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Expression of Gs, Connexin-43, Connexin-26, and EP1, 3, and 4 Receptors in Myometrium of Prelabor Singleton Versus Multiple Gestations and the Effects of Mechanical Stretch and Steroids on Gs

Institute of Medical Genetics, Yorkhill, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Imperial College School of Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; f.lyall{at}udcf.gla.ac.uk

Stephen J. Lye, PhD

Tiong-Ghee Teoh, MD

Frances Cousins

Graeme Milligan, PhD

Stephen C. Robson, MD

Institute of Medical Genetics, Yorkhill, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Imperial College School of Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that multiple pregnancies would be associated with altered expression of the following three groups of proteins that are key regulators of myometrial function: (i) Gs, (ii) connexins-43 and 26, and (iii) prostanoid EP1, EP3, and EP4 receptors.

Methods: An in vitro model was used to determine the effects of mechanical stretch on myometrial cell Gs expression. Then the effects of the steroid hormones ß-estradiol and progesterone were tested on Gs expression in vitro. All in vitro studies were performed using myometrium from nonlaboring women.

Results: There were no differences in the expression of Gs, prostaglandin E2 receptors, or gap junction proteins in myometrium of singleton versus multiple pregnancies. Mechanical stretch did not alter Gs expression in vitro, and Gs expression was unaffected by steroid hormones.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the methods whereby stretch can promote myometrial contraction are complex or require additional factors than those tested here. Alternatively, cases of multiple gestation that do not result in preterm labor perhaps compensate for the increased stretch by preventing aberrant expression of the proteins investigated in this study.

Key Words: Myometrium • Gs • multiple gestation • stretch • connexin

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