Comparative Physiology of Pituitary Hormones: Regulation o Secretion

本项目将利用一种常见的海龟（pseudoys scripta）和蛙（Rana pipiens）的下丘脑-垂体系统的独特方面，研究脑肽对垂体功能的调节及其与性腺和甲状腺功能相关的外周反馈调节之间的动态关系。海龟垂体模型将用于研究TSH分泌的反应性和TSH分泌的环境调节，重点是血浆结合蛋白。将对甲状腺素结合蛋白进行纯化和表征，研究其在甲状腺激素转运和功能调节中的生理作用，希望建立一个了解甲状腺素结合球蛋白进化和功能的模型。蛙垂体对促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）脱敏的抗性将被用来研究这种神经肽对促性腺激素生物合成及其类固醇调节的作用。下丘脑GnFH的平行测量将寻求确定类固醇如何通过大脑中的作用影响垂体调节。//

This project will take advantage of unique aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary system in a common species of turtle (Pseudemys scripta) and frog (Rana pipiens) to study the dynamic relationship between brain peptide regulation of pituitary function and its modulation by peripheral feedback in relation to gonadal and thyroidal function. The turtle pituitary model will be used to study responsiveness of TSH secretion and environmental regulation of TSH secretion with emphasis on plasma binding proteins. Thyroxine binding protein will be purified and characterized for studies on its physiological role in the regulation of thyroid hormone transport and function in hopes of developing a model for understanding the evolution and function of thyroxine binding globulins. The demonstrated resistance of the frog pituitary to desensitization by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) will be exploited to study the action of this neuropeptide on gonadotropin biosynthesis and its modulation by steroids. Parallel measurements of GnFH in the hypothalamus willl seek to determine how steroids influence pituitary regulation by actions in the brain.//