Research Topics
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
and College of Medicine
Ph. D. (1969) University of Wisconsin
Research Topics
Research Interests
Relaxin is a protein hormone with superficial structural features similar to the hormone insulin. Relaxin is produced in the ovaries during pregnancy in many mammalian species. Our laboratory demonstrated that relaxin has two diverse and vital physiological effects in both rats and pigs. Relaxin promotes growth and increased compliance (so-called ripening or softening) of the lower reproductive tract (cervix and vagina) and thereby facilitates rapid and safe delivery. Relaxin also promotes growth and development of the mammary apparatus and thereby enables normal postpartum lactation. The overall objective of our laboratory is to investigate the mechanism(s) at the cellular and molecular levels whereby relaxin in concert with estrogen brings about its vital effects on the cervix and vagina. Specific goals of our laboratory are to investigate the roles of cellular proliferation and/or apoptosis as mechanisms whereby estrogen and relaxin bring about an increase in cervical and vaginal cells during pregnancy. Additionally, studies are being conducted to determine the tissue location of estrogen receptors that enable relaxin to promote growth of the cervix and vagina. The effects of estrogen and relaxin on the cellular components of the cervix and vagina are being investigated with techniques such as immunohistochemistry at the light microscope level, morphometric analysis, and tissue culture. Studies to understand the physiological regulation of relaxin receptors are also underway.
Key Words Monoclonal antibodies, relaxin receptors, protein purification
and characterization, expression cloning, estrogen knockout mouse, tissue culture