Imbalanced synthesis of human choriogonadotropin alpha and beta subunits reflects the steady state levels of the corresponding mRNAs

Previous studies have demonstrated an imbalance in placental levels of the human choriogonadotropin (hCG) alpha and beta subunits. Free alpha subunit was present in first trimester placentae, and the imbalance was accentuated as gestation approached parturition. Two sets of experiments were performed to assess the control on production levels of each subunit. Synthesis of the alpha and beta subunits was assessed by labeling the nascent chains of polysomes derived from first trimester placenta. The products of these reactions were immunoprecipitated with subunit-specific antisera and the labeled subunits were quantitated; the ratio of alpha to beta subunit synthesized was 1.7. To examine whether this imbalanced synthesis reflected differences in the amount of subunit mRNAs, or differing mRNA translational efficiencies, the ratio of the steady state levels of these mRNAs was also determined. Total first trimester placental RNA was hydrolyzed with alkali, 5'-end-labeled with 32P, and hybridized in DNA excess to cloned alpha and beta cDNAs. These experiments demonstrated the presence of twice as much hCG-alpha mRNA as hCG-beta mRNA. In term placenta, the amounts of excess alpha subunit are greater than at first trimester; the ratio of alpha to beta mRNAs in term RNA was about 12:1. Thus, the subunit mRNA levels are independently regulated and their imbalance accounts for differences in the quantities of alpha and beta subunits seen in placental tissue.     

Phosphorylation of tyrosine in cultured human placenta

The [³²P]phosphoamino acids in proteins of first trimester and term-cultured human placentas have been separated and their relative amounts were measured. A significant phosphorylation of tyrosine residues could be detected in the cultured placental tissue at different stages of gestation. The phosphotyrosine accounts for 2–4% of the total acid-stable phosphate in the phosphoamino acids after partial acid hydrolysis. The difference in the extent of [³²P]tyrosine in various placentas seems to be a function of biological variation of the individual placentas, rather than a function of placental age and stage of gestation. In contrast, a significant difference in the phosphorylation ratio of serine and threonine could be measured between first trimester and term placentas. As more evidence is accumulating that protein phosphorylation of tyrosine is involved in the processes of cellular growth and proliferation, our findings of the relatively high tyrosine phosphorylation in human placenta strongly suggest that this type of protein phosphorylation may play an important role in the placental growth and development. Furthermore, these findings may correlate with the existence of the endogenous RNA virus-like particles found in normal human placenta.     

Expression of a biologically active analogue of somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor I

A synthetic gene coding for an analogue of somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor I (Sm-C/IGF-I) was synthesized by solid support phosphoramidite chemistry and subsequently cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein. The gene, designed with a threonine codon substituted for a methionine codon at position 59 was expressed fused to an eight-amino acid leader peptide under the direction of the E. coli tryptophan promoter. The fusion protein, termed L0-[Thr59]-Sm-C/IGF-I was purified extensively (greater than 97%) and found to be 60% as active as native Sm-C/IGF-I in a radioimmunoassay and 50% as potent as native Sm-C/IGF-I in a radioreceptor assay. Like native Sm-C/IGF-I it was also mitogenic for Balb/c 3T3 cells. After removal of the eight amino acid leader peptide by cyanogen bromide treatment, the resulting threonine analogue, termed [Thr59]-Sm-C/IGF-I was 80% as potent as native Sm-C/IGF-I in both the RIA and the radioreceptor assays. It was also mitogenic in Balb/c 3T3 cells. These two analogues, therefore, display biological activities similar to human-derived Sm-C/IGF-I.     

Synthesis of first trimester placental alkaline phosphatase in cultured human term placental cells

Alkaline phosphatase activity in human placental cells transformed by a tsA mutant of simian virus 40 (SV40) can be greatly induced by growing these cells at 40 degrees C, the temperature at which the tsA transformants regain their nontransformed phenotype. The induction of alkaline phosphatase in these cells requires the synthesis of both RNA and protein. The induced alkaline phosphatase from a SV40 tsA30 mutant-transformed term placental cell line (TPA30-1) was purified, characterized, and compared with alkaline phosphatase from term placenta and first trimester placenta. The form of alkaline phosphatase found in TPA30-1 cells differs from the phosphatase of term placenta in physiochemical and immunological properties. The TPA30-1 phosphatase is, however, indistinguishable from the alkaline phosphatase of human first trimester placenta by several criteria, including electrophoretic mobility, apparent molecular weight (Mr = 165,000), size of monomeric subunit (Mr = 77,000), heat lability, and sensitivity to inhibition by amino acids and EDTA. In addition, alkaline phosphatase from both TPA30-1 cells and first trimester placenta can be inactivated by antiserum to liver alkaline phosphatase but not by antiserum to term placental alkaline phosphatase. The induction of first trimester phosphatase in cells derived from term placenta provides a system for the study of alkaline phosphatase gene regulation in human placenta.     

Alterations in the synthesis of a fibroblast surface associated 35 K protein modulates the binding of somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor I

Human fibroblasts, a cell type that is used extensively to determine the pleiotypic effects of the insulin-like growth factors, have been shown to secrete a 35K protein that binds somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor I (Sm-C/IGF-I) but not insulin. This 35 K protein is associated with the fibroblast surface and following transfer to the surface of cell types that do not have this protein on their surfaces, it alters the binding of radiolabeled Sm-C/IGF-I. In this study human fibroblast monolayers that were incubated with cyclohexamide (50 micrograms/ml) for 14 h at 37 C had no detectable 35 K protein on their cell surface, but type I Sm-C/IGF-I receptors were still present. Loss of the 35 K protein was associated with 60-70% increase in binding of Sm-C/IGF-I to type I receptors. The relative affinity of the type I receptor for Sm-C/IGF-I was apparently increased because unlabeled Sm-C/IGF-I (12 ng/ml) competitively displaced 63% of radiolabeled Sm-C/IGF-I after cycloheximide exposure, whereas in cultures not exposed to cycloheximide [125I]Sm-C/IGF-I binding was increased by 11%. Coincubation of fibroblast conditioned media containing the 35 K protein with cycloheximide-treated fibroblast monolayers resulted in restoration of the paradoxical increase in Sm-C/IGF-I binding and loss of sensitivity to competition by unlabeled Sm-C/IGF-I. Exposure of suspended fibroblasts, which do not have 35 K on their cell surface, to media conditioned by fibroblast monolayers also induced both of these changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular heterogeneity of creatine kinase isoenzymes

The [32P]phosphoamino acids in proteins of first trimester and term-cultured human placentas have been separated and their relative amounts were measured. A significant phosphorylation of tyrosine residues could be detected in the cultured placental tissue at different stages of gestation. The phosphotyrosine accounts for 2-4% of the total acid-stable phosphate in the phosphoamino acids after partial acid hydrolysis. The difference in the extent of [32P]tyrosine in various placentas seems to be a function of biological variation of the individual placentas, rather than a function of placental age and stage of gestation. In contrast, a significant difference in the phosphorylation ratio of serine and threonine could be measured between first trimester and term placentas. As more evidence is accumulating that protein phosphorylation of tyrosine is involved in the processes of cellular growth and proliferation, our findings of the relatively high tyrosine phosphorylation in human placenta strongly suggest that this type of protein phosphorylation may play an important role in the placental growth and development. Furthermore, these findings may correlate with the existence of the endogenous RNA virus-like particles found in normal human placenta.     

Inhibition of phytoalexin biosynthesis in elicitor-treated tobacco cell-suspension cultures by calcium/calmodulin antagonists

A role for calcium/calcium-binding proteins in a mechanism of signaling elicitor-inducible phytoalexin biosynthesis was investigated. Two classes of calcium/calmodulin antagonists, phenothiazines and naphthalenesulfonamides, inhibited sesquiterpene phytoalexin accumulation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell-suspension cultures when added 1 h before elicitor. The antagonists also inhibited the induction of sesquiterpene cyclase enzyme activity, a key regulatory enzyme for sesquiterpene biosynthesis. The antagonists suppressed the induction of sesquiterpene cyclase only if added before or simultaneously with elicitor. Additionally, the antagonists inhibited (a) accumulation of the cyclase protein as measured in immunoblots; (b) the in vivo synthesis rate of the cyclase protein, measured as the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into immunoprecipitable cyclase protein; and (c) the cyclase mRNA translational activity, measured as the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into immunoprecipitable cyclase protein synthesized by in vitro translation of RNA isolated from antagonist-treated, elicitor-induced cells. In contrast, elicitor-inducible phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme activity, the level of the enzyme protein, the in vivo synthesis rate, and the mRNA translational activity were not affected by any of the antagonist treatments. Uptake and incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into total cellular proteins and total in vitro translation products were also not indiscriminately altered by the antagonist treatments. The current results suggest that calcium and/or calmodulin-like proteins may be elements of a signal transduction pathway mediating elicitor-induced accumulation of phytoalexins in tobacco.     

Transcriptional products of the human placental lactogen gene

Poly(A+)RNA from human term placenta was translated in a mouse-derived cell-free system. A major band corresponding to preplacental lactogen (pre-hPL) and a minor band co-migrating with mature hPL represent approximately 15% of the total radioactively labeled proteins. Analysis of the poly(A+)RNA by agarose gel electrophoresis showed a prominent band at approximately 860 nucleotides. A corresponding band was observed in Northern blots of total RNA, hybridized with 32P-labeled recombinant plasmid containing a portion of hPL cDNA. Similar analyses of nuclear RNA showed at least four additional bands at 990, 1200, 1460, and 1760 nucleotides, respectively, which are likely precursors of hPL mRNA. Poly(A+)RNA was also used to construct a cDNA library. Approximately 5% of the clones were found to hybridize to hPL DNA sequences, indicating that hPL mRNA is indeed very abundant in term placental tissue. One recombinant plasmid containing an insert of approximately 815 base pairs was isolated and characterized by restriction enzyme mapping and electron microscopy. Heteroduplexes constructed between the cDNA and the DNA isolated from an hPL genomic clone revealed four small intervening sequences which can account for the lengths observed for the hnRNA molecules.     

Identification of class I MHC mRNA in human first trimester trophoblast cells by in situ hybridization

Special gestation-related regulatory mechanisms for the expression of class I Ag by trophoblast cells directly exposed to maternal blood and tissues may be required for semiallogeneic pregnancy to be successful. Analysis of class I MHC mRNA by in situ hybridization and class I MHC Ag by immunohistology has revealed two phenotypically distinct subpopulations of trophoblast cells in term placentas and extraplacental membranes. Trophoblast cells external to the placenta are mRNA +/Ag+. They contain class I mRNA and express class I Ag that differ serologically from HLA-A,B,C. In contrast, trophoblast cells forming the syncytial layer of placental villi are mRNA-/Ag-. By immunohistology, trophoblast cells in 1st trimester placental tissues are similar to those in term tissues. In our study, in situ hybridization was used to determine if patterns of trophoblast cell class I mRNA were the same or different. Trophoblast cells external to the placental villi in 1st trimester tissues contained class I mRNA as would be predicted from the results with term tissues. Unexpectedly, class I mRNA was found in villous trophoblast cells. Thus, these studies identified an mRNA+/Ag- trophoblast cell subpopulation. The results suggest that tissue-specific mechanisms may interfere with translation of class I mRNA in 1st trimester villous trophoblast cells and/or that the protein products of the mRNA are not identified by available mAb.     

Dexamethasone inhibition of cyclooxygenase expression in bovine term placenta.

Since both prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha and corticosteroids are elevated in mammals before the onset of parturition, we studied the effect of the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone on PGF2 alpha accumulation and cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin synthase, PGS) expression in the bovine fetal placenta. Cultures were prepared from cotyledons at different stages of gestation. The effect of dexamethasone on PGF2 alpha accumulation and PGS expression was determined by radioimmunoassay and [35S]methionine metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation with specific anti-cyclooxygenase antibodies, respectively. Data demonstrate that in fetal placental cells at term, both PGF2 alpha accumulation and cyclooxygenase expression are significantly inhibited after 18 hours of dexamethasone treatment (150 nM). In contrast, neither first nor second trimester cells were sensitive to dexamethasone treatment. Dexamethasone inhibition of PGF2 alpha synthesis in fetal cells at term was abolished in the presence of RNA or protein synthesis inhibitors (actinomycin D or puromycin, 10 micrograms/ml each). Neither progesterone nor 17 beta-estradiol accumulation were affected by dexamethasone treatment at any stage of gestation. Data suggest that corticosteroids play a role in parturition through PGF2 alpha synthesis regulation by fetal placental cells. Since abnormalities during parturition e.g. retained placenta, are common following dexamethasone induction of labor in cows, we postulate that the local inhibition of PGF2 alpha accumulation by cotyledon cells after corticosteroid administration, may be involved in placental retention.     

Gestational and hormonal regulation of human placental lipoprotein lipase

The fetal demand for FFA increases as gestation proceeds, and LPL represents one potential mechanism for increasing placental lipid transport. We examined LPL activity and protein expression in first trimester and term human placenta. The LPL activity was 3-fold higher in term (n = 7; P < 0.05) compared with first trimester (n = 6) placentas. The LPL expression appeared lower in microvillous membrane from first trimester (n = 2) compared with term (n = 2) placentas. We incubated isolated placental villous fragments with a variety of effectors [GW 1929, estradiol, insulin, cortisol, epinephrine, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha] for 1, 3, and 24 h to investigate potential regulatory mechanisms. Decreased LPL activity was observed after 24 h of incubation with estradiol (1 micro g/ml), insulin, cortisol, and IGF-1 (n = 12; P < 0.05). We observed an increase in LPL activity after 3 h of incubation with estradiol (20 ng/ml) or hyperglycemic medium plus insulin (n = 7; P < 0.05). To conclude, we suggest that the gestational increase in placental LPL activity represents an important mechanism to enhance placental FFA transport in late pregnancy. Hormonal regulation of placental LPL activity by insulin, cortisol, IGF-1, and estradiol may be involved in gestational changes and in alterations in LPL activity in pregnancies complicated by altered fetal growth.     

Hemeoxygenase expression in human placenta and placental bed implies a role in regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental function.

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of hemeoxygenases HO-1 and HO-2, which are responsible for the production of carbon monoxide (CO), in the human placenta and placental bed and to determine the role of inhibitors of HO on placental perfusion pressure. We hypothesized that HO is expressed within the placenta and that invading cytotrophoblast cells (CTB) express HO isoforms. The expression of HO-1 and HO-2 was studied on placenta and placental bed biopsies, obtained using a transcervical sampling technique, from normal human pregnancies between 8 and 19 wk gestation and at term. In the placenta, HO-2 immunostaining was prominent in syncytiotrophoblast in the first trimester and reduced toward term (P<0.0005). HO-2 endothelial immunostaining was weak in the first trimester, but increased by term (P<0.0005). Within the placental bed, HO-2 was expressed by CTB in cell columns, the cytotrophoblast shell, and cell islands. Both intravascular CTB and interstitial CTB expressed HO-2. HO-1 immunostaining was low in the placenta but intense on the CTB within the placental bed. A striking feature was the absence of HO-1 from the proximal layers of cell columns, with strong expression on the more distal CTB layers of the cell columns. In placental perfusion studies, a significant dose-dependent increase in perfusion pressure was observed in the presence of zinc protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO. These results suggest a role for CO in placental function, trophoblast invasion, and spiral artery transformation. Hemeoxygenase expression in human placenta and placental bed implies a role in regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental function.     

Phosphorylation of tyrosine in cultured human placenta

The [³²P]phosphoamino acids in proteins of first-trimester and term-cultured human placentas have been separated and their relative amounts have been measured. Significant phosphorylation of tyrosine residues could be detected in the cultured placental tissue at different stages of gestation. The phosphotyrosine accounts for 2–4% of the total acid-stable phosphate in the phosphoamino acids after partial acid hydrolysis. The difference in the extent of [³²P]tyrosine in various placentas seems to be a function of biological variation of the individual placentas, rather than a function of placental age and stage of gestation. In contrast, a significant difference in the phosphorylation ratio of serine and threonine could be measured between first-trimester and term placentas. As more evidence is accumulating that protein phosphorylation of tyrosine is involved in the processes of cellular growth and proliferation, our findings of the relatively high tyrosine phosphorylation in human placenta strongly suggest that this type of protein phosphorylation may play an important role in the placental growth and development. Furthermore, these findings may correlate with the existence of the endogenous RNA virus-like particles found in normal human placenta.     

Biogenesis of the cytochrome bc1 complex in isolated rat hepatocytes

Isolated rat hepatocytes were labeled with [³⁵S]methionine in the absence or presence of cycloheximide or chloramphenicol. The cytochrome $\text{bc}$₁ complex was isolated from labeled cells by a micromethod and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. All subunits except the two smallest, subunits VII and VIII, were labeled in the absence of translational inhibitors. In the presence of cycloheximide only subunit III (molecular weight, 30 000) was labeled. This polypeptide, identified as an apo-cytochrome b, was weakly labeled with [³⁵S]methionine in the presence of cycloheximide, indicating a strict dependence of cytoplasmically synthesized products for its assembly. In the presence of chloramphenicol, labeling was inhibited only in subunit III.