Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
Published on: January 26, 2018
Hormonal regulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase activity in women with uterine leiomyomas
Salama A Salama1, Shu-Leong Ho, Hui-Qun Wang
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0587, USA.
Abstract:
Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) expression is higher in leiomyomas compared with paired normal myometrium. The expression of COMT in leiomyoma cells is hormonally regulated-estrogen down-regulates, whereas P and dexamethasone up-regulate, COMT expression.
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Oogenesis
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...