title: Cellular mechanisms by which oxytocin mediates ovine endometrial prostaglandin F2alpha synthesis: role of G(i) proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases.
abstract: Oxytocin stimulates a rapid increase in ovine endometrial prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha synthesis. The overall objective of these experiments was to investigate the cellular mechanisms by which oxytocin induces endometrial PGF2alpha synthesis. The objective of experiment 1 was to determine whether G(i) proteins mediate oxytocin-induced PGF2alpha synthesis. Uteri were collected from four ovary-intact ewes on Day 14 postestrus. Caruncular endometrial explants were dissected and subjected to in vitro incubation. Pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G(i) proteins, had no effect on the ability of oxytocin to induce PGF2alpha synthesis (P > 0.10). The objective of experiment 2 was to determine whether any of the three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK), or p38 MAPK, mediate oxytocin-induced PGF(2alpha) synthesis. Eleven ovary-intact ewes were given an injection of oxytocin (10 IU; i.v.; n = 5) or physiological saline (i.v.; n = 6) on Day 15 postestrus. Uteri were collected 15 min after injection and caruncular endometrium was dissected. Endometrial homogenates were prepared and subjected to Western blotting. Membranes were probed for both total and phosphorylated forms of all three classes of MAPK. All classes of MAPK were detected in ovine endometrium, but oxytocin treatment had no effect on the expression of these proteins (P > 0.10). ERK1/2 was the only phosphorylated MAPK detected and its concentrations were higher in oxytocin-treated ewes (P < 0.01). The objective of experiment 3 was to further investigate the role of ERK1/2 during oxytocin-induced PGF2alpha synthesis. Uteri were collected from four ovary-intact ewes on Day 14 postestrus. Caruncular endometrial explants were dissected and subjected to in vitro incubation. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 activity, blocked the ability of oxytocin to stimulate PGF(2alpha synthesis in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the ovine oxytocin receptor is not coupled to G(i) proteins. These results indicate that oxytocin induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and that this MAPK appears to mediate oxytocin-induced PGF2alpha synthesis in ovine endometrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. pburns@ceres.agsci.colostate.edu
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yemm
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Clay
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Silvia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; C008228:15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2alpha; D010121:Oxytocin; D015237:Dinoprost; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go