Overview
Laboratory of Endocrine Signaling compose of highly interacting research groups working at the Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku.
The work is directed by two professors (Matti Poutanen, Manuel Tena-Sempere), four adjunct professors (Antti Perheentupa, Petra Sipilä, Leena Strauss, Taija Heinosalo) and a senior research fellow (Kalle Rytkönen).
Our multidisciplinary teams combine genetically modified mice and tumor xenografts as preclinical models and clinical patient cohorts for translational research aiming at defining the mechanism of several key health issues associated with endocrine dysfunction and hormone-dependent cancer.
As analytical tools we apply various molecular and cell biology methods and omic- techniques, combined with bioinformatics tools. In our translational research, we closely collaborate with various Clinics at the Turku University Hospital and with the pharmaceutical industry.
Current research is focusing on disease mechanisms related to infertility/fertility, endometrial dysfunction (endometriosis, preeclampsia), hormone dependent prostate and breast cancer and on obesity associated comorbidities such metabolic syndrome, and NAFLD and NASH.
Hormone-dependent cancer: Breast and prostate cancer
Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men are among the most frequent cancer types in western world, still with a high mortality rate. Both of these cancers are sex stoid driven: Estrogens play a pivotal role in development of breast cancer, and androgens are the major growth-promoting factor in prostate cancer trough out all the disease stages.
Endometrial function and endometrial disorders
The major menstrual cycle phases are regulated by sex steroids and have long been identified as menstrual, proliferative and secretory. Latest research suggests that much more detailed understanding regarding hormonal regulation of various cell types in the endometrium is required to understand the differences between normal and diseased endometrium, and to resolve pathogenesis of endometrial diseases.
Reproductive physiology of gonads and accessory sex glands
Gonads are the major source of active sex steroids during reproductive years. Estrogens being synthesized mainly in the ovaries and androgens in the testis. We are interested in the regulation of the tightly connected mechanisms of steroid synthesis and gonadal function.
Finnish Disease Heritage to model rare diseases
The Finnish disease heritage contains almost forty monogenic, rare hereditary diseases that are clearly enriched in Finland. FinnDisMice research consortium focuses on modeling a set of Finnish disease heritage in mouse in order to facilitate understanding of disease pathomechanisms that are causative for these rare diseases.
Neuroendocrinology of Puberty, Fertility and Metabolism
Kisspeptins, the products of Kiss1 gene, are key elements in the control of reproduction; a function conducted mainly by populations of hypothalamic Kiss1 neurons. Kisspeptins control gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility and thereby, and thereby, the cyclic ovarian function.
Metabolic regulation of lipid homeostasis
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of diseases ranging from fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. In the patients with NASH and fibrosis there is a great risk of death from liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma.