Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.24.3 (collagenase)
 18,340 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cervical ripening is reviewed from the viewpoint of mechanical properties, histological and biochemical structure of cervical tissue, and the role of hormones and other bioactive agents in the process. The uterine cervix begins abruptly with a 2-3 mm transition from the myometrium and is made of 80% type I collagen and 20% type III collagen fibers covalently cross linked, and glycosaminoglyucans covalently bound to protein cores. During pregnancy the collagen concentration is halved and its extractability increases due to changes in the proteoglycan composition, an increase in acidic relative to neutral proteins. These changes are responsible for the softening of the cervix (Goodell's sign) and the isthmus (Hegar's sign). Histologically the collagen fibers appear thinner and more spread out. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and eosinophils may be involved in the softening process. Factors theorized or know to be involved in cervical ripening are progesterone, estradiol, prostaglandins (PGs), relaxin, and cytokines. Progesterone withdrawal has been shown in animal models. Estradiol either induces PG synthesis or sensitizes the cervix to locally produced PGs. PGE2 and PGF2alpha receptors have been found in cervical plasma membranes, have been isolated from tissue, their local synthesis can be manipulated, and their clinical use is well documented. Relaxin is a peptide synthesized in the corpus luteum, uterus and placenta, and is known to relax the pelvic girdle, restrain myometrial activity and soften the cervix. Cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are being studies because of their ability to stimulate collagenase.
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PMID:The physiology of cervical ripening and cervical dilatation and the effect of abortifacient drugs. 222 99