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Discover Oncology
Published in: Discover Oncology 3/2012

01-06-2012

Membrane Progesterone Receptors (mPRs) Mediate Progestin Induced Antimorbidity in Breast Cancer Cells and Are Expressed in Human Breast Tumors

Authors: Gwen E. Dressing, Rebecca Alyea, Yefei Pang, Peter Thomas

Published in: Discover Oncology | Issue 3/2012

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Abstract

Membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) have been detected in breast cancer cells and tissues, but their roles in cancer progression remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate the localization, signaling, and antiapoptotic actions of mPRs in two nuclear progesterone receptor (PR)-negative breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and MDA-MB-468 (MB468), and mPR expression in human breast tumor biopsies. mPRα, mPRβ, and mPRγ subtypes were detected in both cell lines as well as in breast tumor tissues from 13 individuals irrespective of nuclear steroid receptor expression. Competitive receptor binding studies with a selective PR ligand, R5020, and an mPR agonist, Org OD 02-0 confirmed the presence of functional mPRs on both cancer cell lines. Progesterone treatment of either cell line caused rapid activation of an inhibitory G protein, as well as activation of p42/44 MAP kinase. Treatment with progesterone or Org OD 02-0 significantly decreased cell death and apoptosis in response to serum starvation, whereas testosterone, 17β-estradiol, dexamethasone, and R5020 and RU486 were ineffective. Progesterone treatment of MB468 cells also increased mitochondrial membrane potential and Akt activity, but no decrease in caspase 3 activity was observed. Knockdown of mPRα expression in MB468 cells by siRNA transfection blocked the inhibitory effects of progesterone on cell death. The results indicate that progesterone can act through mPRs to inhibit apoptosis in breast cancer cells. The involvement of mPRs in the development or progression of breast tumor growth through inhibition of cell death is an intriguing possibility and requires further investigation.
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Metadata
Title
Membrane Progesterone Receptors (mPRs) Mediate Progestin Induced Antimorbidity in Breast Cancer Cells and Are Expressed in Human Breast Tumors
Authors
Gwen E. Dressing
Rebecca Alyea
Yefei Pang
Peter Thomas
Publication date
01-06-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Discover Oncology / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 1868-8497
Electronic ISSN: 2730-6011
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-012-0106-x

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