Regulation of uterine gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor subunit expression throughout pregnancy

Endocrinology
E Fujii, S H Mellon

Abstract

Uterine contractions at parturition depend upon a variety of factors, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic stimulation. A new subunit of the GABA(A) receptor, pi, has recently been identified as being particularly abundant in the rat uterus. Reduced derivatives of progesterone, such as the 3alpha,5alpha-reduced derivative termed allopregnanolone, modulate GABA(A) receptor activity and neuronal inhibition by modulating the frequency and duration of GABA(A) channel opening. This modulation depends on the specific subunit composition of the GABA(A) receptor. In particular, assembly of recombinant pi and delta GABA(A) receptor subunits into a functional GABA(A) receptor have been reported to reduce sensitivity to allopregnanolone. As allopregnanolone works through the GABA(A) receptor to reduce uterine contraction, we hypothesized that incorporation of the pi-subunit into this receptor in the uterus might change the sensitivity of the GABA(A) receptor to allopregnanolone and modulate parturition. We therefore determined the expression of GABA(A) receptor subunit messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in rat uteri from various gestational ages and determined the physiological properties of the receptors. GABA(A) pi-subunit mRNA abundance ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 1, 2004·Molecular and Cellular Biology·Susanna R Bair, Synthia H Mellon
Jan 28, 2010·American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism·Homayoun Sadeghi, Hugh S Taylor
Apr 15, 2008·American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology·Kentaro MizutaCharles W Emala
Nov 13, 2008·Physiological Genomics·Gustavo HelgueraEnrico Stefani
Sep 28, 2005·International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer·Menelaos ZafrakasEdgar Dahl
Dec 24, 2005·Gynecological Endocrinology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·Susan E Gilbert EvansMyroslava K Romach
May 26, 2016·International Journal of Molecular Medicine·Junjie LuYi Tan
Oct 19, 2019·Scientific Reports·Vikram B WaliLajos Pusztai
Oct 22, 2018·Life Sciences·Pella Cecilia SöderhielmAnders A Jensen
Jun 9, 2004·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Zhongming ChenLin Liu

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