title: Non-ligand activation of estrous behavior in rodents: cross-talk at the progesterone receptor.
abstract: Estrous behavior in rodents is triggered by the binding of progesterone (P) to its intracellular receptor (PR). Non-steroidal agents (i.e., gonadotropin-releasing hormone, noradrenaline, dopamine and others), acting at the membrane, can facilitate estrous behavior in estrogen-primed rats. This action is mediated through the generation of second messengers (cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, calcium) which, in turn, phosphorylate through diverse kinase systems (protein kinases A, G or C) either the PR or associated effector proteins linking the PR to the trans-activation machinery. P or its metabolites also activate cyclic AMP-signaling pathways by acting directly on the membrane or by modulating neurotransmitter release. Molecular processes resulting from second messenger signaling pathways and those from the progesterone-RP interaction synergize to elicit a full behavioral response.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Tlaxcala, Mexico.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: González-Flores
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Juárez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González-Mariscal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011980:Receptors, Progesterone