with allopregnanolone or with allopregnanolone plus the 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, indomethacin. Indomethacin did not prevent allopregnanolone from reducing the effects of restraint. Mechanisms are discussed whereby cross-talk between PR-mediated and metabolite-mediated events may converge in producing progesterone's attenuation of the effect of restraint.
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I. Levels of 5α-reduced progesterone metabolite in the midbrain account for variability in reproductive behavior of middle-aged female rats. Brain Res 2010; 1379:137-48. [PMID: 21070751 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
At middle-age, the reproductive capacity of female rats begins to decline. Whether there are consequences for social and reproductive behaviors related to changes in estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)) and its 5α-reduced metabolites, dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), is of interest. In Experiment 1, 1-year-old female breeder rats that had "maintained their reproductive status" (having 4-5 days estrous cycles, > 60% successful pregnancies after mating, > 10 pups/litter) or their age-matched counterparts with "declining reproductive status" were assessed in social interaction, standard mating, and paced mating when in proestrus. Rats that maintained reproductive status tended to have higher levels of proceptivity, and significantly reduced aggression, towards males, compared to rats with declining reproductive status. Basal midbrain E(2) and DHP levels accounted for a significant proportion of variance in lordosis. In Experiment 2, 1-year-old, age-matched, female breeders that had maintained reproductive status or were in reproductive decline were compared to three-month old, nulliparous females that had regular (4-5 days) or irregular estrous cycles. Age did not influence paced mating but younger rats had greater diencephalon E(2) than did middle-aged rats. After mating, rats with declining/irregular reproductive status had higher P(4) and DHP levels in midbrain than did rats with maintaining/regular reproductive status, albeit differences in midbrain 3α,5α-THP were not seen. Middle-aged rats that maintained reproductive function had greater 3α,5α-THP formation in diencephalon compared to other groups. Thus, age-related changes in central progestogen formation in midbrain or diencephalon may contribute to some variability in expression of reproductive behaviors.
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