Molecular mechanisms regulating the onset of labor
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium F202 of the Faculty of Medicine (Aapistie 5 B), Zoom link: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/66677169727?pwd=ZXpUZW5NN3RiZWxRZUNJRVlVTFBsUT09
Topic of the dissertation
Molecular mechanisms regulating the onset of labor
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Ravindra Daddali
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, PEDEGO Research Unit, MRC Oului
Subject of study
Molecular medicine
Opponent
Professor Jaana Rysä , University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Mika Rämet, PEDEGO Research Unit
Molecular mechanisms regulating the onset of labor
The molecular mechanisms involved in the onset and timing of human labor are still poorly understood. The initiator of labor may be of fetal, placental and/or maternal origin. For this reason, in this dissertation study, we determined very broadly the total proteins of the human placenta and compared them with the results obtained from the human genome study.
In this comparison, we found a protein called CPPED1 in the human placenta. The amounts of CPPED1 protein decreased in spontaneous term placentas compared with placentas obtained through caesarean section. The polymorphism of the CPPED1 gene, in turn, affected the duration of pregnancy. Therefore, CPPED1 is a potential biological marker that could be used to predict the onset of labor. In this research, we also investigated which factors regulate CPPED1 function and what CPPED1 affects in the human placenta.
We showed that a particular short RNA molecule (micro-RNA) secreted by the placenta causes a decrease in CPPED1 levels. We also showed that when the expression of the CPPED1 gene was artificially inhibited in placental cells in cell culture experiments, the largest changes were observed in factors associated with inflammation and vascular formation. Both of these changes influence the duration of pregnancy.
Under the test tube conditions, the human CPPED1 protein, in turn, was shown to affect the so-called PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. This signalling pathway is important for cell function and regulates e.g. cell growth and differentiation. The role of CPPED1 in initiating labor requires, however, more detailed studies.
In this comparison, we found a protein called CPPED1 in the human placenta. The amounts of CPPED1 protein decreased in spontaneous term placentas compared with placentas obtained through caesarean section. The polymorphism of the CPPED1 gene, in turn, affected the duration of pregnancy. Therefore, CPPED1 is a potential biological marker that could be used to predict the onset of labor. In this research, we also investigated which factors regulate CPPED1 function and what CPPED1 affects in the human placenta.
We showed that a particular short RNA molecule (micro-RNA) secreted by the placenta causes a decrease in CPPED1 levels. We also showed that when the expression of the CPPED1 gene was artificially inhibited in placental cells in cell culture experiments, the largest changes were observed in factors associated with inflammation and vascular formation. Both of these changes influence the duration of pregnancy.
Under the test tube conditions, the human CPPED1 protein, in turn, was shown to affect the so-called PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. This signalling pathway is important for cell function and regulates e.g. cell growth and differentiation. The role of CPPED1 in initiating labor requires, however, more detailed studies.
Last updated: 1.3.2023