Estrogen signalling in gonadotropes

Estrogen acts on the brain and the pituitary gland to control the secretion of hormones that regulate reproduction. Hormones, like estrogen, signal to cells via receptors and second messengers inside the cell. The relevant cells of the pituitary gland are the gonadotropes, which secrete gonadotropins. Very little is known about the way that estrogen signals in gonadotropes and the project aim is to investigate this. In addition, we have preliminary data to suggest that estrogen signaling in these cells converges with the pathway through which gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) acts on gonadotropes. GnRH is the brain hormone that stimulates the gonadotropes to release gonadotropins. We will examine this convergence of signalling.