Progesterone: Functions and Physiological Responses

Authors

  • Julio Paz Carranza Universidad de Sonora https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0152-6809
  • Efraín Moreno Universidad de Sonora
  • Erika Raña Pohls Universidad de Sonora
  • José Mojarra Estrada Universidad de Sonora
  • Fabiola Medrano Yocupicio Universidad de Sonora

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59420/remus.12.2024.221

Keywords:

Progesterone, Receptors, Pregnancy, Implantation

Abstract

Progesterone is a steroid hormone involved in a number of processes related to the female reproductive cycle, as well as a potent immunomodulator during pregnancy. The objective of this review article is to sequentially unify the different molecular functions of progesterone, from its nuclear interaction with its receptor, using data from the PubMed and EBSCO databases. Among the results obtained, the fundamental role of progesterone receptors was identified, which have activating and inhibitory regions that control transcriptional activity. There are two main isoforms, PRA and PRB, with different functions during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy; in addition, a third receptor, PRC, has been identified. During uterine implantation, progesterone coordinates endometrial receptivity and modulates signaling pathways, influencing immunological responses favorable to pregnancy. The progesterone receptor plays a crucial role as a key regulator of physiological responses to progesterone, with genomic and non-genomic effects, most notably its role in implantation, uterine quiescence, and immunomodulation during pregnancy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Tata JR. One Hundred Years of Hormones. Vol. 6, EMBO Reports. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2005. p. 490–6. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.embor.7400444

Hillisch A, von Langen J, Menzenbach B, Droseher P, Kaufmann G, Schneider B, Elger W. The significance of the 20-carbonyl Group of Progesterone in Steroid Receptor Binding: A Molecular Dynamics and Structure-Based Ligand Design Study. Steroids. 2003 Nov;68(10–13):869–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2003.08.009

Levina IS, Kuznetsov YV, Shechklnunova TA, Zavazina IV. Selective Ligands of Membrane Progesterone Receptors as a Key to Studying their Biological Functions In Vitro and In Vivo. Vol. 207, The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Elsevier BV; 2021. p. 105827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105827

Kolátorová L, VitkJ J, Suchopár J, Hill M, PaříŽek A. Progesterone: A Steroid with Wide Range of Effects in Physiology as Well as Human Medicine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 Jul;23(14):7989. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147989

Taraborrelli S. Physiology, Production and Action of Progesterone. Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2015 Nov 1;94(S161):8–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12771

Kartéris. Internalisation of Membrane Progesterone Receptor After Treatment with Progesterone: Potential Involvement of a Clathrin-Dependent Pathway. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2009 Nov 20;3(1). https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr_00000214

Wei LL, Gonzalez-Aller C, Wood WM, Miller LA, Horwitz KB. 5'-Heterogeneity in Human Progesterone Receptor Transcripts Predicts a New Amino-Terminal Truncated “C”-Receptor and Unique A-receptor Messages. Mol Endocrinol. 1990; 4:1833–40. https://doi.org/10.1210/mend-4-12-1833

Stefaniak M, Dmoch-Gajzlerska E, Jankowska K, Rogowski A, Kajdy A, Maksym P. Progesterone and its Metabolites Play a Beneficial Role in Affect Regulation in the Female Brain. Pharmaceuticals. 2023 Mar 31;16(4):520. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040520

Szekeres-Bartho J, Csabai T, Görgey E. Biologia Futura: Embryo–Maternal Communication Via progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) Positive Embryo-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Their Role in Maternal Immunomodulation. Biologia Futura. 2021 Jan 29;72(1):69–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42977-020-00060-2

Delmas PD, Confavreux E, Garnero P, Fardellone P, De Vernejoul MC, Cormier C et al. A Combination of Low Doses of r-hPTH (1-84) and Norethisterone Acetate Prevents Bone Loss and Normalizes Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women. Osteoporosis Internacional. 2020 Feb 1;1(2):177-87.

García-Sáenz M, Ibarra-Salce R, Pozos-Varela FJ, Mena-Ureta TS, Flores-Vilalgomez S, Santana-Mata M, et al. Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023 May 10;12(10):3388. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12103388

Comasco E, Kallner HK, Bixo M, Hirschberg AL, Nyback S, De Grauw H et al. Ulipristal Acetate for Treatment of Premenstrual dysphoric Disorder: a Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled trial. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 1;178(3):256–65. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030286

Kapur J, Joshi S. Progesterone Modulates Neuronal Excitability Bidirectionally. Neuroscience Letters. 2021 Jan 1;744:135619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135619

Stefaniak M, Dmoch-Gajzlerska E, Jankowska K, Rogowski A, Kajdy A, Maksym RB. Progesterone and Its Metabolites Play a Beneficial Role in Affect Regulation in the Female Brain. Pharmaceuticals (14284247). 2023 Apr;16(4):520. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=asn&AN=163640749&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site

Pluchino N, Russo M, Genazzani AR. The Fetal Brain: Role of Progesterone and Allopregnanolone. Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation. 2016 Jul 1;27(1):29–34X. https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2016-0020

Park YJ, Choi J, Seol J. Angiopoietin-2 Regulated by Progesterone Induces Uterine Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2022 May 27;22(2):1235–43. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2020.11185

Embyr I, Minal W. Progesterone as a Molecule for Embryo Implantation. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology. 2020 Apr 1;65(1):11–14. https://doi.org/10.1530/jme-19-0212

Pitner I, Mikus M, Šprem Goldštajn M, Lagana AS, Chianteta V, Ferrari F, et al. Effects of Different Progesterone Levels on Reproductive Outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technologies: From Molecular Basis to Treatment Strategies. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2023 Dec;39(1):2190806. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=cmem&AN=36963420&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site

Cha J, Sun X, Dey SK. Mechanisms of Implantation: Strategies for Successful Pregnancy. Nature Medicine. 2012 Dec 1;18(12):1754–67. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3012

Bulletti C, Bulletti FM, Sciorio R, Guido M. Progesterone: the Key Factor of the Beginning of Life. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 Nov 16;23(22):14138. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214138

Sivils JC, Storer CL, Galigniana MD, Cox MB. Regulation of Steroid Hormone Receptor Function by the 52-kda FK506-Binding Protein (FKBP52). Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 2011 Aug 1;11(4):314–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2011.03.010

Maclean JA, Hayashi K. Progesterone Actions and Resistance in Gynecological Disorders. Cells. 2022 Feb 13;11(4):647. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11040647

Leehy KA, Truong TH, Mauro LJ, Lange CA. Actions: PR and Prolactin Receptor Signaling Crosstalk in Breast Cancer. Molecular Endocrinology. 2011 Jun;25(6):953–64. https://doi.org/10.1210/me.2010-0522

Vallejo G, Ballaré C, Barañao JL, Beato M, Saragüeta P. Progestin Activation of Nongenomic Pathways via Cross Talk of Progesterone Receptor with Estrogen Receptor β Induces Proliferation of Endometrial Stromal Cells. Molecular Endocrinology. 2005 Dec 1;19(12):3023–37. https://doi.org/10.1210/me.2005-0016

Norisrn JE. Progesterone and Preterm Birth. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2020 Jun 10;150(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13187

Pang Y, Thomas P. Progesterone Induces Relaxation of Human Umbilical Cord Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Through mPRα (PAQR7). Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 2018 Oct 1;474:20–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2018.02.003

Cope DI, Monsivais D. Progesterone Receptor Signaling in the Uterus is Essential for Pregnancy Success. Cells. 2022 Apr 27;11(9):1474. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11091474

Raghupathy R, Szekeres-Bartho J. Progesterone: A Unique Hormone with Immunomodulatory Roles in Pregnancy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 Jan 25;23(3):1333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031333

Bhurke A, Bagchi IC, Bagchi MK. Progesterone-Regulated Endometrial Factors Controlling Implantation. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2016 Jan 24;75(3):237–45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/aji.12473

Abdel-Hafiz HHA, Elgendy KB. Post-Translational Modifications of the Progesterone Receptors. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology / Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2014 Mar 1;140:80–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.12.008

Peluso JJ, Liu X, Gawkowska A, Lodde V, Wu CA. Progesterone Activates MAPK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways in Spontaneously Immortalized Granulosa Cells: Relevance to Cell Survival but not Progesterone Secretion. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism / Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006 Jul 1;91(7):2644–9. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-0147

Wendler A, Wehling M. Many or too many Progesterone Membrane Receptors? Clinical and Implications. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2022 Dec 1;33(12):850–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2022.10.001

Thomas P. Membrane Progesterone Receptors (mPRs, paqrs): Review of Structural and Signaling Characteristics. Cells. 2022 May 30;11(11):1785. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11111785

Simoncini T, Genazzani AR. Non-genomic Actions of Sex Steroid Hormones. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2003 Mar 1;148(3):281–92. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.0.148028

Vallejo G, Ballaré C, Barañao JL, Beato M, Saragüeta P. Progestin Activation of Nongenomic Pathways via Cross Talk of Progesterone Receptor with Estrogen Receptor β Induces Proliferation of Endometrial Stromal Cells. Molecular Endocrinology. 2005 Dec 1;19(12):3023–37. https://doi.org/10.1210/me.2005-0016

Sundström-Poromaa I, Comasco E, Sumner RL, Lüders E. Progesterone – Friend or Foe? Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. 2020 Oct 1;59:100856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100856

Pletzer B, Windel-Ceepa K, Hillerer KM. Progesterone and Contraceptive Progestin Actions on the Brain: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies and Comparison to Human Neuroimaging Studies. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. 2023 Feb 1;69:101060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101060

Diviccaro S, Giatti L, Falvo R, Cioffi E, Melcangi RC. Allopregnanolone and its Derivatives in Stress Response. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 2019 Apr 1;31(4):e12996. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12996

Published

2024-09-09 — Updated on 2024-09-15

How to Cite

Paz Carranza, J., Moreno, E., Raña Pohls, E., Mojarra Estrada, J., & Medrano Yocupicio, F. (2024). Progesterone: Functions and Physiological Responses. REMUS - Revista Estudiantil De Medicina De La Universidad De Sonora, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.59420/remus.12.2024.221

Metrics