Signal Transduction Laboratory 

Director
John S. Davis, Ph.D.

Mechanism of hormone and growth factor action 

Another current area of research interest is the mechanism of action of prostaglandins, particularly PGF2a.  This prostanoid is believed to be the major signal that contributes to the regression of the corpus luteum, which allows resumption of the normal cycle of fertility. Recent research has focused on the ability of PGF2a to activate the mTOR/p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K1) signaling pathway. This pathway contributes to the select regulation of gene expression and translational events. Furthermore our evidence suggests that his pathway contributes to the inhibition of IGF-I mediated cell survival signals, which may sensitize the luteal cell to apoptosis.  We have established activity assays for these protein kinases and are currently exploring their function using a variety of chemical inhibitors and adenoviral vectors that target various steps in the signaling cascades.

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