PLAC1 (Placenta-specific 1): a novel, X-linked gene with roles in reproductive and cancer biology.

ABSTRACT: Placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) is a recently described X-linked gene with expression restricted primarily to cells derived from trophoblast lineage during embryonic development. PLAC1 localizes to a region of the X chromosome thought to be important in placental development although its role in this process has not been defined. This review summarizes our current understanding of its expression, regulation, and function. PLAC1 is expressed throughout human pregnancy by the differentiated trophoblast and localizes to membranous structures in the syncytiotrophoblast, including the microvillous plasma membrane surface. Recent studies have demonstrated that PLAC1 is also expressed by a wide variety of human cancers. Studies of the PLAC1 promoter regions indicate that its expression in both normal

SUBMITTER: Fant M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4627609 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature