Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue
Published on: October 12, 2013
Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor mRNA expression and autophosphorylation in human myometrium and leiomyoma
E B Martin Chaves1, I S Brum, J Stoll
1Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. glchaves@cpovo.net
Abstract:
Uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumors of the genital tract. Growth factors seem to be implicated in the development of leiomyoma. The aim of this study was to determine insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1-R) mRNA levels and IGF-1-R tyrosine kinase activity in normal myometrium and leiomyoma. Plasma membranes of myometrium and leiomyoma of 14 women subjected to hysterectomy were prepared, and samples were incubated in the absence or presence of recombinant human IGF-1 to assess the tyrosine kinase activity (Western blot). Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for IGF-1-R was used to determine IGF-1-R mRNA levels. IGF-1-R mRNA levels in myometrium (0.8216 +/- 0.096) and in leiomyoma (0.7905 +/- 0.136) were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.648). The degree of IGF-1-R autophosphorylation stimulated by recombinant IGF-1 was not different in myometrium (1.020 +/- 0.120) and leiomyoma (1.620 +/- 0.656) either (p = 0.075). There was no difference in IGF-1-R expression and IGF-1-R autophosphorylation between normal myometrium and leiomyoma.
Related Concept Videos
Autocrine Signaling
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

