Epidermal Growth Factor Modulation of Gonadotrope Function

小行星9724066查尔兹 表皮生长因子（EGF）主要由垂体促性腺激素细胞或生长激素细胞产生。 所有垂体细胞类型都有EGF受体，这表明这种生长因子是垂体中的重要调节因子。 本研究将重点关注EGF在生殖系统中可能的调节作用，特别是在控制垂体促性腺激素方面。 第一个目标是检验EGF调节促性腺激素细胞分裂的假设。 这将通过纯化促性腺激素（富集至90-95%促性腺激素）培养物的细胞生长试验来完成。 还将使用细胞化学测定来证明促性腺激素细胞正在分裂。 第二个目的是了解EGF是否影响间情期促性腺激素细胞的分化，因为细胞正在为排卵所需的增强分泌活动做准备。 第二个目标的研究也将测试EGF对雌二醇受体促性腺细胞表达的影响。 EGF受体在雌二醇受体之前出现在60%的促性腺激素细胞上。 PI将检验EGF通过EGF受体刺激雌二醇受体表达的假设。 该领域的进展已经表明，EGF作为生长因子对生殖系统很重要。 它促进性腺和下丘脑细胞的发育和功能。 然而，关于它在脑垂体中的作用知之甚少。 这项研究是世界上为数不多的研究之一，将确定其在调节垂体促性腺激素在发情周期中的作用。

9724066 Childs Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is produced mainly by pituitary gonadotropes or growth hormone cells. All pituitary cell types have receptors for EGF as well, which suggests that this growth factor is an important regulator in the pituitary. This study will focus on possible regulator roles for EGF in the reproductive system, specifically in controlling pituitary gonadotropes. The first objective will be to test the hypothesis that EGF regulates cell division in gonadotropes. This will be done with cell growth assays on cultures of purified gonadotropes (enriched to 90-95% gonadotropes). Cytochemical assays will also be used to prove that the gonadotropes are dividing. The second objective will be to learn if EGF affects differentiation of gonadotropes during diestrus as the cells are being prepared for the enhanced secretory activity needed for ovulation. Studies for this second objective will also test EGF effects on the gonadotrope expression of estradiol receptors. EGF receptors appear on 60% of gonadotropes before the estradiol receptors. The PI will test the hypothesis that EGF works trough the EGF receptors to stimulate theh expression of estradiol receptors. Progress in the field has already shown that EGF is important to the reproductive system as a growth factor. It promotes the development and function of cells in both the gonads and the hypothalamus. Little is known about its role in the pituitary, however. This study is one of the few studies in the world that will define its role in the regulation of pituitary gonadotropes during the estrous cycle.