Dr. Andrea Gore

Phone: 512-471-3669
Fax: 512-475-6088


andrea.gore@mail.utexas.edu
Research Interests in Neuroendocrinology

My laboratory is interested in the mechanisms by which the brain controls reproductive development and aging. We are focusing on a group of neurons in the hypothalamus that synthesize and release a peptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), that is the primary molecule controlling reproductive function.

  1. Neural mechanisms of reproductive development and puberty: During normal maturation, changes in hypothalamic GnRH release and biosynthesis are responsible for the reproductive process. In order to better understand the mechanisms by which GnRH neurons change, and the factors that regulate GnRH neurons, we study GnRH release, gene expression, neuroanatomy and physiology in normally developing male and female rats. Current research is focused on the roles of the NMDA receptor, and a neurotrophic factor, IGF-I, in their regulation of GnRH cells.

  2. Effects of environmental and hormonal factors that perturb reproductive function: We are also studying how perturbations of the neuroendocrine system (e.g. by environmental factors that may mimic steroid hormones, or pharmacological agents acting on receptors on GnRH neurons) result in aberrant reproductive functions. In particular, we are trying to understand whether the brain may be a primary target of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and the mechanisms thereof. These studies may help us to develop interventions to protect against environmental factors that may perturb normal reproductive development.

  3. Neural mechanisms for reproductive senescence: The mechanisms for reproductive senescence are poorly understood, particularly whether the brain (as opposed to the gonad) plays a role in this process. Experiments in our laboratory are ongoing to provide basic information as to the role of the hypothalamus, including the GnRH neurosecretory system, sex steroid hormone receptors (e.g., the estrogen receptor), and NMDA receptors that regulate GnRH cells, and how they change during reproductive aging.

Please see also my Lab Group Page.

Awards and Honors
"Faculty of 1000 Biology," Invited contributing member (Neural homeostasis), 2005-present
Tanabe Research Laboratories, USA, Inc. Regents Endowed Faculty Fellowship, 2004-2005
Faculty Council Award for Academic Excellence, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2001
Brookdale Foundation Advancement in Leadership Fellow, 2001-2002
American Federation for Aging Research Fellow, 1998-2000
Brookdale Foundation Fellow, 1997-1999
Women in Endocrinology, Janet W. McArthur Achievement Award, 1996
Women in Endocrinology, Travel Award to 10th International Congress of Endocrinology, San Francisco, CA, 1996
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Award, University of Wisconsin, 1985
Graduated cum laude, Princeton University, 1985
Elected to Sigma Xi, Princeton University, 1985
Princeton University Program in Germany, 1984
National Merit Finalist, 1981

Professional Activities
UCSF-CHE (Collaboration on Health & the Environment), Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health & Fertility. Vice-Chair and Advisory Council, January 28-30, 2007, San Francisco, CA.
NSF advisory panel, 2002-2006
NIH, various study sections
Brookdale Foundation, National Review Board, 2006
Pharmacology & Toxicology, Graduate Student Advisor, 2005-present
Endocrine Society: Basic Science Chair, Annual Meeting Steering Committee (2006-7); Program organizer and chair, "Forum on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals" (2006); Member, Annual Meeting Steering Committee (2002-2005); Editorial board, Endocrinology (2000-2003); Symposium chair (1999, 2006); Oral session chair (2003); Meetings & Educational Programs (2007-2010).
Women in Endocrinology: Secretary-Treasurer (2004-2007); Program Committee (2002-2003).
American Neuroendocrine Society: Symposium organizer and chair (2003).
Experimental Biology: Elected to Council (2005-2009); Associate Editor, Experimental Biology and Medicine (2003-2006); Symposium organizer and chair (2000).
Society for Neuroscience: Oral session chair (1998).
American Federation for Aging Research: National Scientific Advisory Council (2003-present).
UCSF-CHE (Collaboration on Health and the Environment): Advisory Council (2005-2007).
NIH and NSF study sections and panels (1998-present).
Princeton Alumnae in Science, Medicine and Healthcare: Organizer and leader, professional networking and discussion group (1996-2002).

Consulting
Ares Advanced Technology, Ares-Serono, 2000: Provided consultation on GnRH neurons, wrote report "Factors regulating GnRH Neurons"
Eastern Research Group, Inc., 2000-2001: Led an expert team in the area of novel technologies for assessing endocrine and reproductive outcomes, wrote final report.
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2003: Created a two-hour Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) course on "Hypogonadism"

Publications

Book:

Gore AC (2002) GnRH: The Master Molecule of Reproduction. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, MA. (ISBN 0-7923-7681-1).
Gore AC (ed.) (2007) Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice. In: Contemporary Endocrinology, series editor, P. Michael Conn. Humana Press. Anticipated publication date: May, 2007

Peer-reviewed articles:

  1. Huck UW, Lisk RD, Gore AC (1985). Scent marking and mate choice in the golden hamster. Physiology and Behavior 35: 389-393.

  2. Lisk RD, Huck UW, Gore AC, Armstrong M.X. (1989) Mate choice, mate guarding and other mating tactics in golden hamsters maintained under seminatural conditions. Behaviour 109: 58-75.

  3. Gore AC, Terasawa E (1991). A study of the hypothalamic pulse generating mechanism responsible for LH release: Electrical stimulation of the medial basal hypothalamus in the ovariectomized guinea pig. Brain Research 560: 268-275.

  4. Gore AC, Terasawa E (1991). A role for norepinephrine in the control of puberty in the female rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta. Endocrinology 129: 3009-3017.

  5. Gore AC, Mitsushima D, Terasawa E (1993). A possible role of neuropeptide Y in the control of the onset of puberty in female rhesus monkeys. Neuroendocrinology 58: 23-34.

  6. Gore AC, Roberts JL (1994). Regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression by the excitatory amino acids kainic acid and N-methyl-D,L-aspartate in the male rat. Endocrinology 134: 2026-2031.

  7. Ho A, Gore AC, Weickert CS, Blum M (1995). Glutamate regulation of GDNF gene expression in the striatum and in primary striatal astrocytes. NeuroReport 6: 1454-1458.

  8. Gore AC, Roberts JL (1995). Regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the rat during the LH surge. Endocrinology 136: 889-896.

  9. Gore AC, Ho A, Roberts JL (1995). Translational efficiency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone mRNA is negatively regulated by phorbol ester in GT1-7 cells. Endocrinology 136: 1620-1625.

  10. Yeo TTS, Gore AC, Jakubowski M, Dong KW, Blum M, Roberts JL (1996). Characterization of gonadotropin releasing hormone gene transcripts in a mouse hypothalamic neuronal GT1 cell line. Molecular Brain Research 42:255-262.

  11. Gore AC, Wu TJ, Rosenberg JJ, Roberts JL (1996). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and NMDA receptor gene expression and colocalization change during puberty in female rats. Journal of Neuroscience 16:5281-5289.

  12. Gore AC, Saitoh Y, Terasawa E (1996). Effects of adrenal medulla transplantation into the third ventricle on the onset of puberty in female rhesus monkeys. Experimental Neurology 140: 172-183.

  13. Campbell GT, Gore AC, Woller MJ, Blake CA (1996). Adenohypophysial allografts releasing prolactin decrease prolactin mRNA concentration in the host hamster's adenohypophysis in situ. Neuroendocrinology 63: 430-436.

  14. Gore AC, Roberts JL (1997). Regulation of GnRH gene expression in vivo and in vitro. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 18: 209-245.

  15. Gore AC, Yeo TT, Ho A, Roberts JL (1997). Post-transcriptional regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene in GT1-7 cells. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 9: 271-277.

  16. Yeo TTS, Gore AC, Blum M, Roberts JL (1997). Protein synthesis-dependent and independent mechanisms for the regulation of GnRH RNA transcript levels in GT1 cells . Brain Research 752: 294-300.

  17. Longo KM, Sun Y, Gore AC (1998). Insulin-like growth factor-I effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone biosynthesis in GT1-7 cells. Endocrinology 139: 1125-1132.

  18. Sun Y, Gore AC, Roberts JL (1998). The role of calcium in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene in GT1-7 cells. Endocrinology 139: 2685-2691.

  19. Gore AC (1998) Diurnal rhythmicity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the rat. Neuroendocrinology 197: 257-263.

  20. Gore AC, Roberts JL, Gibson MJ (1999). Mechanisms for the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the developing mouse. Endocrinology, 140: 2280-2287.

  21. Adams MM, Flagg RA, Gore AC (1999) Perinatal changes in hypothalamic NMDA receptors and their relationship to GnRH neurons. Endocrinology, 140: 2288-2296.

  22. Landrigan PJ, Claudio L, Markowitz SB, Berkowitz GS, Brenner BL, Romero H, Wetmur JG, Matte TD, Gore AC, Godbold JH, Wolff MS (1999) Pesticides and inner-city children: Exposures, risks and prevention. Environmental Health Perspectives 107 (suppl. 3): 431-437.

  23. Nowak FV, Gore AC (1999) Perinatal changes in expression of the neuropeptide genes preoptic regulatory factor-1 and '2, neuropeptide Y and GnRH in rat hypothalamus. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 11: 951-958.

  24. Gore AC, Oung T, Yung S, Flagg RA, Woller MJ (2000). Neuroendocrine mechanisms for reproductive senescence in the female rat: GnRH neurons. Endocrine 13: 315-323.

  25. Gore AC, Wersinger SM, Rissman E (2000) Effects of female pheromones on GnRH gene expression and luteinizing hormone release in male wild-type and estrogen receptor-alpha knockout mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 12: 1200-1204.

  26. Gore AC, Yeung G, Morrison JH, Oung T (2000). Neuroendocrine aging in the female rat: the changing relationship of GnRH neurons and NMDA receptors. Endocrinology 141: 4757-4767.

  27. Gore AC, Terasawa E (2001) Neural circuits regulating pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in the female guinea pig: Opioid, adrenergic and serotonergic interactions. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 13: 239-248.

  28. Gore AC (2001) Environmental toxicant effects on neuroendocrine function. Endocrine 14: 235-246.

  29. Adams MA, Morrison JH, Gore AC (2001) NMDA receptor mRNA levels change during reproductive senescence in the hippocampus of female rats. Experimental Neurology, 170: 171-179. NMDA receptor mRNA levels change during reproductive senescence in the hippocampus of female rats

  30. Adams MA, Oung T, Morrison JH, Gore AC (2001) Length of post-ovariectomy interval and age, but not estrogen replacement, regulate N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor mRNA levels in the hippocampus of female rats. Experimental Neurology 170: 345-356.

  31. Miller BH, Gore AC (2001) Alterations in hypothalamic IGF-I and its associations with GnRH neurons during reproductive development and aging. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 13: 728-736.

  32. Gore AC (2001) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, NMDA receptors, and their regulation by steroid hormones across the reproductive life cycle. Brain Research Reviews 37:235-248.

  33. Gore AC (2002) Organochlorine pesticides directly regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene expression and biosynthesis in the GT1-7 hypothalamic cell line. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 192: 157-170.

  34. Gore AC, Oung T, Woller MJ (2002) Age-related changes in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and NMDA receptor gene expression, and their regulation by estrogen in the female rat. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 14: 300-309.

  35. Kriegsfeld LJ, Silver R, Gore AC, Crews D (2002) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide contacts on gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons increase during puberty in female rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 14: 685-690.

  36. Miller BH, Gore AC (2002) NMDA receptor subunit expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons changes during reproductive senescence in the female rat. Endocrinology, 143: 3568-3574.

  37. Gore AC, Wu TJ, Oung T, Lee JB, Woller MJ (2002) A novel mechanism for endocrine-disrupting effects of polychlorinated biphenyls: Direct effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 14: 814-823.

  38. Chakraborty TR, Ng L, Gore AC (2002) Colocalization and hormone regulation of estrogen receptor alpha and NMDA receptor in the hypothalamus of female rats. Endocrinology, 144: 299-305.

  39. Nakamura S, Mizuno M, Katakami H, Gore AC, Terasawa E (2003) Aging-related changes in growth hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin release from the stalk-median eminence in female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 88: 827-833.

  40. Daftary SS, Gore AC (2003) Developmental changes in hypothalamic insulin-like growth factor-1: Relationship to GnRH neurons. Endocrinology 144: 2034-2045.

  41. Salama J, Chakraborty TR, Ng L, Gore AC (2003) Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on female reproductive development and estrogen receptor b expression. Environmental Health Perspectives 111: 1278-1282.

  42. Chakraborty TR, Ng L, Gore AC (2003) Age-related changes in estrogen receptor beta in rat hypothalamus: A quantitative analysis. Endocrinology 144: 4164-4172. In Press.

  43. Chakraborty TR, Hof PR, Ng L, Gore AC (2003) Stereological analysis of expression of estrogen receptor alpha in hypothalamus and its regulation by aging and estrogen. Journal of Comparative Neurology 466: 409-421.

  44. Rasmussen DD, Sarkar DK, Roberts JL, Gore AC (2003) Chronic daily ethanol and withdrawal: 4. Long-term changes in plasma testosterone regulation, but no effect on GnRH gene expression or plasma LH concentrations. Endocrine 22: 143-150.

  45. Richardson HN, Gore AC, Venier J, Romeo RD, Sisk CL (2004) Increased expression of forebrain GnRH mRNA and changes in testosterone negative feedback following pubertal maturation. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 214: 63-70.

  46. Daftary SS, Gore AC (2004) The hypothalmic insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), and its relationship to GnRH neurons during postnatal development. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 16: 160-169.

  47. Gore AC, Windsor-Engnell BM, Terasawa E (2004) Menopausal increases in pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release in a non-human primate (Macaca mulatta). Endocrinology 145: 4653-4659.

  48. Chakraborty TR, Gore AC (2004) Aging-related changes in ovarian hormones, their receptors, and neuroendocrine function. Experimental Biology and Medicine 229: 977-987.

  49. Chakraborty TR, Rajendren G, Gore AC (2005) Estrogen receptor expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) of hypogonadal mice. Experimental Biology and Medicine 230: 49-56.

  50. Daftary SS, Gore AC (2005) IGF-1 in the brain as a regulator of reproductive neuroendocrine function. Experimental Biology and Medicine 230: 292-306.

  51. Yin W, Gore AC (2006) Neuroendocrine control of reproductive aging: Roles of GnRH neurons. Reproduction, 131: 403-414.

  52. Gore AC, Attardi B, DeFranco DB (2006) Glucocorticoid repression of the reproductive axis: Effects on GnRH and gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 256: 40-48.

  53. Morrison JH, Brinton RD, Schmidt P, Gore AC (2006) Estrogen, menopause, and the aging brain: How basic neuroscience can inform hormone therapy in women. Journal of Neuroscience, 26: 10332-10348.

  54. Hughes SM, Gore AC (2007) How the brain controls puberty, and implications for sex and ethnic differences. Family and Community Health, 30: S112-S114.

  55. Steinberg RM, Juenger TE Gore AC (2007) The effects of prenatal PCBs on adult female paced mating reproductive behaviors in rats. Hormones and Behavior. In Press.

  56. Yin W, Mendenhall J, Bratton SB, Oung T, Janssen WGM, Morrison JH, Gore AC (2007) Novel localization of NMDA receptors within neuroendocrine gonadotropin-releasing hormone terminals. Experimental Biology and Medicine. In Press.
Book Chapters and Reviews:

  1. Terasawa E, Claypool L, Gore AC, Watanabe G (1990). The timing of the onset of puberty in the female rhesus monkey. In: Control of the Onset of Puberty III, ed. HA Delamarre-van de Waal, TM Plant, FP van Rees and J Schoemaker. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, pp. 123-136.

  2. Terasawa E, Gore AC (1992). Regulation of pulsatile LHRH release in primates. In: Modes of Action of GnRH and GnRH Analogs, ed. PM Conn and WF Crowley. Serono Symposium Press, Inc, Norwell, MA, pp. 256-274.

  3. Gore AC (1998) Circadian rhythms during aging. In: Functional Endocrinology of Aging, ed. CV Mobbs and PR Hof. Interdisciplinary Topics in Gerontology Vol. 29. Karger Press, Basel, pp. 127-165.

  4. Gore AC (2000) Modulation of the GnRH gene and onset of puberty. In: Control of the Onset of Puberty V, ed. J-P Bourguignon and TM Plant. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 25-35.

  5. Gore AC (2000) Effects of environmental toxicants on GnRH gene expression in hypothalamic neurons. Report for the Environment Agency, Government of Japan.

  6. Gore AC (2002) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons: gene expression and neuroanatomical studies. In: Progress in Brain Research, Vol. 141, ed. I. Parhar. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp.193-208.

  7. Gore AC, Roberts JL (2003) Neuroendocrine Systems. In: Fundamental Neuroscience, Vol. 2, ed. LR Squire, FE Bloom, SK McConnell, JL Roberts, NC Spitzer and MJ Zigmond. Academic Press, New York, pp. 1031-1065.

  8. Gore AC (2003) Pregnancy and Neurological Disorders. In: Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences, Vol. 4, ed. MJ Aminoff and RB Daroff. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 53-56.

  9. Gore AC (2003) Neurology of Women’s Health. In: Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences, Vol. 4, ed. MJ Aminoff and RB Daroff. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 763-766.

  10. Gore AC, Guidry T (2003) Hypogonadism. Monograph for Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Pharmacy Education.

  11. Gore AC (2004) GnRH neurons: multiple inputs, multiple outputs. Invited News and Views editorial, Endocrinology 145: 4016-4017.

  12. Maffucci JA, Gore AC (2006) Age-related changes in hormones and their receptors in animal models of female reproductive senescence. In: Handbook of Models for Human Aging, ed. PM Conn. Academic Press/Elsevier, In press.

  13. Gore AC, Heindel JJ, Zoeller RT (2006) Endocrine disruption for endocrinologists (and others). Endocrinology, In press.

  14. Walker DM, Gore AC (2007) Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the brain. In: Gore AC (ed), Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice, Humana Press, In press.

  15. Gore AC (2007) Introduction to Endocrine Disruption. In: Gore AC (ed), Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice, Humana Press, In press.

  16. Gore AC (2007) Neuroendocrine Systems. In: Bloom F, Berg D, Du Lac S, Ghosh A, Spitzer N, Squire L (eds), Fundamental Neuroscience, Volume 3, Academic Press, NY., In press.

Features of my scientific work in scientific, society, and university publications:

  1. "Children's centers study kids and chemicals." Environmental Health Perspectives 113: A664-A668, 2005.
    This article reviews the NIEHS-supported Children's Center Grants, on one of which I was a Project Leader.

  2. "Silent Spring Revisted: Experts discuss controversial new research in endocrine disrupting chemicals." Endocrine News 30: 18, 2005.
    This article, published by the Endocrine Society, discusses the Forum on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in June, 2005, that I organized and chaired.

  3. "Hormonally active compounds linked to more disorders" Endo Daily p. 4A, 2005.
    This was a second article written about the Endocrine Society's Forum on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.

  4. "Student profile: Nygerma Dangleben." Insight Vol. 2 No. 2, 2006.
    This is a publication by the College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin. My undergraduate student Nygerma Dangleben and her research in my laboratory was featured in this issue.

  5. "It's all in the timing." Nature 445: 359-361, 2007.
    Article about research on how age-related changes in ovarian hormones affect the brain.

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