title: Tissue transglutaminase expression and activity in placenta.
abstract: Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) expression, distribution and activity were examined in human placenta and derived cells. Immunochemical techniques and RT-PCR were used to demonstrate tTG protein and mRNA in stromal cells and trophoblast in first trimester and at term, with higher levels later in pregnancy. Decidual cells also produce tTG. The data were confirmed using primary cultures of trophoblast, fibroblasts and decidual stromal cells. Substrate incorporation studies indicated tTG activity in association with fibroblast extracellular matrix and the syncytial microvillous membrane (MVM), where several target polypeptides could be observed. tTG is a major autoantigen in Coeliac disease (CoD) which is associated with poor pregnancy outcome. tTG at the placental MVM is a plausible target of maternal autoantibody action.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal and Fetal Research Centre, University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Jocelyn D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Glazier
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Philip N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Aplin
mesh_terms: D019921:Biotinylation; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000201:enzymology; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000201:enzymology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins