Epidermal growth factor increases phosphoinositide turnover and intracellular free calcium in an immortalized human myometrial cell line independent of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway
Article Abstract:
A growth factor found in the muscular tissue of the uterus may stimulate uterine contractions by causing calcium to be released from within muscular tissue cells. Researchers studied the actions of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and compared them to the actions of oxytocin, a hormone that causes uterine contractions. Segments of uterine muscle tissue were taken from a 49-year-old woman who was not pregnant. The ability of EGF to cause uterine muscular contractions was linked to the release of calcium from within uterine muscle cells, and its action occurred within one minute of EGF exposure. An EGF receptor known as tyrosine kinase may be activated before release of calcium from cells. The action of oxytocin on uterine muscle is similar to that of EGF but uses a different mechanism.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1996
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Oxytocin-stimulated capacitative calcium entry in human myometrial cells
Article Abstract:
Oxytocin appears to stimulate the movement of calcium from outside uterine cells to the inside. This movement is called capacitative calcium entry. Oxytocin also increases the amount of calcium from sources inside the cell.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1999
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