SLC41A1 is the only magnesium responsive gene significantly overexpressed in placentas of preeclamptic women

Objective: To examine expression profile of magnesium responsive genes (MRGs) in placentas of normoevolutive and preeclamptic women. Methods: The expression profiles of MRGs were determined in placentas of normoevolutive (N?=?26) and preeclamptic (N?=?25) women by RT-qPCR. Results: Among all tested MRGs (9) only SLC41A1 (encoding for Na⁺/Mg²⁺ exchanger) was significantly overexpressed in ～54.2% of preeclamptic (n?=?24) and in ～9.5% of normoevolutive (n?=?21) specimens. On average, SLC41A1 was overexpressed sixfold in the preeclamptic group. Presence of SLC41A1 in placentas was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Conclusion. SLC41A1 is significantly overexpressed in nearly 55% of preeclamptic placentas. This may indicate a direct contribution of changed Mg homeostasis in the development of preeclampsia.