Biotin supply affects rates of cell proliferation, biotinylation of carboxylases and histones, and expression of the gene encoding the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter in JAr choriocarcinoma cells.

Background: Placental transfer of nutrients and secretion of hormones is essential for normal fetal development.

Aim Of The Study: To determine whether biotin supply affects biotin homeostasis, proliferation rates, and progesterone secretion in placenta cells.

Methods: JAr choriocarcinoma cells were cultured in media containing deficient (25 pmol/L), physiological (250 pmol/L), or pharmacological concentrations (10,000 pmol/L) of biotin for three weeks; markers for biotin homeostasis, proliferation, and hormone secretion were quantified.