Growth of the ovarian follicle is a developmental program dependent on stage-specific gene expression that is responsible for controlling granulosa cell fate, proliferation and differentiation. FSH and IGF-1 have been shown to act independently and synergistically to regulate this gene expression and follicular development. Recent evidence suggests that FSH impacts the PI3-K pathway and is able to mediate a proportion of the effects ascribed to IGF-1 in this pathway via the recently identified cAMP-dependent guanine nucleotide exchange factors (cAMP-GEFs). In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that the forkhead family of transcription factors are expressed in granulosa cells in the rodent ovary and that one of these factors FKHR, a known target of IGF-1 via the PI3-K pathway, responds to FSH in the granulosa cell. Therefore, it is my intention to determine whether FSH is able to activate cAMP-GEFS in granulosa cells and to determine what impact this may have on the PI3-K pathway. Secondly, I intend to determine how FSH is able to regulate FKHR expression and activity and what the functional role FKHR pays in the rodent ovary.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD045060-02
Application #
6800750
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F06 (20))
Program Officer
Taymans, Susan
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$42,976
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030