RGD Reference Report - Different roles of alpha2-adrenoceptor subtypes in non-pregnant and late-pregnant uterine contractility in vitro in the rat. - Rat Genome Database

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Different roles of alpha2-adrenoceptor subtypes in non-pregnant and late-pregnant uterine contractility in vitro in the rat.

Authors: Gaspar, R  Gal, A  Galik, M  Ducza, E  Minorics, R  Kolarovszki-Sipiczki, Z  Klukovits, A  Falkay, G 
Citation: Gaspar R, etal., Neurochem Int. 2007 Oct;51(5):311-8. Epub 2007 Jul 1.
RGD ID: 6893570
Pubmed: PMID:17664026   (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI: DOI:10.1016/j.neuint.2007.06.029   (Journal Full-text)

The roles of the alpha2-adrenoceptor (alpha2-AR) subtypes (alpha2A-, alpha2B- and alpha2C-AR) in uterine contractility have not been investigated. The aims of this study were to identify these receptors in the non-pregnant and the late-pregnant rat myometrium and to determine their roles in contractions. We found that the myometrial alpha2-AR subtypes are involved differently in the control of late-pregnant contractions, while they have no influence on the contractions of the non-pregnant myometrium. The myometrial expressions of the alpha2-AR subtypes were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting techniques. In vitro contractions were stimulated with noradrenaline, and its effect was modified with the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (alpha2A), ARC 239 (alpha2B/C) and spiroxatrine (alpha2C). cAMP production was followed by noradrenaline stimulation in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine and forskolin, and alterations induced in it by the antagonists were determined with an Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. The most effective antagonist was tested on labour-induced uteri in vitro. All the alpha2-AR subtypes were identified in both non-pregnant and pregnant uteri. Noradrenaline was not able to contract the non-pregnant tissue in the presence of propranolol and doxazosin, while its contracting effect in the pregnant uteri was enhanced by BRL 44408, spiroxatrine and the combination BRL 44408+spiroxatrine. ARC 239 exerted a strong inhibitory effect on noradrenaline-stimulated contractions. The increasing and the decreasing effects of the compounds were confirmed by the changes in the intracellular cAMP levels. The effect of ARC 239 on the labour-induced myometrium was similar to that on the 22-day-pregnant myometrium. The stimulation of alpha2-ARs does not evoke contractions in the non-pregnant uterus. The alpha2A- and alpha2C-ARs mediate decreases, while the alpha2B-AR mediates an increase in the contractions in the 22-day-pregnant myometrium. These differences may offer new targets for drugs against premature contractions in pregnancy.



Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process

  

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Adra2a  (adrenoceptor alpha 2A)
Adra2b  (adrenoceptor alpha 2B)
Adra2c  (adrenoceptor alpha 2C)


Additional Information