J Korean Med Sci.  2002 Feb;17(1):58-64. 10.3346/jkms.2002.17.1.58.

Donor Specific Response of Estrogen and Progesterone on Cultured Human Melanocytes

• Im S
• Lee ES
• Kim W
• On W
• Kim J
• Lee M
• Kang WH

• KMID: 2157595
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2002.17.1.58

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Progesterone; Estrogens; Receptors, Progesterone; Melanocytes

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cells, Cultured
Estrogens/*pharmacology
Gene Expression
Humans
Melanocytes/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism
Mitogens/pharmacology
Organ Culture Techniques
Progesterone/*pharmacology
Receptors, Estrogen/genetics/*metabolism
Receptors, Progesterone/genetics/*metabolism
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Skin/drug effects
Skin Pigmentation/drug effects
Tissue Donors