title: Cultured myometrial cells establish communicating gap junctions.
abstract: Myometrial cells were isolated and cultured from term rat uterus. The myometrial origin of the cultures was verified by antibody staining of cellular desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. The presence of functional gap junctions was indicated by transfer of radiolabeled nucleotide and microinjected Lucifer yellow dye. The cultured cells expressed mRNA recognized by a connexin43 gap junction cDNA probe. To our knowledge, this is the first report that isolated myometrial cells form gap junctions in culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Industrial Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor 48109-2029.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Juberg
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Corcos
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017630:Connexins; D015342:DNA Probes; D003893:Desmin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D017630:Connexins; D015342:DNA Probes; D003893:Desmin; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C017475:lucifer yellow