Lorena Caviedes1, Germán Iñiguez2, Paulina Hidalgo1, Juan José Castro2, Erika Castaño1, Miguel Llanos1, Sandra Hirsch1, Ana María Ronco3. 1. Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Unidad de Nutrición Humana, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Chile. 2. Instituto de Investigaciones Materno-Infantil (IDIMI), División Ciencias Médicas Centro, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Chile. 3. Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Unidad de Nutrición Humana, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Chile. Electronic address: amronco@inta.uchile.cl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adequate folate levels are essential for successful pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to study the relationship between placental mRNA and protein levels of folate transporters to birth weight. METHODS: Placental folate transporters (FOLR1, RFC1 and HCP1/PCFT) mRNA and protein levels in basal (BP) and chorionic plate (CP) of small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age term infants (≥37 weeks gestation, n = 111) were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: FOLR1 and HCP1/PCFT mRNA were lower in both plates of SGA and LGA placentas compared to AGA (p < 0.01) and RFC1 mRNA was lower only in CP (p < 0.02). RFC1 protein levels were lower in BP of SGA (p < 0.05) and LGA (p < 0.01), and FOLR1 protein levels were lower in CP of SGA (p < 0.02) and LGA (p < 0.01) groups compared to AGA. HCP1/PCFT protein levels remained unchanged in all groups. CONCLUSION: Placentas of SGA and LGA groups showed a reduced mRNA expression and protein levels of folate transporters, with some differences depending on the location within the placenta (BP or CP). This suggests the presence of specific placental regulation mechanisms in gene expression that may be associated to birth weight.
BACKGROUND: Adequate folate levels are essential for successful pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to study the relationship between placental mRNA and protein levels of folate transporters to birth weight. METHODS: Placental folate transporters (FOLR1, RFC1 and HCP1/PCFT) mRNA and protein levels in basal (BP) and chorionic plate (CP) of small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age term infants (≥37 weeks gestation, n = 111) were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS:FOLR1 and HCP1/PCFT mRNA were lower in both plates of SGA and LGA placentas compared to AGA (p < 0.01) and RFC1 mRNA was lower only in CP (p < 0.02). RFC1 protein levels were lower in BP of SGA (p < 0.05) and LGA (p < 0.01), and FOLR1 protein levels were lower in CP of SGA (p < 0.02) and LGA (p < 0.01) groups compared to AGA. HCP1/PCFT protein levels remained unchanged in all groups. CONCLUSION: Placentas of SGA and LGA groups showed a reduced mRNA expression and protein levels of folate transporters, with some differences depending on the location within the placenta (BP or CP). This suggests the presence of specific placental regulation mechanisms in gene expression that may be associated to birth weight.
Authors: Maya A Deyssenroth; Chris Gennings; Shelley H Liu; Shouneng Peng; Ke Hao; Luca Lambertini; Brian P Jackson; Margaret R Karagas; Carmen J Marsit; Jia Chen Journal: Environ Int Date: 2018-08-17 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Erika Castaño; Lorena Caviedes; Sandra Hirsch; Miguel Llanos; Germán Iñiguez; Ana María Ronco Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-01-19 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Jole Martino; Maria Teresa Segura; Luz García-Valdés; M C Padilla; Ricardo Rueda; Harry J McArdle; Helen Budge; Michael E Symonds; Cristina Campoy Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-11-13 Impact factor: 5.717