O-GlcNAcylation in Hyperglycemic Pregnancies: Impact on Placental Function

• Published in: Frontiers in endocrinology (Lausanne) Vol. 12; p. 659733
• Main Authors: Ning, Jie, Yang, Huixia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Acetylglucosamine - chemistry; Acetylglucosamine - metabolism; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases - genetics; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases - metabolism; Endocrinology; Female; Humans; Hyperglycemia - enzymology; Hyperglycemia - genetics; Hyperglycemia - metabolism; hyperglycemia in pregnancy; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases - genetics; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases - metabolism; O-GlcNAc transferase; O-GlcNAcylation; O-GlNAcase; Placenta - enzymology; Placenta - metabolism; placental function; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - genetics; Pregnancy Complications - metabolism; Proteins - genetics; Proteins - metabolism; placental function; O-GlcNAcylation; O-GlcNAc transferase; O-GlNAcase; hyperglycemia in pregnancy
• ISSN: 1664-2392; 1664-2392
• DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.659733

The dynamic cycling of N -acetylglucosamine, termed as O-GlcNAcylation, is a post-translational modification of proteins and is involved in the regulation of fundamental cellular processes. It is controlled by two essential enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase. O-GlcNAcylation serves as a modulator in placental tissue; furthermore, increased levels of protein O-GlcNAcylation have been observed in women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy, which may affect the short-and long-term development of offspring. In this review, we focus on the impact of O-GlcNAcylation on placental functions in hyperglycemia-associated pregnancies. We discuss the following topics: effect of O-GlcNAcylation on placental development and its association with hyperglycemia; maternal-fetal nutrition transport, particularly glucose transport, via the mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways; and the two-sided regulatory effect of O-GlcNAcylation on inflammation. As O-GlcNAcylation in the placental tissues of pregnant women with hyperglycemia influences near- and long-term development of offspring, research in this field has significant therapeutic relevance.