Phenylephrine, a common cold remedy active ingredient, suppresses uterine contractions through cAMP signalling

Antagonism of hypotensive action of bethanidine by "common cold" remedy.

Underpinning compartmentalised cAMP signalling through targeted cAMP breakdown.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that spatial regulation of cell signalling processes is critical to normal cellular function. In this regard, cAMP signalling regulates many pivotal cellular processes and has provided the paradigm for signal compartmentalization. Recent advances show that isoforms of the cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) family are targeted to discrete signalling co...

The Shape of Uterine Contractions and Labor Progress in the Spontaneous Active Labor

Background: Dystocia is the most common indication of primary cesarean section. The most common cause of dystocia is uterine dysfunction. In prolonged labor, more attention is usually paid to the fetus and pelvis rather than to the role of uterine contractions in a delivery. Therefore, we decided to determine the relationship between the labor progress and uterine contractions shapes.Methods: I...

PDE4-Mediated cAMP Signalling

cAMP is the archetypal and ubiquitous second messenger utilised for the fine control of many cardiovascular cell signalling systems. The ability of cAMP to elicit cell surface receptor-specific responses relies on its compartmentalisation by cAMP hydrolysing enzymes known as phosphodiesterases. One family of these enzymes, PDE4, is particularly important in the cardiovascular system, where it h...

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) regulate cAMP signalling through exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC).

cAMP is an essential signalling molecule whose concentration in cells is regulated by a wide range of hormones. A large number of diseases, including cancer and asthma, are linked to improper regulation of the cAMP signalling system, and manipulation of cAMP levels by pharmaceutical agents has proven therapeutic benefit. The action of cAMP in cells is mediated through the signalling enzymes PKA...