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The Center for Reproductive Sciences

Faculty

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Michael Wolfe, PhD
Assistant Professor Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Research Description

Expression of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) in pituitary gonadotropes and expression of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in placenta are essential to mammalian reproduction. These hormones are composed of two subunits - a common alpha-subunit and distinct beta-subunits. Research in my laboratory is directed towards understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in tissue-specific and hormonal regulation of the genes encoding the beta-subunit of these hormones. This involves studying the mechanisms regulating cell differentiation, elucidation of transcription factors regulating basal expression, and identifying the signal transduction pathways and associated transcription factors responsible for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulation of gene expression. A variety of methodological approaches are utilized in these investigations including in vitro DNA-protein binding assays, cell culture and transient transfections, assays evaluating gene transcription and protein expression, and the use of transgenic mice.

Representative Publications

Soares, MJ and MW Wolfe. (2004) Human embryonic stem cells gain the right to ‘assemble’ and fulfill their developmental ‘destiny’. Endocrinol. 145:1514.

Call, GB and MW Wolfe. (2002) Species differences in GnRH activation of the LHb promoter:  role of Egr1 and Sp1. Mol Cell Endocrinol.  189:85.

Thway, TM and MW Wolfe. (2002) An activator protein-1 complex mediates epidermal growth factor regulation of equine glycoprotein a-subunit expression in trophoblast cells.  Biol Reprod. 67:972.

Robinson, G, MB Porter, MR Peltier, BC Cleaver, TA Farmerie, MW Wolfe, JH Nilson and DC Sharp. (1995) Regulation of luteinizing hormone beta and alpha messenger ribonucleic acid by estradiol or gonadotropin-releasing hormone following pituitary stalk section in ovariectomized pony mares. In: Sharp, D.C. and F.W. Bazer (eds) Equine reproduction VI. Biology of Reproduction Monograph Series 1.

Wolfe, MW. (1996) SF-1 and the MAPK pathway regulate expression of the equine LH/CGbeta promotor in pituitary gonadotropes. Biol Reprod 54:74.

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