scholarly journals Physiological roles of connexins in labour and lactation

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. R129-R136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald M Kidder ◽  
Elke Winterhager
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Myoepithelial Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle ◽  
Mammary Gland Tissue ◽  
Gland Tissue ◽  
Contraction Wave

The connexin family of proteins are best known as oligomerizing to form intercellular membrane channels (gap junctions) that metabolically and ionically couple cells to allow for coordinated cellular function. Nowhere in the body is this role better illustrated than in the uterine smooth muscle during parturition, where gap junctions conduct the contraction wave throughout the tissue to deliver the baby. Parturition is followed by the onset of lactation with connexins contributing to both the dramatic reorganization of mammary gland tissue leading up to lactation and the smooth muscle contraction of the myoepithelial cells which extrudes the milk. This review summarizes what is known about the expression and roles of individual connexin family members in the uterus during labour and in the mammary glands during development and lactation. Connexin loss or malfunction in mammary glands and the uterus can have serious implications for the health of both the mother and the newborn baby.

Tianeptine’s effects on spontaneous and Ca2+-induced uterine smooth muscle contraction

2012 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-147
Author(s):  
Zorana Oreščanin-Dušić ◽  
Č. Miljević ◽  
M. Slavić ◽  
A. Nikolić-Kokić ◽  
D. Blagojević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle

scholarly journals Class II PI3Ks α and β Are Required for Rho-Dependent Uterine Smooth Muscle Contraction and Parturition in Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Azadul Kabir Sarker ◽  
Sho Aki ◽  
Kazuaki Yoshioka ◽  
Kouji Kuno ◽  
Yasuo Okamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle

scholarly journals Effects of fetal hypothyroidism on uterine smooth muscle contraction and structure of offspring rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 683-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Bagheripuor ◽  
Mahboubeh Ghanbari ◽  
Abbas Piryaei ◽  
Asghar Ghasemi
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle ◽  
Fetal Hypothyroidism

Gap junctions and direct intercellular communication between rat uterine smooth muscle cells

1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. C20-C31 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Cole ◽  
R. E. Garfield ◽  
J. S. Kirkaldy
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Uterine Wall ◽  
Longitudinal Distribution ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle ◽  
Apparent Diffusion

We have tested the hypothesis that an increase in direct intercellular communication accompanies the development of gap junctions (GJs) between rat uterine smooth muscle cells at parturition. Intercellular communication in these tissues was studied by exposing one portion of small strips of myometrium to 2-[3H]deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and determining the longitudinal distribution of tracer after a 5-h period of diffusion. The distribution of 2-DG was greater in parturient compared with ante- and postpartum tissues. Similarly, the apparent diffusion coefficient of 2-DG was almost 10-fold greater in delivering tissues (1.86 X 10(-6) cm2/s) than before (0.199 X 10(-6) cm2/s) or after (0.296 X 10(-6) cm2/s) parturition. Control experiments indicated that the redistribution of 2-DG was dependent on the presence of GJs and was the result of intracellular and direct cell-to-cell diffusion. The appearance of GJs is the myometrium at term facilitates direct intercellular communication between uterine smooth muscle cells during labor. This improved communication may be responsible for synchronizing and coordinating electrical, metabolic, and contractile activity in the uterine wall and, hence, the effective expulsion of fetuses.

Erratum to: Tianeptine’s effects on spontaneous and Ca2+-induced uterine smooth muscle contraction

2012 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-364
Author(s):  
Z. Oreščanin-Dušić ◽  
Č. Miljević ◽  
M. Slavić ◽  
A. Nikolić-Kokić ◽  
R. Paskulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle

A Modified Hai–Murphy Model of Uterine Smooth Muscle Contraction

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Maggio ◽  
Scott R. Jennings ◽  
Jennifer L. Robichaux ◽  
Peter C. Stapor ◽  
James M. Hyman
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle

scholarly journals Improved electrical coupling in uterine smooth muscle is associated with increased numbers of gap junctions at parturition.

1982 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Sims ◽  
E E Daniel ◽  
R E Garfield
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Axial Current ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Uterine Smooth Muscle ◽  
Junction Formation ◽  
Junctional Resistance

We have studied some passive electrical properties of uterine smooth muscle to determine whether a change in electrical parameters accompanies gap junction formation at delivery. The length constant of the longitudinal myometrium increased from 2.6 +/- 0.8 mm (X +/- SD) before term to 3.7 +/- 1 mm in tissues from delivering animals. The basis of the change was a 33% decrease in internal resistance and a 46% increase in membrane resistance. Axial current flow in an electrical syncytium such as myometrium is impeded by the cytoplasm of individual cells plus the junctions between cells. Measurement of the longitudinal impedance indicated that the specific resistance of the myoplasmic component was constant at 319 +/- 113 omega . cm before term and 340 +/- 93 omega . cm at delivery. However, a decrease in junctional resistance was apparent from 323 +/- 161 omega . cm to 134 +/- 64 omega . cm at delivery. 1.5-2 d after delivery, the junctional resistance was increased, as was the myoplasmic resistance. Thin-section electron microscopy of some of the same muscle samples showed that gap junctions were present in significantly greater numbers in the delivering tissues. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis that gap junction formation at delivery is associated with improved electrical coupling of uterine smooth muscle.

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