Open AccessIdentification of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the eye
Author(s) -
Wickham L. Alexandra,
Gao Jianping,
Toda Ikuko,
Rocha Eduardo M.,
Ono Masafumi,
Sullivan David A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0420
pISSN - 1395-3907
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2000.078002146.x
Subject(s) - lacrimal gland , endocrinology , meibomian gland , ciliary body , medicine , estrogen , progesterone receptor , androgen , androgen receptor , retina , estrogen receptor , biology , cornea , hormone , pathology , eyelid , ophthalmology , cancer , prostate cancer , neuroscience , breast cancer
. Purpose: Previous research has demonstrated that sex steroids exert a significant influence on the structure and function of numerous ocular tissues. To begin to explore the underlying basis of this hormone action, we examined whether various anterior and posterior tissues of the eye contain androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs. Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from adult male and female rats, rabbits and humans, processed for the isolation of total RNA and analyzed by RT‐PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization. All PCR amplifications included positive and negative controls. Results: Our findings showed that androgen, estrogen and/or progesterone receptor mRNAs are present in the lacrimal gland, lacrimal gland acinar epithelial cells, meibomian gland, lid, palpebral and bulbar conjunctivae, cornea, iris/ciliary body, lens, retina/uvea, retina/choroid and retinal pigment epithelial cells of rats, rabbits or humans. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that sex steroid receptor mRNAs exist in a variety of ocular tissues and suggest that these sites may represent target organs for androgens, estrogens and/or progestins.