Activation of Placental mTOR Signaling and Amino Acid Transporters in Obese Women Giving Birth to Large Babies

Abstract

Up-regulation of specific placental amino acid transporter isoforms may contribute to fetal overgrowth in maternal obesity. This effect may be mediated by activation of insulin/IGF-I and mTOR signaling pathways, which are positive regulators of placental amino acid transporters.