# REGULATION OF COLLAGENASE ACTIVITY IN THE UTERUS

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE · 1994 · $246,463

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the applicant's abstract):  The long term goals
of this application are to define the mechanisms by which the pregnant and
post-partum uterus regulates the metabolism of collagen.  This protein is
absolutely required by the uterus for the structural integrity of the organ
during pregnancy; thus it is necessary to precisely regulate the amount and
distribution of collagen in the tissue during gestation.  After delivery,
the protein is degraded during the general involution of the uterus which
occurs in all mammals.  The degradation of collagen in the uterus requires
the action of a specific collagenase whose function it is to catalyze the
crucial cleavages in collagen which initiate the process by which the
protein is removed from the extracellular matrix.  The physiologic
processes by which the appearance of these molecules in the uterus is
regulated will be studied in cell culture systems and in explant cultures.
The nature of the mechanisms whereby collagenase production and activity
can be induced, modulated in situ, and terminated when no longer required,
will be studied.  Such mechanisms involve the physiologic activities of
important gestational hormones such as progesterone and the
glucocorticoids, as well as a newly re-discovered hormone, serotonin.  The
results of these investigations should provide fundamental information
regarding the mechanisms by which collagen degradation is accomplished in
the uterus.  It is hoped that by understanding the molecules involved in
these processes and the way in which their biological activity is
regulated, normal pregnancy and labor can be better understood and more
rationally managed.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194883
- **Project number:** 5R01HD005291-22
- **Recipient organization:** ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G6VVMPNK4Y48
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN J JEFFREY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $246,463
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-04-01 → 1996-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194883

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194883, REGULATION OF COLLAGENASE ACTIVITY IN THE UTERUS (5R01HD005291-22). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194883. Licensed CC0.

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