Carbachol and oxytocin stimulate the generation of inositol phosphates in the guinea pig myometrium.

In the guinea pig myometrium prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol, carbachol and oxytocin enhanced a concentration-dependent and rapid release of IP3 which preceded that of IP2 and IP1. The specific receptor-mediated phospholipase C activation degrading PIP2 to IP3 did not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The ionophore A23187 as well as K+ depolarization failed to increase inositol phosphate accumulation. It is proposed that IP3 could have a role in the contraction of uterine smooth muscle elicited by the activation of muscarinic as well as of oxytocin receptors.

A substantial proportion of cardiac Gs is not associated with the plasma membrane.

The precise interactions between the subunits of Gs (alpha s, beta, gamma) and the plasma membrane remain to be established. If alpha s is associated loosely with the inner membrane, is labile during activation, or is always present to some extent in the cytoplasm, then it should fractionate to the supernatant of a high-speed centrifugation. We identified abundant alpha s (52-66% of total cellular) in the supernatant fraction of right atrial and left ventricular membrane preparations of porcine heart as shown by two distinct measures of alpha s (immunoblotting and ADP ribosylation by cholera toxin). However, functional assays utilizing reconstitution of cardiac alpha s with cyc- S49 membranes revealed that the supernatant fraction contained approximately 16% of total cellular alpha s activity. The alpha s present in the supernatant fraction did not result from contamination by sarcolemmal membrane fragments. We conclude that traditional methods for quantifying alpha s which utilize only detergent extracts from high-speed pellets do not account for a sizable proportion of total cellular alpha s, but that the majority of this population of cardiac alpha s may not be functional, at least with respect to adenylyl cyclase activation.

Pharmacological evidence for distinct muscarinic receptor subtypes coupled to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and to the increased generation of inositol phosphates in the guinea pig myometrium.

In the guinea pig myometrium, muscarinic receptor activation leads to contraction and elicits two biochemical responses viz. an increased formation of inositol phosphates (via a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, distinct from the stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins of the adenylate cyclase system and a decreased synthesis of cyclic AMP involving inhibitory G protein activation. We now describe two major differences in the effects of muscarinic agonists. First, the greater potency of carbachol in inhibiting cyclic AMP formation (EC50 = 8 nM) than in stimulating the accumulation of inositol phosphates and tension (EC50 = 15 and 2 microM, respectively). Second, carbachol, oxotremorine and pilocarpine were equally effective in eliciting cyclic AMP inhibition but the order of potency for inositol phosphate formation was carbachol greater than oxotremorine and pilocarpine was without effect. The partial agonists, pilocarpine and oxotremorine, inhibited carbachol-mediated inositol phosphate formation. Pirenzepine, selective for muscarinic M1 receptor subtype, displayed a low affinity for antagonizing cyclic AMP inhibition, inositol phosphate generation and tension due to carbachol (Ki = 286, 92 and 110 nM, respectively). AF-DX116 (11-[( 2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1- piperidinyl]acetyl)-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine- 6-one), selective for cardiac M2 receptors blocked cyclic AMP inhibition with high affinity (Ki = 1.14 nM) while it antagonized inositol phosphate formation with low affinity (Ki = 346 nM). Both high (Ki = 1 nM) and low (Ki = 100 nM) affinities were displayed by AF-DX116 in antagonizing contractions due to carbachol (24 and 76% inhibition, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluoroaluminates mimic muscarinic- and oxytocin-receptor-mediated generation of inositol phosphates and contraction in the intact guinea-pig myometrium. Role for a pertussis/cholera-toxin-insensitive G protein.

1. In the intact guinea-pig myometrium, carbachol and oxytocin stimulated a specific receptor-mediated phospholipase C activation, catalysing the breakdown of PtdIns(4,5)P2 with the sequential generation of InsP3, InsP2 and InsP. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors also triggered an inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation caused by prostacyclin. 2. NaF plus AlCl3 mimicked the effects of carbachol and oxytocin by inducing, in a dose-dependent manner, the generation of all three inositol phosphates as well as uterine contractions. AlCl3 enhanced the fluoride effect, supporting the concept that A1F4- was the active species. Under similar conditions, fluoroaluminates activated the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi, reproducing the inhibitory effect of carbachol on cyclic AMP concentrations. 3. Both carbachol- and oxytocin-mediated increases in inositol phosphates, as well as contractions, were insensitive to pertussis toxin, under conditions where the expression of Gi was totally prevented. Cholera toxin, which activates Gs and enhances cyclic AMP accumulation, failed to affect basal or oxytocin-evoked inositol phosphate generation, but induced a slight, though consistent, attenuation of the muscarinic inositol phosphate response, which was similarly evoked by forskolin. 4. The data provide evidence that, in the myometrium, (a) a G protein mediates the generation of inositol phosphates and the Ca2+-dependent contractile event, (b) the relevant G protein that most probably couples muscarinic and oxytocin receptors to phospholipase C is different from Gi and Gs, the proteins that couple receptors to adenylate cyclase, and (c) cyclic AMP does not seem to control the phosphoinositide cycle, but rather exerts a negative regulation at the muscarinic-receptor level.

[SIN-1 interactions with the generation of cyclic nucleotides and arachidonate oxide metabolites in the uterine muscle]. / Interactions du SIN-1 avec la génération des nucléotides cycliques et des métabolites oxydés de l'arachidonate dans le muscle utérin.

In the uterine smooth muscle, SIN-1 stimulated cGMP accumulation independently of the presence of Ca2+ and activated the soluble form of guanylate-cyclase through mechanisms apparently similar to those involved in the stimulations evoked by NO-containing compounds. These activations appear different from those induced by hydroperoxy-unsaturated fatty acids and which contribute to the carbachol-mediated cGMP accumulation. SIN-1 did not influence the rise in cAMP of the biosynthesis of PG1(2) and 12-HETE due to exogenous arachidonic acid. By contrast, SIN-1 markedly inhibited the increased synthesis of PG1(2) induced by the ionophore A23187 which was due to a prior, Ca2+-dependent, liberation of endogenous arachidonic acid. The data suggests an interference of SIN-1 with the generation and/or the expression of the Ca2+ signal.

Pervanadate mediated an increased generation of inositol phosphates and tension in rat myometrium. Activation and phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1.

Stimulation of [3H]inositol-labeled rat myometrial strips with pervanadate, formed by mixing orthovanadate and H2O2, induced a dose-dependent accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Orthovanadate or H2O2 added alone had no effect. Pretreatment of myometrium with two tyrosine kinase inhibitors, namely genistein and tyrphostin 47 (at 100 microM), reduced pervanadate-stimulated inositol phosphate formation by 50%. Pervanadate induced a time-sequential formation of inositol phosphates in the order inositol trisphosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol monophosphate. The inhibitory effect of genistein was observed at the level of the three inositol phosphates. Pervanadate induced contraction of the myometrium; the response was dose-dependent. H2O2 or orthovanadate was without effect. Pervanadate-mediated contraction was inhibited (50%) by genistein and tyrphostin 47 (100 microM). Western blot analysis, using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, revealed that phosphorylated proteins were present in detergent extracts from pervanadate-stimulated myometrium. Tyrosine phosphorylation was reduced by a preincubation with 100 microM genistein or tyrphostin 47. Phospholipase C-gamma1 was immunodetected in myometrial extracts and was identified as one of the substrates subject to tyrosine phosphorylation following pervanadate treatment. The results demonstrate that, in myometrium, protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase activities controlled both phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C-gamma1, contributing to the modulation of the generation of inositol phosphates and tension.

[Advantages of breast feeding (author's transl)]. / Vorzüge der Ernährung mit Muttermilch

The advantages of breast feeding are due to numerous factors i.e. the favourable composition of basic nutritives, the content of nucleotides, polyamines, rare fatty acids and rare oligo- and polysaccharides in human milk, its high content of immunologically active substances like immunoglobulins, fats, glycoproteins, lysozyme and lactoferrin, and the psychologically important opportunity for close sensual contact between mother and infant. Involution of the uterus is greatly accelerated by breast feeding. In case the mother has to take certain drugs her breast feeding can be disadvantageous for the infant. At present, we do not see any reason to recommend discontinuation of breast feeding because of the relatively high DDT content found in human milk, since the concentration observed has shown no toxic effects. Furthermore a decrease of DDT concentration in human milk has been observed recently.

[Benign recurrent cholestasis in monozygotic twin girls (author's transl)]. / Benigne rezidivierende familiäre intrahepatische Cholestase bei eineiigen Zwillingen.

The cases of Monozygotic twin girls suffering from benign recurrent familiar intrahepatic cholestasis are reported. So far both children had six icteric episodes due to this disease. These episodes occurred during times of severe emotional stress therefore, it may be assumed that a latent enzyme deficiency in the metabolism of bile acids, which is determined genetically, could be influenced by psychosomatic mechanisms. During the acute phases phenobarbital and cholestyramine succesfully reduced serum bilirubin levels.

GRP-preferring bombesin receptors increase generation of inositol phosphates and tension in rat myometrium.

In the estrogen-treated rat myometrium, bombesin (Bn) and related agonists triggered contraction and the increased generation of inositol phosphates. The relative order of potencies was identical for both responses: Bn = gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) = litorin = neuromedin C >> neuromedin B. Two specific GRP-preferring receptor antagonists, namely [D-Phe6]Bn-(6-13) methyl ester and [Leu14,psi 13-14]Bn were inhibitory for both Bn-mediated tension and generation of inositol phosphates. [125I-Tyr4]Bn bound to myometrial membranes with high affinity (Kd = 104 pM) to a single class of sites in a saturable and reversible manner. The relative potencies for inhibiting binding were GRP = litorin = [Tyr4]Bn (Ki = 0.4 to 0.6 nM) >> neuromedin B (Ki = 10.3 nM). The high affinity displayed by [D-Phe6]Bn-(6-13) methyl ester (Ki = 2.8 nM) and [Leu14,psi 13-14]Bn (Ki = 35 nM) for competing for [Tyr4]Bn binding supported the involvement of a GRP-preferring Bn receptor. Guanine nucleotides decreased the binding of [125I-Tyr4]Bn and accelerated the rate of ligand dissociation, reflecting the coupling of receptors to guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins). The results demonstrate that rat myometrium expresses functional GRP-preferring Bn receptors whose activation stimulates the phospholipase C pathway, pertussis toxin-insensitive event that contributes to Bn-mediated uterine contractions.

Inhibition of subunit dissociation and release of the stimulatory G-protein, Gs, by beta gamma-subunits and somatostatin in S49 lymphoma cell membranes.

We examined the interaction between the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gs, and the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gi, in cell membranes of S49 lymphoma cells. In these cells, beta-adrenergic receptors stimulate the activity of adenylate cyclase via Gs, whereas inhibition via somatostatin receptors is transduced by an inhibitory G-protein, Gi. Using an antibody that selectively recognizes alpha s, the monomeric, but not the heterotrimeric, alpha-subunit of Gs, we quantified the extent of dissociation of Gs in a competitive e.l.i.s.a. Incubation of S49-cell plasma membranes with 0.1 microM-isoprenaline, 100 microM free Mg2+ and 100 microM-GTP produced substantial subunit dissociation of Gs, which was reversible by addition of purified beta gamma-subunit dimer or somatostatin. Somatostatin produced an immediate (without a lag) time- and concentration-dependent decrease in the concentration of dissociated Gs (kinhib. for somatostatin = 51 +/- 12 nM) and in the activity of adenylate cyclase (kinhib. = 121 +/- 20 nM). By contrast, after addition of a 10-fold molar excess of beta gamma-dimer relative to alpha s, there was a 2-3 min lag, after which the beta gamma-dimer re-associated Gs. Isoprenaline-induced dissociation of Gs was accompanied by a release of alpha s from the incubated membranes to a post-100,000 g supernatant, and somatostatin could reverse this release. Immunoblot analysis with both a C-terminal anti-peptide antibody and an antibody directed against a sequence near the N-terminal also showed release of alpha s by the beta-agonist and reversal by somatostatin. Membrane release of Gs by isoprenaline that could be blocked by somatostatin was also confirmed in reconstitution studies of supernatant fraction into cyc- S49-cell membranes. We conclude that in native cell membranes somatostatin-induced activation of Gi dissociates Gi and interferes with the Gs activation cycle by providing beta gamma-dimer, which acts to prevent or reverse formation of monomeric alpha s. Because alpha s can be released from the cell membrane, regulation of the local concentration of GTP-liganded dissociated alpha s is likely to be an important factor in modulating the activity of adenylate cyclase.

A tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, regulated by calcium entry and dissociated from tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma-1, is involved in inositol phosphate production by activated G protein-coupled receptors in myometrium.

Our experiments were conducted to evaluate, in rat myometrium, the potential contribution of a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) pathway in the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate mediated by bombesin, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and carbachol. The production of inositol phosphates (InsP) by agonists and AlF4- was partly inhibited (35-40%) by genistein and tyrphostins, two PTK inhibitors. Genistein attenuated uterine contractions elicited by the stimulation of muscarinic and bombesin receptors, whereas pervanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, potentiated receptor-mediated contraction. Tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were detected in detergent extracts from agonist- and pervanadate-stimulated myometrium. The amount of InsP produced in response to pervanadate was related to the tyrosine phosphorylation status of phospholipase C-gamma1. In contrast, with ET-1 and bombesin, phosphorylated phospholipase C-gamma1 made a minor contribution. Additional findings were rather consistent with a role for Ca2+. In fura-2-loaded cells, genistein partly decreased both the transient and sustained intracellular Ca2+ concentration phases induced by bombesin. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ or the addition of nifedipine inhibited (35%) InsP production due to bombesin and ET-1. The inhibitory effects of genistein and tyrphostins were abolished in Ca2+-depleted medium, were not additive with that of nifedipine, and (as for nifedipine) were counteracted by the Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644. The data are consistent with a PTK-mediated process in the activation of the voltage-gated Ca2+ influx that is involved in the production of InsP by stimulated G protein-coupled receptors.

Contribution of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolites in the modulation of cyclic nucleotides in the guinea pig myometrium. Differential effects of carbachol and ionophore A23187.

Accumulation of cyclic GMP in estradiol-treated immature guinea pig myometrium was enhanced by carbachol, ionophore A23187, unsaturated fatty acids and their hydroperoxides. Cyclic AMP content was elevated only by arachidonic acid, A23187 and PGI2. Eicosatetraynoic acid (TYA), but not indomethacin prevented all cyclic GMP responses. The effects of A23187 and arachidonate on cyclic AMP were accompanied by a parallel increase (2-3 fold) in the generation of PGI2 by the myometrium. Both events were similarly reduced by indomethacin, TYA, 15-hydroperoxyarachidonic acid and tranylcypromine, suggesting that PGI2 was involved. Omission of Ca2+ or addition of mepacrine or p-bromophenacylbromide abolished the stimulatory effects of A23187 and carbachol on cyclic GMP as well as the A23187-induced elevations in both PGI2 and cyclic AMP generation. Thus, with both exogenous arachidonate as well as with endogenous fatty acid, released through an apparent phospholipase A2-induced activation process, the lipoxygenase pathway was associated with an activation of the cyclic GMP system and the cyclooxygenase pathway, via PGI2 generation, with an activation of the cyclic AMP system. Carbachol failed to alter both cyclic AMP content and the release of PGI2 suggesting a cholinergic receptor-mediated fatty acid release process, selectively coupled to the lipoxygenase route.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates phospholipase C-gamma 1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and arachidonic acid release in rat myometrial cells: contribution to cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate production and effect on cell proliferation.

In the present study, we examined downstream signaling events that followed exposure of cultured rat myometrial cells to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and their effect on cell proliferation. PDGF-BB induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-beta receptors and increased inositol trisphosphate production via the tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase (PL)C-gamma 1. PDGF-BB also increased cAMP synthesis. This increase was potentiated by forskolin and reduced by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, reflecting a Gs protein-mediated process via prostaglandin biosynthesis. The prostaglandin produced by PDGF was characterized as prostacyclin (PGI(2)). PDGF-BB increased arachidonic acid (AA) release, which, similarly to cAMP accumulation, was abolished in the presence of AACOCF3, a cytosolic PLA(2) inhibitor, and in the absence of Ca(2+). U-73122, a potent inhibitor of PLC activity, blocked both the production of inositol phosphates and the AA release triggered by PDGF-BB. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2 are expressed in myometrial cells, and PDGF-BB selectively activated ERK2. PD98059, an inhibitor of the ERK-activating kinase, blocked PDGF-BB-mediated ERK2 activation, AA release, and cAMP production. The results demonstrate that PDGF-BB stimulated cAMP formation through both PLC activation and ERK-dependent AA release and PGI(2) biosynthesis. PDGF-BB also increased cell proliferation and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. This was abolished by PD98059, demonstrating that the ERK cascade is required for the mitogenic effect of PDGF-BB. Forskolin, which potentiated the cAMP response to PDGF-BB, attenuated both DNA synthesis and ERK activation triggered by PDGF-BB, suggesting the presence of a negative feedback regulation.

Beta-adrenergic-receptor-mediated dissociation and membrane release of the Gs protein in S49 lymphoma-cell membranes. Dependence on Mg2+ and GTP.

We reported [Ransnäs, Svoboda, Jasper & Insel (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 7900-7903] that in intact S49 lymphoma cells the beta-adrenergic-receptor agonist isoprenaline dissociates the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gs, into its alpha s and beta gamma subunits, leading to redistribution of alpha s from plasma membranes to the cytoplasm. In the present studies we investigated the kinetics of Gs dissociation and membrane release in plasma membranes from S49 lymphoma cells. We analysed cholate extracts of membranes for alpha s levels by a competitive e.l.i.s.a. with a polyclonal antibody that selectively recognizes monomeric alpha s and we assayed supernatant fractions using both competitive e.l.i.s.a. and immunoblotting. The plasma membranes contained 19.3 +/- 1.4 pmol of alpha s/mg of membrane protein and lacked significant dissociation of Gs and activity of adenylate cyclase in the absence of guanine nucleotides. Mg2+ ions were obligatorily required for isoprenaline-induced dissociation of Gs in plasma membranes and for membrane release of alpha s. At a physiological concentration of free Mg2+ ions (100 microM), 100 microM-GTP induced a slow first-order (k = 0.038 +/- 0.004 min-1) dissociation of 17.8 +/- 1.2 pmol of Gs/mg of membrane protein. A substantial increase in the dissociation rate of Gs was achieved by addition of 1 microM-isoprenaline and 100 microM-GTP; 18.4 +/- 0.9 pmol of Gs/mg of membrane protein was dissociated, with a kappa of 1.49 +/- 0.22 min-1. The effect of isoprenaline on the dissociation rate and on membrane release of Gs was completely blocked by the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol. The concentration-response relationship for isoprenaline-induced dissociation during the first 1 min after addition of hormone yielded a kappa act. of 16 +/- 5 nM, whereas the kappa act. for isoprenaline-induced membrane release was 10 nM. We conclude that release of alpha s from plasma membranes is likely to accompany Gs-subunit dissociation and constitutes a potentially important facet of Gs action.

Lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar space reenter the lung tissue by means of the alveolar epithelium, migrate to regional lymph nodes, and subsequently rejoin the systemic immune system.

Lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar space are routinely obtained and examined in lung diseases such as asthma or sarcoidosis. In a pig model, labeled lymphocytes were found in regional lymph nodes after intrabronchial instillation, indicating that reentry of lymphocytes from the bronchoalveolar space into the body is possible. In the present study, the route and kinetics of the reentry of bronchoalveolar lymphocytes were investigated in a congenic rat model using immunohistochemistry on cryostat and semithin sections and confocal laser scanning microscopy. As early as 15 min after intratracheal instillation lymphocytes were found to leave the bronchoalveolar space by transmigration through alveolar but not bronchial epithelium and were observed in interstitial alveolar tissue. At 6 hr after intratracheal instillation, T and B lymphocytes appeared in the draining lymph nodes of the lung with an increase after 24 and 48 hr. The kinetic pattern clearly differed in nondraining lymph nodes and other organs. After 6 hr, only single cells were found in nondraining lymph nodes, spleen, and blood with a slight increase after 24 hr, and only occasionally were single cells seen in the liver, thymus, or Peyer's patches 24 and 48 hr after instillation. In conclusion, T and B lymphocytes can leave the alveolar space by reentry into the lung tissue through alveolar epithelium. They reach regional lymph nodes by means of lymphatic vessels and are then distributed all over the body to rejoin the systemic immune system. Coming into contact with environmental antigens, these lymphocytes could perform an important function in the lung immune system and might be a target for inhalative therapy.

Monoclonal antibodies to purified muscarinic receptor display agonist-like activity.

Monoclonal antibody M-35, which immunoprecipitates native calf brain acetylcholine muscarinic receptor, mimics agonist stimulation of the intact guinea pig myometrium: the antibody, just like carbamoylcholine hydrochloride, causes a rise in intracellular cyclic GMP content, an inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation due to prostacyclin, and induces uterine contractions. Another antibody, M-23, which reacts with the denatured muscarinic receptor, is devoid of agonist-like activity at the cyclic nucleotide level but is still able to induce contractions of both rat and guinea pig myometrium. The cyclic nucleotide changes caused by both carbamoylcholine and antibody M-35 are inhibited by atropine; this antagonist, which blocks carbamoylcholine-mediated contractions, fails however, to prevent contractions induced by antibodies M-35 and M-23. These results suggest that the information necessary to transmit muscarinic signals is entirely contained in the receptor and that ligands only act to trigger the biological response. The data also imply that the muscarinic receptors of the myometrium are coupled to multiple effector systems.

Alteration in Gs-mediated signal transduction in S49 lymphoma cells treated with inhibitors of microtubules.

We have assessed the possible interaction between the microtubular component of the cytoskeleton and signal transducing GTP-binding (G) proteins by examining the ability of colchicine and vinblastine (two microtubule disrupters) to alter Gs and Gi protein activity in S49 lymphoma cells. Treatment of wild type S49 cells with cholchicine and vinblastine increased beta-adrenergic agonist- and prostaglandin (PG) E1-stimulated formation of cAMP. The microtubular inhibitor nocodazole also enhanced isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation, whereas the inactive analog of colchicine, beta-lumicolchicine, did not have this action. Based on data obtained with wild type, cyc-, and UNC S49 cells, we determined that enhancement in cyclic AMP accumulation is proximal to the catalytic (C) unit of adenylylcyclase, distal to hormone receptors, and seems to be located on Gs. Treatment with colchicine increased guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate-stimulated accumulation of cAMP in permeabilized wild type cells. The increase in activity of Gs appeared not to result from a change in the intracellular concentration of GTP. Treatment of cells with colchicine or vinblastine also increased the amount of the alpha s-C complex, as assessed by the binding of [3H]forskolin to intact cells at 37 degrees C. In contrast to the observed effect on Gs, treatment of wild type S49 cells with colchicine failed to modify the degree of inhibition of cAMP formation produced by somatostatin, which acts via the activation of Gi. These data suggest that microtubules regulate the ability of Gs to interact with and activate the catalyst of adenylylcyclase.

A functional genomic study to identify differential gene expression in the preterm and term human myometrium.

The mechanisms that lead to the onset of human parturition are still unknown, although selected critical factors have been identified. To investigate the changes in myometrial gene expression associated with parturition, we used two macroarrays each containing 1176 different complementary human cDNA clones. Methods involving hierarchical clustering and conventional statistical analysis allowed us to generate a profile of genes expression at three stages of late pregnancy: preterm (29 wk amenorrhea); full term, not in labor (38 wk amenorrhea); and full term in labor (39 wk amenorrhea). Only 4% of the genes investigated were differentially expressed between the preterm and term groups (P < 0.05). These genes could be clustered as groups of either down-regulated or up-regulated transcripts. The changes in transcript abundance were particularly marked between the preterm and term stages of gestation, whereas the differences between term not in labor and term in labor were less pronounced. The parturition was characterized by a massive down-regulation of a large panel of developmental, cell adhesion molecule and proliferation-related genes, along with the up-regulation of inflammatory, contraction and apoptosis associated genes. We propose that the mechanisms of parturition consist primarily in the arrest of the processes of myometrial development, a step that might be essential to allow the uterus to recover appropriate contractile function before delivery.