Dr. Alan Craig Dalkin

Activins, Inhibins and Follistatin: Roles as Hormone and Growth Factors In recent years a family of peptides known as the inhibins and activins have been identified and produced by recombinant DNA technology. These peptides are produced primarily in the gonad and were originally found to have significant actions at the pituitary gland in regulating the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Additionally, there has been identification of a binding protein for the activins known as follistatin. This peptide, also produced predominantly in the gonads, appears to act to modulate activin action. More recently, it has become clear that activins and perhaps inhibins can function as growth factors in various cell types. For example, in the liver, activin is growth inhibitory, while in the bone marrow, activin can induce differentiation of red blood cell precursors. There are also recent data that suggest either an excess of activin, inhibin and follistatin at the level of pituitary gland.Specifically, my research is directed toward understanding the regulation of acticin receptors and the secretory/synthetic effects of activin on FSH. My research has encompassed two general categories. I am investigating the effects of activin, inhibin and follistatin at the level of the pitutary gland. Specifically, my research is directed toward understanding the regulation of activin rectptors and the secretory/synthetic effects of activin on FSH. The second line of investigation involves the study ofactivin at the prostate. There is inferential data that activin may be involved in the regulation of prostatic growth. My project here has focused on the effects of activin and follistatin on the rate of growth of prostate cancer cell lines. These studieswill define whether activin and follistatin play a role in the progression of androgen-independent prostate caner.

Dean's award for research excellence, Medical School.