title: StarD7 knockdown modulates ABCG2 expression, cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of human choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  StAR-related lipid transfer domain containing 7 (StarD7) is a member of the START-domain protein family whose function still remains unclear. Our data from an explorative microarray assay performed with mRNAs from StarD7 siRNA-transfected JEG-3 cells indicated that ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2) was one of the most abundantly downregulated mRNAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here, we have confirmed that knocking down StarD7 mRNA lead to a decrease in the xenobiotic/lipid transporter ABCG2 at both the mRNA and protein levels (-26.4% and -41%, p<0.05, at 48 h of culture, respectively). Also a concomitant reduction in phospholipid synthesis, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake and (3)H-thymidine incorporation was detected. Wound healing and transwell assays revealed that JEG-3 cell migration was significantly diminished (p<0.05). Conversely, biochemical differentiation markers such as human chorionic gonadotrophin β-subunit (βhCG) protein synthesis and secretion as well as βhCG and syncytin-1 mRNAs were increased approximately 2-fold. In addition, desmoplakin immunostaining suggested that there was a reduction of intercellular desmosomes between adjacent JEG-3 cells after knocking down StarD7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altogether these findings provide evidence for a role of StarD7 in cell physiology indicating that StarD7 modulates ABCG2 multidrug transporter level, cell migration, proliferation, and biochemical and morphological differentiation marker expression in a human trophoblast cell model.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Jésica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flores-Martín
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rena
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.forename: Graciela M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Panzetta-Dutari
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Genti-Raimondi
mesh_terms: D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020868:Gene Silencing; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C116614:ABCG2 protein, human; D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D015686:Gene Products, env; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C483475:STARD7 protein, human; C405335:syncytin