Steroids tickle cells inside and out

D Picard - Nature, 1998 - nature.com
D Picard
Nature, 1998nature.com
Steroid hormones are classically thought to bind to receptors inside cells, acting through
changes in gene expression. But a study of the hormone progesterone shows that it can also
act on the outside of a cell. The authors have found that it can bind the oxytocin receptor,
preventing the natural ligand—oxytocin—from binding. Because progesterone is involved in
maintaining pregnancy whereas oxytocin has the opposite effect, inducing uterine
contractions, these findings could be used in preventing pre-term labour.
Steroid hormones are classically thought to bind to receptors inside cells, acting through changes in gene expression. But a study of the hormone progesterone shows that it can also act on the outside of a cell. The authors have found that it can bind the oxytocin receptor, preventing the natural ligand — oxytocin — from binding. Because progesterone is involved in maintaining pregnancy whereas oxytocin has the opposite effect, inducing uterine contractions, these findings could be used in preventing pre-term labour.
nature.com