Krüppel-like factor 6 expression increases throughout trophoblast syncytialization and transactivates beta-hCG and PSG placental genes

RACCA ANA; CAMOLOTTO SOLEDAD; RIDANO, MAGALÍ; BOCCO JOSÉ LUIS; GENTI DE RAIMONDI SUSANA; PANZETTA-DUTARI GRACIELA

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

Año: 2011 vol. 6 p. 22438 - 22438

ackground: Kruppel-like factor-6 (KLF6) is a widely expressed member of the Sp1/KLF family of transcriptional regulators involved in differentiation, cell cycle control and proliferation in several cell systems. Even though the highest expression level of KLF6 has been detected in human and mice placenta, its function in trophoblast physiology is still unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: Herein, we explored KLF6 expression and sub-cellular distribution in human trophoblast cells differentiating into the syncytial pathway, and its role in the regulation of genes associated with placental development and pregnancy maintenance. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that KLF6 is expressed throughout human cytotrophoblast differentiation showing no evident modifications in its nuclear and cytoplasmic localization pattern. KLF6 transcript and protein peaked early during the syncytialization process as determined by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Overexpression o