Entry Name Oxytocin signaling pathway
Description Oxytocin (OT) is a nonapeptide synthesized by the magno-cellular neurons located in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus. It exerts a wide variety of central and peripheral effects. However, its best-known and most well-established roles are stimulation of uterine contractions during parturition and milk release during lactation. Oxytocin also influences cardiovascular regulation and various social behaviors. The actions of OT are all mediated by one type of OT receptor (OTR). This is a transmembrane receptor belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. The main signaling pathway is the Gq/PLC/Ins3 pathway, but the MAPK and the RhoA/Rho kinase pathways are also activated, contributing to increased prostaglandin production and direct contractile effect on myometrial cells. In the cardiovascular system, OTR is associated with the ANP-cGMP and NO-cGMP pathways, which reduce the force and rate of contraction and increase vasodilatation.
Class Organismal Systems; Endocrine systemBRITE hierarchy
Pathway map Reference Authors Devost D, Wrzal P, Zingg HH
Title Oxytocin receptor signalling.
Journal Reference Authors Viero C, Shibuya I, Kitamura N, Verkhratsky A, Fujihara H, Katoh A, Ueta Y, Zingg HH, Chvatal A, Sykova E, Dayanithi G
Title REVIEW: Oxytocin: Crossing the bridge between basic science and pharmacotherapy.
Journal Reference Authors Gutkowska J, Jankowski M
Title Oxytocin revisited: its role in cardiovascular regulation.
Journal Reference Authors Vrachnis N, Malamas FM, Sifakis S, Deligeoroglou E, Iliodromiti Z
Title The oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system and its antagonists as tocolytic agents.
Journal Reference Authors Tom N, Assinder SJ
Title Oxytocin in health and disease.
Journal Reference Authors Strakova Z, Copland JA, Lolait SJ, Soloff MS
Title ERK2 mediates oxytocin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis.
Journal Reference Authors Slater DM, Zervou S, Thornton S
Title Prostaglandins and prostanoid receptors in human pregnancy and parturition.
Journal J Soc Gynecol Investig 9:118-24 (2002)
Reference Authors Shmygol A, Gullam J, Blanks A, Thornton S
Title Multiple mechanisms involved in oxytocin-induced modulation of myometrial contractility.
Journal Reference Authors Tahara M, Morishige K, Sawada K, Ikebuchi Y, Kawagishi R, Tasaka K, Murata Y
Title RhoA/Rho-kinase cascade is involved in oxytocin-induced rat uterine contraction.
Journal Reference Authors Slattery MM, Morrison JJ
Title Preterm delivery.
Journal Reference Authors Pont JN, McArdle CA, Lopez Bernal A
Title Oxytocin-stimulated NFAT transcriptional activation in human myometrial cells.
Journal Reference Authors Gutkowska J, Jankowski M, Lambert C, Mukaddam-Daher S, Zingg HH, McCann SM
Title Oxytocin releases atrial natriuretic peptide by combining with oxytocin receptors in the heart.
Journal Reference Authors Antunes-Rodrigues J, de Castro M, Elias LL, Valenca MM, McCann SM
Title Neuroendocrine control of body fluid metabolism.
Journal Reference Authors Lee ES, Uhm KO, Lee YM, Kwon J, Park SH, Soo KH
Title Oxytocin stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells through the calcium-CaMKK-AMPK pathway.
Journal Reference Authors Cassoni P, Sapino A, Fortunati N, Munaron L, Chini B, Bussolati G
Title Oxytocin inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB231 human breast-cancer cells via cyclic adenosine monophosphate and protein kinase A.
Journal Reference Authors Busnelli M, Peverelli E, Mantovani G, Spada A, Chini B
Title Deciphering the specific role of G(alphai/o) isoforms: functional selective oxytocin ligands and somatostatin SST5 receptor mutants.
Journal Reference Authors Reversi A, Rimoldi V, Brambillasca S, Chini B
Title Effects of cholesterol manipulation on the signaling of the human oxytocin receptor.
Journal Reference Authors Salmina AB, Lopatina O, Ekimova MV, Mikhutkina SV, Higashida H
Title CD38/cyclic ADP-ribose system: a new player for oxytocin secretion and regulation of social behaviour.
Journal Reference Authors Higashida H, Yokoyama S, Kikuchi M, Munesue T
Title CD38 and its role in oxytocin secretion and social behavior.
Journal Reference Authors Lopatina O, Inzhutova A, Salmina AB, Higashida H
Title The roles of oxytocin and CD38 in social or parental behaviors.
Journal Reference Authors Guse AH
Title Second messenger function and the structure-activity relationship of cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose (cADPR).
Journal Related KO pathway
