Gwen V. Childs
Distinguished Professor
Also affiliated: Ain Shams University (1986); Northwestern University (1977–1983); Utah State University (1984); Brigham and Women's Hospital (1987–1992); National Institutes of Health (1982–1986); Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1987–1992); Harvard University (1987–1992); North Carolina State University (1996); Tel Aviv University (1987); University of New Mexico (1984); Baylor College of Medicine (1987–2001); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2000–2014); Massachusetts General Hospital (1987); University Hospital of Geneva (1987); Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1982–1986); Weizmann Institute of Science (1986–1987); The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (1981–2003); University of Nebraska Medical Center (1975–1982)
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Gwen V. Childs is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of pituitary plasticity, including the regulation of mRNA translation and its impact on pituitary cell function. She has received significant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her work in this area. Grants include an NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases award of $549,786 for studying the impact of obesity on somatotrope function, and an NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development award of $601,442 as Co-PI for research on control of pituitary cell plasticity through regulated mRNA translation. Additionally, she is a Co-PI on an NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant for $632,231 investigating molecular mechanisms of pituitary plasticity.
Childs' scholarly work has resulted in 266 publications with over 6,730 citations, and she holds an h-index of 47. Her research utilizes various techniques, including the application of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method for light microscopic localization of pituitary hormones and studies on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors. Her investigations have involved animal models, primarily rats, to examine the morphological and functional changes in pituitary cells, such as gonadotropes and corticotropes, in response to various physiological conditions like gonadectomy, CRF stimulation, and adrenalectomy. Her collaborators at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences include Angus M. MacNicol, Melanie C MacNicol, Angela K. Odle, and Alex Lagasse.
Metrics
- h-index: 47
- Publications: 247
- Citations: 6,668
Positions
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Distinguished Professor 2024–presentUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Neuroscience Institutional directory
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Distinguished Professor and Chair 2021–2024University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences ORCID
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Professor and Chair 2000–2021University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Anatomy, Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences ORCID
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Associate Professor (1980), Professor (1981-2000), Vice-Chair (1992-2000) 1980–2000University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Anatomy; Anatomy and Neuroscience ORCID
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Associate Professor 1976–1980Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Anatomy ORCID
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Assistant Professor and Associate Professor 1973–1976University of Nebraska Medical Center Anatomy ORCID
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Research Technician 1966–1968University of Rochester Medical Center Radiation Biology ORCID
Selected Publications
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Gonadotrope remodeling in sustained low estrogen states: single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals gonadotrope subtypes and activation of stem cell populations (2026)
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OR13-08 Secretoneurin Modulates Gonadotrope Function Cyclically to Regulate LH Secretion (2025)
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SAT-001 Impact of VCD-induced Menopause on Gonadotrope Transcriptomics Reveals Estrogen-dependent Genes in the GnRH Signaling Pathway (2025)
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SAT-016 Musashi Contributes to the Specification and Maintenance of Distinct Pituitary Cell Lineages. (2025)
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High fat diet-induced loss of pituitary plasticity in aging female mice with ablated leptin signaling in somatotropes (2025)
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Musashi-dependent mRNA translational activation is mediated through association with the Scd6/Like-sm family member, LSM14B (2025)
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Ablation of Leptin Receptor Signaling Alters Somatotrope Transcriptome Maturation in Female Mice (2025)
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Solving the Mystery of the Neonatal GH Surge (2024)
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8572 A 30% Maternal Caloric Restriction Alters Expression of Musashi Targets in the Neonatal and Adult Pituitary Proteomes of FVB Mice (2024)
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8649 Ablation of Leptin Receptors in Somatotropes Impacts Transcriptomic Plasticity in the Pou1f1 Lineage of Female Pituitary Cells (2024)
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The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs (2024)
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Maternal undernutrition results in transcript changes in male offspring that may promote resistance to high fat diet induced weight gain (2024)
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Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism (2023)
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Adipo-glial signaling mediates metabolic adaptation in peripheral nerve regeneration (2023)
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FRI290 Proteomic Identification Of Secretoneurin-Stimulated Proteins In Purified Mouse Gonadotropes (2023)
Federal Grants 3 $1,783,459 total
Control of pituitary cell plasticity through regulated mRNA translation
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- Regulation of Leptin Production by Gonadotropes NIH
- Regulation of Leptin Expression and Function in the Anterior Pituitary National Science Foundation
- Significance of Pituitary Leptin to Gonadotropes NIH
- DEAP Award-Childs UAMS College of Medicine
- FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIATION OF CORTICOTROPES NIH
- Post-transcriptional Pathways that Signal Leptin Regulation of Gonadotropes NIH
- 120 kV FEI Electron Microscope and Supporting Sample Preparation Equipment for Biological Microscopy National Science Foundation
- Tropic Roles for Leptin in the Maturation of Somatotropes NIH
- Cellular Basis for Non-Parallel Gonadotropin Release NIH
- Center for Translational Neuroscience NIH
- HORMONE STORAGE AND SECRETION BY GONADOTROPES NIH
- Cloning and Functional Characterization of an Avian Pituitary Gland Vasotocin Receptor National Science Foundation
- The Significance of Leptin Signals to Neonatal Somatotropes and Gonadotropes NIH
- NOVEL SOMATOTROPE FUNCTIONS DURING OVULATION NIH
- Leptin Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms That Prevent Growth hormone Deficiency NIH
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
- Partial Leptin Reduction as an Insulin Sensitization and Weight Loss Strategy
- The Importance of Leptin to Reproduction
- Adipo-glial signaling mediates metabolic adaptation in peripheral nerve regeneration
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- The Somatotrope as a Metabolic Sensor: Deletion of Leptin Receptors Causes Obesity
Showing 5 of 44 shared publications
- The Importance of Leptin to Reproduction
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Molecular Mechanisms of Pituitary Cell Plasticity
- Evasion of regulatory phosphorylation by an alternatively spliced isoform of Musashi2
Showing 5 of 34 shared publications
- The Importance of Leptin to Reproduction
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Molecular Mechanisms of Pituitary Cell Plasticity
- Evasion of regulatory phosphorylation by an alternatively spliced isoform of Musashi2
Showing 5 of 31 shared publications
- The Somatotrope as a Metabolic Sensor: Deletion of Leptin Receptors Causes Obesity
- Selective Deletion of Leptin Receptors in Gonadotropes Reveals Activin and GnRH-Binding Sites as Leptin Targets in Support of Fertility
- Adipocyte Versus Pituitary Leptin in the Regulation of Pituitary Hormones: Somatotropes Develop Normally in the Absence of Circulating Leptin
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Sex Differences in Somatotrope Dependency on Leptin Receptors in Young Mice: Ablation of LEPR Causes Severe Growth Hormone Deficiency and Abdominal Obesity in Males
Showing 5 of 28 shared publications
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- The Somatotrope as a Metabolic Sensor: Deletion of Leptin Receptors Causes Obesity
- Selective Deletion of Leptin Receptors in Gonadotropes Reveals Activin and GnRH-Binding Sites as Leptin Targets in Support of Fertility
- Adipocyte Versus Pituitary Leptin in the Regulation of Pituitary Hormones: Somatotropes Develop Normally in the Absence of Circulating Leptin
- Bipotential Effects of Estrogen on Growth Hormone Synthesis and Storagein Vitro
Showing 5 of 18 shared publications
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- Selective Deletion of Leptin Receptors in Gonadotropes Reveals Activin and GnRH-Binding Sites as Leptin Targets in Support of Fertility
- Adipocyte Versus Pituitary Leptin in the Regulation of Pituitary Hormones: Somatotropes Develop Normally in the Absence of Circulating Leptin
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Sex Differences in Somatotrope Dependency on Leptin Receptors in Young Mice: Ablation of LEPR Causes Severe Growth Hormone Deficiency and Abdominal Obesity in Males
Showing 5 of 16 shared publications
- Metabolic signalling to somatotrophs: Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mediators
- Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- Ablation of Leptin Receptor Signaling Alters Somatotrope Transcriptome Maturation in Female Mice
- Sex differences in somatotrope response to fasting: biphasic responses in male mice
Showing 5 of 16 shared publications
- Control of the Anterior Pituitary Cell Lineage Regulator POU1F1 by the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi
- Metabolic signalling to somatotrophs: Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mediators
- Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs
Showing 5 of 15 shared publications
- Leptin Regulation of Gonadotrope Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors As a Metabolic Checkpoint and Gateway to Reproductive Competence
- The Somatotrope as a Metabolic Sensor: Deletion of Leptin Receptors Causes Obesity
- Selective Deletion of Leptin Receptors in Gonadotropes Reveals Activin and GnRH-Binding Sites as Leptin Targets in Support of Fertility
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Ablation of Leptin Signaling to Somatotropes: Changes in Metabolic Factors that Cause Obesity
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- Control of the Anterior Pituitary Cell Lineage Regulator POU1F1 by the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi
- Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- Maternal undernutrition results in transcript changes in male offspring that may promote resistance to high fat diet induced weight gain
- Gonadotrope remodeling in sustained low estrogen states: single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals gonadotrope subtypes and activation of stem cell populations
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- Association of Gnrhr mRNA With the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi: A Mechanism for Leptin-Mediated Modulation of GnRHR Expression
- Evasion of regulatory phosphorylation by an alternatively spliced isoform of Musashi2
- Control of the Anterior Pituitary Cell Lineage Regulator POU1F1 by the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi
- Metabolic signalling to somatotrophs: Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mediators
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Control of the Anterior Pituitary Cell Lineage Regulator POU1F1 by the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs
- Sex differences in somatotrope response to fasting: biphasic responses in male mice
- Maternal undernutrition results in transcript changes in male offspring that may promote resistance to high fat diet induced weight gain
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
- Control of the Anterior Pituitary Cell Lineage Regulator POU1F1 by the Stem Cell Determinant Musashi
- Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs
- Musashi-dependent mRNA translational activation is mediated through association with the Scd6/Like-sm family member, LSM14B
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
- Anterior Pituitary Transcriptomics Following a High-Fat Diet: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cell Metabolism
- Ablation of Leptin Receptor Signaling Alters Somatotrope Transcriptome Maturation in Female Mice
- High fat diet-induced loss of pituitary plasticity in aging female mice with ablated leptin signaling in somatotropes
- Gonadotrope remodeling in sustained low estrogen states: single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals gonadotrope subtypes and activation of stem cell populations
- FRI290 Proteomic Identification Of Secretoneurin-Stimulated Proteins In Purified Mouse Gonadotropes
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
- Metabolic signalling to somatotrophs: Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mediators
- Musashi Exerts Control of Gonadotrope Target mRNA Translation During the Mouse Estrous Cycle
- The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs
- Musashi-dependent mRNA translational activation is mediated through association with the Scd6/Like-sm family member, LSM14B
- The Musashi1 RNA-Binding Protein Functions as a Leptin-Regulated Enforcer of Pituitary Cell Fate and Hormone Production
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications