Molecular Mechanisms Leading To Schizophrenia- The Role Of Estrogen And Estrogen Receptor Alpha
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating mental illness of unknown cause thought to arise from a derailment of normal brain development where the brain fails to respond to the pubertal surge in sex steroids. This proposal aims to determine the molecular pathogenesis of SZ. The SZ susceptibility gene estrogen receptor alpha and the SZ susceptibility pathway neuregulin-ErbB4 are interrogated. This will lead to the development of novel therapeutics and preventative agents that will halt disease onset.
Interaction Between Estrogen And The Renin-angiotensin System In The Regulation Of Arterial Pressure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,525.00
Summary
Women before menopause are protected from cardiovascular disease. Estrogen is thought to provide this protection. Yet post-menopause estrogen replacement has not always proven beneficial. We are investigating the idea that estrogen within a narrow window modulates the hormone angiotensin (a major regulator of blood pressure) to lower blood presssure but outside this range (higher or lower) the benefits are lost.
Why We Have Two Estrogen Receptors: The Role Of ERbeta In Folliculogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,053.00
Summary
The female hormone estrogen acts via receptors ERalpha and ERbeta. Little is known about the genes and proteins regulated by ERbeta. Ovarian granulosa cells and granulosa cell tumours express ERbeta. By studying the biology of normal and malignant granulosa cells we hope to understand the role that ERbeta plays in granulosa cells. These studies will identify areas for the development of new therapeutics or treatment strategies for a range of female-specific conditions including ovarian cancer.
Wnt-5a Signalling - A Novel Therapy For Triple Negative And Tamoxifen Resistant Breast Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,534.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Commonly used drugs target the estrogen receptor (ER). However, one third of breast cancer patients lack ER, and do not respond to treatment. Cancers that lack ER also lack a gene called Wnt5a, which is linked to better prognosis. We have shown that fixing Wnt5a can restore ER allowing cells to respond to Tamoxifen. We would now test this in animals, in the hope of developing a new drug for breast cancer patients currently with limited options.
Linking Estrogens, Prostatitis And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,309.00
Summary
Prostatitis is very common and a significant health issue that affects men from their 20's. Estrogens promote inflammation and inflammation is associated with the development of cancer. If this study links estrogens, prostatitis and prostate cancer, we can provide better treatment for prostatitis, thus preventing progression to prostate cancer
Cognitive Enhancement In Schizophrenia Via Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,380.00
Summary
Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is resistant to treatment and related to poor community functioning and quality of life. In spite of the widely appreciated magnitude of the problem, there is still a critical gap in our knowledge concerning treatments to reverse these cognitive deficits. The proposed research is significant because it will clarify the role of hormones and genes in relation to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and it may help patients improve their level of functioning.
The steroid hormone estrogen plays a critical role in the development of human breast cancer. Anti-estrogen therapy has been believed to be an effective treatment of breast cancer over more than 100 years. However, the anti-estrogen therapy is still restricted mainly because of that estrogen has fundamental physiological actions and a wide range of beneficial effects on bone, brain, cardiovascular and other targeted tissues. Thus, it has become a primary focus of inquiry to understand how estrog ....The steroid hormone estrogen plays a critical role in the development of human breast cancer. Anti-estrogen therapy has been believed to be an effective treatment of breast cancer over more than 100 years. However, the anti-estrogen therapy is still restricted mainly because of that estrogen has fundamental physiological actions and a wide range of beneficial effects on bone, brain, cardiovascular and other targeted tissues. Thus, it has become a primary focus of inquiry to understand how estrogen specifically functions in breast cancer but not in normal tissues. Estrogen serves different functions involving a series of biochemical reactions called signal transduction pathways that can couple estrogen to a specific function, such as cancer formation. We have recently found that a enzyme named sphingosine kinase (SK) activation triggers a novel signal transduction pathway in regulation of cell growth and tumour formation, and that this pathway was activated by estrogen in human breast cancer cells. Thus, we seek to identify how estrogen activate SK and how they contribute to the development of breast cancer. It will ultimately provide a potential target for therapeutic intervention and may yield new compounds that have clinical benefit for anti-breast-cancer.Read moreRead less