Wade V. Welshons, PhD
Associate Professor, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
E102 Vet Med Bldg
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-3347
WelshonsW@missouri.edu
Estrogens regulate a variety of cellular and developmental responses, through interaction of the hormone with specific receptors of the nuclear receptor superfamily. After binding an estrogen, the receptor-estrogen complex mediates changes in transcription in the nucleus of the cell that lead to specific hormonal responses. Dr. Welshons' lab studies the mechanisms by which estrogens regulate the synthesis and degradation of the estrogen receptor protein and message in estrogen-responsive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, mechanisms of estrogen-stimulated proliferation, and the progression of breast cancer cells from hormone dependence to hormone independence. In addition, his lab studies estrogen action in fetal development, its relationship to environmental xenoestrogen exposure, and the mechanisms and prediction of environmental endocrine disruptor effects on the development of the reproductive tract. One current focus in this is how the physiology of delivery of environmental estrogens can substantially increase the impact of selected environmental estrogens on fetal development, relative to weak activity in the adult. This work on circulating xenobiotic estrogens studied in tissue culture models, tested in animal models in collaboration with F.S. vom Saal also at this institution, contributes to the national regulatory process for the evaluation of endocrine disruption by synthetic chemicals.
More information on Dr. Welshon's and his lab can be found here.
Research Areas of Interest
Cancer
Cell biology
Cellular signaling
Hormone action
Hormone assay
Nutriceuticals
Receptor biology
Reproductive biology
