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

妊娠期子宫平滑肌粘着斑信号传导的作用

• 批准号: 250218-2007
• 负责人: MacPhee, Daniel
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=479524
• 关键词: role; focal; adhesion; signalling; uterine

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.

在北美，大约5%-10%的孕妇早产，新生儿死亡率和发病率很高。大多数早产的根本原因(S)是一个谜，因为科学家们还没有完全了解怀孕期间子宫平滑肌功能的生化和分子机制。子宫平滑肌细胞固定在其外部环境中，称为细胞外基质。这些细胞通过称为焦点粘连的点状结构来完成这一任务。焦点粘连由细胞外基质受体蛋白、整合素和信号转导酶组成，如粘着斑激酶(FAK)。作为一种信号复合体，焦点粘连可以向小分子热休克蛋白等靶标发送生化信号。我们的研究计划将探讨整合素和小分子热休克蛋白基因在子宫平滑肌细胞中的表达调控及其功能意义。我们还将描述FAK信号在子宫平滑肌细胞收缩中的作用。我们的发现将提供对怀孕期间子宫平滑肌功能机制的重要洞察，因此，可能有助于开发有效的治疗策略来预防早产。