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Biomedical subjects

A Dalrymple

Publications and source records attributed to A Dalrymple.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Mechanical stretch regulates TRPC expression and calcium entry in human myometrial smooth muscle cells.

Stretch is known to stimulate myometrial hyperplasia and hypertrophy in early pregnancy and uterine contraction at term. We propose that transduction of the stretch signal involves alteration of intracellular calcium signalling, including changes in transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) isoform expression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of prolonged mechanical (tonic) stretch in vitro on human myometrial smooth muscle cell calcium signalling and TRPC expression. Cells were cultured from myometrial biopsies, obtained from women undergoing elective Caesarean section at term, grown on Flexiplates and subjected to 25% tonic mechanical stretch for 1, 4 and 14 h. Time-matched control cells were not stretched. Mechanical stretch (14 h) increased basal calcium entry and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-induced calcium/Mn(2+) entry (P < 0.05) in Fura-2 loaded cells. The calcium selectivity of CPA-thapsigarin induced inward currents, measured by patch clamp electrophysiology, was also increased in stretched cells compared with control cells (P < 0.05). Real time PCR and Western blot data demonstrated that TRPC3 and TRPC4 mRNA and TRPC3 protein expression were increased by stretch (P < 0.05), respectively. These data support the hypothesis that uterine stretch modulates uterine growth and contractility in pregnancy via alterations in calcium signalling.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2004

Physiological induction of transient receptor potential canonical proteins, calcium entry channels, in human myometrium: influence of pregnancy, labor, and interleukin-1 beta.

This study investigated gestational regulation of transient receptor potential canonical (TrpC) proteins, putative calcium entry channels in human myometrium, and the potential modulation of TrpC expression by IL-1 beta, a cytokine implicated in labor. Total RNA and proteins were isolated from myometrial biopsies obtained from NP women, pregnant women at term not in labor (TNL), or term active labor (TAL) and from primary cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells incubated with IL-1 beta or IL-1 beta with or without nimesulide. Semiquantitative RT-PCR demonstrated significant up-regulation of TrpC1 in TAL and TNL (P < or = 0.01) and TrpC6 (P < or = 0.01) and TrpC7 (P < or = 0.05) in TAL samples. TrpC3 and TrpC4 mRNA expression was unaffected. Western blot demonstrated significant up-regulation of TrpC1 in TAL and TNL (P < or = 0.05) and TrpC3 (P < or = 0.01), TrpC4 (P < or = 0.05), and TrpC6 (P < or = 0.01) in TAL samples. IL-1 beta did not alter TrpC1, 3, 4, 6, or 7 mRNA expression; but IL-1 beta exclusively up-regulated TrpC3 protein expression (P < or = 0.05). TrpC3 up-regulation was unaffected by cyclooxygenase blockade. These data demonstrate physiological regulation of TrpC mRNA and protein and suggest an important role for TrpC proteins in human myometrium during labor.

Calcium Channels↗
PubMed2002

Molecular identification and localization of Trp homologues, putative calcium channels, in pregnant human uterus.

The mechanisms underlying the switch from uterine quiescence to contractile activity in labour are not clearly understood. Increasing evidence suggests that pathways of myometrial calcium homeostasis, including store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), may play an important role. The molecular basis of the membrane-associated calcium channels contributing to SOCE in pregnant human myometrium is not known, but they are likely to be hetero- or homo-oligomeric assemblies of transient receptor potential channel (TrpC) proteins, encoded by the mammalian homologues of Drosophila Trp genes. This study has therefore determined Trp gene expression and also TrpC protein expression and localization in term pregnant human myometrial tissue and primary cultured human myometrial smooth muscle (HMSM) cells. RT-PCR amplified fragments of Trp1, Trp3, Trp4, Trp6 and Trp7. PCR products were 100% homologous to published human sequences. Western blot analysis detected TrpC1, TrpC3, TrpC4 and TrpC6 proteins, which were of expected size. Immunolocalization revealed TrpC1, TrpC3, TrpC4 and TrpC6 protein expression in myometrial tissue and HMSM cells. TrpC protein immunostaining in HMSM cells was distributed in a distinct reticular fashion. TrpC proteins may be candidate proteins forming SOCE channels in term pregnant human myometrium.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Sequence and functional characterisation of the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) prolactin receptor: comparative homology with the human long-form prolactin receptor.

This study demonstrates the cloning and in-vitro characterisation of the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) prolactin receptor cDNA. The marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA was generated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using adrenal RNA and primers designed from prolactin receptor conserved regions. Sequence analysis predicts a mature protein of 598 amino acids exclusive of the 24 amino acid signal peptide. The marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA shares 93 and 61% base pair, and 89 and 61% amino acid sequence homologies with the long form human and rat prolactin receptor cDNA, respectively. The marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA sequence retains all the receptor sequences that have been shown previously to be essential for ligand binding, structural integrity and signal transduction. Transfection of human 293 fibroblast cells with the marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA (three independent experiments) confirmed the expression of a receptor that has high binding affinity to human growth hormone (K(a)=3.6+/-0.07 nM(-1) and B(max)=7.55+/-2.06x10(-11) M) and human prolactin (K(a)=3.1+/-0.12 nM(-1) and B(max)=2.87+/-0.66x10(-11) M). Functionality of the receptor was assessed by co-transfection of 293 fibroblast cells with marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA and the Jak2 cDNA, or marmoset prolactin receptor and a Stat5 responsive element linked to the luciferase coding sequence. Incubation of the cells with 18 nM ovine prolactin resulted in rapid phosphorylation of Jak2 as ascertained by Western blotting. In addition, the marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA led to 9.06+/-0.47-fold induction of luciferase gene activity. This was comparable with the induction observed following transfection with the human prolactin receptor cDNA (8.55+/-0. 5-fold). In-vivo prolactin receptor expression in the marmoset monkey was assessed by ribonuclease protection assay and detected in a number of tissues including female reproductive organs. These data confirm the cloning and functionality of the marmoset prolactin receptor cDNA. The marmoset prolactin receptor shares a high sequence homology with the long-form human prolactin receptor, and both receptors bind hormones with comparable affinity and confer a similar intracellular response. The marmoset monkey may provide a useful tool to investigate the role of prolactin in primate reproduction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Localization and signaling of the prolactin receptor in the uterus of the common marmoset monkey.

This study investigated the expression and signaling pathway of PRL and its receptor in the non-pregnant uterus of the common marmoset monkey. Immunohistochemistry localized PRL expression to the stromal compartment of the endometrium. Expression was minimal during the proliferative phase and was up-regulated during the mid to late secretory phase of the ovulatory cycle. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry localized expression of the PRL receptor to the glandular epithelium of the endometrium. Similar to that of PRL, PRL receptor expression was minimal during the proliferative phase and was dramatically up-regulated during the secretory phase. The temporal pattern of PRL receptor gene expression in the marmoset uterus across the cycle was further confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay. The roles of Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) in the intracellular signaling pathway of PRL were also assessed in the mid to late secretory phase. JAK2/STAT1 proteins were localized in the glandular epithelial compartment, and both proteins were temporally phosphorylated in response to PRL. Finally, the pattern of expression of the interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) gene and the effect of PRL on transcription of IRF-1 were investigated during the mid to late secretory phase. IRF-1 expression in the marmoset uterus was encoded by a protein of 48 kDa and was localized to the glandular epithelial compartment, as was observed for the PRL receptor and JAK2/STAT1 proteins. Moreover, incubation of mid to late secretory uterine tissue with PRL for 1 and 3 h resulted in 0.4 +/- 0.2- and 2.4 +/-0.5-fold (P < 0.05) inductions of the IRF-1 gene, respectively. These studies confirm the expression of both PRL and its receptor in the uterus of the marmoset monkey. Expression of both genes is up-regulated during the mid to late secretory phase of the ovulatory cycle. PRL function in the marmoset uterus is linked to the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, leading to the regulation of expression of PRL-responsive genes such as IRF-1. The site of expression of PRL, PRL receptors, and IRF-1 in the marmoset uterus suggest that PRL may influence glandular epithelial function and direct gene transcription in these cells in a paracrine fashion.

Animals↗