Expression of the TRPM6 in mouse placental trophoblasts; potential role in maternal–fetal calcium transport

The placenta is required to transport calcium (Ca2+) from mother to fetus during fetal bone mineralization. In an attempt to clarify the molecular basis of Ca2+ entry for this transport, we identified TRPM6 as a candidate for apical Ca2+ entry pathway. TRPM6 mRNA increased during the last 4 days of pregnancy, coinciding with fetal bone mineralization in mice. TRPM6 mRNA and protein was localized in the trophoblasts in labyrinth where the maternal–fetal Ca2+ transport occurs. In patch-clamp recordings, we observed TRPM6/TRPM7-like currents in mouse trophoblasts after starting fetal bone mineralization but not before mineralization. Plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability was significantly increased in TRPM6/TRPM7 expressed HEK293 cells under physiological Mg2+ and ATP concentration but not in TRPM6 or TRPM7 homomer-expressing cells. These results suggest that TRPM6 is functionally expressed in mouse placental trophoblasts, implicating in maternal–fetal Ca2+ transport likely with TRPM7, which might enable to sustain fetal bone mineralization.