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Asymmetric Syncytial Expression of GLUT9 Splice Variants in Human Term Placenta and Alterations in Diabetic Pregnancies

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Abstract

Glucose transport from the maternal to fetal side of the placenta is critical for fetal growth and development due to the absence of fetal gluconeogenesis. Human GLUT9, existing as 2 isoforms, is a novel member of the transporter family. This study investigated the localization and relative expression levels of these isoforms in the human term placenta from both control and diabetic patients. Placenta samples were collected from normal pregnancies and those complicated by maternal diabetes (White classifications A1, A2, and B). Antibodies specific for the different isoforms were used to detect expression. Both forms of the protein are expressed in syncytiotrophoblast cells. Subcellular fractionation revealed an asymmetrical expression pattern with GLUT9a on basal membranes, whereas GLUT9b localizes to microvillus membranes. Expression of both isoforms is significantly increased in placental tissue from diabetic pregnancies. Altered expression of GLUT9 in the placenta may play a role in the fetal pathophysiology associated with diabetes-complicated pregnancies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid, Box 8064, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Kristin P. Bibee BA & Kelle H. Moley MD

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    Nicholas P. Illsley DPhil

  3. Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA

    Kelle H. Moley MD

Authors
  1. Kristin P. Bibee BA
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  2. Nicholas P. Illsley DPhil
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  3. Kelle H. Moley MD
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Correspondence to Kelle H. Moley MD.

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Bibee, K.P., Illsley, N.P. & Moley, K.H. Asymmetric Syncytial Expression of GLUT9 Splice Variants in Human Term Placenta and Alterations in Diabetic Pregnancies. Reprod. Sci. 18, 20–27 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719110380276

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