Objective is to investigate the activity of proteolytic enzymes in subcellular fractions of the placenta in case of its dysfunction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 60 pregnant women consisted of two groups: the 1^st (control) group was represented by 28 clinically healthy patients with a physiological course of pregnancy and childbirth. The 2^nd (main) group included 32 pregnant women with placental dysfunction. The activity of acidic and neutral peptide hydrolases was assessed by spectrophotometric methods. The nature of the protein degradation products was determined using gel chromatography on a calibrated column with Sephadex G-25.

RESULTS

It was found that the development of placental dysfunction is accompanied by an increase in the activity of peptide hydrolases acting at different pH values. The differences in the intensity of proteolytic processes in individual subcellular fractions of the placenta were revealed. In the cytoplasm the maximum increase in the activity of neutral peptide hydrolases was found; in mitochondria and cell membranes a greater increase is characteristic of acidic enzymes. In the nuclei with placental dysfunction there are no significant differences in the increase in the intensity of proteolytic reactions at different pH values. The subcellular fractions of the placenta also differ in the nature of the products of peptide hydrolase processes: from peptides formed by acidic peptide hydrolases to fragments of neutral proteolysis — free amino acids. The latter can be considered as limited proteolysis initiated by peptide hydrolases.

CONCLUSION

The formation of placental dysfunction occurs on the basis of increased hydrolytic dysfunction of proteins in the subcellular fractions of the placenta. The emerging disorders in the structure and properties of placental proteins expand the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of development of this obstetric pathology and it allows considering them as important components of the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction.