Molecular characterization and brain distribution of the progesterone receptor in whiptail lizards.

ABSTRACT: Progesterone and its nuclear receptor are critical in modulating reproductive physiology and behavior in female and male vertebrates. Whiptail lizards (genus Cnemidophorus) are an excellent model system in which to study the evolution of sexual behavior, as both the ancestral and descendent species exist. Male-typical sexual behavior is mediated by progesterone in both the ancestral species and the descendant all-female species, although the molecular characterization and distribution of the progesterone receptor protein throughout the reptilian brain is not well understood. To better understand the gene targets and ligand binding properties of the progesterone receptor in whiptails, we cloned the promoter and coding sequence of the progesterone receptor and analyzed the predicted protein

SUBMITTER: O'Connell LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3041865 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature