title: Multiple functions of syncytiotrophoblast mitochondria.
abstract: The human placenta plays a central role in pregnancy, and the syncytiotrophoblast cells are the main components of the placenta that support the relationship between the mother and fetus, in apart through the production of progesterone. In this review, the metabolic processes performed by syncytiotrophoblast mitochondria associated with placental steroidogenesis are described. The metabolism of cholesterol, specifically how this steroid hormone precursor reaches the mitochondria, and its transformation into progesterone are reviewed. The role of nucleotides in steroidogenesis, as well as the mechanisms associated with signal transduction through protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins is discussed. Finally, topics that require further research are identified, including the need for new techniques to study the syncytiotrophoblast in situ using non-invasive methods.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-159, Coyoacan 04510, México, D.F., Mexico. Electronic address: fedem@bq.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-159, Coyoacan 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olvera-Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-159, Coyoacan 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esparza-Perusquia
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-159, Coyoacan 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomez-Chang
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 70-159, Coyoacan 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Flores-Herrera
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cholesterol transport; MLN64; Mitochondrial kinases; Mitochondrial structure; Protein phosphorylation; Syncytiotrophoblast mitochondria