The effects of estrogen on differential expression of calcium binding and regulation genes in the WT and ARKO hearts
This research focused on the effects of estrogen on the differential expression of calcium binding and regulation pathway specific genes in wild type (WT) and aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse hearts. Aromatase is an enzyme that catalyzes the aromatization of androgens (e.g. testosterone) into estrogens. For this study, RNA was made from unstressed and stressed hearts. Stressed hearts are those that were exposed to ischemia (lack of oxygen) and reperfusion (restoration of blood flow thus oxygen). Samples were analyzed using real-time PCR. Real-time PCR is used to amplify DNA, allowing the collection of quantitative data during the amplification phase. Results from this technique were used to determine the levels of expression of the selected calcium genes: Smoc, Calb1, Capn2, and Canx. An up-regulation was observed in the ArKO unstressed hearts. After the procedure, the levels of expression of all the genes increased. Calb1 did not show measurable levels of expression. The expression of these genes indicates that estrogen has a cardiac role. Yet, the effects on the expression of these genes and their effect on the cardiovascular system have to be determined.
School:
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
Department:
Chemistry
Research Advisor:
Dr. David Bunick
Department of Research Advisor:
Veterinary Biosciences
Year of Publication:
2004