What Do We Know about Classical and Non-Classical Progesterone Receptors in the Human Female Reproductive Tract? A Review.

Autors de IIS La Fe

• Yassmin Medina Laver

  Autor

• María Cristina Rodríguez Varela

  Autor

• Stefania Salsano

  Autor

• María Elena Labarta Demur

  Autor

• Francisco Domínguez Hernández

  Autor

Grups d'Investigació

• Biología Reproductiva y Bioingeniería en Reproducción Humana

  

  Leader

  Nicolás Garrido Puchalt

• Endocrinología Reproductiva e Infertilidad

  Leader

  José Remohí Giménez

Abstract

The progesterone hormone regulates the human menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and parturition by its action via the different progesterone receptors and signaling pathways in the female reproductive tract. Progesterone actions can be exerted through classical and non-classical receptors, or even a combination of both. The former are nuclear receptors whose activation leads to transcriptional activity regulation and thus in turn leads to slower but long-lasting responses. The latter are composed of progesterone receptors membrane components (PGRMC) and membrane progestin receptors (mPRs). These receptors rapidly activate the appropriate intracellular signal transduction pathways, and they can subsequently initiate specific cell responses or even modulate genomic cell responses. This review covers our current knowledge on the mechanisms of action and the relevance of classical and non-classical progesterone receptors in female reproductive tissues ranging from the ovary and uterus to the cervix, and it exposes their crucial role in female infertility.

Keywords

• female infertility, human, progesterone, progesterone receptor, reproduction