Progesterone action through aggregation of a receptor on the sperm plasma membrane

FEBS Lett. 1992 Aug 17;308(2):116-20. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(92)81256-l.

Abstract

Rapid steroid effects, reported in several cell types, have pointed out the possibility of non-genomic mechanisms of action, presumably on cell surface receptors. Here we analyzed the effects of antibody-mediated aggregation of a novel type of progesterone receptor on the plasma membrane of human sperm cells. We report that aggregation of hormone-receptor complexes induces Ca2+ influx and a Ca(2+)-dependent exocytotic event in this system. These data suggest a possible mechanism for rapid steroid-induced events. Further research is warranted to examined if a similar mechanism is involved in rapid steroid effects in other cell types.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Progesterone / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cations, Divalent
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Progesterone
  • Calcium