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The Mechanobiology of Cervical Remodeling: Characterization of Select Cytoskeletal and Rho‐GTPase Signaling Factors in Mice Cervical Tissue During Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Gordon Jacob,
Frank Martin,
Mowa Chishimba Nathan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.881.1
Subject(s) - rhoa , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoskeleton , cdc42 , filamin , vimentin , biology , focal adhesion , proteomics , rhob , signal transduction , immunology , gene , cell , genetics , immunohistochemistry
During pregnancy the developing fetus exerts an increasing gravitational force as it grows in size. However, the effects and underlying molecular mechanism of this process on the cervix is not well known. Our earlier proteomics studies have provided evidence of presence and changes in levels of cytoskeletal mechano‐mediators with advancement of pregnancy. In the present study, we use real time PCR analysis to further characterize expression of select cytoskeletal genes (Filamin A, Gelsolin, Vimentin, Actinin 1, Caveolin 1, Transgelin, Keratin 1, Profilin 1 and Focal Adhesion Kinase) (day 0, day 11 and day 17) to verify findings of the earlier proteomics study. Additionally, we also investigate the expression levels of Rho‐GTPases (RhoA, RhoB and Cdc42), molecules that play cell‐signaling roles upstream of proliferation and cytoskeletal protein organization. The levels of mRNA of all the (12) genes examined increased over the course of pregnancy except 3 that decreased. We conclude that the growing fetus influences cervical remodeling and likely the timing of birth by manipulating mechano‐transduction during pregnancy. Support or Funding Information Office of Students Research, Appalachian State University.