Thyroid stimulating hormone extracted from human placenta.
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The forms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alpha-subunit synthesized and released by normal placental tissue were examined in explants of first trimester placenta that had been incubated for 30 min with [35S]methionine and then incubated for 6 h in medium containing unlabeled methionine. The media and tissue extracts collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the exposure to [35S]methionine were chromatographed on Sephadex G-100 and the amounts of radioimmunoassayable alpha-subunit and immunoprecipitable 35S-labeled alpha-subunit were determined. In tissue extracts, a single form of alpha-subunit was observed at 0 h that had an apparent molecular weight smaller (Ve/Vo = 1.90) than that of a urinary hCG alpha reference preparation (Ve/Vo = 1.81). With chase times of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h, a second peak of alpha-subunit was detected that had a larger apparent molecular weight (Ve/Vo = 1.68), and the ratio of large to small forms increased progressively with incubation time. In contrast to that in the extracts, the 35S-labeled alpha-subunit in the culture medium consisted entirely of the large form. Large and small intracellular forms of free alpha-subunit exhibited less than 2% recombination with beta-subunit, as evidenced by gonadotropin receptor binding activity. These studies suggest that normal placental tissue synthesizes a small precursor form of free hCG alpha-subunit that is converted to a larger form prior to secretion and that the free forms of alpha-subunit do not bind to purified hCG beta-subunit.
The authors have a long standing interest in immune regulations which control the absence of rejection of a semi-allogeneic fetus by the mother. A previous work described a soluble 40 kDa factor extracted from mouse placenta and capable of inhibiting secondary immune responses in vitro. The present paper reports the following on its mode of action in vivo: (1) it is active even in a fully allogeneic host; (2) it can be administered i.v. or i.p. along with antigen; and (3) the injections of factor and antigen must not be more than 2 days apart for maximum efficacy. Moreover, the results of the study described here indicate also that this factor is a concanavalin A-binding glycoprotein, sensitive to heat and pronase, and different from interleukin 10 (IL-10). Thus, this placental factor appears to be different from previously described immune regulators such as IL-10 and could contribute significantly to immune regulations at the level of the placenta.
The fluorescent compound 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) can be used to detect uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase activity by observing the fall in fluorescence as the compound is converted to 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronide. A microplate assay has been developed that has improved sensitivity and is faster and cheaper than the historical extraction method. Activity is detectable with approximately 10% of the protein required in the extraction method. Absence of extraction and cleanup procedures and the ability to observe reaction rate directly are also of great advantage to the researcher. Michaelis-Menten kinetic data from one healthy female human liver is presented. The extraction method yielded a mean V(max) of 19.9 nmol/min/mg of protein and a mean K(m) of 652.5 microM on 1 day [n = 6, coefficients of variation (CV) 15 and 24%, respectively]. For the microplate method on 1 day, the mean V(max) was 36.21 +/- 1.3 nmol/min/mg of protein (CV = 3.7%), significantly (P <.0001) higher than for the extraction method. The mean K(m), 175. 4 +/- 24.2 microM (CV = 14.5%), was significantly lower (P <.0001) than observed in the extraction method. The assay was performed in replicates of six over 6 days; average intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 9 and 22% for V(max) and 8 and 35% for K(m), respectively, for the microplate method. The microplate method has also detected activity in the placental trophoblast-derived cell lines JEG-3, JAr, and BeWo (5.5, 4.1, and 2. 6 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, at 200 microM 4MU concentration), indicating that placental cells may be capable of glucuronidating 4MU.
The aims of this study were to identify whether mouse placenta secretes soluble OB-R (sOB-R) and to find the regulating factor of OB-R expression. Total RNAs were extracted from placenta and decidua, and OB-R expression was assessed by Northern blot analysis. Decidua did not express OB-R mRNA. However, OB-R mRNA expression was detectable in the placenta on day 13 of pregnancy, and then it increased and reached a peak on day 17 of pregnancy. Mouse placental cells from day 12 of pregnancy were cultured and OB-R gene expression was assessed by Northern blot analysis. OB-R mRNA expression was detectable from the second day of culture and reached a peak on the third day of culture. To determine whether placental cells release sOB-R, supernatant of cultured placental cells was subjected to Western blot analysis. sOB-R was detected in the medium by the second day of culture and sOB-R release increased up to the fourth day of culture. Addition of leptin to the medium did not affect expression of OB-R mRNA. However, 8-bromo cAMP inhibited both steady-state levels of OB-R mRNA and the amount of sOB-R protein in the medium in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These results suggest that trophoblast cells differentiate, express, and release sOB-R both in vivo and in vitro and that cAMP is one of several potent regulators of sOB-R secretion by the mouse placenta.
We have examined the binding of factors in rat liver nuclear extracts to the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element (CRE) and other CREs and have isolated a rat liver CRE-binding protein (CREBP) cDNA. In addition, we have examined the influence of altering the phosphorylation state of nuclear factors on both CRE binding and in vitro transcription. Specific binding to the PEPCK CRE was measured in a mobility shift assay. CRE sequences of the PEPCK, somatostatin, and glycoprotein hormone alpha subunit genes competed equally for binding of rat liver nuclear factors to the PEPCK CRE, whereas mutant PEPCK CRE sequences did not compete for binding. Oligonucleotides complementary to rat pheochromocytoma CREBP (Gonzalez et al., Nature [London] 337:749-752, 1989) were used to prime rat liver and brain cDNA in the polymerase chain reaction. The predominant CREBP molecule obtained was identical to the rat pheochromocytoma CREBP except for a 14-amino-acid deletion in the N-terminal half that was also present in a human placental cDNA (Hoeffler et al., Science 242:1430-1433, 1988). The regulation of transcription by cAMP was examined by coincubation of rat liver nuclear extract with the purified catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A). Although binding to the CRE was unaffected, in vitro transcription directed by the PEPCK promoter was stimulated by catalytic subunit, and this effect was blocked by protein kinase inhibitor peptide. In contrast, when nuclear extract was coincubated with phosphatase, there was substantial inhibition of in vitro transcription directed by the PEPCK promoter, but there was no effect on binding to the CRE. The major effects of catalytic subunit were exerted through the CRE, but residual stimulation was evident in promoter fragments containing only the TATA element. These data suggest that factors are bound to the CRE at constitutively high levels and that their capacity for transcriptional activation is regulated by phosphorylation.
1. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was hydrolysed by human placental steroid 3beta-sulphatase in H(2) (18)O. Equimolar amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone and sodium sulphate were similarly incubated as controls. After incubation, unconjugated steroid was extracted with ether and sulphate precipitated as barium sulphate. Both were analysed for (18)O-content by mass spectroscopy, the sulphate as carbon dioxide after initial pyrolysis with graphite. 2. In duplicate experiments, amounts of (18)O equivalent to 67% and 72% respectively of the theoretical content calculated for rupture of the O-S bond were present in the sulphate. As the enzyme preparation used was a microsomal preparation containing unenriched endogenous sulphate and phosphate, and as no incorporation of isotope was found in the steroid, it is concluded that the placental enzyme effects hydrolysis by rupture of the O-S bond.
Placentae obtained from RU 486 treated cynomolgus monkeys, with successful pregnancy outcome, could not be distinguished, by microscopic or macroscopic examination, from normal placental morphology of untreated females. However, circulating PAPP-A levels were markedly depressed in RU 486 treated (114.8 +/- 13.1 IU/l) than in control animals (477.2 +/- 150 IU/l), suggesting compromised placental physiology. Microscopic examination of placental tissue obtained from animals with fetal demise, after RU 486 administration, revealed pathological changes. When fetal demise occurred recently (less than 24 h), active villus destruction by infiltrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes was readily observed. Whereas aqueous extracts of placentae, whether obtained by cesarean section or spontaneous delivery, inhibited neutrophil elastase (HGE) activity, extracts of placenta being degraded by host phagocytic-proteolytic defense system were rich in HGE activity. Thus suggesting that parturition was not mediated by leukocyte lysosomal proteases, such as HGE, and that hemochorrially implanted placentae produce PAPP-A, a specific inhibitor of HGE. Administration of RU 486 decreased placental PAPP-A production and secretion, culminating with a neutrophilic infiltration into placental intervillous blood spaces, destruction of villus structure and fetal demise.
OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence suggests that concentration of the adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin may be affected by risk of hypertension during pregnancy. Leptin and leptin receptor gene expression has been studied in placentas obtained from pre-eclamptic patients, but not in those with chronic high blood pressure (CHBP). Adiponectin receptors remain unstudied in placentas obtained from hypertensive patients. METHODS: Therefore, we investigated relative mRNA expression of selected adipocytokine genes (leptin, leptin receptors (LEPRA, LEPRB, LEPRC, LEPRD) and adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2)) in placental tissues from women with pre-eclampsia (n = 6) or CHBP (n = 8). Placentas from 28 normotensive patients were analyzed as controls. mRNA extracted from biopsies taken from the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with controls, significant increases in leptin mRNA expression were seen in placentas from pre-eclamptic patients on the maternal (p = 0.01) and fetal (p = 0.02) sides, and in placentas from CHBP mothers on the fetal side (p = 0.001). Maternal-side tissue from CHBP patients was not significantly different from that of controls (p = 0.08), but this might be due to the small sample size. No significant differences were seen in mRNA expression for most of the adipocytokine receptors tested for hypertensive cases compared with controls. However, there was a decrease in LEPRC (pre-eclamptic, maternal side, p = 0.03) and LEPRD (pre-eclamptic, maternal side, p = 0.01; CHBP, fetal side, p = 0.009) in case-control analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that increases seen in leptin expression in placentas from hypertensive mothers might be a consequence of defects in placentation associated with this disease, and motivates further region-specific adipocytokine gene expression analysis across this organ.
Microvillous membrane vesicle preparations from the maternal surface of human placental syncytiotrophoblast were examined for the presence of carnitine and choline acetyltransferase activity. Radiometric assay for acetylcholine employed butyronitrile-tetraphenylboron extraction of the quaternary ions. Acetylcarnitine was assayed by anion exchange chromatography. The data reveal that carnitine is the primary substrate for the vesicle acetyltransferase enzyme(s), whereas choline appears to be a minor substrate. For acetylcarnitine synthesis, the Km is 0.749 mM carnitine and Vmax is 641 pmol X mg protein-1 X minute-1, respectively; for acetylcholine synthesis, the Km is 0.5 mM choline and Vmax is 53 pmol X mg protein-1 X minute-1, respectively. Approximately ten times more acetylated product was formed with carnitine than with choline. The carnitine-mediated reaction obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, whereas the choline reaction exhibited anomalous behavior. Vesicle preparations were stable for 21 days at -80 degrees C. Preliminary studies on hypotonically lysed vesicles demonstrate that the acetyltransferase is particulate and is bound to the membrane of the vesicle. These findings demonstrate that carnitine acetyltransferase activity is in the plasmalemma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast and suggest a role for this enzyme, analogous to the mitochondrial fatty acid shuttle system, in the maternofetal translocation of fatty acyl residues.
A method for the quantitative estimation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (11 beta-HSD; EC.1.1.146) in human placental homogenates is described. This method is based on the separation of cortisol and cortisone by high performance liquid chromatography after extraction from homogenates incubated in the presence of cortisol and NADP. 11 beta-HSD activity (pmol/g wet weight per min) averaged 900 +/- 150 (mean +/- SEM) at 10 +/- 2 weeks of gestation, 915 +/- 35 at 17 +/- 2 weeks and 790 +/- 42 at 40 +/- 2 weeks, thus supporting the view that the placenta is an effective barrier to materno-fetal cortisol transfer throughout gestation.
Alkaline phosphatase is anchored to the plasma membrane by a carboxyl-terminal phosphatidylinositol glycan moiety. To investigate the biosynthesis of mature alkaline phosphatase, nascent human placental alkaline phosphatase was expressed in a cell-free system and used as substrate for in vitro processing by microsomal extracts. By monitoring the processed product with three site-directed antibodies, it was shown that microsomal extracts from CHO cells that contain other recognized processing activities also remove the carboxyl-terminal signal peptide from the preproenzyme in an apparently selective manner. This peptidase-like cleavage may be brought about by the action of a specific transamidase acting on the nascent protein in the absence of an appropriate phosphatidylinositol glycan cosubstrate.
We demonstrated the expression of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) in human placenta using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blot analysis and immunohistochemical and immunoblotting studies. In the RT-PCR-Southern blot analysis, only one predicted PCR product was detected without nonspecific products in all samples of human placenta and 3A (tPA-30-1) human placental cells. In Western blot analysis, polyclonal anti-CBG antibodies recognized a protein of approximately 55 kD in the protein extracts prepared from 3A (tPA-30-1) cells. Additionally, CBG mRNA expression was demonstrated by in situ hybridization in the syncytiotrophoblasts. Immunohistochemical studies performed on the placenta demonstrated the presence of specific immunoreactivity in the syncytiotrophoblast layer surrounding the chorionic villi. These findings suggest that CBG is synthesized in human placenta during pregnancy in addition to its synthesis in the liver.
Laminin (Ln) isoforms may play important roles in neuronal development, particularly axon guidance, but neural receptors mediating interactions with Ln are not entirely understood. In this paper, we have compared the adhesive and process outgrowth activities of a human neuroblastoma cell line SY5Y on various laminin isoforms. Cell adhesion and process outgrowth were examined on murine Ln-1 (Englebreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma laminin), human placental Ln-1 (human Ln-1[p]), human Ln-2 (merosin), human Ln-5 (kalinin/epiligrin/nicein), and human foreskin keratinocyte extracellular matrix extract (human HFK-ECM). Ln-5 was shown to evoke process outgrowth in amounts comparable to other Ln isoforms. Antibody perturbation experiments showed that adhesion and process outgrowth on murine Ln-1 was primarily mediated by the integrin alpha 1 beta 1, whereas adhesion and outgrowth on human Ln-5 and human HFK-ECM were mediated by alpha 3 beta 1. Adhesion to human Ln-1(p) and Ln-2 was not blocked by addition of anti-alpha 1 or anti-alpha 3 antibodies alone, but adhesion was partially perturbed when these antibodies were added in combination. Process outgrowth on human Ln-1(p) was blocked when either anti-alpha 3 or anti-beta 1 antibodies were added, indicating that alpha 3 beta 1 is the primary integrin heterodimer responsible for process extension on this substrate. These results demonstrate that Ln-5 and other Ln isoforms support comparable levels of adhesion and process outgrowth, but different integrin heterodimers, alone and in combination, are used by SY5Y cells to mediate responses.
The four known isozymes of the human alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected by isoelectric focusing in extracts of various types of germ cell tumors, three related cell lines, and their precancerous elements (atypical germ cells). In seminoma, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and germ cell alkaline phosphatase (PLAP-like) could be separated by isoelectric focusing following isolation by immunoaffinity. The occurrence of both isozymes in seminoma could explain partial heat sensitivity and variation in electrophoretic patterns of the seminoma isozyme frequently observed upon starch gels, in comparison to the normal placental phenotype. The four ALP isozymes are produced not only in germ cell tumors, but already in precancerous tissues. Quantitative analysis showed that the amount of the four isozymes varies in parallel in the tumors tested. Maximal expression was found in seminoma. The relation between ALP gene overexpression and gene amplification by polyploidy of chromosomes 1 and 2 in these lesions is discussed. On the other hand, the ectopic expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase and PLAP associated with overexpression of PLAP-like in tumor cells as well as in their precancerous stage indicates gene activation by some unknown mechanisms, probably a regulatory process affecting the three tissue-specific ALP genes simultaneously.
Expression of placental tissue protein 13 (PP13) in different human tissues was investigated by chemiluminescence Western blot analysis using monospecific anti-PP13 serum. In term placentae we detected a 16 kDa single protein band immunochemically identical to the purified PP13 antigen. After investigation of 26 types of human fetal and adult tissue, PP13 was also found in certain other normal and tumorous tissue extracts. It is not secreted into circulation as we could not find PP13 in sera of pregnant women. A full length cDNA with 578 bp insert was isolated by screening a human placental cDNA library with anti-PP13 serum. The open reading frame of the cDNA encodes for a 139-residue-long protein with a predicted molecular mass of 16.118 kDa, identical to the previously isolated and characterized PP13 antigen described in 1983. By alignment search of the protein databank PP13 is highly homologous (69 per cent) to the 16.5 kDa human eosinophil Charcot-Leyden Crystal protein, a unique dual-function lysophospholipase, a member of the beta-galactoside binding S-type animal lectin superfamily. Northern blot analysis revealed a 600 bp PP13 mRNA, detected only in placental tissue from 16 types of human healthy adult tissue. Lysophospholipase activity of PP13 was confirmed by(1)H and(31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements.
Placental trophoblast syncytialization is a unique biological process. We have studied the time course of this process using DNA microarray in a cell model of syncytialization (the cytotrophoblast cell line BeWo following increased intracellular cAMP by forskolin). Total RNA was extracted from BeWo cells and labelled-cRNA target was then hybridized to a specific oligonucleotide probe set containing probes to over 12?000 human transcripts. Detectable levels of signal were found on average for 44 per cent of the total number of genes assayed. The correlation coefficient for the level of expression of independent replicates was #10878;0.99. The mRNA expression profile of specific genes analysed by microarray correlated quantitatively well with that analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and with protein secretion. In the absence of forskolin there are relatively few changes in gene expression (reaching a threshold of two fold); in the presence of forskolin there are a substantial number of changes. By clustering the patterns of altered gene expression at least ten groups could be extracted. Seven of these clusters involved increased gene expression and three decreased expression. Each cluster has been categorized by gene ontology (confining the analysis to genes with 'known' function). Among the genes with increased expression following forskolin treatment were many required for cellular communication (such as placental specific peptide hormones) and metabolism (such as cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme). Several genes known to be involved in cell adhesion and fusion have markedly changed expression levels very early following forskolin exposure, thus preceding morphological fusion of BeWo cells. Further analysis of this data and expression profiling in general will be able to contribute to understanding the functional basis for the formation of the placental syncytiotrophoblast.