Expression and function of protease-activated receptor 4 in human myometrium

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.09.027 Byline: Nicholas M. Allen (1), Margaret O'Brien (2), Anne M. Friel (1), Terry J. Smith (2), John J. Morrison (1)(2) Keywords: myometrium; pregnancy/preterm labor; protease-activated receptor/thrombin Abstract: Little is known about the presence or functional effects of protease-activated receptor subtypes in human uterine tissues. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate for protease-activated receptor-4 messenger RNA and protein expression in human myometrium, (2) to evaluate the effects of a specific protease-activated receptor-4 activating peptide (AYPGKF-NH.sub.2) on spontaneous human myometrial contractility in vitro, and (3) to examine the effects of a protease-activated receptor-4 antagonist (tcYPGKF-NH.sub.2) on thrombin-mediated uterine contractility. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Ireland Galway and the Clinical Science Institute, University College Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. (2) National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. Article History: Received 25 April 2006; Revised 4 July 2006; Accepted 22 September 2006 Article Note: (footnote) Cite this article as: Allen NM, O'Brien M, Friel AM, Smith TJ, Morrison JJ. Expression and function of protease-activated receptor-4 in human myometrium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007;196:169.e1-169.e6.