Perspectives On Membrane-associated Progesterone Receptors As Prospective Therapeutic Targets

Curr Drug Targets. 2016;17(10):1189-97. doi: 10.2174/1389450116666150518102651.

Abstract

Progesterone receptor membrane components 1 and 2, neudesin, and neuferricin belong to the membraneassociated progesterone receptor (MAPR) family. Recently, sex steroid membrane receptors have gained attention because of their potential involvement in sex hormone-mediated rapid non-genomic effects, which cannot currently be explained by the genomic action of nuclear receptors. Progesterone may increase cell proliferation and survival via nongenomic effects including the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase (PI3K) pathways through MAPRs. Moreover, the unique expression of MAPRs suggests that they could be used as biomarkers and drug targets for sex steroid-related cancers and other diseases. In this review, we summarize the physiological roles of the MAPRs, provide a comprehensive overview of their progesterone-mediated non-genomic actions, and discuss new insights into their potential as therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Drug Design*
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Progesterone
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases