title: Calcium fluxes in human trophoblast (BeWo) cells: calcium channels, calcium-ATPase, and sodium-calcium exchanger expression.
abstract: Although placental transfer of maternal calcium (Ca(2+)) is a crucial process for fetal development, the biochemical mechanisms are poorly understood. In the current study, we have investigated the characteristics of Ca(2+) fluxes in relation with cell Ca(2+) homeostasis in the human placental trophoblast cell line BeWo. Time-courses of Ca(2+) uptake by BeWo cells displayed rapid initial entry (initial velocity (V(i)) of 3.42 +/- 0.35 nmol/mg protein/min) and subsequent establishment of a plateau. Ca(2+) efflux studies with (45)Ca(2+)-loaded cells also showed rapid declined of cell-associated (45)Ca(2+) with a V(i) of efflux (Ve(i)) of 3.30 +/- 0.08 nmol/mg protein/min. Further identification of membrane gates for Ca(2+) entry in BeWo cells was carried out. Expression of Ca(2+) transporter/channel CaT1 and L-type alpha(1S) subunit was showed by RT-PCR. However, mRNA for CaT2 channel and L-type alpha(1C) and alpha(1D) subunits were not revealed. Membrane systems responsible for intracellular Ca(2+) extrusion from BeWo cells were also investigated. Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPases (PMCA) and Na/Ca exchangers (NCX) were detected by Western blot in BeWo cells. Expression of specific isoforms of PMCA and NCX was further investigated by RT-PCR. Messenger RNAs of four isoforms of PMCA (PMCA 1-4) were detected. The presence of messenger RNAs of two NCX isoforms (NCX1 and NCX3) was observed. Ca(2+) flux studies in Na-free incubation medium indicated that NCX played a minimal role in the cell Ca(2+) fluxes. Inorganic ions such as cadmium and manganese did not modify the Ca(2+) fluxes, however, barium increased cell-associated (45)Ca(2+) by, in part, by reducing radiolabel exit.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physiologie materno-foetale, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simoneau
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lafond
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D007477:Ions; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D002118:Calcium