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Transferrin receptor 1 mRNA is downregulated in placenta of hepcidin transgenic embryos
Author(s) -
Martin Marie Elise,
Nicolas Gaël,
Hetet Gilles,
Vaulont Sophie,
Grandchamp Bernard,
Beaumont Carole
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.08.010
Subject(s) - hepcidin , transferrin receptor , placenta , ferritin , transferrin , downregulation and upregulation , messenger rna , transgene , embryo , ferroportin , receptor , biology , andrology , endocrinology , chemistry , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , fetus , gene , immunology , biochemistry , pregnancy , genetics , inflammation
We have previously shown that hepcidin transgenic embryos are severely anemic and die around birth. Here, we report that embryonic hepcidin transgene expression decreases transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) mRNA level in placenta, as shown by cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative RT‐PCR, by a mechanism which is independent of placenta iron content and iron responsive element/iron regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) activity. On the contrary, iron injections into pregnant mothers result in increased placenta iron and ferritin content, and reduced IRE binding activity of IRP1 leading to decreased TfR1 mRNA level. Taken together, these results suggest that hepcidin action on placenta is mostly through transcriptional downregulation of the iron uptake machinery.