Edith G. Markoff, PhD
Title
Dog Visitation Program Coordinator
Appointment
Associate Professor
Email
edith.markoff@chmcc.org
Phone
513-636-7459
Credentials
Ph.D.: University of California, 1980
Research
The molecular and cellular events surrounding embryo implantation are not clearly understood. The primary research goal of this laboratory is to define the role of peptide hormones and growth factors during embryo implantation. Of particular interest are the insulin-like growth factor and prolactin families of peptides.
Previous studies suggest a role for the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in both embryo and trophoblast growth, as well as in uterine differentiation. Binding proteins for the IGF family (IGFBPs) are critical modulators of IGF action. Investigations of the anatomical and developmental expression, as well as the function of these binding proteins during embryo implantation in mice are currently active.
In addition, uterine decidual cells and embryos synthesize and secrete prolactin, as well as other members of the prolactin family. However, the functions and patterns of expression of these hormones during embryonic development are unknown. This laboratory has recently determined that prolactin mRNA is present in the unfertilized egg and is translated upon fertilization. The stage of onset of expression of other members of the prolactin family and the functions of these hormones in the implantation process are currently under investigation.
Publications, Most Recent
View Edith Markoff's publications at Cincinnati Children's as listed by PubMed.
Heffner LJ, Markoff E, Yuan RW, Lee DW. Glycosylated human prolactin: detection by immunoblotting of biological fluids is confounded by antisera crossreactivity with immunoglobulins. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995 212:48-55.
Markoff E, Henemyre C, Fellows J, Pennington E, Zeitler PS, Cedars MI. Localization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 expression in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. Biol. Reprod. 1995, 53:1103-1109.
Gendron RL, Paradis H, Hseih-Li HM, Lee DW, Potter S, Markoff E. Loss of uterine glandular function is associated with maternal reproductive defects in Hoxa 11 null mice. Biol. Reprod. 1996, 56:1097-1105.
Horseman ND, Zhao W, Montecino-Rodriguea E, Tanaka M, Nakashima K, Engle SJ, Smith F, Markoff E, Dorshkind K. Defective mammopoiesis, but normal hematopoiesis, in mice with tergeted disruption of the prolactin gene. EMBO J. (in press).
Henemyre C, Markoff E. Decidualization and expression of IGF-I and IGFBP-4 in the peri-implantation mouse uterus. Biol. Reprod., (in press).
Special Interests
Embryo implantation and growth factors; extra-pituitary prolactin; Volunteer Dog Visitation Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Related Areas
This person works in these other areas at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center:
