2008
Prostacyclin primes pregnant human myometrium for an enhanced contractile response in parturition
Fetalvero KM, Zhang P, Shyu M, Young BT, Hwa J, Young RC, Martin KA. Prostacyclin primes pregnant human myometrium for an enhanced contractile response in parturition. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2008, 118: 3966-3979. PMID: 19033666, PMCID: PMC2582928, DOI: 10.1172/jci33800.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnhanced contractile responseContractile responseMyometrial activationConnexin 43Contractile proteinsStrong phasic contractionsMaximal contractile responseHuman myometrial tissueOnset of laborPGI2 analog iloprostSmooth muscle relaxantPregnant human myometriumGap junction protein connexin 43Preterm laborPhasic contractionsPregnant stateProtein connexin 43Contractile agonistsMuscle relaxantsAnalogue iloprostHuman myometriumPGI2 receptorCOX-2Smooth muscleMyometrial tissue
2002
The Critical Role of Transmembrane Prolines in Human Prostacyclin Receptor Activation
Stitham J, Martin KA, Hwa J. The Critical Role of Transmembrane Prolines in Human Prostacyclin Receptor Activation. Molecular Pharmacology 2002, 61: 1202-1210. PMID: 11961139, DOI: 10.1124/mol.61.5.1202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsG protein-coupled receptorsHuman prostacyclin receptorTransmembrane prolinesMolecular hingeProtein-coupled receptorsVascular smooth muscle relaxationProstacyclin receptor activationAlanine mutationsExtracellular boundarySmooth muscle relaxationPro-89Proline residuesLigand bindingGPCR activationExtracellular locationProper bindingWild-type controlsPosition 89ProlineMuscle relaxationPlatelet aggregationReceptor activationProstacyclin receptorCritical roleBinding