Integration of progesterone receptor action with rapid signaling events in breast cancer models
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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
Published on: January 8, 2015
1University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. Lange047@umn.edu
Abstract:
Recent discoveries suggest that several protein kinases are rapidly activated in response to ligand binding to cytoplasmic steroid hormone receptors (SRs), including progesterone receptors (PRs). Thus, PRs act as ligand-activated transcription factor "sensors" for growth factor-initiated signaling pathways in hormonally regulated tissues, such as the breast. Induction of rapid signaling upon progestin binding to PR-B provides a means to ensure that receptors and co-regulators are appropriately phosphorylated as part of optimal transcription complexes. Alternatively, PR-B activated kinase cascades provide additional avenues for progestin-regulated gene expression independent of PR nuclear action. Herein, an overview of progesterone/PR and signaling cross-talk in breast cancer models is provided. Kinases are emerging as key mediators of PR action. Cross-talk between SR and membrane-initiated signaling events suggests a mechanism for coordinate regulation of gene subsets by mitogenic stimuli in hormonally responsive normal tissues, and is suspected to contribute to cancer biology.
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