Figure 6
From: Progesterone Via its Type-A Receptor Promotes Myometrial Gap Junction Coupling
Hypothetical model of regulation of Cx43 forward trafficking and GJ formation by PR isoforms in human myocyte during pregnancy and labour. Model shows that during pregnancy P4-liganded PRB inhibits forward trafficking of Cx43/GJ formation by inhibiting Cx43-20 K expression/translation which results in accumulation of Cx43 in the ER and no cell-cell connectivity between myocytes. During labour P4-liganded PRA promotes Cx43 forward trafficking/GJ formation by inducing Cx43-20 K expression (which facilitates ER to Golgi transport of Cx43) and ensuring cell-cell connectivity to synchronize myometrial contractions during labour.
