Rapid Actions of the Nuclear Progesterone Receptor through cSrc in Cancer

Progesterone receptor-Grb2 interaction is associated with better outcomes in breast cancer

In addition to mediating nuclear transcription, PR mediates extranuclear functions mainly through the PR polyproline domain (PPD) interaction with the SH3 domain of cytoplasmic signaling molecules. PR-PPD-SH3 interaction inhibits EGF-mediated signaling and decreases lung cancer cell proliferation. Grb2 is an essential adaptor molecule with an SH2 domain flanked by two SH3 domains. In this study, we examined whether PR, through interaction between PR-PPD and Grb2-SH3, can interact with Grb2 in cells and breast cancer tissues. Our previous study shows that interaction between PR-PPD and Grb2 could interfere with cytoplasmic signaling and lead to inhibition of EGF-mediated signaling. GST-pulldown analysis shows that PR-PPD specifically interacts with the SH3 domains of Grb2. Immunofluorescence staining shows colocalization of PR and Grb2 in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in BT-474 breast cancer cells. Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) analysis, we show that PR and Grb2 interact in breast cancer cells through the Grb2-SH3 domain. Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) analysis of 43 breast cancer specimens shows that PR-Grb2 interaction is associated with low histological stage and negatively correlates with lymph node invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. These results, together with our previous findings, suggest that PR-PPD interaction with Grb2 plays an essential role in PR-mediated growth factor signaling inhibition and could contribute significantly to better prognosis in PR- and Grb2-positive breast cancer. Our finding provides a basis for additional studies to explore a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Role of c-Src in Carcinogenesis and Drug Resistance

The aberrant transformation of normal cells into cancer cells, known as carcinogenesis, is a complex process involving numerous genetic and molecular alterations in response to innate and environmental stimuli. The Src family kinases (SFK) are key components of signaling pathways implicated in carcinogenesis, with c-Src and its oncogenic counterpart v-Src often playing a significant role. The discovery of c-Src represents a compelling narrative highlighting groundbreaking discoveries and valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis. Upon oncogenic activation, c-Src activates multiple downstream signaling pathways, including the PI3K-AKT pathway, the Ras-MAPK pathway, the JAK-STAT3 pathway, and the FAK/Paxillin pathway, which are important for cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we delve into the discovery of c-Src and v-Src, the structure of c-Src, and the molecular mechanisms that activate c-Src. We also focus on the various signaling pathways that c-Src employs to promote oncogenesis and resistance to chemotherapy drugs as well as molecularly targeted agents.

Decreased renal expression of PAQR5 is associated with the absence of a nephroprotective effect of progesterone in a rat UUO model

Fibrosis is a severe complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Progesterone, like other sex hormones, plays an important role in renal physiology, but its role in CKD is poorly understood. We investigated progesterone effect on renal fibrosis progression in the rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Female rats were exposed to UUO, ovariectomy and progesterone administration after UUO with ovariectomy. Expression of key fibrosis markers, proinflammatory cytokines, levels of membrane-bound (PAQR5) and nuclear (PGR) progesterone receptors, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were analyzed in the obstructed and intact rat kidney. In all groups exposed to UUO, decreased PAQR5 expression was observed in the obstructed kidney while in the contralateral kidney, it remained unaffected. We found increased mRNA levels for profibrotic COL1A1, FN1, MMP2, TIMP1, TIMP2, proinflammatory IL1α, IL1β, and IL18, as well as elevated α-SMA and MMP9 proteins, collagen deposition, and MMP2 activity in all UUO kidneys. Progesterone had slight or no effect on the change in these markers. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time diminished sensitivity of the kidney to progesterone associated with renal fibrosis due to a severe decrease in PAQR5 expression that was accompanied by the lack of nephroprotection in a rat UUO model.

Allopregnanolone: Metabolism, Mechanisms of Action, and Its Role in Cancer

Allopregnanolone (3α-THP) has been one of the most studied progesterone metabolites for decades. 3α-THP and its synthetic analogs have been evaluated as therapeutic agents for pathologies such as anxiety and depression. Enzymes involved in the metabolism of 3α-THP are expressed in classical and nonclassical steroidogenic tissues. Additionally, due to its chemical structure, 3α-THP presents high affinity and agonist activity for nuclear and membrane receptors of neuroactive steroids and neurotransmitters, such as the Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), membrane progesterone receptors (mPR) and the ionotropic GABA_A receptor, among others. 3α-THP has immunomodulator and antiapoptotic properties. It also induces cell proliferation and migration, all of which are critical processes involved in cancer progression. Recently the study of 3α-THP has indicated that low physiological concentrations of this metabolite induce the progression of several types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, and glioblastoma, while high concentrations inhibit it. In this review, we explore current knowledge on the metabolism and mechanisms of action of 3α-THP in normal and tumor cells.

Many or too many progesterone membrane receptors? Clinical implications

Several receptors for nongenomically initiated actions of progesterone (P4) exist, namely membrane-associated P4 receptors (MAPRs), membrane progestin receptors (mPRs), receptors for neurosteroids [GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR), NMDA receptor, sigma-1 and -2 receptors (S1R/S2R)], the classical genomic P4 receptor (PGR), and α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2). Two drugs related to this field have been approved: brexanolone (Zulresso™) for the treatment of postpartum depression, and ganaxolone (Ztalmy™) for the treatment of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Both are derivatives of P4 and target the GABA_AR. Several other indications are in clinical testing. CT1812 (Elayta™) is also being tested for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Phase 2 clinical trials, targeting the P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1)/S2R complex. In this Review, we highlight emerging knowledge on the mechanisms of nongenomically initiated actions of P4 and its derivatives.

Applications of nanomaterials for gastrointestinal tumors: A review

Nanotechnology is the emerging and advance field of research for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. With the development of nanotechnology, different nanoparticles are used in the treatment of cancer due to their unique optical properties, excellent biocompatibility, surface effects, and small size effects. Nanoparticles are the particles which have the particular size from 1 to 100 nm. These nanoparticles are zero dimension, one dimension, two dimension and three dimension etc. In present scenario a variety of research is focused on the tailored synthesis of nanoparticles for medicinal applications that can be used for cancer treatment based on the morphology, composition, interaction with target cell. The gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are found one of the deadest cancer types with highest reoccurrence rates. The diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer is very challenging due to its deep location and complicated surgery. Nanotechnology provides fast diagnosis and immediate treatment for the gastrointestinal disease. A variety of nanomaterials are used for the diagnosis and treatment of GI disease. Nanoparticles target directly to the tumor cell as diagnostic and therapeutic tools facilitating the identification and removal of tumor cells. A number of nanoparticles are developed for the uses are quantum dots (QDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), Dendrimers etc. This review article gives an overview of the most promising nanomaterials used for the diagnosis and treatment of GI diseases. This review attempts to incorporate numerous uses for the most current nanomaterials, which have great potential for treating gastrointestinal diseases.