New Research Highlights Molecular Mechanisms of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is linked to various complications in offspring, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent research led by investigators from the faculty of medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that gestational diabetes disrupts ribonucleic acid (RNA) splicing in the placenta, which could lead to errors in genetic message processing that may impair placental function. The study authors, who published their findings in Diabetes, noted that the findings identify the protein serine/arginine splicing factor 10 (SRSF10) as a key contributor to this disruption.^1,2

“By understanding how gestational diabetes disrupts the placenta at the molecular level, we can begin to imagine new ways to protect the offspring,” Maayan Salton, a professor from the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said in a news release.²

Understanding the Impacts of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose first detected during pregnancy and is associated with adverse outcomes for both the mother and the newborn. Maintaining a healthy diet with frequent physical activity usually helps mothers control gestational diabetes, but medication may be needed. In most cases, glucose levels return to normal after childbirth in individuals with gestational diabetes, but mothers can experience an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.³

The molecular mechanisms underlying these outcomes are not well understood, and experts also do not fully understand why some individuals develop gestational diabetes, other than the known risk factor of excess weight before pregnancy. Previous research has studied placental transcriptomics in gestational diabetes, but the impact on precursor mRNA splicing remains largely unknown.^1,3

How Does Gestational Diabetes Alter Placental RNA Splicing?

Researchers used RNA sequencing data from Norwegian and Chinese cohorts of placentas affected by gestational diabetes to explore the impact of gestational diabetes on placental splicing and identify its regulatory mechanisms. Findings from the cohorts revealed hundreds of altered RNA splicing events, specifically in metabolic and diabetes-related pathways. Further analyses identified SRSF10 in placental models reproduced the splicing abnormalities seen in gestational diabetes.^1,2

SRSF10 is highly expressed in the central nervous system and plays a key role in maintaining normal brain function. Reducing SRSF10 activity in placental cells produced the same molecular disruptions observed in gestational diabetes, suggesting that SRS10 acts as a key regulator of placental function. These findings indicate that SRS10 may offer a potential therapeutic target for preventing pregnancy-related complications.^1,2

“Our findings bring us a step closer to that goal. By pinpointing the specific molecular players involved, like the SRSF10 protein, we can start thinking about how to translate this knowledge into real-world strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes,” Tal Schiller, MD, from the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University, Kaplan Medical Center, and Wolfson Medical Center at Tel Aviv University, said.²

REFERENCES

1.Eden Engal, Adi Gershon, Shiri Melamed, Aveksha Sharma, Hadas Ner-Gaon, Shiri Jaffe-Herman, Yuval Nevo, Alena Kirzhner, Oren Barak, Edi Vaisbuch, Gillian Kay, Anne Cathrine Staff, Ralf Dechend, Florian Herse, Tal Shay, Maayan Salton, Tal Schiller; Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Alters Placental Precursor mRNA Splicing. Diabetes 19 December 2025; 75 (1): 193–204. https://doi.org/10.2337/db25-0333

2. New clues reveal how gestational diabetes affects offspring. News release. EurekAlert. December 18, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1110501

3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Gestational Diabetes. News release. Mayo Clinic. May 30, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339