Abstract: Objective · To explore the expression level of protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit α1 (PRKAA1) in placental tissues of gestational
diabetes mellitus (GDM) women, and the influence of high glucose (HG) on PRKAA1 expression and proliferation viability of trophoblast cells in vitro.
Methods · The placental samples of GDM women (n=19) and normal pregnant women (n=20) of the corresponding period were collected. Real-time
qPCR and Western blotting assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of PRKAA1 in these biopsies, respectively. Trophoblast cells were
treated by HG in vitro and then expression level of PRKAA1 was tested. CCK8 assay was used to detect proliferation viability of the cells treated by
HG medium or inhibitor of PRKAA1, dorsomorphin. Results · Comparing to normal pregnant women, both mRNA and protein levels of PRKAA1 in
placental tissues of GDM women significantly decreased (both P<0.05). HG treatment drastically downregulated expression of PRKAA1 in trophoblast
cells in vitro (P<0.05). Both HG medium and dorsomorphin suppressed proliferation viability of trophoblast cells (both P<0.05). Conclusion · Expression
level of PRKAA1 is dampened in placental tissues of GDM women. HG suppresses proliferation viability of trophoblast cells probably via downregulating
PRKAA1 level in vitro.

Key words: gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), trophoblast cell, protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit α1 (PRKAA1), high glucose, cell
proliferation