Micah Foster
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Gary Hammer
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Internal Medicine MEND / Medicine
Program: UROP
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Authors: Micah Foster, Typhanie Dumontet, Christopher LaPensee, Gary Hammer
Abstract
Sex hormones influence the transcription of many genes, causing sexual dimorphism in organisms. Upon the investigation of Hhex (hematopoietically-expressed homeobox), an essential gene in defining adrenal gland cells and regulating adrenal cholesterol homeostasis, sexual dimorphism was observed. Specifically, HHEX knockout in mouse models caused lipid depletion in the adrenal zona fasciculata of male and not female mice. To understand this sexual dimorphism, this study analyzed the interaction between Hhex and the androgen signaling pathway by combining newly developed mouse models and immunohistochemistry. SF1-Cre mice were crossed with Hhex floxed mice to generate both wild-type and HHEX knockout mice. Mice were gonadectomized after puberty and sacrificed at 15 weeks. Their adrenals were stained for HHEX and perilipin-1 (a protein stained to visualize lipid droplets) using immunohistochemistry. The experimental results suggested that HHEX expression is driven by sex hormones and that Hhex may inhibit androgen-inducted lipid depletion of the adrenal zona fasciculata. The investigation’s findings have important implications within the natural sciences. The research will lead to an expansion of knowledge about the adrenal, opening avenues for curiosity and exploration for future scientists. Advances in knowledge about genetics, biological mechanisms, and physiology, given by this research, provide the opportunity for the future development of new medical treatments and technology.
