Decreased expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin results in decreased contractile function of the mouse bladder
Abstract
Smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMalphaA) is an important actin isoform for functional contractility in the mouse bladder. Alterations in the expression of SMalphaA have been associated with a variety of bladder pathological conditions. Recently, a SMalphaA-null mouse was generated and differences in vascular tone and contractility were observed between wild-type and SMalphaA-null mice suggesting alterations in function of vascular smooth muscle. We used SMalphaA-null mice to explore the hypothesis that SMalphaA is necessary for normal bladder function. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to confirm the absence of SMalphaA transcript and protein in the bladder of SMalphaA-null mice. In vitro bladder contractility compared between bladder rings harvested from wild-type and SMalphaA-null mice was determined by force measurement following electrical field stimulation (EFS), and exposure to chemical agonists and antagonists including KCl, carbachol, atropine and tetrodotoxin. Resulting force generation profiles for each tissue and agent were analyzed. There was no detectable SMalphaA transcript and protein expression in the bladder of SMalphaA-null mice. Nine wild-...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Structural basis of voiding dysfunction in megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Bladder Carcinoma In Situ
Bladder Carcinoma In Situ is a superficial bladder cancer that occurs on the surface layer of the bladder. Discover the latest research on this precancerous condition in this feed.