title: Modulation of wolframin expression in human placenta during pregnancy: comparison among physiological and pathological states.
abstract: The WFS1 gene, encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein of the endoplasmic reticulum called wolframin, is mutated in Wolfram syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder defined by the association of diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and further organ abnormalities. Disruption of the WFS1 gene in mice causes progressive β-cell loss in the pancreas and impaired stimulus-secretion coupling in insulin secretion. However, little is known about the physiological functions of this protein. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of wolframin in human placenta throughout pregnancy in normal women and diabetic pregnant women. In normal placenta, there was a modulation of wolframin throughout pregnancy with a strong level of expression during the first trimester and a moderate level in the third trimester of gestation. In diabetic women, wolframin expression was strongly reduced in the third trimester of gestation. The pattern of expression of wolframin in normal placenta suggests that this protein may be required to sustain normal rates of cytotrophoblast cell proliferation during the first trimester of gestation. The decrease in wolframin expression in diabetic placenta suggests that this protein may participate in maintaining the physiologic glucose homeostasis in this organ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6435-7680
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucariello
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9685-2168
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sellitto
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8693-3842
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iannaccone
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Obstetric and Reproductive Science, Second University of Naples, Via De Crecchio 4, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cobellis
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy ; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Viale medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4617-8360
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Falco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014929:Wolfram Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C114987:wolframin protein