Placental mitochondrial activity and trophoblast fusion. (Professor Tony Perkins, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia).
Mitochondrial function is critical to trophoblast survival and placental homeostasis. Mitochondria are classically thought of as ‘the powerhouses’ of the cell but they also play important roles in metabolism, steroidogenesis and cell signalling. They also must adapt to cell stress and constantly undergo transformation through cycles of fusion and fission.
Recently, we have examined the adaptions and transformations that are evident in mitochondria from late on-set preeclamptic placental tissue compared to early onset (<30 weeks) and normal term tissue. We have examined mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics and cell signalling using a variety of cellular and molecular methods and will present data that indicates that mitochondrial adaptions and survival are critical in prolonging placental function during preeclampsia.
Additionally, we have used differential centrifugation to isolate morphologically distinct populations of mitochondria from cytotrophoblast and the syncytium. We will present data on various aspects of their biology including bioenergetics, steroidogenesis and dynamics. We have also conducted a comprehensive proteomic analysis of these isolated mitochondria which has highlighted important switches in cellular metabolism post trophoblast differentiation and fusion.
Finally, we will present evidence on the importance of selenoproteins at the mitochondrial/ER interface and suggest that these might play an important role in alleviating oxidative stress. Selenium supplementation may provide a simple, applicable intervention to protect mitochondrial/ER from oxidative insult and preserve placental function during gestation.
Date:
30 July 2019, 13:00 (Tuesday, 14th week, Trinity 2019)
Venue:
John Radcliffe Women's Centre, Headington OX3 9DU
Venue Details:
The Anne Anderson Lecture Theatre, Level 3
Speaker:
Professor Tony Perkins (Griffith University, Queensland, Australia)
Organising department:
Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health
Organiser:
Dr Jen Southcombe (University of Oxford)
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Susie Barber
