How progesterone receptors control genes
Sex Hormone Receptor Component And The Cell Genome
This project maps how progesterone receptors and their helper proteins assemble on DNA to better understand gene control in people with hormone-related health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284075 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using powerful 3D imaging (cryo-electron microscopy) to capture detailed structures of progesterone receptor complexes as they bind DNA along with partner proteins. They will compare the two main receptor forms, PR-A and PR-B, and examine both matching and mixed pair configurations to see how each arrangement affects gene activity. The work combines structural proteomics and biochemical assays to identify which coregulators join the complexes and confirm their roles. Findings are intended to clarify how progesterone controls normal reproductive biology and how misregulation may contribute to hormone-related diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with progesterone-sensitive conditions—such as hormone receptor–positive breast or endometrial cancer, endometriosis, or some fertility disorders—are most likely to be connected to or benefit from related future studies or sample-donation opportunities.
Not a fit: People without hormone-related illnesses or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to gain direct, short-term benefit from this lab-based structural research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify precise molecular targets that lead to better diagnostics or targeted therapies for progesterone-driven conditions like certain breast, uterine, or reproductive disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Related cryo-EM work has already resolved quaternary structures for estrogen and androgen receptor complexes, demonstrating that this approach can succeed.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lonard, David M — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lonard, David M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.