help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Jansson, N.
Right arrow Articles by Jansson, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Jansson, N.
Right arrow Articles by Jansson, T.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 88, No. 3 1205-1211
Copyright © 2003 by The Endocrine Society

Leptin Stimulates the Activity of the System A Amino Acid Transporter in Human Placental Villous Fragments

N. Jansson, S. L. Greenwood, B. R. Johansson, T. L. Powell and T. Jansson

Perinatal Center, Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology (N.J., T.L.P., T.J.) and Anatomy and Cell Biology (B.R.J.), Göteborg University, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; and Academic Unit of Child Health (S.L.G.), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 0JH, United Kingdom

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Nina Jansson, Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, P.O. Box 432, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. E-mail: nina.jansson{at}fysiologi.gu.se.

The activity and expression of placental nutrient transporters are primary determinants for the supply of nutrients to the fetus, and these nutrients in turn regulate fetal growth. We developed an experimental system to assess amino acid uptake in single primary villous fragments to study hormonal regulation of the amino acid transporter system A in term human placenta. Validation of the method, using electron microscopy and studies of hormone production, indicated that fragments maintained ultrastructural and functional integrity for at least 3 h. The activity of system A was measured as the Na+-dependent uptake of methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB), and the effect of 1 h incubation in various hormones was investigated. Uptake of MeAIB into villous fragments in the presence of Na+ was linear up to at least 30 min. Insulin (300 ng/ml, n = 14) increased system A activity by 56% (P < 0.05). This effect was also present at insulin concentrations in the physiological range (+47% at 0.6 ng/ml, n = 10, P < 0.05). Leptin (500 ng/ml, n = 14) increased Na+-dependent MeAIB uptake by 37% (P < 0.05). System A activity increased in a concentration-dependent fashion in response to leptin (n = 10). However, neither epidermal GF (600 ng/ml), cortisol (340 ng/ml), nor GH (500 ng/ml) altered system A activity significantly (n = 14). We conclude that primary single isolated villous fragments can be used in studies of hormonal regulation of nutrient uptake into the syncytiotrophoblast. These data suggest that leptin regulates system A, a key amino acid transporter.

This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (Grant 10838), the Swedish Diabetes Association, the Torsten and Ragnar Söderbergs Foundation, the Åke Wiberg Foundation, The Magnus Bergvall Foundation, Frimurare-Barnhus-direktionen, the Åhlens Foundation, and the Willhelm and Martina Lundgrens Foundation.

Abbreviations: BM, Basal membrane; EGF, epidermal growth factor; hPL, human placental lactogen; IUGR, intrauterine growth restriction; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MeAIB, methylaminoisobutyric acid; MVM, microvillous membrane; SEM, scanning-electron microscopy; TEM, transmission-electron microscopy.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
A. Perez-Perez, J. Maymo, Y. Gambino, J. L. Duenas, R. Goberna, C. Varone, and V. Sanchez-Margalet
Leptin Stimulates Protein Synthesis-Activating Translation Machinery in Human Trophoblastic Cells
Biol Reprod, November 1, 2009; 81(5): 826 - 832.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
S. M. Nelson, P. M. Coan, G. J. Burton, and R. S. Lindsay
Placental Structure in Type 1 Diabetes: Relation to Fetal Insulin, Leptin, and IGF-I
Diabetes, November 1, 2009; 58(11): 2634 - 2641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
A. L. Fowden, A. N. Sferruzzi-Perri, P. M. Coan, M. Constancia, and G. J. Burton
Placental efficiency and adaptation: endocrine regulation
J. Physiol., July 15, 2009; 587(14): 3459 - 3472.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Exp PhysiolHome page
A. L. Fowden and A. J. Forhead
Hormones as epigenetic signals in developmental programming
Exp Physiol, June 1, 2009; 94(6): 607 - 625.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
A. J. Forhead and A. L. Fowden
The hungry fetus? Role of leptin as a nutritional signal before birth
J. Physiol., March 15, 2009; 587(6): 1145 - 1152.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
C. S. Wyrwoll, J. R. Seckl, and M. C. Holmes
Altered Placental Function of 11{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 2 Knockout Mice
Endocrinology, March 1, 2009; 150(3): 1287 - 1293.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
H. N. Jones, L. A. Woollett, N. Barbour, P. D. Prasad, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
High-fat diet before and during pregnancy causes marked up-regulation of placental nutrient transport and fetal overgrowth in C57/BL6 mice
FASEB J, January 1, 2009; 23(1): 271 - 278.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
M. Desforges, K. J. Mynett, R. L. Jones, S. L. Greenwood, M. Westwood, C. P. Sibley, and J. D. Glazier
The SNAT4 isoform of the system A amino acid transporter is functional in human placental microvillous plasma membrane
J. Physiol., January 1, 2009; 587(1): 61 - 72.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
S. Roos, Y. Kanai, P. D. Prasad, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Regulation of placental amino acid transporter activity by mammalian target of rapamycin
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, January 1, 2009; 296(1): C142 - C150.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
S. Roos, O. Lagerlof, M. Wennergren, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Regulation of amino acid transporters by glucose and growth factors in cultured primary human trophoblast cells is mediated by mTOR signaling
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, January 1, 2009; 297(3): C723 - C731.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
A. J. Forhead, C. A. Lamb, K. L. Franko, D. M. O'Connor, F. B. P. Wooding, R. L. Cripps, S. Ozanne, D. Blache, Q. W. Shen, M. Du, et al.
Role of leptin in the regulation of growth and carbohydrate metabolism in the ovine fetus during late gestation
J. Physiol., May 1, 2008; 586(9): 2393 - 2403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Reproductive SciencesHome page
M. Snook Parrott, F. von Versen-Hoeynck, R. B. Ness, N. Markovic, and J. M. Roberts
System A Amino Acid Transporter Activity in Term Placenta Is Substrate Specific and Inversely Related to Amino Acid Concentration
Reproductive Sciences, October 1, 2007; 14(7): 687 - 693.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
S. Roos, N. Jansson, I. Palmberg, K. Saljo, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Mammalian target of rapamycin in the human placenta regulates leucine transport and is down-regulated in restricted fetal growth
J. Physiol., July 1, 2007; 582(1): 449 - 459.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Lipid Res.Home page
A. L. Magnusson-Olsson, B. Hamark, A. Ericsson, M. Wennergren, T. Jansson, and T. L. Powell
Gestational and hormonal regulation of human placental lipoprotein lipase
J. Lipid Res., November 1, 2006; 47(11): 2551 - 2561.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
N. Jansson, J. Pettersson, A. Haafiz, A. Ericsson, I. Palmberg, M. Tranberg, V. Ganapathy, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Down-regulation of placental transport of amino acids precedes the development of intrauterine growth restriction in rats fed a low protein diet
J. Physiol., November 1, 2006; 576(3): 935 - 946.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
E. Shibata, R. W. Powers, A. Rajakumar, F. von Versen-Hoynck, M. J. Gallaher, D. L. Lykins, J. M. Roberts, and C. A. Hubel
Angiotensin II decreases system A amino acid transporter activity in human placental villous fragments through AT1 receptor activation
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2006; 291(5): E1009 - E1016.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol Hum ReprodHome page
H. Laivuori, M.J. Gallaher, L. Collura, W.R. Crombleholme, N. Markovic, A. Rajakumar, C.A. Hubel, J.M. Roberts, and R.W. Powers
Relationships between maternal plasma leptin, placental leptin mRNA and protein in normal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction without pre-eclampsia
Mol. Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2006; 12(9): 551 - 556.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
H. N. Jones, C. J. Ashworth, K. R. Page, and H. J. McArdle
Cortisol stimulates system A amino acid transport and SNAT2 expression in a human placental cell line (BeWo)
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, September 1, 2006; 291(3): E596 - E603.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
L. Myatt
Placental adaptive responses and fetal programming
J. Physiol., April 1, 2006; 572(1): 25 - 30.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
M. Desforges, H. A. Lacey, J. D. Glazier, S. L. Greenwood, K. J. Mynett, P. F. Speake, and C. P. Sibley
SNAT4 isoform of system A amino acid transporter is expressed in human placenta
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, January 1, 2006; 290(1): C305 - C312.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
A. Ericsson, B. Hamark, N. Jansson, B. R. Johansson, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Hormonal regulation of glucose and system A amino acid transport in first trimester placental villous fragments
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2005; 288(3): R656 - R662.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
A. Ericsson, B. Hamark, T.L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Glucose transporter isoform 4 is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast of first trimester human placenta
Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2005; 20(2): 521 - 530.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
E. E. Champion, S. J. Mann, J. D. Glazier, C. J. P. Jones, J. M. Rawlings, C. P. Sibley, and S. L. Greenwood
System {beta} and System A amino acid transporters in the feline endotheliochorial placenta
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, December 1, 2004; 287(6): R1369 - R1379.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
S. Roos, T. L. Powell, and T. Jansson
Human placental taurine transporter in uncomplicated and IUGR pregnancies: cellular localization, protein expression, and regulation
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 2004; 287(4): R886 - R893.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 2003 by The Endocrine Society