The Xenobiotic Transporter ABCG2 Plays a Novel Role in Differentiation of Trophoblast-like BeWo Cells

D.A. Evseenko, J.W. Paxton, Jeffrey Keelan

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    39 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Trophoblast cells undergo loss of plasma membrane lipid asymmetry during cell fusion without further progression to terminal phases of apoptosis. The nature of the anti-apoptotic mechanisms providing cell survival during this process is unknown. Using a BeWo cell model, we explored the role of the xenobiotic/lipid transporter ABCG2 in promoting cell survival during forskolin-induced differentiation. Suppression of ABCG2 expression by siRNA led to a marked increase in phosphatidylserine externalisation followed by accumulation of ceramides and increased apoptosis. Expression of markers of syncytial formation (beta-hCG and HERV-W) was decreased by ABCG2 silencing, although fusion was unaffected. These findings suggest that ABCG2 protects cells during the period of transient membrane instability associated with cell differentiation and fusion, highlighting a novel, previously unrecognised role of ABCG2 as a survival factor during the formation of the placental syncytium. (c) 2007 Published by IFPA and Elsevier Ltd.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)S116-S120
    JournalPlacenta
    Volume21
    Issue numberSupplement A
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The Xenobiotic Transporter ABCG2 Plays a Novel Role in Differentiation of Trophoblast-like BeWo Cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this