Characterization Of Glutamine Synthetase Transcript, Protein, And Enzyme Activity In The Human Placenta

    Authors

    V. DeMarco; M. D. McCain; D. Stauss; R. Chakrabarti;J. Neu

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Placenta

    Keywords

    AMINO-ACIDS; METABOLISM; ENDOTOXIN; MUSCLE; Developmental Biology; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Reproductive Biology

    Abstract

    This study characterizes the molecular mechanisms necessary for glutamine synthesis in the human placenta. RNA hybridization and protein immunoblotting were used to verify the presence of glutamine synthetase (GS) transcripts and protein, respectively. Additionally, the presence of GS was determined by immunohistochemistry. RNA hybridization demonstrated the presence of 1.8- and 2.8-kB transcripts and protein immununoblotting yielded a single 49-kDa band, characteristic of GS transcripts and protein, respectively. The mean (+/- s.d.) specific activity of placental GS, expressed as mu mol gamma-glutamyl hydroxamic acid/mg protein/h was 1.80 +/- 0.59, which is comparable to other organs which are net glutamine producers. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated the presence of GS within the cytotrophoblast and mesenchyme layers of placental villi, but not in the syncytiotrophoblast. Although these results suggest that the human placenta is capable of synthesizing glutamine, the fate of glutamine produced by this organ remains speculative. (C) 1997 W. B. Saunders Company Ltd.

    Journal Title

    Placenta

    Volume

    18

    Issue/Number

    7

    Publication Date

    1-1-1997

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    541

    Last Page

    545

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1997XT99900009

    ISSN

    0143-4004

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