Proteomics analysis of fetal growth restriction and taurine‑treated fetal growth restriction rat brain tissue by 2D�DIGE and MALDI‑TOF/TOF MS analysis

Abstract

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is caused by placental insufficiency and can lead to short and long-term neurodevelopmental delays. Taurine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the brain, is critical for the normal growth and development of the nervous system; however, the mechanistic role of taurine in neural growth and development remains unknown. The present study investigated the role of taurine in FGR. Specifically, we explored the proteomic profiles of fetal rats at 6 h postpartum by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis combined with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (TOF)/TOF tandem mass spectrometry; the findings were verified via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A total of 31 differentially expressed protein spots were selected. Among these, 31 were matched, including dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 and, CRK and peroxiredoxin 2. Functional analysis using the Gene Ontology database and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly associated with neuronal differentiation, 'metabolic process', 'biological regulation' and developmental processes. The present study identified several proteins that were differentially expressed in rats with FGR in the presence or absence of taurine administration. The results of the present study suggest a potential role for taurine in the treatment and prevention of FGR.

Impact of Fetal Growth Restriction on the Neonatal Microglial Proteome in the Rat

“…In addition, an abnormal inflammatory response in the brain has been extensively described in preclinical studies conducted in a model of IUGR [24][25][26][27]56,57], and the exacerbated microglia reactivity was evidenced to be associated with brain hypomyelination and with the development of behavioral alterations [25,26]. Several studies have focused on the brain proteome alterations induced by IUGR [35][36][37][38] and the recent study conducted by Potiris et al highlighted a role of IUGR in the induction of proteins associated with inflammation [38]. We show, for the first time, a specific microglial proteomic signature induced by IUGR early in development.…”

“…Indeed, previous studies on the effects of IUGR have focused only on the total brain proteome or specific brain structures, including the hippocampus and hypothalamus [35][36][37][38]. Although a previous study showed an effect of IUGR on the induction of inflammation-associated proteins in rats exposed to prenatal food restriction [38], none have investigated the direct consequences of IUGR on the microglial proteome early in development.…”

Mitochondrial transformations in the aging human placenta

“…Rats born growth restricted have also been shown to develop features of other age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (139) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (131). Studies have even demonstrated that IUGR leads to changes in the expression of proteins implicated in Parkinson's disease (72,80). Placental insufficiencies in blood flow may also affect the nutrient flux available to the feto-placental unit.…”

Altered behavior, brain structure, and neurometabolites in a rat model of autism-specific maternal autoantibody exposure

“…LDHA and LDHB are clinically relevant protein targets for MAR-ASD aAbs and were used as antigens to develop the MAR-ASD rodent model described herein. Moreover, existing literature suggests that taurine can modify the expression of a range of targets involved in cellular stress including LDH, CRMP-family genes, and chaperone molecules such as STUB1 (STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1) [79][80][81]. Extrapolating upon this, it could be that aAb targeting of LDHA, LDHB, CRMP1, STIP1, or homologs thereof, may affect protein function.…”