EXPRESSION AND REGULATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN-F RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA IN RODENT OSTEOBLASTIC CELLS

The ability of prostaglandins to inhibit collagen synthesis and induce prostaglandin G/H synthase in bone cells appears to be mediated by th e prostaglandin F-2 alpha receptor (FPR). We have identified FPR mRNA in the osteoblastic cell lines, Pyla from rats and MC3T3-E1 from mice, as well as in the stem cell cultures, MN-7 and mouse marrow, using re verse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technology (RT-PCR). Exp ression of FPR mRNA was increased in Pyla, MN-7 and marrow cells with prolonged culture or dexamethasone treatment and decreased after treat ment with fluprostenol, a selective FPR agonist.