Methodological Approaches

Adenovirus vectors

Replication defective adenovirus vectors are able to direct the expression of recombinant proteins with high efficiency in vivo and in vitro. Members of the CRRP are using these vectors to alter intracellular signaling pathways in primary cultures of granulosa cells, Sertoli cells and prostate cells. Because virtually 100% of cells in culture are infected by the vectors and express targeted proteins, it is possible to directly determine the effects of hormone receptors, intracellular kinases and transcription factors on fully chromatinized endogenous gene expression. In addition, these vectors can be used to express recombinant proteins in vivo. Thus, these vectors provide the opportunity to directly assess the physiological effects of specific hormone signaling pathways both in vitro and in vivo.

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