Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Pharmacology and Second Messenger Mechansims Involved in Ion Channel Modulation

刘易斯9630611的生殖行为是由一种名为促性腺激素释放激素的激素调节的，这种激素是由大脑中的细胞产生的。这种激素由神经元分泌，并与GnRH靶细胞上一种称为受体的特定蛋白质结合。然而，关于这种激素与其受体的结合如何影响其他神经细胞并随后控制生殖行为，人们知之甚少。刘易斯博士正在研究GnRH与其受体结合改变神经元兴奋性的机制。她正在使用一种独特而强大的系统，在正常情况下不含GnRH受体的神经细胞中表达GnRH受体。她的研究重点是受体与细胞内第二信使系统的偶联，这会导致各种带电分子的渗透性发生变化。这些研究将对细胞内信使与受体激活的耦合产生有价值的见解，并提供对所有物种生殖基本原理的更好理解。

Lewis 9630611 Reproductive behavior is mediated by a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which is produced by cells in the brain. This hormone is secreted by neurons and binds to a specific protein, called a receptor, on GnRH target cells. However, little is known about how the binding of this hormone to its receptor influences other nerve cells and subsequently controls reproductive behavior. Dr. Lewis is investigating the mechanisms by which GnRH binding to its receptor changes the excitability of neurons. She is using a unique and powerful system to express the GnRH receptor in nerve cells that do not normally contain the receptor. Her studies center on the coupling of the receptor to intracellular second messenger systems, which lead to changes in permeability to various electrically charged molecules. These investigations will generate valuable insights into the coupling of intracellular messengers with receptor activation, and provide an improved understanding of the basic principles underlying reproduction in all species.