Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2003

Mentor: Ann Word, M.D.
Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Room number: F2.304
Mail Code: 9032
Phone number: 214-648-3825
E-mail: ruth.word@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: Transcriptional regulation of cervical ripening

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): IRB # 1076-02000

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Basic

Brief Description of Project:

Overall hypothesis of this project is that MiTF is an important transcriptional regulator of cervical competency during pregnancy. We have identified a unique isoform of this basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper transcription factor that is highly expressed in cervical stromal cells during pregnancy. In cervical tissues obtained after the onset of labor, expression of this novel MiTF mRNA decreases 12-fold and the subcellular localization of MITF protein is redistributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. As part of our long-term goal to understand the physiologic significance of MiTF in uterine and cervical tissues during pregnancy, the student will conduct experiments to identify target genes for cervical MiTF.

First, the novel isoform will be cloned into a GFP-expression vector, and transfected into cervical stromal cells in culture. Transfected cells will be purified from nontransfected cells using flow cytometry. RNA will be isolated from these cells and reverse transcribed. Microarray analysis of MiTF-transfected cells will be compared with vector-transfected cells to identify potential targets (or downstream targets) for MiTF.

The second approach will test the hypothesis that MiTF regulates the expression of 2 potential candidate genes in the cervix. The expression of these two genes will be evaluated by real time RT PCR in MiTF-transfected cervical cells compared with vector-transfected controls.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Amina Porter 1992 Southern Methodist University Talented and Gifted Student Research in Biomedical Sciences

Kristin Hahn-Cover-1993 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Smooth Muscle Myosin Isoforms in Leomyomas and Normal Myometrium"

Anthony Webb-1995 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Mechanosignal Transduction Pathways Regulate Contractile Protein Expression in Myometrial Cells"

Rupa Karkarla 1997 Albany Medical College Research Fellowship
"Smooth Muscle-Specific Expression of the Human Estrogen Receptor"

Amina Porter 1997 Yale University Research Training Fellowship
"Regulation of Cervical Ripening by 5a Reductase Type I"

Lesli Anysu-Coker 1997 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Expression of 5aReductase Type I in Reproductive Tissues of Women"

Vani Konda 1998 Brown University Research Fellowship

Nancy Hsieh 2001 Undergraduate Research Fellowship University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Diane Deng 2002 University of Texas "Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor isoforms in human cervical tissues from women before or after the onset of labor"

Ruth Anderson 2002 Trinity University, San Antonio "Effect of pudendal or pelvic denervation on contractile function of the external urethral and anal sphincters"

Alyce Martindale 2002 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center STARS program: "Expression of calponin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain in detrusor smooth muscle of diabetic rats"

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