Person
Peng, Chun
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Biography and Research Interest
Research in my laboratory is directed towards understanding how hormones and growth factors regulate reproductive functions in vertebrates, especially in fish and human. We are particularly interested in 1) physiological roles of hormones and growth factors in female reproduction and 2) molecular mechanisms by which hormones and growth factors regulate reproductive functions.
Using zebrafish as a model, we have been investigating the role of activin, TGF-beta and BMP-15 in the ovary. We have cloned cDNAs for activin subunits, activin receptors, TGF-beta and TGF-beta receptors. We have also demonstrated that activin-A stimulates while TGF-beta1 inhibits oocyte maturation. We are currently determining how activin and TGF-beta are involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation by examining their effects on the receptors for gonadotropins and maturation inducing hormone and on steroid hormone production. The role of BMP-15 in follicle development and maturation is also under investigation.
Using zebrafish as a model, we have been investigating the role of activin, TGF-beta and BMP-15 in the ovary. We have cloned cDNAs for activin subunits, activin receptors, TGF-beta and TGF-beta receptors. We have also demonstrated that activin-A stimulates while TGF-beta1 inhibits oocyte maturation. We are currently determining how activin and TGF-beta are involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation by examining their effects on the receptors for gonadotropins and maturation inducing hormone and on steroid hormone production. The role of BMP-15 in follicle development and maturation is also under investigation.
Non-Zebrafish Publications
Selected Publications since 2000Peng C. 2003. The transforming growth factor-beta superfamily and its role in human ovary and placenta. Can J Obs Gyn, in press.
Chen VT, Peng C, Leung PC, 2003. Activin-A up-regulates type I activin receptor mRNA levels in human immortalized extravillous trophoblast cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 24:29-36.
Roberts H, Hu S, Qiu Q, Leung PCK, Caniggia I, Gruslin A, Tsang B, and Peng C, 2003. Identification of novel isoforms of activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) generated by alternative splicing and expression of ALK7 and its Ligand, Nodal, in human placenta. Biol Reprod, 68: 1719-1726.
Luo S, Yu H, Wu D, and Peng C, 2002. Transforming growth factor- inhibits steroidogenesis in human trophoblast cells. Mol Human Reprod 8: 318-325.
Wu D, Luo S, Wang Y, Zhuang L, Chen Y and Peng C, 2001. Smads in human trophoblast cells: Expression, regulation and role in transforming growth factor-beta1-induced transcriptional activity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 175: 111-121.
Ni X, Luo S, Minegishi T and Peng C, 2000. Activin-A in JEG-3 cells: Potential role as an autocrine regulator of steriodogenesis. Biol Reprod, 62: 1224-1230.
Peng C and Mukai S, 2000. Activins and their receptors in female reproduction. Biochem Cell Biol 78:261-279