Dr. Paul Terranova, Ph.D.

The importance of Src tyrosine kinase in ovarian function was recognized by our laboratory when pharmacologic inhibition of Src altered ovarian thecal steroidogenesis and granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro. Inhibition of Src in thecal cells (depicted below) revealed that androgen secretion was enhanced by increasing expression of the major steroidogenic enzyme (17 α-hydroxylase). Inhibition of Src in granulosa cells reduced the conversion of androgen to estrogen. Current studies are underway to determine the mechanisms that Src regulate ovarian steroidogenesis.