Identification of Progesterone Receptor in Human Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 509 - 513
• Main Authors: O’Brien, Susan N, Welter, Brenda H, Mantzke, Kimberly A, Price, Thomas M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Endocrine Society 01-02-1998
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jcem.83.2.4561

Sex steroids are postulated to play a role in adipose tissue regulation
and distribution, because the amount and location of adipose tissue
changes during puberty and menopause. Because of the nature of adipose
tissue, receptors for the female sex steroids have been difficult to
demonstrate. To date, estrogen receptor messenger RNA and protein have
been identified in human subcutaneous adipose tissue, but the presence
of progesterone receptor (PR) has not been reported. In this study, we
demonstrate PR message by Northern blot analysis in RNA isolated from
the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of premenopausal women. These
preliminary studies revealed that PR messenger RNA levels are higher in
the stromal-vascular fraction as opposed to the adipocyte fraction.
Western blot analysis demonstrates both PR protein isoforms (human PR-A
and human PR-B) in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Using an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, total PR could be quantitated. These
studies substantiate that sex steroid receptors are present in human
adipose tissue, thereby providing a direct route for regulation of
adipose tissue by female sex steroids.