Abstract
Amino acid transport across the human placenta is active, mediated by specific transporters in syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes. Using functional criteria such as substrate specificity and sodium dependence, approximately 15 transport systems have been identified in the human placenta. Recently, the area of molecular biology of amino acid transporters has evolved rapidly and at least 25 cDNA clones coding for mammalian amino acid transporters or transporter subunits have been identified. The primary objective of this review is to integrate the available functional data on placental amino acid transport systems with recent molecular information on mammalian amino acid transporters. Furthermore, models for the mechanisms for net materno-fetal transfer of amino acids are discussed. Finally, the evidence to suggest that alterations in placental amino acid transport systems may play a crucial role in the regulation of fetal growth are presented briefly.
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Abbreviations
- IUGR:
-
intrauterine growth restriction
- MVM:
-
microvillous membrane
- BM:
-
basal membrane
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Reviews of Placental Amino Acid Transport and Metabolism The following two reviews deal with the important topic of the physiology of amino acid metabolism in the maternal-placental-fetal unit. Dr. Jansson discusses the biology of amino acid transporters and Dr. Cetin reviews studies of amino acid transport and metabolism in experimental animals and humans. Recent work on the relation between abnormalities of amino acid transport and intrauterine growth retardation underline the importance of this topic and of these timely reviews.
Supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (10838 and 11834), the Swedish Diabetes Association, Ragnar och Torsten Söderbergs Foundation, Frimurare-Barnhus-direktionen, the Åhlens Foundation, and the Willhelm & Martina Lundgrens Foundation.
Dr. Thomas Jansso, Perinatal Center, Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Box 432, s-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
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Jansson, T. Amino Acid Transporters in the Human Placenta. Pediatr Res 49, 141–147 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200102000-00003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200102000-00003
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