title: Homeobox genes and down-stream transcription factor PPARγ in normal and pathological human placental development.
abstract: The placenta provides critical transport functions between the maternal and fetal circulations during intrauterine development. Formation of this interface is controlled by nuclear transcription factors including homeobox genes. Here we summarize current knowledge regarding the expression and function of homeobox genes in the placenta. We also describe the identification of target transcription factors including PPARγ, biological pathways regulated by homeobox genes and their role in placental development. The role of the nuclear receptor PPARγ, ligands and target genes in human placental development is also discussed. A better understanding of these pathways will improve our knowledge of placental cell biology and has the potential to reveal new molecular targets for the early detection and diagnosis of pregnancy complications including human fetal growth restriction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murthi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kalionis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cocquebert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajaraman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evain-Brion
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fournier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050761:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology*; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D010929:Placentation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000502:physiology; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C493964:CDKN1C protein, human; D050761:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57; C088334:Distal-less homeobox proteins; C084058:HLX protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D047495:PPAR gamma; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D014157:Transcription Factors