
Olga I. Astapova, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact
Olga I. Astapova, M.D., Ph.D.
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2400 South Clinton Avenue, Suite 135
Rochester, NY 14620
About Me
Faculty Appointments
Assistant Professor - Department of Medicine, Endocrine/Metabolism (SMD)
Credentials
Residency & Fellowship
Fellowship, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2019 - 2020
Fellowship, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2016 - 2019
Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2015 - 2016
Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2014 - 2015
Education
MD | Wayne State University School of Medicine. 2014
Research
Recently I undertook a study to assess the androgen-regulated transcriptome in granulosa cells using RNA sequencing. Surprisingly, I found that in both mouse and human granulosa cells, gene transcription activity of the androgen receptor is negligible to nill. This was unexpected, given that it is well known from studies done in Dr. Hammes’ lab and others that androgens promote follicle growth via androgen receptor in granulosa cells. I showed that ligand binding induces marked nuclear localization of the androgen receptor in these cells and enhances the receptor protein expression by several-fold by protecting it from proteasome degradation in the cytoplasm, but does not result in any significant mRNA-transcription activity. This suggests that non-gene coding androgen actions may be at play in GCs. I therefore became interested in non-classical androgen signaling in the ovary.
Current research activity in my lab aims to investigate the non-coding transcriptional activity of androgen receptor in granulosa cells and the role of cytoplasmic adaptor protein paxillin in the ovary. Our working hypothesis is that androgens shift the microRNA expression profile of granulosa cells in the anti-apoptotic direction, resulting in increased survival of granulosa cells and follicle growth. In cases of androgen excess, such as in PCOS, this shift may interfere with the establishment of a dominant follicle and ovulation. We also believe that paxillin may be involved in this pathway upstream of the androgen receptor. Work by the Hammes lab has shown that paxillin mediates non-genomic androgen signaling in prostate cancer, and we are evaluating similar mechanisms in granulosa cells. In fact, we have found that in granulosa cells, paxillin is necessary for androgen receptor protein expression. We have created a granulosa cell-specific paxillin knockout mouse model to better understand this pathway.
While research occupies the majority of my time, 20% of my appointment is clinical. My clinical interest is in managing the symptoms and reducing the metabolic risks associated with PCOS, as well as managing other conditions of disordered sex steroids: gender dysphoria, early menopause, male and female hypogonadism.
Research Lab
Astapova Lab
Publications
Journal Articles
Vann K, Weidner AE, Walczyk AC, Astapova O
Biology of reproduction.. 2023 August 8 Epub 08/08/2023.
Astapova O, Seger C, Hammes SR
Journal of the Endocrine Society.. 2021 May 15 (5):bvab035. Epub 03/05/2021.
Astapova O, Minor BMN, Hammes SR
Endocrinology.. 2019 May 1160 (5):1166-1174. Epub 1900 01 01.
Astapova O, Biswas A, DiMauro A, Moalem J, Hammes SR
Case reports in endocrinology.. 2018 2018 :8967159. Epub 07/10/2018.
Beckett EM, Astapova O, Steckler TL, Veiga-Lopez A, Padmanabhan V
Reproduction : the official journal of the Society for the Study of Fertility.. 2014 August 148 (2):199-209. Epub 05/19/2014.
PPARgamma mutations, lipodystrophy and diabetes
Astapova, O.; Leff, T.;.
2014; 20(2): 63-70.
Campeau PM, Astapova O, Martins R, Bergeron J, Couture P, Hegele RA, Leff T, Gagné C
Journal of lipid research.. 2012 September 53 (9):1968-78. Epub 07/02/2012.
Astapova O, Leff T
Vitamins and hormones.. 2012 90 :143-62. Epub 1900 01 01.
Veiga-Lopez A, Astapova OI, Aizenberg EF, Lee JS, Padmanabhan V
Biology of reproduction.. 2009 April 80 (4):718-25. Epub 01/02/2009.
Savabieasfahani M, Kannan K, Astapova O, Evans NP, Padmanabhan V
Endocrinology.. 2006 December 147 (12):5956-66. Epub 08/31/2006.