Understanding how NF-kappaB Regulates Expression and Repression of the Galphas GTP-binding Protein in the Myometrium

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Scientists need to understand which molecules are used to ensure the uterus is programmed to stay relaxed throughout pregnancy and how they are modified when labour is triggered.One important protein, called G-alpha-s, is found on individual muscle cells called myocytes. G-alpha-s serves as a molecular relay between the signals outside the myocyte and the chain of molecules within it that stop it contracting during pregnancy.Importantly, the level of G-alpha-s in the muscle of the uterus, the myometrium, as a whole is very high during pregnancy. In myometrium from women in active labour, however, the number of G-alpha-s molecules is greatly reduced suggesting that the myocytes of the myometrium have the ability to shut down G-alpha-s production at term.We wish to know what causes this rise and fall in G-alpha-s synthesis. We also know that the bodily inflammatory response can shut down G-alpha-s production. Consequently, we would like to examine whether plant-derived anti-inflammatory chemicals can inhibit this shut-down of G-alpha-s, which in turn may then prevent premature uterine contractions. We will test this by seeing if these anti-inflammatory chemicals can stop small pieces of human myometrium from contracting when inflammatory molecules are present.