Related Research Articles
The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate maternal and fetal circulations, and is an important endocrine organ producing hormones that regulate both maternal and fetal physiology during pregnancy. The placenta connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord, and on the opposite aspect to the maternal uterus in a species-dependent manner. In humans, a thin layer of maternal decidual (endometrial) tissue comes away with the placenta when it is expelled from the uterus following birth. Placentas are a defining characteristic of placental mammals, but are also found in marsupials and some non-mammals with varying levels of development.
Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. When it arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases of the disease there may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, or visual disturbances. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of undesirable outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. If left untreated, it may result in seizures at which point it is known as eclampsia.
The miR-92 microRNAs are short single stranded non-protein coding RNA fragments initially discovered incorporated into an RNP complex with a proposed role of processing RNA molecules and further RNP assembly. Mir-92 has been mapped to the human genome as part of a larger cluster at chromosome 13q31.3, where it is 22 nucleotides in length but exists in the genome as part of a longer precursor sequence. There is an exact replica of the mir-92 precursor on the X chromosome. MicroRNAs are endogenous triggers of the RNAi pathway which involves several ribonucleic proteins (RNPs) dedicated to repressing mRNA molecules via translation inhibition and/or induction of mRNA cleavage. miRNAs are themselves matured from their long RNA precursors by ribonucleic proteins as part of a 2 step biogenesis mechanism involving RNA polymerase 2.
Placental growth factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PGF gene.
Syncytin-1 also known as enverin is a protein found in humans and other primates that is encoded by the ERVW-1 gene. Syncytin-1 is a cell-cell fusion protein whose function is best characterized in placental development. The placenta in turn aids in embryo attachment to the uterus and establishment of a nutrient supply.
HERV-R_7q21.2 provirus ancestral envelope (Env) polyprotein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ERV3 gene.
Early placenta insulin-like peptide is a protein that in humans is encoded by the INSL4 gene.
Placenta-specific protein 1 is a small, secreted cell surface protein encoded on the X-chromosome by the PLAC1 gene. Since its discovery in 1999, PLAC1 has been found to play a role in placental development and maintenance, several gestational disorders including preeclampsia, fetal development and a large number of cancers.
Achaete-scute complex homolog 2 (Drosophila), also known as ASCL2, is an imprinted human gene.
mir-127 microRNA is a short non-coding RNA molecule with interesting overlapping gene structure. miR-127 functions to regulate the expression levels of genes involved in lung development, placental formation and apoptosis. Aberrant expression of miR-127 has been linked to different cancers.
In molecular biology miR-205 microRNA is a short RNA molecule. MicroRNAs function to regulate the expression levels of other genes by several mechanisms. They are involved in numerous cellular processes, including development, proliferation, and apoptosis. Currently, it is believed that miRNAs elicit their effect by silencing the expression of target genes.
In molecular biology mir-22 microRNA is a short RNA molecule. MicroRNAs are an abundant class of molecules, approximately 22 nucleotides in length, which can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to the 3' UTR of mRNAs expressed in a cell.
miR-138 is a family of microRNA precursors found in animals, including humans. MicroRNAs are typically transcribed as ~70 nucleotide precursors and subsequently processed by the Dicer enzyme to give a ~22 nucleotide product. The excised region or, mature product, of the miR-138 precursor is the microRNA mir-138.
miR-214 is a vertebrate-specific family of microRNA precursors. The ~22 nucleotide mature miRNA sequence is excised from the precursor hairpin by the enzyme Dicer. This sequence then associates with RISC which effects RNA interference.
In molecular biology mir-675 microRNA is a short RNA molecule. MicroRNAs function to regulate the expression levels of other genes by several mechanisms.
Human Endogenous Retrovirus-W (HERV-W) is the coding for a protein that would normally be part of the envelope of one family of Human Endogenous Retro-Viruses, or HERVs.
MicroRNA 517c is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MIR517C gene.
MicroRNA 517c is a microRNA that in humans is encoded by the MIR517C gene.
Extravillous trophoblast or, abbreviated, EVT, are one form of differentiated trophoblast cells of the placenta. They are invasive mesenchymal cells which function to establish critical tissue connection in the developing placental-uterine interface. EVTs derive from progenitor cytotrophoblasts (CYT), as does the other main trophoblast subtype, syncytiotrophoblast (SYN).
Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SIGLEC6 gene. The gene was originally named CD33L (CD33-like) due to similarities between these genes but later became known as OB-BP1 due to its ability to bind to this factor and, finally, SIGLEC6 as the sixth member of the SIGLEC family of receptors to be identified. The protein has also been given the CD designation CD327.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ouyang Y, Mouillet JF, Coyne CB, Sadovsky Y (February 2014). "Review: placenta-specific microRNAs in exosomes – good things come in nano-packages". Placenta. 35 Suppl: S69-73. doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2013.11.002. PMC 3944048 . PMID 24280233.
- ↑ Doridot L, Miralles F, Barbaux S, Vaiman D (November 2013). "Trophoblasts, invasion, and microRNA". Frontiers in Genetics. 4: 248. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00248 . PMC 3836020 . PMID 24312123.