Evidence for a Leydig cell progesterone receptor in the rat

• Published in: Journal of steroid biochemistry Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 709 - 714
• Main Authors: Pino, A.M., Valladares, L.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.06.1988; New York, NY Pergamon
• Subjects: Animals; Binding, Competitive; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cytosol - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Kinetics; Leydig Cells - metabolism; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Promegestone - metabolism; Receptors, Progesterone - isolation & purification; Receptors, Progesterone - metabolism; Vertebrates: reproduction; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Rat; Rodentia; Identification; Progesterone; Sex steroid hormone; Testicle; Male genital system; Leydig cell; Hormonal receptor
• ISSN: 0022-4731
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(88)90172-0

Tritiated promegestone [ 3H] R 5020 is bound with high affinity by charcoal-treated cytosol prepared from purified Leydig cells. The binding is characterized by high affinity ( k d = 2 × 10 −9 M) and specificity ( R 5020 = progesterone > testosterone = dehydrotestosterone > hydroxyprogesterone > cortisol = dexamethasone > estradiol) appropriate for progesterone receptors. In vitro, progestin-bound cytosol was quantitatively translocated to nuclei fractions, only if cytosol samples were previously labeled at 25°C. However no translocation of binding activity was observed when previous cytosol labeling was done in the presence of sodium molybdate. Effects of glucocorticoids, androgens and estrogens on the Leydig cell are well documented, the demonstration of a putative progesterone receptor raises the possibility of direct effect of progesterone on the Leydig cell.