Estrogen Receptor Regulation of Vitellogenin Gene Expression

Stimulation of Xenopus laevis with estradiol-17(beta) induces the massive and prolonged biosynthesis of the egg yolk protein precursor vitellogenin in the liver. Injection of estrogen into male animals previously exposed to estrogen but subsequently withdrawn from the hormone leads to the much earlier appearance of vitellogenin mRNA and a four-fold higher rate of vitellogenin gene transcription in the restimulated animal. The ontogeny of the estrogen receptor indicates that nuclear estrogen receptor is intimately involved with the initiation of vitellogenin gene transcription, but that the maximal rate of gene transcription is independent of the nuclear estrogen receptor concentration. De novo protein synthesis is not requisite for the initiation of gene transcription, providing further evidence that vitellogenesis is a direct response to estradiol. A cytoplasmic estrogen binding protein distinct from the estrogen receptor is characterized. Possible functions of the cytoplasmic binding protein in the vitellogenic response are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biochemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Hayward, Marshall A.

• Chemistry, Biochemistry

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8209586

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70505