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The sheep endometrial oxytocin receptor
A P Flint1, P R Riley, S Kaluz
1Department of Physiology and Environmental Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Sheep endometrial oxytocin receptor expression is regulated by protein kinase C, not tyrosine kinases, in response to interferon-tau (IFN-tau). This research clarifies IFN-tau
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The ovine endometrial oxytocin receptor is crucial for luteolysis and maternal recognition of pregnancy.
- Ovarian steroid hormones and trophoblast interferon (IFN-tau) regulate oxytocin receptor expression in the uterus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the second messengers mediating IFN-tau's effects on oxytocin receptor expression.
- To analyze the structure and expression of the sheep uterine oxytocin receptor.
Main Methods:
- Culture of ovine endometrial explants during the luteal phase.
- Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine kinases.
- Northern blotting to assess mRNA heterogeneity.
- cDNA sequencing of the oxytocin receptor.
- Expression of the receptor in Cos-7 cells.
Main Results:
- Oxytocin receptor expression in cultured endometrial explants was partially inhibited by PKC inhibitors or PKC down-regulation.
- Northern blotting revealed heterogeneous oxytocin receptor mRNA.
- cDNA sequencing indicated the sheep receptor is longer than in other species.
- Receptor expression in Cos-7 cells conferred oxytocin responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Protein kinase C (PKC), rather than tyrosine kinases, is implicated in IFN-tau's regulation of oxytocin receptor expression.
- The sheep uterine oxytocin receptor exhibits unique structural characteristics and functional activity.