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Genomic and Non-Genomic Mechanisms of Oxytocin Receptor Regulation

Chapter
Part of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series (AEMB, volume 449)

Abstract

Our recent studies have shown that regulation of uterine oxytocin (OT) binding involves at least two different mechanisms: Estradiol (E2)-induced upregulation is accompanied by an increase in OT receptor (OTR) mRNA accumulation, implying that the E2 effect is mediated via increased OTR gene transcription and/or OTR mRNA stabilization. In contrast, P (P)-induced OTR down-regulation occurs via a novel non-genomic mechanism, involving a direct interaction of P with the OTR at the level of the cell membrane. We found that P specifically binds to the OTR and inhibits its ligand binding and signalling functions. Physiological levels of P repress in vitro the ligand binding capacity (Bmax) of the OTR by >50%. When expressed in CHO cells, the OTR provides a high affinity (Kd: 20nM) membrane binding site for P. OT-induced inositol phosphate production and intracellular calcium mobilization is inhibited 85% and 90%, respectively, by P. These effects are specific as signalling and binding functions of the closely related Vla vasopressin receptor remain unaffected by P, and as other, related steroids are devoid of any effect on OTR binding or signalling functions. The present observation of a specific interaction of a steroid with a G-protein-linked receptor defines a new mechanism of non-genomic steroid action and uncovers a novel level of crosstalk between steroid and peptide hormone action.

Keywords

Gonadal Steroid Oxytocin Receptor Vasopressin Receptor Pregnenolone Sulfate Membrane Binding Site 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1998

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Laboratory of Molecular EndocrinologyRoyal Victoria Hospital, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
  2. 2.INSERM, Unité 469Montpellier Cédex 5France

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