The role of focal adhesion signalling in uterine smooth muscle during pregnancy

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In about 5-10% of pregnancies in North America, labour occurs pre-term and is associated with a very high rate of neonatal death and morbidity. The underlying reason(s) for the majority of pre-term births are a mystery because scientists do not fully understand the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of uterine smooth muscle function during pregnancy. Uterine smooth muscle cells anchor to their outside environment called the extracellular matrix. These cells accomplish this task via spotweld-like structures named focal adhesions. Focal adhesions consist of extracellular matrix receptor proteins named integrins and signalling enzymes such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK).  As a signalling complex, focal adhesions can send biochemical signals to targets such as small heat shock proteins.  Our research program will investigate the regulation and functional significance of integrin and small heat shock protein gene expression in uterine smooth muscle cells. We will also characterize the role of FAK signalling in uterine smooth muscle cell contraction. Our discoveries will provide crucial insight into the mechanisms of uterine smooth muscle function during pregnancy and, as a result, potentially aid the development of effective therapeutic strategies to prevent pre-term labour.