Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentor: Joyce Repa, Ph.D.
Department: Physiology and Internal Medicine
Room number: Y8.212B
Mail Code: 8854
Phone number: 214-648-9431
E-mail: joyce.repa@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Biochemical characterization of the Liver X Receptors.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type basic research

Brief Description of Project:
The liver X receptors (LXR and LXR ) are ligand-activated transcription factors of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Cholesterol-derived oxysterols bind these receptors, and promote LXR-dependent transcription of a variety of genes that increase cholesterol catabolism and elimination. These qualities of the LXRs have made them attractive therapeutic targets for the development of drugs to treat diseases of cholesterol accumulation, such as atherosclerosis. LXRs are very low-abundance proteins, and the lack of suitable antibodies has hindered the study of these important transcription factors. We have recently developed cell lines that express, in an inducible manner, epitope-tagged versions of each LXR, that allow us to isolate and characterize the LXRs under a variety of cellular conditions. Preliminary results suggest that these proteins undergo a variety of post-transcriptional modifications that may influence their stability, activity, and provide a basis for the development of improved LXR drugs.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Summer 2005. Isaac See. Project: "The Vitamin D Receptor does not regulate leptin receptor expression during adipocyte differentiation, although 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 blocks adipogenesis". Abstract chosen for oral presentation at the 43rd Annual Medical Student Research Forum, Jan. 17, 2006.

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