Gillian Air  /  Sanjay Bidichandani  /  Robert Broyles
  Paul DeAngelis  /  Jay Hanas  /  Martin Levine  /  Guangpu Li 

Jialing Lin  /  Hiroyuki Matsumoto  / Blaine Mooers /  Ann Louise Olson 

Karla Rodgers  /  Robert Steinberg  /  Leon Unger  /  Paul Weigel   /  Christopher West 

Regulation of gene expression by zinc and other small molecules; gene expression analysis in cancer and other disease states

Regulation of gene transcription is responsible in large part for the growth, differentiation, and transformation of eukaryotic cells. Initiation of RNA synthesis by RNA polymerases is dependent upon and regulated by transcription factors, a family of DNA binding proteins whose members interact specifically with promoters, enhancers and upstream activating sequences of genes. Our research efforts are directed toward understanding the molecular biology of eukaryotic transcription factors, endeavors we believe necessary for ultimately understanding cell growth, differentiation and transformation. Research activities are being conducted in four areas: 1) elucidating transcription factor structure and function utilizing biochemical and in vitro mutagenesis approaches, 2) cloning and sequencing of transcription factor genes and cDNAs in order to identify conserved and functionally important regions in the DNA and protein sequence, 3) characterizing tissue-specific transcription factors that may play a role in differentiation and oncogenesis, and 4) elucidating mechanisms regulating transcription factor gene expression. Present studies are focused on families of eukaryotic transcription factors whose DNA binding domains contain "zinc fingers", cysteine-rich amino acid motifs known to coordinate zinc ions.

Recent Publications:
Hanas JS, Hocker JR, Cheng YG, Lerner MR, Brackett DJ, Lightfoot SA, Hanas RJ, Madhusudhan KT, and Moreland RJ, 2002: cDNA cloning, DNA binding, and evolution of mammalian transcription factor IIIA. Gene 282:43-52.

Rodgers JS, Hocker JR, Hanas RJ, Nwosu EC, Hanas JS. 2001: Mercuric ion inhibition of eukaryotic transcription factor binding to DNA. Biochem Pharmacol.: 61(12):1543-50.

Moreland RJ, Dresser ME, Rodgers JS, Roe BA, Conaway JW, Conaway RC, Hanas JS. 2000: Identification of a transcription factor IIIA-interacting protein. Nucleic Acids Res.: 28(9):1986-93.  

Jett EA, Lerner MR, Lightfoot SA, Hanas JS, Brackett DJ, Hollingsworth AB. 1999: Prevention of rat mammary carcinoma utilizing leuprolide as an equivalent to oophorectomy. Breast Cancer Res Treat.: 58(2):131-6.

Hanas JS, Rodgers JS, Bantle JA, Cheng YG. 1999: Lead inhibition of DNA-binding mechanism of Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger proteins. Mol Pharmacol.: 56(5):982-8.

Hanas JS, Lerner MR, Lightfoot SA, Raczkowski C, Kastens DJ, Brackett DJ, Postier RG. 1999: Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p53 tumor suppressor in dysplastic progression and adenocarcinoma in Barrett esophagus. Cancer.: 86(5):756-63.

Hollingsworth, A.B., Lerner, M.R., Lightfoot, S.A., Wilkerson, K.B., Hanas, J.S., McCay, P.B., and Brackett, D.J., 1998: Prevention of DMBA-Induced Mammary Carcinomas Comparing Leuprolide, Oophorectomy, and Tamoxifen. Breast Cancer Research 47:63-70.

Hanas, J.S., Koelsch, G., Moreland, R.M., and Wickham, J.Q., 1998: Differential Requirements of Basic Amino Acids in Transcription Factor IIIA-5S Gene Interaction. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1398:256-264.

Moreland, R.J., Hanas, J.S., Conaway, J.W., and Conaway, R.C., 1998: Mechanism of Action of RNA Polymerase II Elongation Factor Elongin. J. Biol. Chem. 273:26610-26617.

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