What is it about?
During pregnancy, smooth muscle cells in the uterus stay relaxed to support the growing baby. At the onset of labor, these cells connect and work together to produce synchronized contractions that push the baby out. This shift happens due to changes in the expression of specific labor-associated genes. Our study shows that a protein called SOX4 plays a crucial role in controlling these genes. We found that SOX4 levels increase in these cells during normal labor and in cases of preterm labor in mice. Interestingly, while SOX4 activates certain genes (like Fos and Mmp11), it reduces the activity of others (like Ptgs2). This study highlights that SOX4 may fine-tune the expression of labor-activating genes, ensuring the successful initiation and completion of labor.
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Why is it important?
Preterm birth, which happens when a baby is born before a full term (37 weeks of pregnancy), is a significant concern because it hinders necessary developmental processes that typically occur in the final weeks of pregnancy. When a baby is born prematurely, these processes remain incomplete, leading to various short-term and long-term health complications. This is why preterm birth is a leading cause of illness and death among newborns worldwide. Currently, effective treatments to prevent preterm birth are limited, leaving many families without viable options to address this issue. However, by understanding the molecular mechanisms that activate genes leading to early labor, we can develop effective preventative treatments.
Perspectives
These findings highlight the diverse role carried out by SOX4 in regulating the expression of critical labor-associated genes. This protein, in addition to the repertoire of genes previously identified, helps us decipher the molecular processes that control the timing of labor in uterine smooth muscle cells. Identifying critical proteins, and their molecular functions in the context of labor, brings us one step closer in the search for premature birth preventative treatments, which will ultimately improve health outcomes for newborns.
Nawrah Khader
University of Toronto
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: SOX4 exerts contrasting regulatory effects on labor-associated gene promoters in myometrial cells, PLoS ONE, April 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297847.
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