title: Exposure to aflatoxin B1 in late gestation alters protein kinase C and apoptotic protein expression in murine placenta.
abstract: Mycotoxins are chemicals with diverse toxicities that are produced by fungi. Aflatoxin B1 is commonly found in plant food, and is generally regarded as one of the most toxic mycotoxins. In the present study, pregnant ICR mice were given p.o. daily doses of aflatoxin B1 at 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5mg/kg for 4days (from E13.5 to E16.5). Compared to the control group, time of delivery was shortened and low birth weight was induced in mice treated with 0.5 and 5mg aflatoxin B1/kg, respectively. Placental tissue isolated from pregnant mice at E17.5 showed that the mRNA expression of crh was increased in aflatoxin-treated groups. This upregulation might signify premature delivery. Further analysis indicated that Pkc proteins were activated and Bcl-2 was reduced in the placental tissue of the aflatoxin-treated groups. Reduction of the anti-apoptotic proteins, on the other hand, might affect the morphorgenesis and maintenance of the placenta.
authors.affiliation: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China; Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yanfei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong; Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong. Electronic address: laikleung@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Lai K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011493:Protein Kinase C
keywords: Aflatoxin B1; CRH; Pkc; Placental tissue