Biology Commons^™

Increasing Energetic Cost Of Biosynthesis During Growth Makes Refeeding Deleterious, Chen Hou

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Diet restriction (DR) enhances animals' health maintenance, but refeeding reverses its beneficial effects. However, to what degree refeeding reverses the beneficial effects of DR remains controversial. Here, I develop a theoretical model for reconciling the results of refeeding studies and understanding the dynamic and reversible mechanism underlying the effects of diet on health from the energetic viewpoint. By illustrating the negative correlation between health maintenance and the energetic cost of growth in animals under different diet regimes, the model explains why, in some cases, refed animals have better health and live longer than freely fed controls. More importantly, the model …

Neuronostatin Inhibits Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion Via Direct Action On The Pancreatic Α-Cell, Alison S. Salvatori, Mollisa M. Elrick, Willis K. Samson, John A. Corbett, Gina L.C. Yosten

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuronostatin is a recently described peptide hormone encoded by the somatostatin gene. We previously showed that intraperitoneal injection of neuronostatin into mice resulted in c-Jun accumulation in pancreatic islets in a pattern consistent with the activation of glucagon-producing α-cells. We therefore hypothesized that neuronostatin could influence glucose homeostasis via a direct effect on the α-cell. Neuronostatin enhanced low-glucose-induced glucagon release in isolated rat islets and in the immortalized α-cell line αTC1-9. Furthermore, incubation with neuronostatin led to an increase in transcription of glucagon mRNA, as determined by RT-PCR. Neuronostatin also inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets. However, neuronostatin did …

Neural Circuitry Underlying The Central Hypertensive Action Of Nesfatin-1: Melanocortins, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, And Oxytocin, Gina L.C. Yosten, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nesfatin-1 is produced in the periphery and in the brain where it has been demonstrated to regulate appetite, stress hormone secretion, and cardiovascular function. The anorexigenic action of central nesfatin-1 requires recruitment of neurons producing the melanocortins and centrally projecting oxytocin (OT) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons. We previously have shown that two components of this pathway, the central melanocortin and oxytocin systems, contribute to the hypertensive action of nesfatin-1 as well. We hypothesized that the cardiovascular effect of nesfatin-1 also was dependent on activation of neurons expressing CRH receptors, and that the order of activation of the melanocortin-CRH-oxytocin circuit …

Selective Inhibition Of Angiotensin Receptor Signaling Through Erk1/2 Pathway By A Novel Peptide, Jun Liu, Gina L.C. Yosten, Hong Ji, Dan Zhang, Wei Zheng, Robert C. Speth, Willis K. Samson, Kathryn Sandberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

A seven-amino acid peptide (PEP7) is encoded within a short open reading frame within exon 2 (E2) in the 5′-leader sequence (5′LS) upstream of the rat ANG 1a-receptor (rAT1aR) mRNA. A chemically synthesized PEP7 markedly inhibited ANG II-induced Erk1/2 activation in cell culture by 62% compared with a scrambled PEP7 (sPEP7) [pErk1/2/Erk1/2 (AU): ANG II, 1.000 ± 0.0, ANG II+PEP7, 0.3812 ± 0.086, ANG II+sPEP7, 1.069 ± 0.18; n = 3]. Under these same conditions, PEP7 had no effect on ANG II-stimulated inositol-trisphosphate production. PEP7 also had no effect on epidermal growth factor- and phorbol methyl ester-induced Erk1/2 activation, suggesting …

A 54 Year-Old Man With Progressive Vision And Hearing Loss, A. A. Gru, G. Kolar, N. D. Wagner-Johnston, R. Schmidt, N. R. Yaseen

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Human Adult Stem Cells From Adipose Tissue And Bone Marrow In The Treatment Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Julie A. Semon, Catherine Maness, Xiujuan Zhang, Steven A. Sharkey, Marc M. Beuttler, Forum S. Shah, Amitabh C. Pandey, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Shijia Zhang, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Introduction. While administration of ex vitro culture-expanded stem cells has been used to study immunosuppressive mechanisms in multiple models of autoimmune diseases, less is known about the uncultured, nonexpanded stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-based therapy. The SVF is composed of a heterogeneous population of cells and has been used clinically to treat acute and chronic diseases, alleviating symptoms in a range of tissues and organs.

Methods. In this study, the ability of human SVF cells was compared with culture-expanded adipose stem cells (ASCs) and bone-derived marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis in …

Transplantation Of Autologous Adipose Stem Cells Lacks Therapeutic Efficacy In The Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model, Xiujuan Zhang, Annie C. Bowles, Julie A. Semon, Brittni A. Scruggs, Shijia Zhang, Amy L. Strong, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Bruce A. Bunnell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Multiple sclerosis (MS), characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage, is a complicated neurological disease of the human central nervous system. Recent interest in adipose stromal/stem cell (ASCs) for the treatment of CNS diseases has promoted further investigation in order to identify the most suitable ASCs. To investigate whether MS affects the biologic properties of ASCs and whether autologous ASCs from MS-affected sources could serve as an effective source for stem cell therapy, cells were isolated from subcutaneous inguinal fat pads of mice with established experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS. ASCs from EAE mice and …

Complement Regulatory Protein Cd46 Protects Against Choroidal Neovascularization In Mice, Valeriy Lyzogubov, Xiaobo Wu, Purushottam Jha, Ruslana Tytarenko, Michael Triebwasser, Grant Kolar, Paula Bertram, Puran S. Bora, John P. Atkinson, Nalini S. Bora

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dysregulation of the complement system is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in age-related macular degeneration. Although the complement regulator CD46 is expressed ubiquitously in humans, in mouse it was previously thought to be expressed only on spermatozoa. We detected CD46 mRNA and protein in the posterior ocular segment (neuronal retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid) of wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice. Cd46^-/- knockout mice exhibited increased levels of the membrane attack complex and of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina and choroid. The Cd46 ^-/- mice were also more susceptible to laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In Cd46 …

2014 Annual Report Department Of Biological Sciences, Ronald L. Frank, Chen Hou, Yue-Wern Huang, Melanie R. Mormile, Dev Niyogi, Katie Shannon, Julie A. Semon, Matthew S. Thimgan, David J. Westenberg, Terry Wilson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Ecology Of A Declining Great Plains Fish, Fundulus Sciadicus, In The Missouri Ozarks, Gregory Travis Thompson

Masters Theses

"Anthropogenic habitat disturbances are of growing concern due to their impacts on native biota, especially in freshwater ecosystems. Damming, channelization, urbanization, wetland draining, and non-native fish introductions all play large roles in habitat homogeneity, fragmentation, and species competition. This has negative effects on native fish and invertebrate species. In the Midwestern United States, the plains topminnow (Fundulus sciadicus) has been declining across its range, to the point of becoming a species of special concern in Missouri. This is possibly due to a combination of the above anthropogenic habitat disturbances. To better understand the ecology of the plains topminnow …

Characterization Of A Plant Gene Family Expanded In Glycine Max, Lisa Snoderly-Foster

Masters Theses

"Glycine max, commonly named the cultivated soybean, is one of the oldest and most important food crops in the world. The study of the G. max genome provides valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms that govern its reproduction and environmental responsiveness, key factors in maximizing crop yield. Since the complete sequencing of the genome in 2010, the analysis has become faster and easier, especially with the development of numerous web-based, publically accessible bioinformatics tools.

This research effort utilizes these tools to characterize a small, unannotated G. max gene family. Although no definitive evidence was uncovered for the production of a …

Dephosphorylation Of Iqg1 By Cdc14 Temporally Regulates Actin Ring Formation, Daniel Patrick Miller

Masters Theses

"Cytokinesis is the final step in cell division when the cell separates the cytoplasm by contracting a ring composed of filamentous actin (F-actin) and type II myosin. Iqg1, an IQGAP family member, is an essential scaffolding protein in budding yeast (S. cerevisiae) required for actin recruitment to, and contraction of, the actomyosin ring. Actin is recruited by the calponin homology domain (CHD) in anaphase after Iqg1 is localized to the bud neck. Consensus sites for the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Cdc28 were identified flanking the CHD. This led us to the hypothesis that phosphorylation of Iqg1 by Cdc28 negatively regulates actin …

Investigation Of Angiogenic Effects Of Bioactive Borate Glass Microfibers And Beads In A Rodent Model, Richard Jeffrey Watters

Masters Theses

"The primary objective of this research project was to evaluate the effects of three different compositions of bioactive glass microfibers (45S5, 13-93B3, and 13-93B3Cu) and bioactive glass beads (13-93, 13-93B3, and 13-93B3Cu) on angiogenesis in subcutaneous tissue in the SKH1 'hairless' mouse. Microvascular responses to the bioactive glass implants were investigated via three experimental approaches: noninvasive vital imaging of microvasculature in dorsal skin windows; quantitative histomorphometry of microvascular densities; and quantitative PCR measurements of mRNA expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines VEGF and FGF-2. The live imaging of dorsal skin window preparations in the hairless SKH1 showed the formation of a halo-like …

Energy Tradeoffs Between Food Assimilation, Growth, Metabolism And Maintenance, Lihong Jiao

Masters Theses

"The effect of metabolic rate (MR) on organisms' health maintenance is a long-standing puzzle and empirical data on this issue is contradictory. A theoretical model was developed for understanding animal's energy budget under the food condition of Ad libitum (AL) and food restriction. This model offers a framework for understanding the role of MR and health maintenance mechanism from the perspective of energy tradeoff between food assimilation, growth, metabolism and maintenance. Hornworm (Manduca sexta larva) has been selected as an model to test the energetic tradeoff under different food supply and ambient temperatures. The changes in energy budget can …

Effect Of Nanoparticles On The Biochemical And Behavioral Aging Phenotype Of The Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans, Andrea Scharf, Annette Piechulek, Anna Von Mikecz

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Invertebrate animal models such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) are increasingly used in nanotechnological applications. Research in this area covers a wide range from remote control of worm behavior by nanoparticles (NPs) to evaluation of organismal nanomaterial safety. Despite of the broad spectrum of investigated NP-bio interactions, little is known about the role of nanomaterials with respect to aging processes in C. elegans. We trace NPs in single cells of adult C. elegans and correlate particle distribution with the worm's metabolism and organ function. By confocal microscopy analysis of fluorescently labeled NPs in living worms, we identify two …

Compromise Of Endogenous Neuropeptide W Production Abrogates The Dipsogenic And Pressor Effects Of Angiotensin Ii In Adult Male Rats, A. T. Pate, G. L.C. Yosten, W. K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuropeptide W (NPW), an endogenous ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor GPR7, is produced in neurones in the rat hypothalamus and brain stem known to be important in the control of food intake and the neuroendocrine response to stress. In previous studies, central administration of NPW during the light phase increased food and water intake and elevated prolactin and corticosterone levels in conscious, unrestrained male rats. In the present study, central administration of small-interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced NPW levels in the hypothalamus and resulted in a failure of angiotensin II to stimulate water drinking or increase mean arterial pressure. In …

Administration Of Murine Stromal Vascular Fraction Ameliorates Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Julie A. Semon, Xiujuan Zhang, Armitabh C. Pandey, Sandra M. Alandete, Catherine Maness, Shijia Zhang, Brittni A. Scruggs, Amy L. Strong, Steven A. Sharkey, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Administration of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) represents a promising therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases since they have been shown to have immunomodulatory properties. The uncultured, nonexpanded counterpart of ASCs, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. Although administration of ex vivo culture-expanded ASCs has been used to study immunomodulatory mechanisms in multiple models of autoimmune diseases, less is known about SVF-based therapy. The ability of murine SVF cells to treat myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein_35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) was compared with that of culture-expanded ASCs in C57Bl/6J mice. A total of 1 x …

Age Of The Donor Reduces The Ability Of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells To Alleviate Symptoms In The Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model, Brittni A. Scruggs, Julie A. Semon, Xiujuan Zhang, Shijia Zhang, Annie C. Bowles, Amitabh C. Pandey, Kathleen M. P. Imhof, Allan V. Kalueff, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Bruce A. Bunnell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

There is a significant clinical need for effective therapies for primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which presents later in life (i.e., older than 50 years) and has symptoms that increase in severity without remission. With autologous mesenchymal stem cell therapy now in the early phases of clinical trials for all forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is necessary to determine whether autologous stem cells from older donors have therapeutic effectiveness. In this study, the therapeutic efficacy of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from older donors was directly compared with that of cells from younger donors for disease prevention. Mice were …

Neuropeptide W Increases Mean Arterial Pressure As A Result Of Behavioral Arousal, Alicia T. Pate, Gina L.C. Yosten, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuropeptide W (NPW), an endogenous ligand for G protein-coupled receptors NPBWR1 (GPR7) and NPBWR2 (GPR8), has been detected in neurons in limbic and reticular activating system areas known to be important in arousal, as well as hypothalamic nuclei known to be important in food and water intake and the neuroendocrine response to stress. In rat, central administration of NPW increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and behaviors associated with locomotion and grooming. We hypothesized that the NPW-induced increase in MAP was secondary to those increases in physical activity. Since peptides that stimulate arousal have been shown to increase sympathetic activity (e.g., …

Evidence For An Interaction Between Proinsulin C-Peptide And Gpr146, Gina L.C. Yosten, Grant R. Kolar, Lauren J. Redlinger, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microvascular diseases, such as retinopathies, neuropathies, and nephropathies, are a devastating consequence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The etiology of diabetes-associated microvascular dysfunction is poorly understood, and, likewise, treatment modalities for these disorders are limited. Interestingly, proinsulin C-peptide has been shown to play a protective role against diabetes-associated complications in experimental animals and in diabetic humans and is thus an attractive therapeutic target. However, an important step in the development of C-peptide-based therapeutics is identification of the C-peptide receptor, which is likely a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Using a unique Deductive Ligand- Receptor Matching Strategy, we sought to …

Oxidative Stress Disruption Of Receptor-Mediated Calcium Signaling Mechanisms, Tso-Hao Tang, Chiung-Tan Chang, Hsiu-Jen Wang, Joshua Erickson, Rhett A. Reichard, Alexis Martin, Erica Shannon, Adam L. Martin, Yue-Wern Huang, Robert Aronstam

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Oxidative stress increases the cytosolic content of calcium in the cytoplasm through a combination of effects on calcium pumps, exchangers, channels and binding proteins. In this study, oxidative stress was produced by exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP); cell viability was assessed using a dye reduction assay; receptor binding was characterized using [³H]N-methylscopolamine ([³H]MS); and cytosolic and luminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i and [Ca²⁺]_L, respectively) were measured by fluorescent imaging.

Results: Activation of M3 muscarinic receptors induced a biphasic increase in [Ca²⁺] …

Endocytic Trafficking Of Nanoparticles Delivered By Cell-Penetrating Peptides Comprised Of Nona-Arginine And A Penetration Accelerating Sequence, Betty Revon Liu, Shih-Yen Lo, Chia-Chin Liu, Chia-Lin Chyan, Yue-Wern Huang, Robert Aronstam, Han-Jung Lee

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can traverse cellular membranes and deliver biologically active molecules into cells. In this study, we demonstrate that CPPs comprised of nona-arginine (R9) and a penetration accelerating peptide sequence (Pas) that facilitates escape from endocytic lysosomes, denoted as PR9, greatly enhance the delivery of noncovalently associated quantum dots (QDs) into human A549 cells. Mechanistic studies, intracellular trafficking analysis and a functional gene assay reveal that endocytosis is the main route for intracellular delivery of PR9/QD complexes. Endocytic trafficking of PR9/QD complexes was monitored using both confocal and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Zeta-potential and size analyses indicate the importance …

Intracellular Delivery Of Nanoparticles And Dnas By Ir9 Cell-Penetrating Peptides, Betty Revon Liu, Ji-Sing Liou, Yue-Wern Huang, Robert Aronstam, Han-Jung Lee

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) comprised of basic amino residues are able to cross cytoplasmic membranes and are able to deliver biologically active molecules inside cells. However, CPP/cargo entrapment in endosome limits biomedical utility as cargoes are destroyed in the acidic environment. In this study, we demonstrate protein transduction of a novel CPP comprised of an INF7 fusion peptide and nona-arginine (designated IR9). IR9 noncovalently interacts with quantum dots (QDs) and DNAs to form stable IR9/QD and IR9/DNA complexes which are capable of entering human A549 cells. Zeta-potentials were a better predictor of transduction efficiency than gel shift analysis, emphasizing the importance …

Characterization Of Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells From The Twitcher Mouse Model Of Krabbe Disease, Xiujuan Zhang, Julie A. Semon, Shijia Zhang, Amy L. Strong, Brittni A.. Scruggs, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Bruce A. Bunnell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Krabbe disease, also known as globoid cell leukodystrophy, is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by the genetic deficiency of galactocerebrosidase (GALC), a lysosomal enzyme responsible for the degradation of several glycosphingolipids like psychosine and galactosylceramide. In order to investigate whether GALC deficiency in Krabbe disease affects adipose-derived stromal/stem cell (ASC) properties and if the ASCs could be used as a source of autologous stem cell therapy for patients with Krabbe disease, ASCs isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of Twitcher mice (a murine model of Krabbe disease) and their normal wild type littermates were cultured, expanded, and characterized for …

Cross-Translational Studies In Human And Drosophila Identify Markers Of Sleep Loss, Matthew S. Thimgan, Laura Gottschalk, Cristina Toedebusch, Jennifer Mcleland, Allan Rechstschaffen, Marcia Gilliland-Roberts, Stephen P. Duntley, Paul J. Shaw

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Inadequate sleep has become endemic, which imposes a substantial burden for public health and safety. At present, there are no objective tests to determine if an individual has gone without sleep for an extended period of time. Here we describe a novel approach that takes advantage of the evolutionary conservation of sleep to identify markers of sleep loss. To begin, we demonstrate that IL-6 is increased in rats following chronic total sleep deprivation and in humans following 30 h of waking. Discovery experiments were then conducted on saliva taken from sleep-deprived human subjects to identify candidate markers. Given the relationship …

Mechanistic Studies Of Intracellular Delivery Of Proteins By Cell-Penetrating Peptides In Cyanobacteria, Betty Revon Liu, Yue-Wern Huang, Han-Jung Lee

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: The plasma membrane plays an essential role in selective permeability, compartmentalization, osmotic balance, and cellular uptake. The characteristics and functions of cyanobacterial membranes have been extensively investigated in recent years. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are special nanocarriers that can overcome the plasma membrane barrier and enter cells directly, either alone or with associated cargoes. However, the cellular entry mechanisms of CPPs in cyanobacteria have not been studied.

Results: In the present study, we determine CPP-mediated transduction efficiency and internalization mechanisms in cyanobacteria using a combination of biological and biophysical methods. We demonstrate that both Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus …

Honokiol Blocks Store Operated Calcium Entry In Cho Cells Expressing The M3 Muscarinic Receptor: Honokiol And Muscarinic Signaling, Hsiu-Jen Wang, Alexis Martin, Po-Kuan Chao, Rhett A. Reichard, Adam L. Martin, Yue-Wern Huang, Ming-Huan Chan, Robert Aronstam

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Honokiol, a cell-permeable phenolic compound derived from the bark of magnolia trees and present in Asian herbal teas, has a unique array of pharmacological actions, including the inhibition of multiple autonomic responses. We determined the effects of honokiol on calcium signaling underlying transmission mediated by human M3 muscarinic receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Receptor binding was determined in radiolabelled ligand binding assays; changes in intracellular calcium concentrations were determined using a fura-2 ratiometric imaging protocol; cytotoxicity was determined using a dye reduction assay.

Results: Honokiol had a potent (EC50 ≈ 5 μmol/l) inhibitory effect on store …

Comparison Of The Therapeutic Effects Of Human And Mouse Adipose-Derived Stem Cells In A Murine Model Of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury, Shijia Zhang, Svitlana Danchuk, Kathleen M. P. Imhof, Julie A. Semon, Brittni A. Scruggs, Ryan W. Bonvillain, Amy L. Strong, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Aline M. Betancourt, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Introduction. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have emerged as important regulators of inflammatory/immune responses in vitro and in vivo and represent attractive candidates for cell-based therapies for diseases that involve excessive inflammation. Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory condition for which treatment is mainly supportive due to lack of effective therapies. In this study, the therapeutic effects of ASC-based therapy were assessed in vivo by comparison of the anti-inflammatory properties of both human and murine ASCs in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

Methods. Human ASCs (hASCs) or mouse ASCs (mASCs) were delivered to C57Bl/6 mice (7.5 x 10 …

Obesity Associated Alterations In The Biology Of Adipose Stem Cells Mediate Enhanced Tumorigenesis By Estrogen Dependent Pathways, Amy L. Strong, Thomas A. Strong, Lyndsay V. Rhodes, Julie A. Semon, Xiujuan Zhang, Zhenzhen Shi, Shijia Zhang, Jeffrey M. Gimble, Matthew E. Burow, Bruce A. Bunnell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Introduction: Obesity has been associated with increased incidence and mortality of breast cancer. While the precise correlation between obesity and breast cancer remains to be determined, recent studies suggest that adipose tissue and adipose stem cells (ASCs) influence breast cancer tumorigenesis and tumor progression.

Methods: Breast cancer cells lines were co-cultured with ASCs (n = 24), categorized based on tissue site of origin and body mass index (BMI), and assessed for enhanced proliferation, alterations in gene expression profile with PCR arrays, and enhanced tumorigenesis in immunocompromised mice. The gene expression profile of ASCs was assess with PCR arrays and qRT-PCR …

A Novel Reproductive Peptide, Phoenixin, G. L.C. Yosten, R. M. Lyu, A. J.W. Hsueh, O. Avsian-Kretchmer, J. K. Chang, C. W. Tullock, S. L. Dun, N. Dun, W. K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Normal anterior pituitary function is essential for fertility. Release from the gland of the reproductive hormones luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone is regulated primarily by hypothalamically-derived gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), although other releasing factors (RF) have been postulated to exist. Using a bioinformatic approach, we have identified a novel peptide, phoenixin, that regulates pituitary gonadotrophin secretion by modulating the expression of the GnRH receptor, an action with physiologically relevant consequences. Compromise of phoenixin in vivo using small interfering RNA resulted in the delayed appearance of oestrus and a reduction in GnRH receptor expression in the pituitary. Phoenixin may represent a new …