Temporal Expression of Genes Involved in Folate Metabolism and Transport During Placental Development

Folate is an essential micronutrient during pregnancy and placental development. However, the expression of genes related to folate transport and metabolism during the advancing gestation and pregnancy complications is not well known. Considering this, we evaluated the expression of folate transporters and enzymes involved in folate metabolism in placenta in different trimesters of normal pregnancy and pregnancy related disorders viz., preeclampsia and NTD. The expression of folate transporters and enzymes involved in folate metabolism in placenta of different trimesters of normal pregnancy and pregnancy related disorders were studied by 2-step RT-PCR. Folate levels were estimated by microbiological assay using L. casei. Significant changes in levels of placental folate-metabolising enzymes were found in both physiological and pathological groups of pregnant women. In NTDs, there is an adaptive up-regulation of folate transporters mainly RFC and FR[alpha]. MTHFR expression has strong positive correlation with folate levels in placenta. Overall, folate plays an important role in development of placenta during normal healthy pregnancy. Deficiency of folate or alteration in expression of enzymes involved in folate metabolism might result in changes in folate levels in placenta and might be associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and NTDs.