Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Ex Vivo Placental Explant Flow Culture - Mimicking the Dynamic Conditions In Utero
04:17

Ex Vivo Placental Explant Flow Culture - Mimicking the Dynamic Conditions In Utero

Published on: September 8, 2023

Review: Spatiotemporal dynamics of hCG/cAMP signaling and regulation of placental function

M S Weedon-Fekjær1, K Taskén

  • 1The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.

Placenta
|November 23, 2011
PubMed

The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is essential to sustain early pregnancy and involved in regulation of progesterone production, decidualization, and cytotrophoblast differentiation. It binds to and activates the G-protein coupled luteinizing hormone/hCG-receptor, activating the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway which results in the phosphorylation of specific intracellular target proteins. Specificity in cAMP signaling is ensured by generation of localized pools of cAMP controlled by phosphodiesterases and by discrete spatial and temporal activation of PKA in supramolecular signaling clusters inside the cell organized by A-kinase-anchoring proteins. Here we discuss spatiotemporal regulation of PKA signaling in response to hCG controlling placental function.

More Related Videos

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption12:02

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Published on: July 30, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Hormonal Regulation01:40

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
Global Regulatory Systems01:28

Global Regulatory Systems

Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...