Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2003

Mentor: Lisa Halvorson, MD
Department: OB/GYN
Room number: F2.212
Mail Code: 9032
Phone number: 214-648-2309
E-mail: Lisa.Halvorson@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title:

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): not applicable

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): not 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 research

Brief Description of Project:

Our research focuses on the physiology of the gonadotropin-producing cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Recent data has suggested that these cells (gonadotropes) produce PACAP (pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating peptide). As suggested by its name, PACAP stimulates the cAMP/protein kinase A system thereby increasing expression of pituitary genes, including luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Thus, PACAP may act as an autocrine factor in gonadotropes (i.e. PACAP is produced by and acts on gonadotrope cells).

We have begun to identify and characterize factors which regulate expression of the PACAP gene, focusing on hormones with known importance to reproduction. These factors include gonadotropin-releasing hormone, estrogen, and PACAP itself. These studies are aimed at identifying the transcription factors and DNA regulatory regions which mediate response to these factors. Techniques include cell culture of gonadotrope-like cell lines, transient transfection of DNA constructs, gel shift analysis, and DNA subcloning.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Po Tsai - Development of a semi-quantitative RT-PCR system to compare expression levels of various transcription factors in young and middle-aged female rat pituitary glands. Summer and Fall 2001.

Jill Swartz - Analyze ability of PACAP to stimulate LH beta gene transcription using a transient transfection assay. Funded through a Society for Gynecologic Investigation Summer Research Stipend. Summer 2001.

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