title: Effects of moderate global maternal nutrient reduction on fetal baboon renal mitochondrial gene expression at 0.9 gestation.
abstract: Early life malnutrition results in structural alterations in the kidney, predisposing offspring to later life renal dysfunction. Kidneys of adults who were growth restricted at birth have substantial variations in nephron endowment. Animal models have indicated renal structural and functional consequences in offspring exposed to suboptimal intrauterine nutrition. Mitochondrial bioenergetics play a key role in renal energy metabolism, growth, and function. We hypothesized that moderate maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) would adversely impact fetal renal mitochondrial expression in a well-established nonhuman primate model that produces intrauterine growth reduction at term. Female baboons were fed normal chow diet or 70% of control diet (MNR). Fetal kidneys were harvested at cesarean section at 0.9 gestation (165 days gestation). Human Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism and Human Mitochondria Pathway PCR Arrays were used to analyze mitochondrially relevant mRNA expression. In situ protein content was detected by immunohistochemistry. Despite the smaller overall size, the fetal kidney weight-to-body weight ratio was not affected. We demonstrated fetal sex-specific differential mRNA expression encoding mitochondrial metabolite transport and dynamics proteins. MNR-related differential gene expression was more evident in female fetuses, with 16 transcripts significantly altered, including 14 downregulated and 2 upregulated transcripts. MNR impacted 10 transcripts in male fetuses, with 7 downregulated and 3 upregulated transcripts. The alteration in mRNA levels was accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial protein cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc. In conclusion, transcripts encoding fetal renal mitochondrial energy metabolism proteins are nutrition sensitive in a sex-dependent manner. We speculate that these differences lead to decreased mitochondrial fitness that contributes to renal dysfunction in later life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas; and.
authors.forename: Susana P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; pauloliv@cnc.uc.pt.
authors.forename: Paulo J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal;
authors.forename: Ludgero C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal;
authors.forename: António J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas; and.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Nathanielsz
authors.affiliation: Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas; and.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nijland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D050259:Genes, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005865:Gestational Age; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010215:Papio / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; C029305:mitochondrial messenger RNA
keywords: fetal programming; gene expression; kidney; mitochondria; nonhuman primate