Progestin and adipoQ receptor 7 (PAQR7)

Progestin and adipoQ receptor 7 (PAQR7), also known as membrane progestin receptor alpha (mPR alpha), is a seven-transmembrane protein that mediates rapid, non-genomic actions of progesterone [1, 2]. Unlike classical nuclear progesterone receptors that act as transcription factors, PAQR7 functions at the cell surface to trigger intracellular signaling cascades, such as the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via G proteins [2, 3]. It plays a critical role in reproductive biology, including oocyte maturation and sperm motility, and is also involved in neuroprotective processes within the central nervous system [3, 4]. In oncology, PAQR7 expression is often altered in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, where it can influence cell proliferation and apoptosis [5]. While progesterone is its primary endogenous ligand, research is ongoing to develop selective mPR agonists and antagonists that can target these non-genomic pathways without the side effects associated with nuclear receptor modulation [3, 5]. Sources: [1] UniProt (Q86WK9); [2] Thomas, P., et al. (2003) PNAS; [3] Dressing, G. E., et al. (2012) Steroids; [4] Pang, Y., et al. (2013) Frontiers in Endocrinology; [5] Smith, J. L., et al. (2013) Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.

Other names

Membrane progestin receptor alphamPR alphamPRaProgestin and adipoQ receptor family member 7mPR-alpha

Agonism or antagonism of non-genomic progesterone signaling via G protein-coupled pathways, specifically inhibiting adenylyl cyclase and modulating MAPK/ERK pathways.