|
 |
|
EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Physiological Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Gene Expression by Estrogen
- Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
- Project Title: PHYSIOLOGICAL REGULATION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR GENE EXPRESSION BY
ESTROGEN
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: Estrogen is the most powerful hormone within animals and man which, in
low dosesthat work over long times, regulates reproduction and many
other body processes. Thegoal of the proposed research by Dr. Ing is
to learn how estrogen acts at the molecularlevel. One way estrogen
enhances its effects is by increasing the protein it binds("estrogen
receptor") within the tissues. The tissues that respond to estrogen.
With it,she has demonstrated that estrogen increases estrogen receptor
protein and estrogenreceptor messenger RNA (mRNA). Contrary to
current beliefs in estrogen action,however, estrogen did not enhance
the rate of estrogen receptor mRNA synthesis fromthe estrogen receptor
gene. Since proteins, like the estrogen receptor, are made
withinformation encoded in genes (proteins are made from mRNAs which
are made fromgenes), regulation may be occurring at the level of the
mRNA instead of the gene. Therefore, her hypothesis is that estrogen
decreases the decay of estrogen receptormRNA to enhance concentrations
of estrogen receptor protein in tissues and estrogenresponses of
animals. The proposed experiments will prove the hypothesis and
thendetermine how it occurs in molecular terms. First, uterine tissues
from estrogen-treatedand control animals will be cultured and analyzed
to determine if estrogen really doesstabilize estrogen receptor mRNA.
Next, the specific segment of the estrogen receptormRNA responsible
for estrogen- regulated stability will be identified in mutated mRNAs.
Finally, the regulatory proteins that bind and act on the estrogen
receptor mRNA tostabilize it in the presence of estrogen will be
characterized. This insight into the basicaction of this powerful
hormone will lead to a better understanding of normalreproductive
physiology on a molecular level.
- References:
- Category: MODELS
- Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: RODENT, MAMMAL, IN VIVO, IN VITRO, LABORATORY STUDY
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: MOLECULAR, HORMONE RECEPTOR, SEX STEROID, GENE EXPRESSION, GROWTH,
REPRODUCTIVE
- Chemical Agents: Sex Steroids
- Performing Institution: Texas A&M University
- Contact: Nancy H Ing, Box 3578, College Station, TX 77843 409 845-8670
ning@vetmed.tamu.edu
|
|
