title: Localization of folate metabolic enzymes, methionine synthase and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in human placenta.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Normal fetal development requires adequate folate levels during pregnancy. Although folate metabolic enzymes have important roles in the maintenance of normal fetal development, the location of folate metabolic enzymes, methionine synthase (MTR) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), has not been previously examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the expression of MTR and MTHFR in human term placenta obtained from normal and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MTR is expressed in the villous syncytiotrophoblast and MTHFR is expressed in the extravillous trophoblast. There was no difference in the quantity and location of these enzymes between control and PIH patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that MTR in the villous trophoblast participates in the metabolism of homocysteine by using folate, and MTHFR in the extravillous trophoblast is associated with extratrophoblast invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Young-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyesook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hee-Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hwa-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D013766:5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase