Comparative Physiology and Molecular Endocrinology
Phone:
252-328-6504
Fax:
242-3284178
E-mail:
zhuy@mail.ecu.edu
Office:
Howell Science Complex
Address:
Department of Biology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
Research Interests: Steroid hormones in vertebrates are involved in important biological processes, such as survival, growth, reproduction, sexual behavior, development of secondary sex characteristics, and dietary metabolism. The effects of steroids in vertebrates have been well defined as genomic and nongenomic, in order to differentiate non-transcriptional steroid activities from the nuclear steroid receptor mediated transcriptional regulatory activity. One important characteristic of this nuclear steroid action is the requirement of DNA transcription and mRNA translation. Therefore, the physiological response is slow and usually takes hours or days. However, extensive evidence accumulating for over 3 decades suggests that some effects of steroids are nongenomically mediated; thus they do not require transcription or translation. Because some effects occur rapidly, ranging between nanoseconds to a few minutes, the rapid responses of steroids cannot be explained by classical nuclear steroid signaling pathways.
Using novel strategies, including a combination of protein purification, antibody screening, and molecular cloning approaches, we have been the first to clone a putative membrane progestin receptor (mPRa)) from spotted seatrout ovary. In addition, we have discovered a gene encoding a putative mPR in other fish species, mice, pigs, and humans. Currently, our lab is using various molecular techniques to further characterize this novel gene family in zebrafish and mammals.
Additionally, I am interested in investigating the functions of a fish pituitary hormone, somatolactin. Somatolactin is a hormone that is structurally similar to prolactin. The only known function of somatolactin is melanophore aggregation. This hormone causes the darkening or lightening of the fish in response to the environment. Because of the structural similarity to prolactin, it is hypothesized that there may be other unknown functions for the hormone. Recently, our lab has cloned the gene for somatolactin in zebrafish. Using molecular approaches, such as quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and Northern Blotting, we are investigating some of the functions of somatolactin.
If interested in our research feel free to email me:zhuy@mail.ecu.edu.Currently, we are looking for some bright graduates students to explore this exciting new field of molecular endocrinology.
Selected publications:
Zhu Y, Song D, Tran NT, Nguyen N (in press) The Effects of the Members of Growth Hormone Knockdown in Zebrafish Development. General and Comparative Endocrinology
Thomas P, Pang Y, Groenen P, Kelder J, Dong J, Zhu Y, Tubbs C (in press) Steroid and G Protein Binding Characteristics of the Seatrout and Human Progestin Membrane Receptor Alpha Subtypes and Their Evolutionary Origins. Endocrinology
Hanna R, Pang Y, Thomas P, Zhu Y (2006) Cell Surface Expression, Progestin Binding and Rapid Nongenomic Signaling of Zebrafish Membrane Progestin Receptors α and β in Transfected Cells. Journal of Endocrinology 190: 247 - 260.
Nguyen N, Sugimoto M, Zhu Y. (2006) Production and purification of recombinant somatolactin β and its effects on melanosome aggregation in zebrafish. General and Comparative Endocrinology 145: 182-187.
Zhu, Y., J.W. Stiller, M.P. Shaner, A. Baldini, J.L. Scemama & A.A. Capehart. (2004) Cloning of somatolactin a and b cDNAs in zebrafish and phylogenetic analysis of two distinct somatolactin subtypes in fish. Journal of Endocrinology 182: 509-518.
Thomas, P., Y. Pang, Y. Zhu, C. Detweiler & K. Doughty (2004) Multiple rapid progestin actions and progestin membrane receptor subtypes in fish. Steroids 69:567-573.
Zhu, Y., C.D. Rice, Y. Pang, M. Pace & P. Thomas (2003) Cloning, expression and characterization of a novel membrane progestin receptor and evidence it is an intermediary in meiotic maturation of fish oocytes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100: 2231-2236.
Zhu, Y., J. E. Bond & P. Thomas (2003). Identification, classification and partial characterization of genes in humans and other vertebrates homologous to a novel fish membrane progestin receptor. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100:2237-2242.
Thomas, P., Y. Zhu & Y. Pang. 2003. Current knowledge of the nature and identity of progestin and estrogen membrane receptors in fish gonads. in The Identities of Membrane Steroid Receptors. Watson, C.S. ed. Boston: Kluwer Acaemic Publishers, 131-138.
Thomas, P., Y. Zhu & M Pace. (2002). Progestin membrane receptors involved in the meiotic maturation of teleost oocytes: a review with some new findings. Steroids 67:511-577.
Zhu, Y., Y. Yoshiura, K. Kikuchi, K. Aida & P. Thomas. (1999). Cloning and phylogenetic relationship of red drum somatolactin cDNA and effects of light on pituitary somatolactin mRNA expression. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 113:69-79.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1998. Effects of light on plasma somatolactin levels in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology. 111:76-82.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1997. Studies on the physiology of somatolactin secretion in red drum and Atlantic croaker. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry. 17:271-278.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1997. Effects of somatolactin on melanosome aggregation in the melanophores of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) scales. General and Comparative Endocrinology 105: 127-133.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1996. Elevations of somatolactin in plasma and pituitaries and increased a-MSH cell activity in red drum exposed to black background and decreased illumination. General and Comparative Endocrinology 101:21-31.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1995. Plasma somatolactin concentrations in Atlantic croaker during gonadal recrudescence. In: "Reproductive Physiology of Fish", Edited by F.W. Goetz and P. Thomas, Published by Fish Symposium 95, Austin, p.42.
Zhu, Y. & P. Thomas. 1995. Red drum somatolactin: development of a homologous radioimmunoassay and plasma levels after exposure to stressors or various backgrounds. General and Comparative Endocrinology 99:275-288.
Zhu, Y., M. Kobayashi, K. Furukawa & K. Aida. 1994. Gonadotropin develops sensitivity to maturation-inducing steroid in the oocytes of daily spawning teleosts, tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri) and Kisu (Sillago japonica). Fisheries Science 60:541-545.
Asahina, K., Y. Zhu, K. Aida & T. Hagashi. 1991. Synthesis of 17alpha,21-dihydroxy-4- prognene-3,20-dione, 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, and 17alpha,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in the ovaries of tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri), callionymidae teleostei. In: "Reproductive physiology of Fish", Edited by A.P. Scott et al., Published by Fishsymp 91, Sheffield, 80-82.
Zhu, Y., K. Furukawa & K. Aida. 1991. Effects of photoperiod on spawning rhythm in the tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri). Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi-Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. 57:2033-2037.
Zhu, Y., K. Furukawa, K. Aida & I. Hanyu. 1991. Effects of water temperature and photoperiod on the initiation and termination of autumn spawning season in tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri). Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi-Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science 57:1871-1876.
Zhu, Y., K. Furukawa, K. Aida & I. Hanyu. 1991. Daily spawning rhythm during spring and autumn spawning seasons in the tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri). Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi-Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science 57:1865-1870.
Zhu, Y., K. Furukawa, K. Aida & I. Hanyu. 1989. Annual reproductive rhythm of the tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri) Callinymidae in Lake Hamana. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi-Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science 55:591-599.
Zhu, Y., K. Aida, K. Furukawa & I. Hanyu. 1989. Development of sensitivity to maturation-inducing steroids and gonadotropins in the oocytes of the tobinumeri-dragonet (Repomucenus beniteguri) Callionymidae (teleostei). General and Comparative Endocrinology 76:250-260.
