Journal
PLACENTA
Volume 28, Issue -, Pages S116-S120Publisher
W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2006.12.003
Keywords
ABCG2; trophoblast; differentiation; apoptosis; ceramides; BeWo
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Trophoblast cells undergo loss of plasma membrane lipid asymmetry during cell fusion without further progression to terminal phases of apoptosis. The nature of the anti-apoptotic mechanisms providing cell survival during this process is unknown. Using a BeWo cell model, we explored the role of the xenobiotic/lipid transporter ABCG2 in promoting cell survival during forskolin-induced differentiation. Suppression of ABCG2 expression by siRNA led to a marked increase in phosphatidylserine externalisation followed by accumulation of ceramides and increased apoptosis. Expression of markers of syncytial formation (beta-hCG and HERV-W) was decreased by ABCG2 silencing, although fusion was unaffected. These findings suggest that ABCG2 protects cells during the period of transient membrane instability associated with cell differentiation and fusion, highlighting a novel, previously unrecognised role of ABCG2 as a survival factor during the formation of the placental syncytium. (c) 2007 Published by IFPA and Elsevier Ltd.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available