The placenta is a crucial organ at the maternal-fetal interface, primarily composed of trophoblast cells. Its principal functions include facilitating embryo implantation into the uterus and establishing requisite vascular connections for nutrient exchange. The evolution of the trophoblast cell lineage undergoes a dynamic developmental process, wherein trophectoderm cells differentiate into cytotrophoblast cells, syncytiotrophoblast cells, and extravillous trophoblast cells. Perturbations in this process impair placental morphogenesis, thereby leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Post-translational modification (PTM) is an essential cellular regulatory mechanism, with 50%-90% of proteins in humans requiring such modifications to become functionally active. Proteins expressed in trophoblast cells can regulate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation after undergoing various PTM, which are of great significance for embryo implantation and development. This review synthesizes current studies on the regulation of PTMs on trophoblast cell development and highlights recent progress, offering a foundation for future investigations on placental development and clinical applications.

The placenta is a crucial organ at the maternal-fetal interface, primarily composed of trophoblast cells. Its principal functions include facilitating embryo implantation into the uterus and establishing requisite vascular connections for nutrient exchange. The evolution of the trophoblast cell lineage undergoes a dynamic developmental process, wherein trophectoderm cells differentiate into cytotrophoblast cells, syncytiotrophoblast cells, and extravillous trophoblast cells. Perturbations in this process impair placental morphogenesis, thereby leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Post-translational modification (PTM) is an essential cellular regulatory mechanism, with 50%-90% of proteins in humans requiring such modifications to become functionally active. Proteins expressed in trophoblast cells can regulate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation after undergoing various PTM, which are of great significance for embryo implantation and development. This review synthesizes current studies on the regulation of PTMs on trophoblast cell development and highlights recent progress, offering a foundation for future investigations on placental development and clinical applications.