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Rapid stimulation of rhodamine 123 efflux from multidrug-resistant KB cells by progesterone.

Rhodamine 123 is a mitochondrial dye that is retained for prolonged periods by carcinoma cells. While investigating causes of retention of this dye, we found that 10 microM progesterone caused a rapid stimulation of efflux of rhodamine 123 within 15 min from KB V20C cells, which overexpress the multidrug resistance pump. Progesterone did not stimulate efflux from KB cells that do not overexpress the pump, and verapamil blocked rhodamine 123 efflux in the presence or absence of progesterone, indicating that rhodamine 123 is removed from KB V20C cells by the multidrug resistance pump. Progesterone, however, is unlikely to stimulate rhodamine 123 efflux by simply increasing pump activity for two reasons: (1) progesterone inhibited the efflux of daunomycin from KB V20C cells, so it did not stimulate efflux of all drugs, and (2) progesterone inhibited efflux of rhodamine 123 from L1210/VMDRC cells and had little effect on Adr MCF7 cells; both overexpress the multidrug resistance pump. In the experiments with KB V20C cells, progesterone was the most active steroid tested. At 10 microM, progesterone caused a 70-fold stimulation, desoxycorticosterone, testosterone, promegestone and estradiol about 20-fold, and others had little or no effect. Progesterone may act by a non-genomic mechanism to decrease intracellular binding of rhodamine 123, making the dye accessible to the multidrug resistance pump.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Steroid hormones and temperature induce changes of binding parameters of their receptors in intact cells.

When MCF-7 cells were treated with 17 beta-estradiol, dexamethasone, or promegestone at 37 degrees C, the KD of receptors for their cognate ligands was found to decrease as compared to that measured at 2 degrees C. Cell incubation with hormone at 37 degrees C did not affect the Bmax of glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors, but caused a 40% increase of that of estrogen receptor. This increase required the presence of ligand, was insensitive to cycloheximide, and was completed within 10 min of cell incubation at physiological temperature. We conclude that an early step of estrogen action is the recruitment of pre-existing receptor molecules through activation of their binding capacity.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Estrogen receptors and estrogen-inducible progestin receptors in the sexual skin of the monkey.

Estrogen-binding macromolecules were identified in sexual skin cytosol and nuclear fractions from female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata), by sucrose-glycerol gradient analysis and dextran-coated charcoal adsorption technique. Furthermore, using the highly potent synthetic progestin, R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione; promegestone), progestin-binding macromolecules were detected in sexual skin cytosols from ovariectomized estrogen-primed monkeys. Both cytosol components sedimented at the 8S region on sucrose-glycerol gradients and had a high affinity for the respective steroids, and competition studies showed a specificity for estrogenic, or progestational compounds. The concentration of cytosol progestin receptors was markedly increased with the elevated level of nuclear estrogen receptors following estrogen priming. The above results demonstrate the existence of cytosol and nuclear estrogen receptor sites, and estrogen-induced progestin receptors in the sexual skin of the female monkeys.

Abdomen↗

Evidence for an androgen receptor in the seminiferous tubules of the human testis.

Androgen receptors (AR) were studied in seminiferous tubule cytosol and testicular nuclear extracts prepared from testes of previously untreated elderly men undergoing orchiectomy as therapy for prostatic carcinoma. Cytosol exhibited high affinity (Kd = 0.8 nM), saturable binding of [3H]methyltrienolone; however, the synthetic progestin, promegestone was a stronger competitor for MT binding sites than were 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or testosterone (T), suggesting the presence of progesterone-like binding sites. Addition of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) produced the usual relative steroid specificity for AR binding and reduced the measured AR binding capacity by 19 +/- 8% (Mean +/- SD, n = 3). The umber of MT binding sites was 30-40 fmol/mg protein, or an average of 65 fmol/g testis, and the equilibrium dissociation constant at 0 degrees C was 0.6-1.4 nM. In the presence of sodium molybdate, binding was stable for 40 h at 0 degrees C and the half-time of dissociation of the MT-AR complex was 12-16 h. The binding of salt extractable (600 mM KCl) nuclear sites to MT was saturable and was specific for androgens. The number of binding sites in nuclear extracts was 170 fmol/g testis and the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant was 4.2 nM. Thus, the binding of MT to human seminiferous tubule cytosol and testicular nuclear extract exhibits properties which are nearly identical to those of the prostate AR. Further study of this androphilic protein may provide insight into the role of androgen in normal and abnormal spermatogenesis in man.

Cell Nucleus↗

Metabolism and antiproliferative effect of the glucocorticoid antagonist RU38486 in cultured liver and hepatoma cells.

In an attempt to elucidate the relationship between the antiglucocorticoid effect and the state of differentiation of the target cells, we studied the metabolism of the potent antagonist in cultured liver and hepatoma cells (HTC, FAZA). After incubation of [3H]RU38486 with the cells for different periods of time, the native steroid and its metabolites were extracted and analyzed by thin layer chromatography. We observed that RU38486 was not metabolized in the transformed cell lines after a 3 h incubation. In contrast RU38486 was extensively metabolized in cultured liver cells. The observed degration could help explain why RU38486 inhibited tyrosine aminotransferase induction in hepatoma cells at a concentration 100 times lower than that needed in liver cells. Moreover this catabolism concerned specifically the antagonist RU38486 since other steroids tested (dexamethasone, promegestone) underwent a much slower degradation. Indirect experiments suggest that the alterations of the RU38486 molecule might be at least partially related to the cytochrome P-450 which is very active in the hepatocytes. This study was paralleled by testing the effect of the antagonist on the growth of hepatoma cells. RU38486 exerted an antiproliferative effect in absence of serum. On the basis of the low metabolism of RU38486 and of its antiproliferative effect in hepatoma cells. one can emphasize that RU38486 might represent a potential drug for use in cancer therapy.

Animals↗

[3H]DU41165: a high affinity ligand and novel photoaffinity labeling reagent for the progesterone receptor.

17 alpha-Acetoxy-6-fluoro-16-methylene-(9 beta, 10 alpha)pregna-4,6-dien- 3,20-dione (DU41165), a retroprogestin (9 beta, 10 alpha) embodying a fluorine-substituted dienone system, has been prepared in high specific activity tritium-labeled form (4 Ci/mmol) and shown to be a high affinity ligand for the progesterone receptor (PgR) and a highly selective photoaffinity labeling reagent for PgR. The radiosynthesis involved conversion of DU41231 (the 17 alpha-hydroxy analog of DU41165) to DU41165 by treatment with tritium-labeled acetic anhydride. The binding affinity of DU41165 for PgR was determined by both a competitive binding assay and a direct binding assay (Scatchard analysis) to be 1.6-2.2-times higher than that of the high affinity synthetic progestin promegestone (R5020). In unlabeled form, DU41165 demonstrates photoinactivation of PgR to the extent of 60% at 60 min. In radiolabeled form [3H]DU41165 demonstrates specific covalent attachment with an efficiency of 5-7%. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of photoattached [3H]DU41165 confirms that there is covalent labeling of both the B subunit (Mr = 118,000), and the A subunit (Mr = 88,000) of PgR in a molar ratio of approximately 1:3.

Affinity Labels↗

Structural requirements for progesterone binding to the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum in the female rat.

Microsomes isolated from the liver of the female rat specifically bind progesterone. The progesterone-microsomal complex shows highly specific characteristics. The binding is probably associated with the carbonyl groups at positions C-20 and C-3. Other steroids compete for microsomal binding sites less effectively. Competition for progesterone binding sites by other steroids in percentages: testosterone 33; testosterone propionate, 9; 17-methyltestosterone, 23.2; cortisol, 6.4; estradiol-17 beta, 1.8; 17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol, 4.7; mestranol, 1.0; norethynodrel, 4.5; ethisterone, 7.1; lynestrenol, 4.3; medroxyprogesterone, 23.3; medroxyprogesterone acetate, 15.2; 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, 47.6; 5 beta-pregnane-3,20-dione, 20.7; pregnenolone, 14.8; 6-methylpregnenolone, 1.2; 16 alpha-methylpregnenolone, 3.8%; 20 beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 2.8; 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, 5.2; 4-pregnene-3 beta, 20 beta-diol, 2.1; 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone 21.0; 16 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 7.9; 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 26.7; 16 alpha, 17-epoxyprogesterone, 2.7; 16 alpha-methylprogesterone, 3.8; 6-methylpregnenolone, 1.2; 16 alpha-methylpregnenolone, 3.8; promegestone, 27.0. 3 beta-Hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one, 5-pregnene-3 beta,20 beta-diol, 5-pregnene-3 beta, 20 alpha-diol; 5 alpha-pregnane-3 beta, 20 beta-diol, 5 alpha-pregnane-3 beta, 20 alpha-diol, 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 alpha-diol, 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 alpha-diol diacetate, 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 beta-diol, 3 alpha, 17-dihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 6-methyl-17-hydroxypregnenolone, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile, dihydrotestosterone and cholesterol show no competition at all. The varying degree of competition by different steroids is unrelated to their lipid solubility.

Animals↗

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in meningiomas in relation to clinical and pathologic features.

Tumor estradiol and progesterone binding sites were studied in 34 patients with meningioma. Twenty of the meningiomas contained very low titers (mean, 45 fmol/g of tumor; range, 0-201 fmol/g of tumor) of a nonspecific cytoplasmic [3H]estradiol binding component, whereas 26 of the tumors contained high titers of specific high-affinity cytosol [3H]promegestone (R5020; progesterone) binding sites (mean, 1476 fmol/g of tumor; range, 0-8328 fmol/g of tumor). No nuclear binding activity for [3H]estradiol could be detected in 12 of the 34 meningiomas studied, irrespective of the progesterone binding activity. There was no correlation between high progesterone binding activity and the age or the sex of the patient, nor between tumor location and cellular mitotic index. However, progesterone binding activity was present more frequently in meningothelial (95%, 18/21 patients) than in transitional (55%, 5/9 patients) or fibroplastic (25%, 1/4 patients) tumor histologic types. These data suggest that the cellular biosynthesis of the progesterone binding component in meningiomas is not estrogen regulated as it is in other classic estrogen target tissues, such as the breast.

Adolescent↗

Generation of polyclonal antibodies against the mineralocorticoid receptor and analysis of mineralocortin in rat myocardium by immunophotochemistry.

Fawn, Burgundy rabbits were immunized with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) purified biochemically from rat kidney by a simple, two step procedure. High anti-MCR titers were observed in radioimmunoassays just 3 weeks after the initial injection and increased further with time. Western blot analysis revealed a single band of 94-98 kDa in renal and cardiac cytosol from the rat, like the antigen prepared biochemically. The two atria from beef heart exhibited far greater MCR-positivity compared to the two ventricles, suggesting physiological relevance. The receptor was also photolabelled for the first time with promegestone in this very 94-98 kDa region which could be displaced by the antagonist RU 26752 specific to MCR. The immune IgG precipitated 3H-aldosterone or 3H-RU 26752-MCR complexes from rat heart, and displaced the MCR-antagonist complex to high molecular weight regions during gel permeation chromatography on Sephacryl columns. Immunofluorescent labelling showed that MCR was widely distributed in the cytoplasm in rat myocardium with limited staining in what appeared to be the nuclear compartment. These open up the possibility of large scale purification of the endogenous mineralocorticoid binding protein, mineralocortin, for detailed physicochemical characterization. The technique of photoaffinity labelling presented here should also help delineate the nature of the steroid binding domain in the MCR.

Animals↗

Rationale for frequency and dose of administration in gestrinone therapy for pelvic endometriosis in the experimental model of rabbit uterus.

1. Gestrinone has been used for treatment of pelvic endometriosis, in doses of 2.5 mg twice a week. This study is designed to clarify it from the dynamics of sex steroid receptors in rabbit uterus. 2. Four different regimens were scheduled, namely daily 1 microgram estradiol-17 beta (E2, consistent with endogenous level of women) for 3 days, and together with either 30, 60 (consistent with 2.5 microgram of clinical dose) or 120 microgram(s) gestrinone, in single dose or with 20 microgram(s) gestrinone daily (divided dose in single 60 microgram(s) gestrinone administration) for 3 days. Receptors for estrogen (ER, type I and II) or progestin (PR) were determined by charcoal adsorption in cytosol and KCl extract, or sedimentation in non-KCl extractable fraction, using [3H]E2 or [3H]promegestone respectively. 3. Gestrinone decreased total ER (type I and II) levels, dose-dependently, except the case of 20 micrograms gestrinone daily in ER type II. Total ER type I level did not return to the pre-level until 3 days only after 120 microgram(s) gestrinone administration. Total ER type II level was decreasing in 3 days after 30, 60 or 120 micrograms gestrinone therapy. Total PR level was decreased in the order of strength: 120 micrograms gestrinone greater than 60 micrograms gestrinone greater than 30 microgram gestrinone greater than 20 micrograms gestrinone in group, and the recovery was not obtained until 72 hr only after 120 micrograms gestrinone therapy. The uterine weight was decreasing with the same strength in 3 days of the therapy independently upon the regimen. 4. In conclusion, gestrinone dose of 60 micrograms (2.5 mg of clinical dose) every 3 days is considered to be effective for anti-steroid action in sex steroid receptor dynamics in the rabbit uterus, contributing to the rationale for gestrinone treatment of pelvic endometriosis.

Animals↗

Rapid non-genomic actions of progesterone stimulate Ca2+ influx and the acrosome reaction in human sperm.

This review summarizes some recent findings in human sperm which show that progesterone and 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone are able rapidly (within seconds) to elevate [Ca2+]i and elicit the acrosome reaction (AR) via a non-genomic cell surface receptor. Progesterone promotes a transient elevation in [Ca2+]i which is blocked by extracellular La3+ and Ni2+ and removal of extracellular Ca2+ following chelation with EGTA. Some studies suggest that polyamines, trypsin-like proteases, and progesterone receptor aggregation are involved in progesterone-induced Ca2+ influx and AR. The receptor is not stimulated by the potent synthetic progestigins (e.g. promegestone, norethynodrel, megestrol acetate, cyproterone acetate) and is weakly antagonized by the genomic anti-progestins RU 486 and ZK 98.299. The sedative-hypnotic 3 alpha hydroxyl A-ring reduced pregnane steroids, which are powerful activators of the GABAA Cl- channel, are weak activators of Ca2+ influx and the AR. These data suggest that human sperm have a cell surface steroid receptor which is unlike the genomic progesterone receptor and the GABAA Cl- channel steroid receptor.

Acrosome↗

Inhibitory effect of synthetic progestins, 4-MA and cyanoketone on human placental 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5----4-ene-isomerase activity.

Human placental 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5----4-ene isomerase (3 beta-HSD) purified from human placenta transforms C-21 (pregnenolone and 17 alpha-hydroxy pregnenolone) as well as C-19 (dehydroepiandrosterone and androst-5-ene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol) steroids into the corresponding 3-keto-4-ene-steroids and is thus involved in the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids. Trilostane, epostane and cyanoketone are potent inhibitors of 3 beta-HSD with Ki values of approximately 50 nM. 4-MA, a well known 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, is also a potent inhibitor of 3 beta-HSD with a Ki value of 56 nM. Synthetic progestin compounds such as promegestone and RU2323 show relatively strong inhibitory effects with Ki values of 110 and 190 nM, respectively. Cyproterone acetate, a progestin used in the treatment of hirsutism, acne and prostate cancer as well as norgestrel and norethindrone that are widely used as oral contraceptives also inhibit 3 beta-HSD activity at Ki values of 1.5, 1.7 and 2.5 microM, respectively.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Differential regulation of mouse mammary tumor virus-bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase chimeric gene by human mineralocorticoid hormone-receptor complexes.

The brain tissues of the rat and mouse express two types of corticosteroid binding proteins, the glucocorticoid (GR) and aldosterone (MR) receptors. Unlike the type II (GR) receptor, type I receptor has a high affinity for aldosterone (ALDO) and corticosterone and is structurally similar to the kidney mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). The results reported in this study provide direct evidence for the interaction of dexamethasone (DEX), triamcinolone acetonide (TA), dexamethasone-21-mesylate (DXM) and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) with human MR expressed in cells by transient co-transfection of a hMR expression vector. The interactions of hMR with DEX, TA, DXM, DOC, promegestone (R5020) and methyltrienelone (R1881) were measured by trans-activation of mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat fused to bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (MMTV-tk-CAT) in gene co-transfection experiments and by cell free hormone binding assay. The incubation of various steroid hormones in the presence of [3H]ALDO in a competition assay with extracts prepared from HeLa cells co-transfected with hMR expression vector, showed that hMR expressed under these conditions has a high relative affinity for DEX which is similar to ALDO, TA and DOC. Incubation with DXM under these conditions showed very little competition, as was observed with R1881 and R5020. Incubation of the co-transfected cells with DEX, ALDO, DOC, R5020, TA, R1881 and DXM demonstrated that the level of trans-activation did not reflect the previously observed order of binding affinity for the hMR. The level of transactivation was always higher with DEX and TA compared to ALDO and DOC. Analysis of the binding of labeled glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE) and hMR incubated with DEX, ALDO and DXM by gel shift analysis demonstrated that the trans-activation of MMTV-tk-CAT by hMR is a result of the interaction of hMR with GRE in the MMTV-LTR.

Animals↗

In vitro effect of synthetic progestogens on estrone sulfatase activity in human breast carcinoma.

The effect of progesterone and nine synthetic progestogens on the activity rate of microsome estrone sulfatase obtained from human breast carcinoma tissues was studied. The progestogens were classified into three groups: group I with a strict inhibitor effect: demegestone and chlormadinone acetate; group II with a strict activator effect: medroxyprogesterone acetate, quingestanol acetate, lynestrenol and progesterone and group III with a nonsignificant effect: dydrogesterone, promegestone, norgestrel and danazol. Demegestone was the most potent inhibitor and medroxyprogesterone acetate and quingestanol acetate had the highest activator effect. The effect of Triton X-100, a nonionic detergent, was also tested. This detergent consistently increased the microsome estrone sulfatase activity. A comparison was made between the effects of demegestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and danazol on estrone sulfatase activity measured with or without Triton X-100 in the incubation medium. The presence of the detergent modified the progestogen action. Our results suggest that synthetic progestogens can influence the estrone sulfatase activity measured in human breast carcinoma tissues. However, the effect of progestogens was dependent on experimental conditions. Progestogens such as demegestone and chlormadinone acetate which inhibited estrone sulfatase activity in intact preparations, can reduce the intracellular production of biological active estrogen via the sulfatase pathway.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Identification of an estrogen-binding protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A constitutive estrogen-binding protein (EBP) has been identified in the cytosol of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium. All 14 strains tested contained the EBP. Estradiol binding was rapid and maximal binding occurred by 90 min at 0 degrees C. Dissociation of estradiol from the binding protein occurred at a rate of 4.6 fmol/min with a t1/2 of 42 min. EBP binding was destroyed by protease treatment and at high temperature. Sodium molybdate had no effect on binding. The Kd determined by Scatchard analysis was 3.9 nM and the Bmax was 323 fmol/mg protein. The EBP sedimented at 8.9 S on sucrose density gradients. The presence of 0.4 M KCl increased estradiol binding 6-fold but did not cause a shift in the sedimentation value. Gel filtration of the native protein gave an estimated molecular weight of 215,000 and a Stokes radius of 50.2 A. Steroid binding specificity, in order of decreasing affinity, was estradiol, estrone, dihydrotestosterone, estriol, testosterone, progesterone and promegestone. Other steroid hormones tested did not compete for estradiol binding. Identification of an EBP in a bacterium allows a comparative analysis of other steroid-binding proteins in unicellular microorganisms.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Estrone sulfate-sulfatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities: a hypothesis for their role in the evolution of human breast cancer from hormone-dependence to hormone-independence.

The evaluation of estrogens (estrone, estradiol, and their sulfates) in the breast tissue of post-menopausal patients with breast cancer indicates high levels, particularly of estrone sulfate (E1S) which is 15-25 times higher than in the plasma. Breast cancer tissue contains the enzymes necessary for local synthesis of estradiol and it was demonstrated that, despite the presence of the sulfatase and its messenger in hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer cells, this enzyme operates particularly in hormone-dependent cells. Different progestins: Nomegestrol acetate, Promegestone, progesterone, as well as Danazol, can block the conversion of E1S to E2 very strongly in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. The last step in the formation of estradiol is the conversion of E1 to this estrogen by the action of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This activity is preferentially in the reductive direction (formation of E2) in hormone-dependent cells, but oxidative (E2-->E1) in hormone-independent cells. Using intact hormone-dependent cells it was observed that Nomegestrol acetate can block the conversion of E1 to E2. It is concluded, firstly, that in addition to ER mutants other factors are involved in the transformation of hormone-dependent breast cancer to hormone-independent, this concerns the enzymatic activity in the formation of E2; it is suggested that stimulatory or repressive factor(s) involved in the enzyme activity are implicated as the cancer evolves to hormone-independence; secondly, different drugs can block the conversion of E1S to E2. Clinical trials of these "anti-enzyme" substances in breast cancer patients could be the next step to investigate new therapeutic possibilities for this disease.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Specific interactions of progestins and anti-progestins with progesterone antibodies, plasma binding proteins and the human recombinant receptor.

This structure-activity study compares the affinity of a series of progestins, progesterone metabolites and anti-progestins for a panel of monoclonal antibodies to progesterone, coypu (Myocastor coypus) or guinea pig plasma progesterone-binding proteins (PPBPs) and the human recombinant progesterone receptor A form (PR-A). The compounds tested were progesterone, Promegestone (R5020), Mifepristone (RU486), ZK98,734, Onapristone (ZK98,299), 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 11 alpha-progesterone hemisuccinate, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-pregnane-3,20-diones, and 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxyprogesterones. The Ki values for these ligands were determined by competitive binding assays using radiolabelled progesterone as the binding site ligand. For anti-progesterone antibodies (e.g. DB3 and 11/32), only progesterone (3.6-8.8 nM), the 11 alpha-derivatives (1.0-5.5 nM) used to prepare the immunogen and the two 5-pregnanediones (20.9-45.1 nM) were bound with high affinity. For PR-A, high affinity binding was found with receptor agonists (Ki = 1.1-6.2 nM), both 5- and 20-reduced metabolites, and antagonists (0.6-28.0 nM), but not with the 11 alpha-derivatives (950 nM-1.0 microM). In contrast, the PPBPs displayed high affinity interactions with progesterone (3.5-4.2 nM) and both 5 alpha- and 20 alpha-reduced metabolites (2.4-3.4 nM). Binding with the beta-isomers and R5020 was less pronounced (22-170 nM) and there was no evidence of high affinity binding with PR antagonists (> 1.0 microM). Analogs with the 17-keto group did not bind to any of the binders studied. Thus, commonalities among the three types of protein binders were their comparable binding affinities for progesterone (3.5-8.8 nM) and 5-pregnanedione isomers (2.4-330 nM), and a lack of binding for two C17-keto steroids (androsterone and etiocholanolone). The results imply that the tertiary features of the binding domain of these three types of proteins are sufficiently different to result in unique binding structures.

Animals↗

Classification and pharmacology of progestins.

Besides the natural progestin, progesterone, there are different classes of progestins, such as retroprogesterone (i.e. dydrogesterone), progesterone derivatives (i.e. medrogestone) 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives (i.e. chlormadinone acetate, cyproterone acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate), 19-norprogesterone derivatives (i.e. nomegestrol, promegestone, trimegestone, nesterone), 19-nortestosterone derivatives norethisterone (NET), lynestrenol, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, gestodene, norgestimate, dienogest) and spironolactone derivatives (i.e. drospirenone). Some of the synthetic progestins are prodrugs, which need to be metabolized to become active compounds. Besides the progestogenic effect, which is in common for all progestins, there is a wide range of biological effects, which are different for the various progestins and have to be taken into account, when medical treatment is considered.

Female↗