Designing Better Markers For Pregnancy-Associated Pathological Conditions

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 24 Aug 2007 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Researchers report the most complete list so far of proteins present in the human amniotic fluid, the liquid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy. The new information may be used to develop new or improved markers of pregnancy-associated pathological conditions, such as preterm delivery, intra-amniotic infection, and chromosomal anomalies in the fetus.

The amniotic fluid is initially formed from maternal plasma that later crosses fetal membranes from 10 to 20 weeks of gestation. By looking at the composition of the amniotic fluid in this gestational stage, scientists can provide valuable information about the health of the fetus and may indicate potential pathological conditions. Although many amniotic fluid proteins are known and are currently used to detect potential fetal anomalies, little is known about the functions of these proteins and how they interact with one another.

Eleftherios P. Diamandis and colleagues showed that the amniotic fluid contains at least 850 proteins, many of which have not been discovered before and that could be used as new markers for genetic defects or pathological conditions in the fetus. Current markers used for that purpose either do not detect defects in all affected fetuses - leaving some mothers with a negative diagnosis while their baby actually has a defect - or incorrectly diagnose some fetuses as having a defect when no such defect exists. Also, although they reveal defects, these markers cannot pinpoint the origin of the defect. The newly identified proteins could help design markers that are easier to detect and provide more details about potential defects.

Article: "Proteomics Analysis of Human Amniotic Fluid," by Chan-Kyung J. Cho, Shannon J. Shan, Elizabeth Winsor, and Eleftherios P. Diamandis

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 11,900 members in the United States and internationally. Most members teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Others conduct research in various government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and industry. The Society's student members attend undergraduate or graduate institutions.

Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Bethesda, Maryland, on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The Society's purpose is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology through publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of Lipid Research, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific work force.

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology