Expression of GLUT12 in the fetal membranes of the human placenta

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of the novel glucose transporter GLUT12 in the fetal membranes of the human placenta. RT-PCR and Western blotting of extracts of amnion and choriodecidua from four normal term placentas identified GLUT12 mRNA and protein expression. In all four samples the signals for GLUT12 were markedly stronger in the choriodecidua than in the amnion, whereas the signals for GLUT1, a glucose transporter know to be expressed in fetal membranes, were similar for the two tissues. In further studies, paraffin sections of fetal membranes were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with GLUT12 and GLUT1-specific polyclonal antibodies. GLUT12 immunoreactivity wa..