Kristine Wiren

Ph.D., University of Connecticut Health Center, 1985
Research Biologist, Research Service, VAMC
Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
Associate Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience

One broad aim in my laboratory is characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying neuroadaptation to ethanol, focusing on changes in gene expression in various brain regions observed during ethanol exposure/withdrawal. Current studies are carried out in seizure-prone or seizure-resistant selected lines of mice. The laboratory is using microarray analysis to identify regulated transcripts. The aim in future studies is to test the functional/regulatory significance of clones of interest. My collaborator on this project is Dr.Crabbe. A second broad research aim in my laboratory is the characterization of mechanisms underlying alterations in cellular function, particularly mediated by steroid hormones. Generally, these alterations are brought about at the molecular level by specific regulation of gene transcription, controlled by the steroid hormone receptors after ligand binding. These studies focus on skeletal health by characterizing both estrogen and androgen regulation of osteoblast gene expression during normal proliferation and differentiation.

Schafer GL, Crabbe JC, Wiren KM: Ethanol-regulated gene expression of neuroendocrine-specific protein in mice: brain region and genotype specificity. Brain Res 897(1-2):139-149, 2001

Billiard J, Umayahara Y, Wiren K, Centrella M, McCarthy TL, Rotwein P: Regulated Nuclear — Cytoplasmic Localization of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein Delta in Osteoblasts.  J Biol Chem 276(18):15354-15361, 2001

Bliziotes M, Eshleman A, Zhang X-W, Wiren KM: Neurotransmitter action in osteoblasts: expression of a functional system for serotonin activation and reuptake.  Bone in press, 2001

To contact Dr. Wiren directly: wirenk@ohsu.edu