Biomaterial Database

Steroid control of uterine motility via gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptors in the rabbit: a novel mechanism? 1991

M D Majewska, and D B Vaupel

Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a regulator of uterine motility. Stimulation of GABAA receptors tonically inhibited contractions of rabbit uterine strips, while stimulation of GABAB receptors enhanced contractions. Steroids appeared to interact with GABAA receptors to modulate uterine contractility: tetrahydroprogesterone (THP) inhibited while pregnenolone sulphate (PS) increased contractions. THP rapidly antagonized the stimulatory effect of PS, but progesterone inhibited the contractions after a delay, suggesting that the known 'silencing' actions of progesterone on the uterus could be mediated via the metabolite THP, which potentiates the inhibitory function of GABAA receptors. This novel mechanisms may play a role in uterine function during pregnancy and parturition.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011280	Pregnanolone	A pregnane found in the urine of pregnant women and sows. It has anesthetic, hypnotic, and sedative properties.	Eltanolone,3 alpha, 5 beta-Tetrahydroprogesterone,3 alpha-Hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one,3 alpha-Hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one,3-Hydroxypregnan-20-one,3beta-Hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one,Allopregnan-3 beta-ol-20-one,Allopregnanolone,Epipregnanolone,Pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one,Pregnanolone, (3alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3alpha, 5beta, 17-alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3alpha,5alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3alpha,5beta)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5alpha, 17alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5alpha, 8alpha, 17beta)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5beta)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5beta, 17alpha)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (3beta, 5beta,14beta)-isomer,Pregnanolone, (5alpha)-isomer,Sepranolone,3 Hydroxypregnan 20 one,3 alpha Hydroxy 5 alpha pregnan 20 one,3 alpha Hydroxy 5 beta pregnan 20 one,3 alpha, 5 beta Tetrahydroprogesterone,3beta Hydroxy 5alpha pregnan 20 one,Allopregnan 3 beta ol 20 one,Pregnan 3alpha ol 20 one,alpha-Hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, 3,alpha-Hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one, 3,alpha-pregnan-20-one, 3 alpha-Hydroxy-5,beta-ol-20-one, Allopregnan-3,beta-pregnan-20-one, 3 alpha-Hydroxy-5
D011284	Pregnenolone	A 21-carbon steroid, derived from CHOLESTEROL and found in steroid hormone-producing tissues. Pregnenolone is the precursor to GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and the adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	5-Pregnen-3-beta-ol-20-one,5 Pregnen 3 beta ol 20 one
D011372	Progestins	Compounds that interact with PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of PROGESTERONE. Primary actions of progestins, including natural and synthetic steroids, are on the UTERUS and the MAMMARY GLAND in preparation for and in maintenance of PREGNANCY.	Gestagenic Agent,Progestagen,Progestagenic Agent,Progestational Agent,Progestational Compound,Progestational Hormone,Progestogen,Progestogens,Gestagen,Gestagen Effect,Gestagen Effects,Gestagenic Agents,Gestagenic Effect,Gestagenic Effects,Gestagens,Progestagenic Agents,Progestagens,Progestational Agents,Progestational Compounds,Progestational Hormones,Progestin,Progestin Effect,Progestin Effects,Progestogen Effect,Progestogen Effects,Agent, Gestagenic,Agent, Progestagenic,Agent, Progestational,Compound, Progestational,Effect, Gestagen,Effect, Gestagenic,Effect, Progestin,Effect, Progestogen,Effects, Gestagen,Effects, Gestagenic,Effects, Progestin,Effects, Progestogen,Hormone, Progestational
D011374	Progesterone	The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
D011817	Rabbits	A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes.	Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D011963	Receptors, GABA-A	Cell surface proteins which bind GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID and contain an integral membrane chloride channel. Each receptor is assembled as a pentamer from a pool of at least 19 different possible subunits. The receptors belong to a superfamily that share a common CYSTEINE loop.	Benzodiazepine-Gaba Receptors,GABA-A Receptors,Receptors, Benzodiazepine,Receptors, Benzodiazepine-GABA,Receptors, Diazepam,Receptors, GABA-Benzodiazepine,Receptors, Muscimol,Benzodiazepine Receptor,Benzodiazepine Receptors,Benzodiazepine-GABA Receptor,Diazepam Receptor,Diazepam Receptors,GABA(A) Receptor,GABA-A Receptor,GABA-A Receptor alpha Subunit,GABA-A Receptor beta Subunit,GABA-A Receptor delta Subunit,GABA-A Receptor epsilon Subunit,GABA-A Receptor gamma Subunit,GABA-A Receptor rho Subunit,GABA-Benzodiazepine Receptor,GABA-Benzodiazepine Receptors,Muscimol Receptor,Muscimol Receptors,delta Subunit, GABA-A Receptor,epsilon Subunit, GABA-A Receptor,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Subtype A Receptors,Benzodiazepine GABA Receptor,Benzodiazepine Gaba Receptors,GABA A Receptor,GABA A Receptor alpha Subunit,GABA A Receptor beta Subunit,GABA A Receptor delta Subunit,GABA A Receptor epsilon Subunit,GABA A Receptor gamma Subunit,GABA A Receptor rho Subunit,GABA A Receptors,GABA Benzodiazepine Receptor,GABA Benzodiazepine Receptors,Receptor, Benzodiazepine,Receptor, Benzodiazepine-GABA,Receptor, Diazepam,Receptor, GABA-A,Receptor, GABA-Benzodiazepine,Receptor, Muscimol,Receptors, Benzodiazepine GABA,Receptors, GABA A,Receptors, GABA Benzodiazepine,delta Subunit, GABA A Receptor,epsilon Subunit, GABA A Receptor,gamma Aminobutyric Acid Subtype A Receptors
D005260	Female		Females
D005680	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid	The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.	4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013268	Stimulation, Chemical	The increase in a measurable parameter of a PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS, including cellular, microbial, and plant; immunological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, digestive, neural, musculoskeletal, ocular, and skin physiological processes; or METABOLIC PROCESS, including enzymatic and other pharmacological processes, by a drug or other chemical.	Chemical Stimulation,Chemical Stimulations,Stimulations, Chemical