Genes governing placental development.

The placenta is essential for fetal growth because it promotes the delivery of nutrients and oxygen from the maternal circulation. In mice, many gene mutations disrupt formation of the placenta, with specific effects at different times and on different components. Studies of these mutations are beginning to provide insights into both the molecular pathways required for formation of different placental substructures and the nature of intercellular interactions, between trophoblast, mesenchymal and vascular components, that regulate placental development. Conserved gene expression patterns in humans should enable the elucidation of the molecular basis of human placental dysfunction.