---
title: Do cells from women with PMDD respond differently to hormones?
description: Yes. Cells from women with PMDD show unusual patterns of gene and protein expression in a hormone-sensing complex called ESC/E(Z). This is early laboratory re
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-esc-e-z-complex-an-effector-of-response-to-ovarian-steroids-manifests-an-2020/
---

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- Do cells from women with PMDD respond differently to hormones?

Cohort study, 2020

# Do cells from women with PMDD respond differently to hormones?

Yes. Cells from women with PMDD show unusual patterns of gene and protein expression in a hormone-sensing complex called ESC/E(Z). This is early laboratory research, not yet tested in people.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMDD and healthy controls (exact number not specified), studied through cell cultures.

## What they did

Researchers compared cell cultures from women with PMDD and healthy women. They looked at which genes were active before and after adding female hormones estradiol and progesterone.

## What they found

In untreated cells, women with PMDD had more copies of genes in the ESC/E(Z) complex but less protein. Three genes (MTF2, PHF19, SIRT1) showed the biggest changes. In healthy controls, progesterone increased certain genes, while in PMDD cells, estradiol decreased them.

## What it means for you

Women with PMDD may have cells that process hormones abnormally, which could explain their sensitivity to hormone shifts. This is very early lab work and does not yet suggest treatments, but it points researchers toward understanding PMDD better.

13

ESC/E(Z) complex genes analyzed

3

genes with biggest changes (MTF2, PHF19, SIRT1)

Over half

ESC/E(Z) genes over-expressed in PMDD cells

## About the study

Original title The ESC/E(Z) complex, an effector of response to ovarian steroids, manifests an intrinsic difference in cells from women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Yuan, Martinez, Goldman et al. Journal Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) Year 2020 Study design Cohort study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.17615/hbrz-mb46](https://doi.org/10.17615/hbrz-mb46)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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