Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Lewis Landsberg Dean
Vice President for Medical Affairs
Professor, Division of Endocrinology
Feinberg School of Medicine
Research Interests:
Dr. Jameson's research focuses on molecular endocrinology. His laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms that control the transcription of endocrine genes. Concerted efforts are made to bridge laboratory studies with clinical endocrinology using recombinant DNA methods to investigate the pathophysiology of endocrine disorders.
The major focus of Dr. Jameson’s laboratory concerns the transcriptional control of endocrine gene expression. Most of their projects are focused on hormonal regulation of the glycoprotein hormones. This family of hormones includes: Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), and Chorionic Gonadotropin (CG).
Despite their structural similarities, the glycoprotein hormones have evolved distinct physiological functions and provide an opportunity to understand how closely related genes have evolved unique regulatory features. Because the glycoprotein hormone a-gene is expressed in conjunction with each of the different glycoprotein hormone ß-subunits, it is subject to a myriad of hormonal inputs.
For example, in gonadotrophs (LH, FSH), it is regulated by positively by hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is secreted in a pulsatile manner. In thyrotrophs (TSH), the a-gene is stimulated by hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and it is repressed by the product of the target gland (thyroid hormone) in a classic example of negative feedback regulation.
Dr. Jameson’s current interests are primarily focused on transcription factors such as SF-1 and DAX-1 that are required for the development of a normal gonadotrope phenotype. A combination of gene knockouts, studies of developmental expression, and promoter mutagenesis studies are being used to define the functional role of these factors. Whenever possible, his lab attempts to use these "experiments of nature" to gain insight into the cellular mechanisms of disease.
