Intermediate filaments in smooth muscle from pregnant and non-pregnant human uterus.
The intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin from pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscle and smooth-muscle cells in culture were analysed using SDS/PAGE. The desmin content in uterine muscle increases dramatically during pregnancy, whereas vimentin remains unchanged or changes very little. When muscle cells are kept in culture, a considerable increase in vimentin content is observed as compared with vimentin in freshly isolated non-pregnant uterine tissue. Our results strengthen the view that vimentin and desmin filaments have independent function and turnover, and point to a predominantly structural role for desmin filaments.
Nutrition Research Group, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, U.K.
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Leoni
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Carli
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Halliday
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003893:Desmin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism*
D003893:Desmin; D014746:Vimentin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol