Dissecting the participation of cold shock proteins in reproductive processes: relevance of trophoblast specific YB-1 expression for embryo development

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Ana Claudia Zenclussen
• Subject Area: Reproductive Medicine, Urology ; Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Term: from 2018 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 404991393

• Final Report Year: 2024

Final Report Abstract

The multifunctionality of YB-1 is known for almost 30 years, research on this cold shock protein was, however, mainly focused on its role in cancer. YB-1 emerges however as a regulator of processes that contribute to successful pregnancy. We showed that YB-1 deficiency or overexpression disturbs physiological pregnancy, so that this protein has the potential to become an interesting diagnostic and/or therapeutic marker for several obstetric complications. Mechanistical studies on YB-1 in different types of cancer or with placenta cells can guide future research and hint at promising targets of YB-1. Nevertheless, the functionality of YB-1 is complex and often dependent on the tissue environment. There is a great need for studies that provide knowledge about the expression of YB-1 at the fetomaternal interface during different stages of healthy pregnancy and in different pregnancyrelated complications. Moreover, the disclosure of potential downstream targets would lead to both the better understanding of important reproductive processes such as decidualization and placentation and the suitability of YB-1 for therapeutic interventions. In the light of our results, we propose a new perspective on YB-1 and emphasize its pivotal functions in healthy pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications.

Publications

• Y-Box Binding Protein 1 Expression in Trophoblast Cells Promotes Fetal and Placental Development. Cells, 9(9), 1942.
  Meyer, Nicole; Schumacher, Anne; Coenen, Urs; Woidacki, Katja; Schmidt, Hannah; Lindquist, Jonathan A.; Mertens, Peter R. & Zenclussen, Ana C.
  
• YB-1 Is Altered in Pregnancy-Associated Disorders and Affects Trophoblast in Vitro Properties via Alternation of Multiple Molecular Traits. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(13), 7226.
  Stojanovska, Violeta; Shah, Aneri; Woidacki, Katja; Fischer, Florence; Bauer, Mario; Lindquist, Jonathan A.; Mertens, Peter R. & Zenclussen, Ana C.
  
• An old friend with a new face: YB-1 and its role in healthy pregnancy and pregnancy-associated complications. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10.
  Fischer, Florence; Schumacher, Anne; Meyer, Nicole; Fink, Beate; Bauer, Mario; Stojanovska, Violeta & Zenclussen, Ana Claudia