The biology of gonadotroph regulation.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss recent progress in our understanding of pituitary gonadotroph development and gonadotropin gene regulation, with an emphasis on differential luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and subunit synthesis, and the implications this may have on female reproductive health.


RESULTS
In the mature gonadotroph, there is an emerging concept that differential synthesis of gonadotropin beta-subunit genes, essential for cyclic reproductive function, is associated with modification of activation and/or stability of important regulatory proteins and transcription factors. Recent studies suggest that cellular events, which affect histone modification, play an essential role in both gonadotroph development and the ontogeny of gonadotropin subunit gene expression. Such dynamic events are under the orchestration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), potentially through the ability of GnRH to activate several distinct signaling cascades within the gonadotroph.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater insight into the cellular events that are key to gonadotroph physiology will contribute to our understanding of abnormal gonadotropin secretion in disorders such as hypothalamic amenorrhea and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and provide a context for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
Ciccone
Nick A
NA
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Kaiser
Ursula B
UB
D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D052681:Gonadotrophs / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone