Takako Araki, MD

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Mentor   Dr. Seto-Young

Recent Work

I was a Friedman Fellow from 7/2008 to 6/2009. During that time, I worked with my mentors, Drs Poretsky and Seto-Young in Endocrinology Laboratory for basic science research. My research area was on the effect of thiazolidinediones (TZDs, medication for diabetes) on human ovary. The first results showed that TZDs directly inhibited estrogen synthesis in human ovary. In order to prove the TZDs inhibitory mechanism, we did PCR for aromatase mRNA expression, westrenblot for aromatase protein expression and aromatase substrate binding studies. We found that TZDs does not affect either mRNA or protein expression level, and TZDs directly inhibits aromatase functions as inhibitors. Following that results, we performed aromatase enzyme kinetic studies and found that Thiazolidinediones (both Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone) directly inhibit aromatase enzyme, working as uncompetitive inhibitory manners.

Our finding may lead to further potential for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive diseases, where aromatase plays a significant role. Currently we are starting the next projects (animal studies) to further proof our hypothesis. In May 2009, our project was awarded a first prize from American Federation of Medical Research at 7th Annual Research Fair at Beth Israel Medical Center.