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Extracellular matrix regulates ovarian hormone-dependent proliferation of mouse mammary epithelial cells.

Mammary stromal cells can modulate steroid hormone responsiveness both in vivo and in vitro. One of the mechanisms by which stromal cells can influence epithelial cell behavior is by modifying the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this report, we have investigated the effects of five ECM molecules on control of epithelial cell proliferation by estrogen (E2) and progestin (R5020) under serum-free culture conditions. To assess the contribution of mammary gland differentiation in determining epithelial cell interactions with ECM, the behavior of mammary epithelial cells derived from nulliparous and pregnant mice was compared. We report the novel finding that the proliferative responses of mammary epithelial cells to progestin is influenced by specific ECM molecules. However, the primary determinant of hormonal responsiveness is the developmental state of the gland from which the epithelial cells were derived. Nulliparous-derived epithelial cells, proliferated in response to R5020 only on fibronectin (FN) and collagen IV (Col IV). The more highly differentiated, pregnancy-derived epithelial cells were not responsive to E2 or R5020 on any ECM. To determine if steroid hormone receptors were targets of ECM-mediated effects, ER and PR levels were analyzed. In both nulliparous and pregnancy-derived cultures, PR binding levels were maintained at similar levels on all ECMs. However, ER levels were not maintained in nulliparous-derived cultures, and this may have contributed to the lack of a significant response to E2. Alternatively or in addition, E2-induced responses may require additional signals or growth factors that are provided by stromal cells in vivo or by serum supplementation in vitro. These results demonstrate the ECM molecules, fibronectin and collagen IV, can modulate responsiveness of mammary epithelial cells to R5020 in vitro, and may be the mediators of stromal influences on hormone responsiveness in vivo. However, the specific effects of ECM and hormones are also determined by the developmental state of the mammary gland from which the cells are derived. Thus, mammary gland differentiation, ovarian hormones, and ECM composition may act in concert to determine the outcome of hormone treatment on cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Gonadotropin and steroid regulation of steroid receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in macaque granulosa cells during the periovulatory interval.

Although steroids play a local role(s) in ovulation and luteinization of the primate follicle, the dynamics of steroid receptor expression during the 36- to 38-h periovulatory interval has yet to be elucidated. The present study examines the regulation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for progesterone (PR), androgen (AR), and estrogen (ER alpha, ER beta) receptors as well as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in macaque granulosa cells during controlled ovarian stimulation cycles before (0 h) and after (up to 36 h) administration of the ovulatory hCG bolus with or without steroid depletion and progestin replacement. All steroid receptor mRNAs were detected in granulosa cells before the ovulatory stimulus, as determined by RT-PCR. PR mRNA increased (P < 0.05) by 12 h after hCG; 24 and 36 h after hCG, levels were intermediate between 0-12 h. PR mRNA was reduced by steroid depletion throughout the periovulatory interval (P < 0.05); however, progestin replacement returned PR mRNA to control levels at 12 h. AR mRNA increased (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-hCG and remained at this level 36 h after hCG; steroid depletion did not alter AR mRNA levels. ER alpha mRNA did not change, whereas ER beta decreased 12-36 h after the ovulatory stimulus (P < 0.05). Steroid depletion reduced ER alpha mRNA 12 h after hCG, an effect partially reversible by progestin replacement, whereas ER beta mRNA was not affected by steroids. AhR mRNA was undetectable before the administration of hCG, but increased by 12 h (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate hCG-initiated, steroid-dependent (PR, ER alpha) and -independent (AR, ER beta, AhR) expression of receptor mRNAs in primate granulosa cells during the periovulatory interval. Differences in patterns of expression may relate to diverse roles for steroid hormones and AhR ligands in periovulatory events.

Animals↗

Effect of estrogen agonists and antagonists on induction of progesterone receptor in a rat hypothalamic cell line.

Estrogen is essential in the hypothalamus for the central regulation of reproduction. To understand the molecular mechanism(s) of estrogen action in the hypothalamus, immortalized rat embryonic hypothalamic cell lines were characterized for steroid receptors and subcloned. Scatchard analysis of the D12 subclone demonstrated one high affinity estrogen receptor-binding site (Kd = 31.3+/-1.9 pM) with a Bmax of 30.8+/-0.8 fmol/mg. Estrogen receptor-alpha protein was identified by Western blot and gel shift analyses. Treatment with estradiol (48 h) stimulated progesterone receptor (PR) messenger RNA expression and binding to [3H]R5020, a synthetic progestin. Because the agonist or antagonist activity of estrogen mimetics can be cell type dependent, the activities of various estrogen mimetics were determined in D12 cells. ICI 182,780 (IC50 = 0.63 nM), raloxifene (IC50 = 1 nM), enclomiphene (IC50 = 77 nM), and tamoxifen (IC50 = 174 nM) inhibited the induction of PR by estradiol, and none of these compounds significantly stimulated PR when given alone. In contrast, 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol (EC50 = 0.014 nM), zuclomiphene (EC50 = 100 nM), and genistein (EC50 = 17.5 nM) functioned as estrogen agonists in these cells. In addition, the estrogen-induced progesterone receptor activated a progesterone response element reporter construct in response to progestins. Thus, the D12 rat hypothalamic cell line provides a useful model for characterizing tissue-selective estrogenic compounds, identifying estrogen- and progesterone-regulated hypothalamic genes, and understanding the molecular mechanisms of steroid action in various physiological processes mediated by the hypothalamus.

Animals↗

Direct interaction of the Krüppel-like family (KLF) member, BTEB1, and PR mediates progesterone-responsive gene expression in endometrial epithelial cells.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the underlying mechanism(s) by which PR and a Krüppel-like family member, basic transcription element binding protein (BTEB1), mediate endometrial epithelial expression of pregnancy-associated genes. Human endometrial carcinoma cell lines (Hec-1-A) expressing high and low levels of BTEB1 were transiently transfected with a human PR isoform (PR-B) expression construct and a luciferase reporter gene driven by the uteroferrin gene promoter that is responsive to both BTEB1 and the PR ligand progesterone. Unliganded PR inhibited luciferase activity in low and high BTEB backgrounds, and this effect was reversed by the synthetic progestin R5020 in both lines. Transactivation by PR of uteroferrin promoter activity (approximately 4-fold) was maximal at lower R5020 concentrations (10 nM) in endometrial cells with higher BTEB1 expression, suggesting that nuclear BTEB1content influenced target gene promoter sensitivity to progesterone. BTEB1 and PR-B were found to physically interact in a progesterone-independent manner, using a coimmunoprecipitation assay that employed antibodies specific to either protein. Moreover, the formation of the BTEB1/PR complex, independent of progesterone, occurred within the context of uterine endometrial proteins and was diminished in late-pregnancy endometrium. Mammalian two-hybrid assays using the entire open reading frame of BTEB1 and/or PR-B fused to either the GAL4 DNA-binding domain or VP16 activation domain and a reporter gene (pG5CAT) under the control of GAL4-binding sites were used to evaluate the formation of functional PR-B/BTEB1 dimer in Cos-1 cells. GAL4/PR-B and VP16/PR-B induced ( approximately 3- to 4-fold) chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in a progesterone-dependent manner, suggesting PR-dimer formation. By contrast, VP16/PR-B and GAL4/BTEB1 had no effect on basal CAT activity. The combination of VP16- and GAL4-PR-B fusion proteins with the BTEB1 expression construct, pCDNA3-BTEB1 enhanced ligand-bound PR-mediated CAT activity by approximately 3-fold. In transient cotransfection assays using the CAT reporter gene driven by the mouse mammary tumor virus-long terminal repeat promoter, which is responsive to ligand-bound PR but not BTEB1, BTEB1 increased PR-B-mediated CAT activity in a progesterone-dependent manner, consistent with a BTEB1/PR-dimer complex occurring independent of BTEB1 binding to DNA. Unliganded PR-B disrupted the DNA-binding activity of BTEB1 in gel retardation assays, and this effect was enhanced by the presence of PR ligand. Together, these findings support the conclusion that BTEB1 and PR-B are coregulatory proteins that mediate progesterone responsiveness of target genes by direct interactions, leading to the formation of a functional BTEB1/PR-dimer complex.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Hepatocyte growth factor is required for progestin-induced epithelial cell proliferation and alveolar-like morphogenesis in serum-free culture of normal mammary epithelial cells.

The steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are required for mammary epithelial cell proliferation and alveolar morphogenesis in vivo. We have developed a minimally supplemented, serum-free medium, collagen gel primary mammary culture system to determine the mechanism of progestin-induced proliferation and alveolar morphogenesis. In epithelial cells cultured alone, treatment with progestin (R5020) alone produced a lumen within the epithelial organoids, but did not stimulate epithelial cell proliferation. The formation of lumens was associated with increased apoptosis, targeted within the organoids. We have previously reported that in our culture system hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) increases epithelial cell proliferation and induces a tubulo-ductal morphological response. In the present report we show that treatment with HGF and progestin (R5020) further increases epithelial proliferation above that with HGF alone and also produces an alveolar-like morphology similar to that observed in vivo in response to progestin treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the first in vitro demonstration of both progestin-induced proliferation and alveolar-like morphogenesis of normal nonpregnant mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro. These results suggest that HGF may play a crucial role in progestin-induced proliferation and morphogenesis in vivo.

Animals↗

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on plasma levels of the cardiovascular risk factor asymmetric dimethylarginine: a randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week study in healthy early postmenopausal women.

In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-wk study, we investigated the effect of oral hormone replacement therapy on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. The effects on arginine and symmetric dimethylarginine were also investigated. Sixty healthy early postmenopausal women received daily placebo (n = 16) or oral 17beta-estradiol 2 mg, either unopposed (E(2); n = 16) or sequentially combined with dydrogesterone 10 mg (E(2)+D; n = 14) or trimegestone 0.5 mg (E(2)+T; n = 14). ADMA levels reduced in all active treatment groups. Compared with baseline and placebo, the largest reduction in ADMA levels was observed in the E(2)+T group [-18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -25.4 to -11.9%) and -21.1% (95% CI, -26.2 to -16.1%), at 4 and 12 wk, respectively]. At 4 and 12 wk in the E(2)+T group, arginine levels were significantly reduced as well [-30.9% (95% CI, -41.1 to -20.7%) and -36.3% (95% CI, -43.1 to -29.5%), respectively], whereas symmetric dimethylarginine levels were significantly lower in the E(2)+D group after 12 wk [-11.6% (95% CI, -19.9 to -3.3%)]. In conclusion, unopposed oral estradiol and estradiol combined with dydrogesterone or trimegestone reduced plasma levels of the NOS inhibitor ADMA. Whether the reduction of the NOS substrate arginine in the E(2)+T group counteracts the potentially beneficial effect of ADMA reduction or reflects increased NO production remains to be investigated.

Arginine↗

Dynamic expression of caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9 proteins and enzyme activity, but not messenger ribonucleic acid, in the monkey corpus luteum during the menstrual cycle.

Studies were designed to determine whether: 1) changes in caspase expression or activity occur in the macaque corpus luteum (CL) during its lifespan in the menstrual cycle, and 2) LH acting directly or via ovarian steroids regulates luteal caspases. Caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9 mRNAs were detectable by semiquantitative RT- or real time-PCR in CL, but levels did not differ between the early, mid, mid-late, late, and very-late luteal phases. Immunostaining for caspase-2 and -3 proteins was observed in luteal cells and appeared to peak by mid to mid-late stage. Enzyme activity for caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9 increased (P < 0.05) by mid-late stage, and then declined by the very-late stage. Treatment with GnRH antagonist + LH at the mid-late stage increased caspase-2, -8, and -9, but not -3, activity, compared with controls. Coadministration of a steroid synthesis inhibitor (trilostane) with GnRH antagonist + LH reduced (P < 0.05) caspase-2, -8, and -9 activity. Progestin (R5020) replacement during trilostane treatment did not restore caspase activity. Thus, initiator and effector caspases are present during CL development and regression in the menstrual cycle. The increased caspase activity at mid-late stage suggests that apoptosis is involved in early luteolysis in primates. Gonadotropin, perhaps via local steroids, modulates initiator caspases in the primate CL.

Animals↗

Progestin binding in testes from three siblings with the syndrome of male pseudohermaphroditism with testicular feminization.

We have found a specific binding protein for synthetic progestins 6,7-[3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) and 17,21-dimethyl-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione (R5020) and in the testis cytosol from three "sisters" with the complete form of the testicular feminization syndrome. The binding component sediments in the 8S region of sucrose gradients. It is saturable. The apparent affinity constant (Ka) for R5020 was determined in two cases and found to be 1.8 and 0.6 X 10(8) M-1. The number of binding sites calculated from Scatchard plots is relatively high: 572 and 826 fmol/mg protein. Competition studies indicate that this putative receptor is specific for natural and synthetic progestins but not for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and cortisol. Similar progestin binding could not be found in normal human and rat testes.

Adult↗

Cytoplasmic and nuclear progestin receptors in human myometrium during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy at term.

Exchange assays have been developed for the determination of the total progestin in receptor sites (unoccupied and occupied with endogenous hormone) in the cytosol and nuclei of human myometrium using radiolabeled R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) as ligand. These assays have been applied to the measurement of cytosol and nuclear progestin receptor sites in the myometrium during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy at term. Both the cytosol receptor levels as well as the sum of cytosol and nuclear receptor levels were highest during the proliferative phase of the cycle, dropped moderately but significantly in the secretory phase, and decreased markedly in pregnancy at term. Despite the marked drop in cytosol receptor levels, nuclear receptor levels in pregnancy at term were similar to those observed in the proliferative or secretory phase. In addition, the fraction of the total cellular receptor that was associated with the nucleus increased from 5.5% in the proliferative phase to 60% in pregnancy at term. The decrease in cytosol progestin receptor concentration as well as the relative increase in nuclear localization of the receptor in human myometrium in pregnancy at term may be related to the high circulating progesterone levels.

Cell Nucleus↗

Steroid receptor content in cytosol from normal and hyperplastic human prostates.

Analyses of steroid hormone receptors were performed using a dextran-coated charcoal technique in cytosolic preparations from 40 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 10 normal human prostates. Binding data were calculated according to Scathchard. In all BPH specimens, receptors for the synthetic androgen methyltrienolone (MT) were found (mean maximum number of binding sites, 566 fmol/mg DNA; mean Kd, 0.61 nM), and 25 of 28 samples contained progestin [17 alpha, 21-dimethyl-19-nor-4.8-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (R5020)] receptors (mean maximum number of binding sites, 420 fmol/mg DNA; mean Kd, 0.39 nM). No specimen contained glucocorticoid [dexamethasone (9 alpha-fluoro-16 alpha-methyl-11 beta, 17 alpha, 21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione); n = 16] or estrogen [17 beta-estradiol or 11 beta-methoxy-17 alpha-ethynyl-17 beta-estradiol (R2858); n = 26] receptors. No correlations were found between receptor content and age of the patients, weight of adenomas, or percentage of different cell types within the specimens. MT receptors were found in all normal prostates, while 5 of the specimens lacked progestin receptors. Estrogen receptors were found in 3 of the normal prostates, whereas none contained glucocorticoid receptors. The ligand specificity of the MT receptor in a normal prostate with minor amounts of progestin receptors was typical of an androgen receptor, and the ligand specificity of the R5020 receptor in a BPH specimen was typical of a progestin receptor. MT and R5020 had approximately the same affinity for the progestin receptor, whereas the relative binding affinity of R5020 for the androgen receptor was below 0.02 compared to that of MT. The androgen receptor was found to be more stable during repeated freezing and thawing than the progestin receptor.

Binding, Competitive↗

Cyclic changes in cytosol progesterone receptor of human fallopian tube.

The binding of progesterone (P) to a specific cytoplasmic receptor was studied in cytosol fractions prepared from oviducts obtained from women who elected to undergo sterilization either during a normal menstrual cycle, after the first trimester of pregnancy, or in the puerperium. The in vitro cytosol incubations with [3H]P included cortisol, which eliminated binding to corticosteroid-binding globulin. The relative binding affinities for the cytosol receptor were P > R5020 > > corticosterone = estradiol = testosterone. The P-binding protein had a sedimentation coefficient of 7-8S. Specific [3H]P binding was approximately 4.0 x 10(-13) mol/mg protein at all of the reproductive stages included in this study, except for a 4- to 5-fold increase (approximately 18.0 x 10(-13) mol/mg protein) during the middle and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. The sharp decline in P receptor observed during the ealy luteal phase coincided with the luteal rise of serum P. Also, cytosol receptor was replenished when serum P was essentially undetectable.

Cytosol↗

Estrogens stimulate cell proliferation and induce secretory proteins in a human breast cancer cell line (T47D).

The effects of estradiol (E2) on two cloned sublines derived from the T47D human breast cancer cell line have been studied in vitro. Cell proliferation was evaluated by DNA assay, cell counts, and thymidine incorporation. The rate of synthesis of proteins released into the cell culture medium was assayed by [35S]methionine incorporation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by fluorography. In clone 11, which contains estrogen and progesterone receptors, estradiol (1 pM-1 nM) stimulated cell proliferation 2- to 5-fold after a lag period of 6 days. Maximal stimulation was observed with 1% or 3% fetal calf serum and without added insulin. The effect of E2 was biphasic, since the growth rate was stimulated for E2 concentrations less than 10 nM and then progressively inhibited for higher concentrations. Dexamethasone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, and R5020 (at 1 nM or 1 microM) did not modify cell growth. The antiestrogen Tamoxifen (1 microM) inhibited the E2-induced stimulation and decreased the growth of control cells. Estrogen also stimulated 2- to 3-fold the synthesis of approximately 60K molecular weight dalton proteins which were released into the medium. This effect was seen as early as 1 day of E2 treatment, and a plateau of stimulation was reached with 0.1 nM E2. By contrast, in clone 8, which contains low concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors, E2 had no effect on cell growth and stimulated slightly the synthesis of a 55K protein. These results demonstrate that E2 is able to directly stimulate the proliferation of human epithelial breast cancer cells after having stimulated the synthesis of approximately 60,000 dalton proteins released into the medium.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The squirrel monkey: receptor-mediated end-organ resistance to progesterone?

Fertile females of a New World primate species, the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), have plasma progesterone concentrations that vary between 57 and 510 ng/ml during the reproductive cycle and are 10- to 20-fold higher than those seen in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and other Old World primates, including man. The plasma progesterone level during pregnancy is high and varies between 140 and 490 ng/ml. Estradiol levels during the reproductive cycle and pregnancy are also higher than those of cynomolgus monkeys. After 2-day treatment of ovariectomized monkeys with estradiol in oil, the progesterone receptor content in the uterine cytosol of the squirrel monkey is one eighth that in similarly treated cynomolgus monkeys [60.4 +/- 6.5 fmol R5020 bound/mg protein vs. 496 +/- 55 (mean +/- SE); n = 8]. The receptor affinity for R5020 is the same in both species. Thus, the elevated plasma progesterone levels in squirrel monkeys appear to be a compensatory response to a receptor-mediated decrease in sensitivity to progesterone. The squirrel monkey may be a model for the study of the mechanism of action and regulation of secretion of progesterone.

Animals↗

Antiestrogenic effect of R5020, a synthetic progestin in human breast cancer cells in culture.

To see whether progestins prevent estrogen action in breast cancer cells, we have studied in vitro the effect of R5020 on the cell growth and the synthesis of secreted proteins in T47D and R27 human breast cancer cells. While R5020 had no effect on cell growth when tested alone, it significantly inhibited the growth of both cell lines in the presence of estradiol (1 nM). The effect was most clear-cut after 10-12 days of treatment and was dose dependent, a half-maximal inhibition occurred with 1 nM R5020. R27, a cloned MCF7 variant resistant to Tamoxifen, remained responsive to R5020, which prevented the effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and inhibited cell growth in the presence of Tamoxifen. This suggests that the two antiestrogens are acting through different mechanisms. Dihydrotestosterone and dexamethasone did not reproduce or inhibit the effect of R5020 on cell growth. R5020 was ineffective in a rat tumor cell line containing androgen and glucocorticoid receptors but lacking progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors. These results suggest that R5020 is probably acting via progesterone receptors rather than via the androgen or glucocorticoid receptors. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we have shown that R5020 specifically decreases the production of the 52K protein, a major protein released by R27 cells after E2 stimulation. We conclude that R5020 has an antiestrogenic activity on breast cancer cells in culture, since it prevents the stimulation of cell growth and protein synthesis by E2.

Breast Neoplasms↗

A 51K progestin-regulated protein secreted by human endometrial cells in primary culture.

We studied the effect of a progestin (R5020) on proteins released by stromal and epithelial endometrial cells in primary culture. Stromal and epithelial cells was isolated by collagenase and hyaluronidase digestion of endometrial tissue. The synthesis of proteins released into the cell culture medium was assayed by [35S]methionine incorporation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by fluorography. The relative proportions of individual proteins secreted by stromal and epithelial cells varied. However, 29K, 128K, and 150K proteins were more abundant in media from epithelial cell cultures, whereas 60K and 70K proteins were more abundant in media from stromal cell cultures. More proteins were secreted by cells obtained in the luteal phase than by those obtained in the proliferative phase. R5020 consistently stimulated the synthesis of a minor protein of 51,000 mol wt secreted by both epithelial and stromal cells. Physiological concentrations of dexamethasone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol did not stimulate synthesis of the 51K protein. The effect of R5020 was concentration dependent; maximal synthesis occurred with 10 nM R5020 and 4 days of treatment. This 51K protein is different from the estrogen-regulated 52K protein of breast cancers. These results indicate that cultured endometrial cells can synthesize and release a variety of proteins in vitro. One of them, the 51K protein, is a marker of responsiveness to progestin.

Cells, Cultured↗

Estradiol and progesterone receptors in cultured normal human breast epithelial cells and fibroblasts: immunocytochemical studies.

The estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) receptors (ER and PR) were studied in normal human breast epithelial (HBE) cells and fibroblasts cultured separately in our laboratory from surgical reductive mammoplasty samples. Immunocytochemical studies were performed on cytospun cells using the anti-ER antibody H222 Sp gamma and the anti-PR antibodies JZB39 and KD68. A specific immunostaining was observed for ER and PR in HBE cells. This immunostaining was nuclear, varying from cell to cell in positivity and intensity of staining. Moreover, ER and PR immunostaining was hormone-modulated: it increased in E2-treated cells and decreased after addition of the progestin R5020. In fibroblasts, a weak ER immunostaining and a stronger PR immunostaining could be observed; however it was not modified by either E2 or progestogen treatment. Thus, in normal breast epithelial cells, E2 stimulates both its own receptor and PR, whereas the progestin R5020 lowers ER and PR content. In contrast, ER and PR content in normal breast fibroblasts seem to be independent of E2 or P action.

Adolescent↗

Radioligand binding assay of progesterone receptors in the primate corpus luteum after in vivo treatment with the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, trilostane.

We and others have detected progesterone receptors (PR) in the primate (macaque and human) corpus luteum by immunocytochemistry. However, we have been unable to measure PR in the corpus luteum by conventional ligand binding assay, presumably because high endogenous concentrations of progesterone (P) in luteal tissue prevented specific binding of radiolabeled hormone to PR during the assays. To test this hypothesis, we treated monkeys with the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, Trilostane, to reduce levels of endogenous P before conducting binding assays for PR in luteal tissue. To obtain adequate tissue for saturation analysis, rhesus monkeys (n = 6) were superovulated by treating them with hFSH beginning at menses (day 1) for 6 days, then with hFSH and hLH (days 6-9), followed by hCG (day 10). Trilostane (600 mg) was given 5 days after hCG treatment (day 15), and binding assays were conducted 18 h later. Trilostane significantly reduced mean (+/- SE) serum levels of P from 97.8 +/- 16 to 2.7 +/- 1.3 nmol/L within 18 h (P < 0.001). Strong nuclear staining of PR was detected by immunocytochemistry in both Trilostane-treated and control (not Trilostane-treated) tissue, but ligand binding was measurable only in Trilostane-treated monkeys. Scatchard transformations of saturation curves revealed high affinity binding of [3H] R5020 in luteal cytosol and nuclear extracts with an approximate dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.8 and 1.37 nmol/L, respectively. Also, the PR-specific monoclonal antibody, JZB-39, shifted a [3H]R5020-bound luteal macromolecule on sucrose gradients. Mean cytosolic and nuclear binding of [3H]R5020 were 0.31 +/- 0.09 and 0.06 +/- 0.02 fmol/micrograms DNA, respectively. Similar binding of [3H]R5020 was demonstrated in corpora lutea obtained during spontaneous menstrual cycles after Trilostane treatment (n = 3). These results show unequivocally that the PR in macaque luteal tissue can bind P with high affinity and suggest a receptor-mediated action of P in the primate corpus luteum.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗