Abstract
Placentas from gestational diabetes (GDM) suffer from structural and functional changes
including overgrowth. That is why we aimed to study [3H]-leucine incorporation into protein in addition to translation signaling in placenta
from GDM. Thus, we investigated the expression of leptin and leptin receptor (LEPR),
as well as the activation state of signaling proteins regulating protein synthesis,
such as mTOR, S6 Kinase, EIF4E-BP1, EIF4E, and eEF2 by measuring protein phosphorylation
by immunoblot. [3H]-Leucine incorporation into protein also was determined in trophoblastic placenta
explants from GDM and control pregnancy. We found that leptin and LEPR expression
are increased in placentas from GDM and the translation machinery activity as well
as [3H]-leucine incorporation into protein were higher in placentas from GDM compared with
placentas from control pregnancy. In conclusion, protein synthesis rate is increased
in placenta from GDM patients, and this may be due, at least in part, by the activation
of translation signaling. The increased expression of leptin and LEPR may contribute
to these effects. These results may provide a possible mechanism for the previously
observed increase in placenta growth in GDM.
Key words
leptin - LEPR - trophoblastic cells - mTOR - EIF4EBP1 - translation - gestational
diabetes