title: Advances in the role of oxytocin receptors in human parturition.
abstract: Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohypophysial hormone which has been found to play a central role in the regulation of human parturition. The most established role of oxytocin/oxytocin receptor (OT/OTR) system in human parturition is the initiation of uterine contractions, however, recent evidence have demonstrated that it may have a more complex role including initiation of inflammation, regulation of miRNA expression, as well as mediation of other non-classical oxytocin actions via receptor crosstalk with other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this review we highlight both established and newly emerging roles of OT/OTR system in human parturition and discuss the expanding potential for OTRs as pharmacological targets in the management of preterm labour.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, East Acton, London W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Sung Hye
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, East Acton, London W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, East Acton, London W12 0NN, UK; Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK. Electronic address: v.terzidou@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Vasso
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Terzidou
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism; D036801:Parturition / Q000378:metabolism*; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: GPCR dimerization; Inflammation; Oxytocin receptor; Parturition; Uterine contractions; miRNA