William Rainey

William Rainey, PhD

Jerome W. Conn Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine
Director, Endocrine Neoplasia Basic Research

2560D MSRB II
1150 W. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-5622

(734) 764-7514

Areas of Interest

The human adrenal cortex acts as a compound endocrine gland that secretes mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and the so-called adrenal androgens. These steroids arise from distinct zone of the adrenal cortex that have both morphologic and biochemical differences. Neither the origin of the stem cells of the cortical zones nor the mechanisms leading to the zone-specific production of steroids is clearly defined. The functional zonation of the adrenal cortex can be traced to the zone-specific expression of the enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis. Here we take the novel approach of focusing on the molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of a glomerulosa, fasiculata or reticularis phenotype. We propose to define the mechanisms that regulate adrenal cell expression of key enzymes that directly impact the ability of adrenal cells to produce aldosterone, cortisol or DHEA-S. The proposed studies will provide insight into the normal physiology of the adrenal as well as pathologies associated with dysregulation of adrenal steroids.

Credentials

  • Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Published Articles or Reviews

Additional Publications in Pubmed

 

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