Kelly Mayo Professor

Research Summary:

The Mayo laboratory investigates hormone action and signal transduction in the mammalian reproductive axis. We are examining developmental pathways involved in the initial formation and growth of ovarian follicles, and are focusing on the role of Notch signaling in mediating somatic cell - germ cell interactions. We are also studying the dynamic hormonal regulation of gene expression in follicles as they mature and ovulate, with an emphasis on the genes encoding the ovarian hormone inhibin.

Selected Publications:

Mechanism of CREB recognition and coactivation by the CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator CRTC2. Luo Q, Viste K, Urday-Zaa JC, Kumar GS, Tsai W-W, Talai A, Mayo KE, Montminy M, and Radhakrishnan I. PNAS. 2012 December 18;109(51):20865-20870.

DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications Are Associated with Repression of the Inhibin α Promoter in the Rat Corpus Luteum. Meldi KM, Gaconnet GA, and Mayo KE. Endocrinology. 2012 October 1;153(10):4905-4917.

The LIM Domain Protein FHL2 Interacts with the NR5A Family of Nuclear Receptors and CREB to Activate the Inhibin-α Subunit Gene in Ovarian Granulosa Cells. Matulis CK and Mayo KE. Molecular Endocrinology. 2012 August 1;26(8):1278-1290.

Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Cyp26b1 to Be an Activin Regulated Gene Involved in Ovarian Granulosa Cell Proliferation. Kipp JL, Golebiowski A, Rodriguez G, Demczuk M, Kilen SM, and Mayo KE. Endocrinology. 2011 January 1;152(1):303-312.

The Interactions Between the Stimulatory Effect of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and the Inhibitory Effect of Estrogen on Mouse Primordial Folliculogenesis. Lei L, Jin S, Mayo KE, and Woodruff TK. Biology of Reproduction. 2010 January 1;82(1):13-22.

Selected Honors:

Walter and Jennie Bayne Professorship

Outstanding Mentor Award, Women in Endocrinology

Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

E. Leroy Hall Award for Teaching Excellence

Ernst Oppenheimer Research Award of The Endocrine Society