title: Dynamic p53 protein expression and phosphorylation in the kidneys of rats that experienced intrauterine growth restriction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the mechanisms involved in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
  
  
  METHODS
  The IUGR model was established by feeding pregnant SD rats a low-protein diet. Protein expression and phosphorylation were detected using Western blot and/or immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The MDM2 mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pups from the IUGR group had significantly lower body (7th day, 2 months) and kidney weights (1st day, 7th day, 2 months) compared to pups from the control group (p < 0.01). The glomeruli number in IUGR pups was significantly less than that in the control pups at 2 and 3 months after birth (p < 0.01). p53 protein level and p53 phosphorylation at Ser(15) were time-dependently decreased in the kidney at 1st day, 7th day, 21st day, 2 months and 3 months, but their levels in the kidney of the IUGR pups was significantly higher than that in control pups at each time point (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, or p < 0.001). Significantly more positive p21 staining was observed in IUGR pups than in control pups at each time point. Real-time PCR of MDM2 mRNA expression showed no significant difference between IUGR and control pups (p > 0.05). Significant apoptosis was observed in the kidneys of IUGR pups compared to control pups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malnutrition-induced IUGR may be associated with the activation of p53-p21 signaling in the kidney.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neonatology, Second Xiangya Hospital , Central South University , Changsha , Hunan , PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaori
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Zongde
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Qingyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Pingyang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011247:Pregnancy; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C497208:Mdm2 protein, rat; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
keywords: Glomerular number; intrauterine growth restriction; kidney; p53; phosphorylation