Steroid hormones derived from the gonads or the adrenals, have long been known to have profound effects on cellular and organismal function. The classical mechanism by which these hormones affect cellular function is by interacting with intracellular receptors, which upon binding translocate to the nucleus of the cell and alter gene expression. However, recent physiological experiments have revealed that steroid hormones also bind to membrane-rich cellular fractions and exert rapid effects on neuronal cells. Dr. Ramirez is isolating and characterizing these binding sites able to elicit rapid changes in cellular function. In these investigations, Dr. Ramirez is using a brain library to isolate a cDNA clone for this novel receptor and to characterize the encoded protein. If successful, the research supported by this SGER award will greatly change our understanding of steroid hormone action in the brain and open an entire new field of scientific investigation in the neurosciences.
