John. J. Peluso

John. J. PelusoProfessor
Department of Cell Biology

Education and Training

Ph.D., West Virginia University

Contact

Phone: 860-679-2860
Email: peluso@uchc.edu
Office: E6041

Cell Biology Graduate Program Page

UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030


Research Interests

Hormonal control of ovarian follicular growth and atresia; cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in apoptosis and mitosis; and characterization of a novel membrane receptor for progesterone (PGRMC1) including the elucidation of its signal transduction pathway. Studies included identification of proteins that bind PGRMC1 using proteomics, protein-protein interaction assays and genetic approaches to deplete or enhance expression. Additional studies are being conducted on PGRMC1’s role in modulating ovarian function using our conditional PGRMC1 knockout mouse.

the different domains of PGRMC1the expression of PGRMC1 within the immature rat ovary.Expression and structural features of a novel membrane receptor for progesterone (PGRMC1). The panel at the left shows the different domains of PGRMC1. However, the proteins that bind PGRMC1 and are presumably involved in ligand activated signal transduction have not been identified. The panel at the right shows the expression of PGRMC1 within the immature rat ovary.


Current Lab Members

Alison Bartolucci

Alison Bartolucci

Ph.D. Biomedical Science

Operational Lab Director, Center for Advanced Reproductive Services

Reeva Makhijani, M.D.

Reproductive Endocrinology Fellow

 

 


Selected Publications

Peluso, J.J. (2022) Progesterone Signaling and Mammalian Ovarian Follicle Growth Mediated by Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component Family Members. Cells. 11, 1632. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/cells11101632

Peluso, J.J. and Pru, J.K.  (2021) Progesterone receptor membrane component (PGRMC)1 and PGRMC2 and their roles in ovarian and endometrial cancer.  Cancers. 13: 5953; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13235953

Bartolucci, A.F. and Peluso, J.J. (2021) Necessity is the mother of invention and the evolutionary force driving the success of in vitro fertilization.  Biol of Reprod. 104: 255-276.

Bartolucci AF, Uliasz T, Peluso JJ. (2020) MicroRNA-21 as a regulator of human cumulus cell viability and its potential influence on developmental potential of the oocyte. Biol Reprod. 103: 94-103.

Galmozzi AKok BPKim ASMontenegro-Burke JRLee JYSpreafico RMosure SAlbert VCintron-Colon RGodio CWebb WRConti BSolt LAKojetin DParker CGPeluso JJPru JKSiuzdak GCravatt B, Saez E. (2019) PGRMC2 is an intracellular haem chaperone critical for adipocyte function. Nature. 576(7785):138-142.

Peluso, JJ*,Liu, X, Uliasz, T, Pru, CA, Kelp, NC, Pru, JK.  PGRMC1/2 promote luteal vascularization and maintain the primordial follicles of mice. Reproduction 156: 365-373, 2018.

Terzaghi L, Luciano AM, Dall Acqua PC, Modina S, Peluso,  JJ. Lodde V. PGRMC1 localization and putative function in the nucleolus of bovine granulosa cells and oocytes. Reproduction 155:273-282. 2018.

Peluso, JJ: Nonclassical Steroid Receptors and Their Role in Regulating Female Reproduction. Encyclopedia of Reproduction Volume 2, Chapter 23, Second Edition, Publisher Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, Michael Skinner, editor, 2017.

Will, EA, Liu, X,  Peluso, JJ.AG 205, a progesterone receptor membrane component 1 antagonist, ablates progesterone’s ability to block oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human granulosa/luteal cells. Biol Reprod. 96: 843-854. 2017.

Clark NC, Pru CA, Yee SP, Lydon JP, Peluso JJ, Pru JK. Conditional Ablation of Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 2 Causes Female Premature Reproductive Senescence. Endocrinology 158:640-651. 2017.

Luciano AM, Peluso JJ. PGRMC1 and the faithful progression through mitosis and meiosis. Cell Cycle 15:2239-40. 2016.

McCallum ML, Pru CA, Niikura Y, Yee SP, Lydon JP, Peluso JJ, Pru JK. Conditional ablation of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 results in subfertility in the female and development of endometrial cysts. Endocrinology 3309-19. 2016.

Clark, NC, Friel, AM,  Pru, CA, Zhang, L, Shioda, T, Rueda, BR , Peluso, JJ,  and Pru, JK. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 promotes survival of human breast cancer cells and the growth of xenograft tumors. Cancer Biol Ther. 17:262-71. 2016.

Friel, AM, Zhang, L, Pru, C A, Clark, NC, McCallum, ML, Blok, LJ, Shioda, T, Peluso, JJ, Rueda, BR and Pru, J. K: Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 deficiency attenuates growth while promoting chemosensitivity of human endometrial xenograft tumors. Cancer Letters. DOI 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.09.036, 2015.

Dey, S, Chamero, P, Pru, J K, Chien, M-S, Ibarra-Soria, X, Spencer, K R, Logan, D W, Matsunami, H, Peluso, J J, and Stowers, L. Cyclic regulation of sensory perception by a female hormone alters behaviorCell. 161: 1334-1344, 2015.

Sueldo, C, Liu, X and Peluso, JJ. Progestin and adipoQ receptor 7, Progesterone Membrane Receptor Component 1 (PGRMC1) and PGRMC2 and their role in regulating progesterone’s ability to suppress human granulosa/luteal cells from entering into the cell cycleBiol Reprod. 93, 63-74, 2015.

Griffin,D, Liu, X, Pru,C, Pru, JK and Peluso, JJ. Expression of Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component- 2 within the Immature Rat Ovary and its Role in Regulating Mitosis and Apoptosis of Spontaneously Immortalized Granulosa Cells. Biol Reprod. 91: 36, 1-11, 2014.

Peluso, JJ, Griffin,D, Liu, X, Horne, M. Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 (PGRMC1) and PGRMC-2 interact to suppress entry into the cell cycle in spontaneously immortalized granulosa cellsBiol Reprod. 91: (5) 104, 1-12, 2014.

Peluso, JJ. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 and its role in ovarian follicle growth. Frontiers in Neuroscience 7 (article 99) 1-7, 2013.

Luciano, AM, Franciosi, F, Lodde, V, Tessaro, I, Corbani, D, Modina, S  and Peluso, JJ. Oocytes isolated from dairy cows with reduced ovarian reserve have a high frequency of aneuploidy and alterations in the localization of Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 and Aurora Kinase-B. Biol Reprod.  2013.

Peluso, JJ, Yuan, A, Liu, X and Lodde, V. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 RNA Binding Protein Interacts with Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 to Regulate Progesterone’s Ability to Maintain the Viability of Spontaneously Immortalized Granulosa CellsBiol Reprod. 2012 Dec 12.

Elassar, A, Liu, X, Scranton, V, Wu, CA, and Peluso, JJ. The relationship between follicle development and progesterone receptor membrane component-1 (PGRMC1) expression in women undergoing in vitro fertilizationFert Steril.  97: 572-578, 2012.

Peluso, JJ, DeCerbo, J, and Lodde, V. Evidence for a genomic mechanism of action for Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1Steroid. 77: 1007-1012, 2012.

Luciano, AM, Corbani,D, Lodde, V, Tessaro, I, Franciosi, F, Peluso, JJ, and Modina, S. Expression of Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 in bovine reproductive system during estrous cycle. Europ J Histchem Cytochem. 55: 145-150, 2011.

Engmann, L, Romak, J, Nulsen, J, Benadiva, C, and Peluso, JJThe in-vitro viability and secretory capacity of human luteinized granulosa cells after gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger of oocyte maturationFert. Steril. 96: 198-202, 2011 (doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.04.071).

Lodde, V, and Peluso, JJ. A Novel Role for Progesterone and Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 in Regulating Spindle Microtubule Stability During Rat and Human Ovarian Cell MitosisBiol Reprod. 84:715-722, 2011. (doi:10.1095/biolreprod.110.0883852010).

Peluso, J.J. Progesterone Signaling Mediated Through Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 in Ovarian Cells with Special Emphasis on Ovarian Cancer. Steroids. 76: 903-909, 2011.

Wendler, A., Keller, D., Alberecht, C., Peluso, J.J., and Wehling, M. Involvement of let-7/miR-98 microRNAs in the regulation of progesterone receptor membrane component-1 expression in ovarian cancer cells. Oncology Reports. 25: 273-279, 2010.

Luciano, A.M., Lodde, V., Franciosi, F., Cecillani, F., and Peluso, J.J. Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 Expression and Putative Function in Bovine Oocyte Maturation, Fertilization and Early Embryonic DevelopmentReproduction. 140: 663-672, 2010.

Peluso, J.J., Liu, X., Gawkowska, A., Lodde, V., and Wu, C.A. Progesterone inhibits apoptosis in part by PGRMC1-regulated gene expression. Mol Cell Endocr. 320: 153-161, 2010.

Wu, C.A., Peluso, J.J., Zhu, L., Lingenheld, E.G., Walker, S.T., and Puddington, L. Bronchial Epithelial Cells Produce IL-5: Implications for Local Immune Responses in the Airways. Cellular Immunology. 264: 32-41, 2010.