Steroidogenic Factor 1 and Neuroendocrine Control of Seasonal Reproduction

脊椎动物的季节性繁殖通常以性腺活动的特定增加为特征，这是由类固醇激素产生的变化所调节的。这些变化通常是在环境的控制之下。然而，由环境变化引发的激素级联反应的确切分子机制尚不清楚。甾体生成因子1 （Steroidogenic Factor 1, SF-1）是一种在多种组织中诱导生殖适当的激素和受体合成中起重要作用的蛋白。普罗珀博士和她的同事们提出，SF-1可能在调节环境调节的季节性繁殖中发挥了重要作用。为了开始研究SF-1在季节性繁殖中的作用，她建议在一种季节性繁殖模式已经明确的两栖动物（美洲牛蛙，Rana catesbeiana）中确定SF-1的氨基酸序列。她还将确定该物种中SF-1的组织和细胞分布。

Seasonal reproduction in vertebrates is often characterized by specific increases in gonadal activity that is regulated by changes in steroid hormone production. These changes are often under control of the environment. However, the exact molecular mechanism that initiates the cascade of hormonal events set off by the changing environment is unknown. Steroidogenic Factor 1 (SF-1) is a protein that plays a vital role in inducing reproductively in appropriate hormone and receptor synthesis in several tissues. Dr. Propper and her associates propose that SF-1 may play a fundamental role in mediating environmentally regulated seasonal reproduction. In order to begin studies on the role of SF-1 in seasonal reproduction, she proposes to determine the amino acid sequence of SF-1 in an amphibian whose pattern of seasonal reproduction has been well-defined (American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana). She will also determine the tissue and cell distribution of SF-1 in this species.