Research Areas - Pisarska Lab Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog English English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Translation is unavailable for Internet Explorer Cedars-Sinai Home 1-800-CEDARS-1 1-800-CEDARS-1 Close Find a Doctor Locations Programs & Services Health Library Patient & Visitors Community My CS-Link RESEARCH clear Go Close Navigation Links Academics Faculty Development Community Engagement Calendar Research Research Areas Research Labs Departments & Institutes Find Clinical Trials Research Cores Research Administration Basic Science Research Clinical & Translational Research Center (CTRC) Technology & Innovations News & Breakthroughs Education Graduate Medical Education Continuing Medical Education Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Professional Training Programs Medical Students Campus Life Office of the Dean Simulation Center Medical Library Program in the History of Medicine About Us All Education Programs Departments & Institutes Faculty Directory Pisarska Lab Back to Pisarska Lab Lab Members Publications Research Areas Research Areas Ovarian Physiology Our research has looked at mutations in a gene encoding a forkhead transcription factor, forkhead L2 (FOXL2), which, when mutated, leads to premature ovarian failure (POF) in patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome. We have conducted a number of studies on the localization and functional characterization of FOXL2. The Pisarska Laboratory has discovered that FOXL2 is sumoylated, leading to its regulation as a transcription factor. In addition, we discovered that a unique kinase, large tumor suppressor 1(LATS1), phosphorylates FOXL2 and also plays a role in its transcriptional regulation. Most recently, we discovered that FOXL2 can form a dimer as well as a heterodimer to the mutant FOXL2 protein that is associated with POF and this inhibits transcriptional regulation of wild-type FOXL2. Our interest in FOXL2 has led to other areas of investigation. A specific point mutation in FOXL2 that leads to an amino acid substitution is present in granulosa cell tumors, a form of ovarian cancer. Our laboratory has already started investigating the functional activity of this particular mutation that leads to malignant transformation, with the ultimate goal of targeting the mutant protein for potential therapeutic purposes. Molecular Determinants of Pregnancy Outcomes We have already identified a number of genes that are differentially regulated in pregnancies conceived from couples with infertility compared to spontaneous conceptions. We have identified differences in a number of growth factors and transcription factors that may regulate early implantation, and we are currently studying their roles in early implantation. We have also identified a number of factors that are alternatively regulated in the first trimester of pregnancies resulting in preterm labor and delivery. We have identified a number of inflammatory factors, cell adhesion molecules and, specifically in males, differences in genes associated with oxidation. We believe that these early changes lead to an altered intrauterine environment leading to premature labor and delivery. Mutations in FOXL2 lead to premature follicle depletion and ovarian failure or granulosa cell tumors. Contact the Pisarska Lab Pisarska Laboratory 8723 Alden Dr. Steven Spielberg Building, Room 303 Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-423-5763 Send a Message Mailing Address Pisarska Laboratory Cedars-Sinai 8635 West Third Street Suite 160 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility