What is it about?
mPRα mediates rapid, non-genomic progesterone actions in many cell types as gametes, lymphocytes, endothelial cells and muscle cells, among others. However, the role of this receptor in the pituitary gland is unknown. In this paper we study the expression of mPRα in the rat pituitary gland focusing on the lactotroph population and its involvement in progesterone-mediated effects on prolactin secretion.
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Why is it important?
In summary, our results demonstrate that mPRs are expressed in the female rat pituitary, with mPRα being the most abundant. We found the first evidence for a role of mPRα in lactotrophs, acting as a mediator of progesterone inhibitory actions on PRL secretion. This mechanism was found to be mediated by a Gαi and TGFβ1, a known inhibitor of lactotroph function.
Perspectives
This article summarizes the study of mPRs in the pituitary gland and leads to further questions about the role of mPRs not only in the physiology of lactotrophs but also in the pathology. Considering that activation of mPRα leads to the inhibition of PRL secretion, we believe that this mechanism may represent a novel tool for treatment of hyperprolactinemia. We are happy to share our tantalizing results and hope you will find our article interesting!
Maria Camilletti
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Participation of membrane progesterone receptor α in the inhibitory effect of progesterone on prolactin secretion, Journal of Neuroendocrinology, August 2018, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/jne.12614.
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