Pregna-D′-pentaranes,progestins and antiprogestins: I. Separation of biological functions of steroid hormones

The synthesis, modification, structure, and biological activity in vivo of the 16,17- cycloalkanoprogesterone (pregna-D-pentarane) analogues of progesterone are described. A possibility of separation of their biological functions has been demonstrated. A systematic synthesis of a set of uniform compounds that differ in a limited number of alterable parameters was developed. It resulted in an instrument useful for the investigation of pathways and mechanisms by which the steroid hormones fulfill their biological functions and for the probable discovery of new functions masked by the wide effects of native compounds.__________Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 2, 2005, pp. 115–129.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kamernitzky, Levina.THE CYCLE OF WORKS OF THE AUTHORS DESCRIBED IN THE REVIEW HAS WON THE SHEMYAKIN PRIZE IN 2004     

Pregna-D′-pentaranes,Progestins and Antiprogestins: II. Pathways and Realization Mechanisms of Separate Biological Functions of Steroid Hormones

The manner in which multifunctional steroid hormones realize their separate biological functions in mammal organisms is considered. This study is carried out on the basis of a systematic set of progesterone analogues, which we developed and described in part I of the review. This set has for the first time enabled the use of compounds of this type for studying the pathways and realization mechanisms of separate biological functions of steroid hormones. The interaction of pregna-D′-pentaranes with the classical progesterone receptor, their independent influence on the myometrium and ovogenesis, and some nonclassical effects are described. A scheme of realization is suggested for the biological functions already known, newly discovered, and presumed by us that, during pregnancy, are fulfilled in mammal organisms by progesterone and its nearest metabolite, dihydroprogesterone.__________Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2005, pp. 227–238.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kamernitzky, Levina.The Cycle of Works of the Authors Described in the Review Has Won the Shemyakin Prize in 2004For part I, see [1].