Research Focus

Ovarian biology: estrogen signaling and regulation of ovarian follicle development. 

Research Interest

We study the molecular mechanisms involved in ovarian follicle assembly and primordial follicle activation. Using mutant mouse and rat models, we investigate the early developmental cues in the ovary. We recently detected that ERβ mediated transcriptional regulation is essential for preventing excessive loss of ovarian follicles.  Our ongoing work focuses on identifying the ERβ regulated genes in oocytes and granulosa cells that control primordial follicle activation. The ultimate goal of our research is to utilize novel molecular targets for protecting ovarian follicle reserve.

Erica Lee, Research Technician

Saeed Masumi, Research Technician

Hindole Ghosh, Postdoctoral Fellow

Selected Recent Publications:  

1. Chakravarthi VP, Ratri A, Masumi S, Ghosh S, Christenson LK, Roby KF, Wolfe MW, Rumi MA. Granulosa cell genes that regulate ovarian follicle development beyond the antral stage: The role of estrogen receptor β. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2021;528:111212. doi: 10.1016/j.mce. 2021.111212. PMID: 33676987. 

2. Chakravarthi VP, Ghosh S, Housami SM, Wang H, Roby KF, Wolfe MW, Kinsey WH, Rumi MA. ERβ regulated ovarian kisspeptin plays an important role in oocyte maturation. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2021;527:111208. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111208. PMID: 33592287. 

3. Chakravarthi VP, Ghosh S, Roby KF, Wolfe MW, Rumi MA. A gatekeeping role of ESR2 to maintain the primordial follicle reserve. Endocrinology. 2020; 161(4): bqaa037. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa037. PMID: 32141511. 

4. Khristi V, Ratri A, Ghosh S, Pathak D, Borosha S, Dai E, Roy R, Chakravarthi, VP, Wolfe MW, Karim Rumi MA. Disruption of ESR1 alters the expression of genes regulating hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in male rats. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2019; 490:47-56. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.04.005. PMID: 30974146. 

5. Chakravarthi VP, Khristi V, Ghosh S, Yerrathota S, Dai E, Roby KF, Wolfe MW, Rumi MA. ESR2 is essential for gonadotropin-induced Kiss1 expression in granulosa cells.  Endocrinology. 2018;159(11):3860-3873. doi:10.1210/en.2018-00608. PMID: 30277501. 

6. Khristi V, Chakravarthi VP, Singh P, Ghosh S, Pramanik A, Ratri A, Borosha S, Roby KF, Wolfe MW, Rumi MA. ESR2 regulates granulosa cell genes essential for follicle maturation and ovulation. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018; 474:214-226. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.03.012. PMID: 29580824. 

7. Rumi MA, Singh P, Roby KF, Zhao X, Iqbal K, Ratri A, Lei T, Cui W, Borosha S, Dhakal P, Kubota K, Chakraborty D, Vivian JL, Wolfe MW, Soares MJ. Defining the role of estrogen receptor beta in the regulation of female fertility. Endocrinology. 2017; 158(7):2330-2343. doi: 10.1210/en.2016-1916. PMID: 28520870.

PubMed Publications