Differential intracellular localisation of the Menkes and Wilson copper transporting ATPases in the third trimester human placenta

Copper is an essential trace element necessary for normal growth and development. During pregnancy, copper is transported from the maternal circulation to the fetus by mechanisms which have not been clearly elucidated. Two copper transporting ATPases, Menkes (ATP7A; MNK) and Wilson (ATP7B; WND) are known to be expressed in the placenta and are thought to have a role in copper transport to the fetus. In this study, the intracellular localisation of the MNK and WND proteins in the third trimester human placental tissue was investigated in detail using double-label immunohistochemistry and immuno-electron microscopy. MNK and WND were differentially localised within the placenta. MNK was present at the basal side of the syncytiotrophoblast layer and also within the fetal vascular endothelial cells, whereas WND was localised at the microvillous membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast. These data offer some insights into possible differential roles for MNK and WND within the placenta.