IDENTIFICATION OF PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR IN HUMAN SUBCUTANEOUS ADIPOSE-TISSUE

Sex steroids are postulated to play a role in adipose tissue regulatio n 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 presenc e of progesterone receptor (PR) has not been reported. In this study, we demonstrate PR message by Northern blot analysis in RNA isolated fr om the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of premenopausal women. T hese preliminary studies revealed that PR messenger RNA levels are hig her in the stromal-vascular fraction as opposed to the adipocyte fract ion. Western blot analysis demonstrates both PR protein isoforms (huma n PR-A and human PR-B) in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, total PR could be quantitated. Thes e studies substantiate that sex steroid receptors are present in human adipose tissue, thereby providing a direct route for regulation of ad ipose tissue by female sex steroids.