Research has revealed significant insights into how gestational diabetes affects the development of offspring. A recent study published in the journal Diabetes demonstrates that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) alters the molecular processes within the placenta, potentially leading to various complications for newborns.
The study, led by Prof. Maayan Salton from the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with Dr. Tal Schiller from Kaplan Medical Center and Wolfson Medical Center at Tel Aviv University, highlights how GDM disrupts the way genetic instructions are processed in the placenta. This disruption is linked to hundreds of misassembled genetic messages that may compromise placental function.
Understanding the Mechanism
Gestational diabetes is increasingly prevalent and can create a challenging metabolic environment for the fetus. The condition is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels in pregnant women, which can lead to immediate complications such as excessive birth weight, pre-term deliveries, and a higher likelihood of cesarean sections. Long-term, children born to mothers with GDM face elevated risks of obesity and diabetes later in life.
The research team utilized advanced RNA sequencing data from both European and Chinese pregnancy cohorts to uncover the molecular changes associated with GDM. They discovered alterations in the splicing of RNA molecules, a critical step in protein synthesis. These changes were notably associated with genes that play important roles in metabolism and diabetes-related pathways.
The Role of SRSF10
A crucial protein identified in this study is SRSF10, known to regulate RNA splicing. When the activity of SRSF10 was diminished in placental cells, the same molecular errors observed in GDM were replicated. This finding suggests that SRSF10 may serve as a master regulator of placental function, presenting a potential target for therapeutic intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of gestational diabetes.
Prof. Salton expressed optimism about these findings, stating, “By understanding how gestational diabetes disrupts the placenta at the molecular level, we can begin to imagine new ways to protect the offspring.” Dr. Schiller added, “By pinpointing the specific molecular players involved, like the SRSF10 protein, we can start thinking about how to translate this knowledge into real-world strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes.”
Current management of gestational diabetes typically involves lifestyle adjustments, including diet and exercise, along with insulin therapy when necessary. Despite these approaches, the underlying biological mechanisms of GDM have remained inadequately understood, making this research a significant breakthrough.
The findings pave the way for further exploration into how the metabolic changes associated with gestational diabetes can be addressed at the genetic level. Understanding these processes may lead to innovative strategies for improving health outcomes for mothers and their children.
For more details, refer to the study titled “Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Alters Placental Pre-mRNA Splicing,” set to be published in Diabetes in 2025, with the DOI: 10.2337/db25-0333.