Characterization and role of NUMB in the human extravillous trophopblast

NUMB is a multifunctional protein involved in asymmetric cell differentiation, proliferation and maintenance. Four mammalian NUMB isoforms have been identified, which utilize the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain and the proline rich region (PRR) domain to regulate cell growth and differentiation in the developing nervous system. The observation that a decrease in spongiotrophoblast number and thickness of placentae of null (Numb−/−) mouse embryos, which died at E10.5, suggests NUMB may play a role in placental development. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time, that NUMB isoforms 1, 2, 3, and 4 are present in the human placenta and the human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell line HTR8/SVneo. We report three novel isoforms, NUMB 7, 8, and 9, identified by cloning of RT-PCR products and sequencing. Corresponding sequences of novel isoforms were submitted to genebank (accession numbers for each new isoform: NUMB 7- EU265736, NUMB 8- EU265737 and NUMB 9-EU265738). Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of all NUMB isofoms in human placental samples in all trimesters and in EVT cells. NUMB immunosignals were extensively localized in human extravillous trophoblasts and decidual cells at the maternal–fetal interface. NUMB 8 appeared to be the predominant isoform in placental villi. Furthermore, cell migration studies revealed NUMB isoform 1 to be involved in EVT cell migration and NUMB isoforms 2 and 4 to induce EVT apoptosis.