A protein associated with the risk of preterm birth has been discovered by experts at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. They talked about it in a magazine article. Journal of Physiology.
The researchers examined tissue samples of the smooth muscle of the uterus (the only muscle not controlled by nerves) to find out what affects the state of the uterus during pregnancy before labor begins. As it turned out, the Piezo1 protein supports the uterus in a relaxed state – it is activated during mechanical stretching of the uterine tissues during fetal growth and triggers a series of reactions that prevent the uterus from contracting.
Piezo1 production is increased by Yoda1 and decreased by Dooku1. Piezo1 deficiency causes the uterus to “wake up” and labor begins.
Detection of Piezo1 in the muscular layer of the uterus means that the uterus is locally controlled and coordinated by a stretch-activated mechanism, not by the hormonal action of the ovaries or placenta as previously thought. Piezo1 and its relaxation mechanism are a target for us that we can potentially activate with drugs. We need to test this in further studies and we hope to do clinical trials in the future,” the authors said.
They hope that in the future they will be able to find a way to regulate Piezo1 production and thus protect women from premature birth.