While dysferlin and myoferlin are coexpressed in the human placenta, only dysferlin expression is responsive to trophoblast fusion in model systems.
The syncytiotrophoblast is a specialized epithelium derived from mononuclear cytotrophoblasts that fuse to form this extensive syncytium. Dysferlin is expressed primarily in the apical plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast in the human placenta. Here, we document the presence of another member of the ferlin family, myoferlin, in the placenta and show that it too is expressed primarily in the syncytiotrophoblast. Additionally, we examined the trophoblastic cell lines BeWo, JAR, and JEG-3 for the expression of dysferlin and myoferlin and determined the extent to which their expression was modulated by cell-cell fusion. In trophoblastic cells, there was a positive correlation between cell fusion and increased dysferlin expression but not myoferlin expression. Regarding expression, these trophoblastic cell lines recapitulate the distribution of dysferlin in mononuclear cytotrophoblasts and the syncytiotrophoblast in vivo.
Robinson
John M
JM
Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. robinson.21@osu.edu
Ackerman
William E
WE
Behrendt
Nicholas J
NJ
Vandre
Dale D
DD
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000073939:Dysferlin; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C114839:DYSF protein, human; D000073939:Dysferlin; C415584:MYOF protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D005576:Colforsin