Research Topics
Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Cell & Structural
Biology and College of Medicine
Ph.D. (1970) Harvard University
Research Topics
Research Interests
We are interested in understanding the biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology of steroid hormone (estrogen, progesterone) receptors, intracellular proteins that mediate the biological actions of these hormones in target cells, and the mechanisms by which these proteins regulate gene expression and the growth and functioning of target cells, especially cells of the uterus and mammary gland, and of tumors that develop in these reproductive tissues. Since these receptors function as hormone-activated DNA/chromatin-binding proteins that regulate gene transcription, they are particularly intriguing. Our studies focus on the characterization of receptors; the interaction of receptors when liganded with agonist versus antagonist ligands with hormone-regulated genes; the interrelationships between steroid hormones and growth factors in the regulation of cell proliferation; and the mechanisms by which antihormones (antiestrogens and antiprogestins) antagonize hormone-dependent gene transcription and cell growth and are effective in treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer. Studies involve detailed structure-function analyses of the receptor proteins and their ligand binding and gene interactions, and examination of their target genes and biological activities in normal and cancer cells.
Key Words Recombinant DNA, Introduction of DNA into Animal Cells, Gene
Expression Systems, DNA-Protein Interaction, Monoclonal Antibodies, Disease
Models, Hormones, Animal Cell and/or Tissue Culture, Diagnostic Reagents, Site-Directed
Mutagenesis, Active Sites and Receptors
Current Research Funding
NIH, The Breast Cancer
Research Foundation