title: Inhibition of embryo implantation in mice through vaginal administration of a proprotein convertase 6 inhibitor.
abstract: Uterine proprotein convertase 6 (PC6) plays a critical role in embryo implantation in both mice and women. It was hypothesized that inhibiting uterine PC6 could prevent pregnancy. Vaginal administration of a PC6 inhibitor presents the ideal route for local drug delivery. A peptide-based PC6 inhibitor, C-30k-PEG Poly R that was previously shown to have properties of increased vaginal absorption and penetration was tested for its contraceptive potential in mice following vaginal administration. The study demonstrated that this approach could inhibit embryo implantation in some mice (24% completely and 47% partially inhibited).
authors.affiliation: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Huiting
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Electronic address: guiying.nie@princehenrys.org.
authors.forename: Guiying
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nie
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D011131:Polyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045702:Proprotein Convertase 5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011131:Polyribonucleotides; D045702:Proprotein Convertase 5
keywords: Contraceptive; Embryo implantation; Peptide inhibitor; Proprotein convertase; Vaginal drug delivery