Collagenase inhibitor concentration in cultured cervical tissue of sheep is increased in late pregnancy.
An inhibitor of collagenase was released from cultured cervical tissue of sheep and the amounts released were greatest from tissue in late pregnancy (145-146 days). The molecular weights of material with inhibitory activity, estimated by gel filtration of extracted inhibitor, at different stages of pregnancy were different, i.e. 20,000 from extracts of late-pregnant and post-partum samples and 29,000 from extracts of non-pregnant samples. Inhibitor from culture supernatants had a molecular weight of 42,000. We conclude that the inhibitor has binding characteristics and molecular weights similar to those of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase.
Raynes
J G
JG
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Manchester University, U.K.
Clarke
F A
FA
Anderson
J C
JC
Fitzpatrick
R J
RJ
Dobson
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D003012:Microbial Collagenase