title: PZP and PAI-2: Structurally-diverse, functionally similar pregnancy proteins?
abstract: Pregnancy zone protein (PZP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) are two multifunctional proteins that are elevated in normal pregnancy and numerous other inflammatory states. Both proteins were originally identified as protease inhibitors, but current evidence supports the notion that they may also function as modulators of T-helper cells and/or extracellular chaperones. Exacerbated inflammation, fibrinolytic disturbances and misfolded proteins are all implicated in the pathology of preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. Notably, reduced levels of PZP or PAI-2 are associated with preeclampsia and clarification of their diverse functions in normal pregnancy could provide much needed insight regarding the pathogenesis of this disorder. Given that inflammation and protein misfolding underlie the pathology of a very large number of disorders, the contributions of PZP and PAI-2 to extracellular proteostasis and immunoregulation could be broad-reaching.
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Jordan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cater
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia. Electronic address: mranson@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins
keywords: Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2/SERPINB2; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy zone protein; Protein misfolding