Talk Title: “Characterizing a novel regulatory element upstream of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in placental cells” 

Abstract: The placenta is a multifaceted organ that serves as a link between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. To establish this link, a subset of cells in the placenta, called trophoblast cells, migrate and invade into the maternal decidua. Shallow trophoblast invasion can lead to pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. While abnormal expression of many genes, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), has been linked to shallow trophoblast invasion, the mechanisms by which these genes are regulated are often unknown. To understand how MMP9 is regulated, we characterized a putative enhancer upstream of the gene using luciferase assays and CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knock-out in human trophoblast cells. Within the enhancer region, we identified two smaller segments and the associated transcription factor binding sites that positively regulated MMP9 expression. Surprisingly, we also discovered a segment within the enhancer that contained a different transcription factor binding site and negatively regulated MMP9 expression. We showed that a single regulatory region contains segments that either increase or decrease target gene expression, demonstrating the necessity of fine-tuned control of MMP9 expression during early placental development.

The Bio-WIP Seminars (formerly BBMB WIP seminars) are sponsored by the BBMB Graduate Learning Community.