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Steroid Receptor Biology
Laboratory Head
Professor Peter Fuller BMedSci MBBS PhD FRACP
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About this Laboratory
The group is currently focussed on two principle themes, that of the mechanism of action of the adrenal steroid hormone aldosterone and the molecular pathogenesis of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary. The laboratory uses the techniques of molecular biology and mouse genetics to address these topics.
Related to Research Themes
Cancer , Cardiovascular Disease
Current Research
Structure-function relationships of the mineralcorticoid receptor
- The mineralcorticoid receptor (the receptor for the steroid hormone aldosterone) is an important therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease. We have identified interactions of the receptor that differ between the physiological ligands. Understanding these interactions and their structural basis may lead to the development of new therapeutic agents.Mineralcortiocoid receptor regulation of gene expression
- The mineralcorticoid receptor principally acts by regulating the expression of its target genes. We have identified a number of genes that are regulated by the MR and are seeking to understand the mechanisms of that regulation in vitro and in vivo.Molecular pathogenesis of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary - Granulosa cell tumours (GCT) are endocrine tumours of the ovary. They both make hormones and respond to hormones. The group seeks to understand the molecular events that lead to development of these tumours.
Role of ERβ in folliculogenesis - It is our hypothesis that oestrogen, acting via ERβ, limits granulosa cell proliferation by opposing anti-proliferation, anti-apoptic signals such as the NFκβ pathway, and by promoting their differentiation into luteal cells. We seek to identify genes and proteins specifically activated by ERβ.
Ovarian phenotype of the IKKβ condition -The role of the NFκβ signalling pathway in ovarian function is being investigated using transgenic mice. We have successfully bred mice in which a key component of the pathway, IKKβ, has been deleted (knocked-out) in granulosa cells. These studies will yield novel insights into ovarian function.