The amniotic fluid transcriptome: a source of novel information about human fetal development
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Amniotic fluid (AF) is a complex biological material that provides a unique window into the developing human. Residual AF supernatant contains cell-free fetal RNA. The objective of this study was to develop an understanding of the AF core transcriptome by identifying the transcripts ubiquitously present in the AF supernatant of euploid midtrimester fetuses. We detected 476 well-annotated genes present in all twelve AF samples. Functional analysis identified 6 physiological systems represented in the AF core transcriptome, including musculoskeletal and nervous system development and function and embryonic/ organismal development. mTOR signaling was identified as a key canonical pathway. Twenty-three highly organ-specific transcripts were identified; six of these are known to be highly expressed by fetal brain. This study demonstrates that AF cell-free fetal RNA can provide biological information about multiple fetal organ systems.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE33168 | GEO | 2012/01/11
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA149231
REPOSITORIES: GEO
ACCESS DATA