Placing progesterone in the apoptotic pathway.
Progesterone regulates the viability of cells of several different reproductive tissues, including the uterus, breast, corpus luteum, and ovarian follicle (that is, granulosa cells). Progesterone's antiapoptotic actions are thought to be mediated through the progesterone receptor because the progesterone antagonist RU 486 attenuates progesterone's action. Uterine, mammary, and luteal cells express the classic nuclear progesterone receptor, whereas granulosa cells of developing and mature follicles do not. This review presents data that suggest that progesterone maintains granulosa cell viability through a nongenomic mechanism.
Peluso
J J
JJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.