Open AccessDevelopmental Expression of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and its Receptor in the Human Placenta
Author(s) -
Robert N. Taylor,
Lewis T. Williams
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
molecular endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1944-9917
pISSN - 0888-8809
DOI - 10.1210/mend-2-7-627
Subject(s) - biology , human placenta , placenta , microbiology and biotechnology , expression (computer science) , growth factor receptor , receptor , growth factor , andrology , cancer research , genetics , signal transduction , pregnancy , fetus , medicine , computer science , programming language
To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) during human placental development, expression of the genes encoding PDGF, the PDGF-receptor (PDGF-R) and the c-fos protooncogene was measured. Messenger RNAs for these genes were detected throughout pregnancy and peaked coordinately during the second trimester. An identical pattern of PDGF-R protein expression was confirmed by immunoblotting using a specific PDGF-R antiserum, measurement of PDGF-R kinase activity, and [125I]PDGF binding. These findings show that the components of the PDGF pathway are expressed in a concerted fashion throughout human pregnancy and are present at especially high levels during the midtrimester. Our observations suggest that through autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms, PDGF is likely to play an important role in placental homeostasis.