Identification and expression of G-proteins in human myometrium: up-regulation of G alpha s in pregnancy.
We report that human myometrium contains G alpha i1, G alpha i3, and G alpha q, and G alpha 11, which are expressed at similar levels in tissues from pregnant and nonpregnant women. G alpha i2 is also expressed, but at a slightly reduced level, in tissue taken from pregnant compared to nonpregnant donors. The major finding of this investigation is the substantial increase in G alpha s expression in pregnant myometrium. The increase in G alpha s levels may play a crucial role in maintaining relaxation of the uterus by favoring cAMP formation during pregnancy.
University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom.
G N
GN
Europe-Finner
S
S
Phaneuf
S P
SP
Watson
A
A
López Bernal
D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
D007106:Immune Sera; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins