title: Characterization and expression of oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor.
abstract: Oxytocin, a nonapeptide hormone and neurotransmitter, is expressed in a variety of tissues, as are its receptors. In vivo, oxytocin acts as a paracrine and/or autocrine mediator of multiple biological effects. These effects are exerted primarily through interactions with G-protein-coupled oxytocin/vasopressin receptors, which, via G(q) and G(i), stimulate phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. It is generally recognized that, during pregnancy, oxytocin plays a major role in increasing myometrial contractility at term, and that it acts on its cardiac receptor to decrease the cardiac rate and force of contraction. It is, however, doubtful that increased endocrine oxytocin concentration is involved in the onset and progression of normal human labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Science, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga, 849-8501, Japan. kanekoyu@bu.edu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shojo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaneko
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014590:Uterine Contraction
chemical_list: D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins