Our long-term research goal is to further our understanding of the cAMP response mechanisms in ovarian follicular and luteal cells: their regulation at the molecular level by luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and steroid hormones like estrogen; their physiological significance in the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum. At the level of the adenylyl cyclase enzyme, we propose to evaluate the molecular mechanism by which both Mg2+ and LH induce desensitization of the adenylyl cyclase to LH in a cell-free membrane preparation derived from preovulatory porcine follicles. At the level of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase enzyme, we propose to determine the biochemical properties of the regulatory and catalytic protein kinase subunits; the regulation of the regulatory and catalytic subunit activities and regulatory subunit levels by LH, FSH and estrogen; and the hormonal regulation of protein kinase subunit associations to form the holoenzymes. These protein kinases parameters will be followed in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea at specified times during the reproductive phases of rat and rabbits. Methods include standard assays for adenylyl cyclase, phosphotransferase cAMP binding activities; protesterone and cAMP radioimmunoassays; standard protein purification techniques; and recombinant DNA technology. It is through such studies on the molecular regulation of these key enzyme systems by the gonadohormones that we can understand the mechanism of action and therefore the functions of LH, FSH and estrogen in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD011356-13
Application #
3311545
Study Section
Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section (BCE)
Project Start
1977-12-01
Project End
1992-02-29
Budget Start
1990-03-01
Budget End
1992-02-29
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
Jackiw, V; Hunzicker-Dunn, M (1992) The regulatory subunit of the type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase in rabbit ovaries is the RII beta isoform. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 184:43-9
Jackiw, V; Hunzicker-Dunn, M (1992) Luteinization-associated changes in protein stability of the regulatory subunit of the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase. J Biol Chem 267:14335-44
Maizels, E T; Miller, J B; Cutler Jr, R E et al. (1992) Estrogen modulates Ca(2+)-independent lipid-stimulated kinase in the rabbit corpus luteum of pseudopregnancy. Identification of luteal estrogen-modulated lipid-stimulated kinase as protein kinase C delta. J Biol Chem 267:17061-8
Hunzicker-Dunn, M; Chen, A; Jackiw, V et al. (1991) Luteal enzymes of the luteinizing hormone and beta-adrenergic signal transduction pathways in hypophysectomized rabbits do not require pituitary hormone support. Biol Reprod 44:609-19
Hunzicker-Dunn, M; Cutler Jr, R E; Maizels, E T et al. (1991) Isozymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase present in the rat corpus luteum. J Biol Chem 266:7166-75
Ekstrom, R C; Hunzicker-Dunn, M (1990) Comparison of the luteinizing hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase of the pig ovarian follicle and corpus luteum and its susceptibility to in vitro hormone-dependent desensitization. Endocrinology 126:1191-8
Ekstrom, R C; Hunzicker-Dunn, M (1990) Opposing effects of ethanol on pig ovarian adenylyl cyclase desensitized by human choriogonadotropin or isoproterenol. Endocrinology 127:2578-86
Maizels, E T; Miller, J B; Cutler Jr, R E et al. (1990) Calcium-independent phospholipid/diolein-dependent phosphorylation of a soluble ovarian Mr 80,000 substrate protein: biochemical characteristics. Biochim Biophys Acta 1054:285-96
Ekstrom, R C; Hunzicker-Dunn, M (1989) Guanosine triphosphate fulfills a complete and specific nucleotide requirement for luteinizing hormone-induced desensitization of pig ovarian adenylyl cyclase. Endocrinology 125:2470-4
Maizels, E T; Ekstrom, R C; Miller, J B et al. (1989) Protein phosphorylation in the corpus luteum. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 37:311-7

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