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Endocrinology
Current research focuses on the gene expression and functions of Adrenomedullin, a peptide active in regulating endocrine physiology. The
two main areas of study are:
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Adrenomedullin in reproduction.
Adrenomedullin and its receptor component proteins are found in the
testis, ovary and accessory sex glands. Increases of adrenomedullin in
the testis and decreases in the ovary and the accessory sex glands
during ageing have been observed. The physiological actions and
regulation of adrenomedullin in these tissues are being investigated.
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Adrenomedullin in metabolism. Adrenomedullin and its receptor
components are also found in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues. They
play important roles in glucose uptake and lipolysis and decreases with
ageing have been observed. The functions and regulation of
adrenomedullin in these tissues and the interaction both with endothelin
and during ageing are investigated. The approach used for these
investigations is to measure the gene expression of adrenomedullin and
its receptor component proteins in various relevant tissues and organs.
The techniques used include radioimmunoassays, RT-PCR,
immunocytochemistry, receptor binding and various functional studies.
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REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
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Hwang, I.S.S., Fung, M.L., Liong, E.C.,
Tipoe,G.L. and Tang, F. (2007) Age-related changes in adrenomedullin
expression and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 activity in the rat lung and their
responses to hypoxia. Journal of Gerontology (in press).
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Li, Y.Y., Hwang, I.S.S., O, W.S. and
Tang, F. (2006) Adrenomedullin peptide, gene expression of
adrenomedullin and its receptors and receptor activity modifying proteins
and receptor binding in rat testis: actions on testosterone secretion.
Biology of Reproduction 75, 193-188.
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Wong, L.Y., Cheung, B.M., Li , Y.Y. and
Tang, F. (2005) Adrenomedullin is both proinflammatory and
antiinflammatory: its effects on gene expression and secretion of cytokines
and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in NR8383 macrophage cell line.
Endocrinology 146, 1321-1327.
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Wu, Q., Kwan, C.Y. and Tang, F.
(1998) Streptozotocin-induced diabetes has differential effects on atrial
natriuretic peptide synthesis in the rat atrium and ventricle.
Diabetologia 41, 660-665.
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Wang, Z.P., Man, S.Y. and Tang, F.
(1993) Age-related changes in the contents of neuropeptides in the rat brain
and pituitary. Neurobiology of aging 15, 529-534.
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