Cited by 222Reproductive System and PregnancyPregnancy and preeclampsia studiesDevelopmental Biology and Gene Regulation

The Evolution, Regulation, and Function of Placenta-Specific Genes

Rawn, Saara M., Cross, James C.·2008·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology

Abstract

A number of placenta-specific genes (e.g., Tpbp, Plac1, Syncytin, and retrotransposon-associated genes such as Peg10, Rtl1, Endothelin B receptor, Insl4, Leptin, Midline1, and Pleiotrophin), enhancer elements (e.g., glycoprotein hormone α-subunit) and gene isoforms (e.g., 3βHSD, Cyp19), as well as placenta-specific members of gene families (e.g., Gcm1, Mash2, Rhox, Esx1, Cathepsin, PAG, TKDP, Psg, Siglec) have been identified. This review summarizes their evolution, regulation, and biochemical functions and discusses their significance for placental development and function. Strikingly, the number of unique, truly placenta-specific genes that have been discovered to date is very small. The vast majority of placenta-specific gene products have resulted from one of three mechanisms: evolution of placenta-specific promoters, evolution of large gene families with several placenta-specific members, or adoption of functions associated with endogenous retroviruses and retroelements. Interestingly, nearly all the examples of placenta-specific genes that have been discovered to date are not present in all placental mammals.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.24.110707.175418

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  • Many large-placenta-specific gene families arising during evolution through gene duplication encode hormones.

    “The importance of the placenta's endocrine role is reflected in the fact that many of the large-placenta-specific gene families arising during evolution through gene duplication encode hormones (450).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [450]

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Authors
Rawn, S. M., & Cross, J. C.
Affiliations
University of Calgary (CA)
Venue
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
Published
2008-11-01
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
159-181
ISSN
  • 1081-0706 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-8995
OpenAlex
W2146264881
Cited by
222
References
166
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 17
FWCI
1.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
Keywords
placental evolution, placental development, gene expression regulation, gene family, endogenous retroviruses, retrotransposons, syncytin, PEG10, RTL1, endothelin B receptor, leptin, pleiotrophin, glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit, aromatase, GCM1, cathepsins, periaqueductal gray, Siglecs, placental mammals
MeSH terms
Animals, Female, Multigene Family, Hormones, Humans, Immunoglobulins, Placenta, Pregnancy, Transcription Factors, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Retroelements, Evolution, Molecular, Endogenous Retroviruses

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