Donor specific response of estrogen and progesterone on cultured human melanocytes

The mechanisms of estrogen and progesterone in human cutaneous pigmentation are largely unknown. The molecular identification of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the human melanocytes is of great importance to understand the mechanisms. We performed immunocytochemistry analysis and demonstrated that ER and PR were expressed in the cytoplasms and nuclei of human melanocytes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis confirmed the expression of ER and PR at the transcriptional level. Despite of the presence of ER and PR, the physiological and pregnant levels of estrogen and progesterone showed inconsistent effects on the proliferation and tyrosinase activity of cultured human melanocytes. These results suggest that human melanocytes express ER and PR, which have a donor-specific action in human pigmentation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the induction mechanism and functions of these receptors, and the role of estrogen and progesterone in melanocytes.