The Faculty in Reproductive Biology at Illinois

Ann M. Nardulli

Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Ph.D., University of Illinois

Visit Dr. Nardulli's departmental webpage.

To e-mail Dr. Nardulli use: anardull@uiuc.edu

A major focus of our laboratory is to delineate mechanisms involved in regulating estrogen-responsive genes. We are, in particular, interested in studying the interaction of the estrogen receptor with target DNA and in identifying novel regulatory proteins that are associated with the DNA-bound receptor and influence estrogen-mediated transactivation.

The estrogen receptor, like other steroid hormone receptors, plays a role in developmental processes and maintenance of hormone responsiveness in target cells. From the molecular viewpoint, interaction of the estrogen receptor with target genes is of paramount importance in maintaining normal cell function, but is also involved in regulation of mammary tumor cell function.

We are using in vitro and in vivo approaches to study the interaction of the estrogen receptor with DNA and the recruitment of proteins to the DNA-bound receptor. In vitro assays are utilized to examine the interaction of the estrogen receptor with the regulatory proteins we have identified and to determine their effects on receptor function. The estrogen receptor-associated proteins we have identified have a wide range of activities.  They alter the ability of the receptor to interact with DNA, survey the genome for damage, initiate DNA repair, remodel chromatin, limit histone acetylation, serve as molecular chaperones, and influence the acetylation and phosphorylation state of the receptor.  In vivo assays are utilized to confirm the association of these novel proteins with native gene sequences and to monitor their expression in normal mammary cells and in mammary tumors. These studies will provide new information about the function of receptor-associated proteins and help to define mechanisms regulating estrogen-responsive genes in normal mammary cells and in mammary tumors.

News Items

Research focusing on why estrogenic hormones produce differing results

Selected Publications

Schultz-Norton, J.R., McDonald, W.H., Yates J.R., and Nardulli, A.M. 2006. Protein disculfide isomerase serves as a molecular chaperone to maintain estrogen receptor alpha structure and function. Mol Endocrinol, 20(9):1982–95. [Abstract]

Schultz, J.R., Petz, L.N., and Nardulli, A.M. 2005. Cell and ligand specific regulation of promoters containing activator protein 1 and Sp1 sites by estrogen receptors alpha and beta. J Biol Chem, 280(1):347–54. [Abstract]

Loven, M.A., Davis, R.E., Muster, N., Yates, J.R., and Nardulli, A.M. 2004. A novel estrogen receptor alpha associated protein alters receptor DNA interactions and represses receptor mediated transcription. Mol Endocrinol., 18(11):2649–59. [Abstract]

Likhite, V.S., Cass, E.I., Anderson, S.D., Yates, J.R., and Nardulli, A.M. 2004. Interaction of estrogen receptor alpha with 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase modulates transcription and DNA repair. J Biol Chem, 279(16):16875–82. [Abstract]

Petz, L.N., Ziegler, Y.S., Schultz, J.R., and Nardulli, A.M. 2004. Fos and Jun inhibit estrogen-induced transcription of the human progesterone receptor gene through an activator protein-1 site. Mol Endocrinol, 18(3):521–32. [Abstract]

Petz, L.N., Ziegler, Y.S., Schultz, J.R., Kim, H., Kemper, J., and Nardulli, A.M. 2004. Differential regulation of the human progesterone receptor gene by an estrogen response element half site and Sp1 sites. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 88(2):113–22. [Abstract]

Schultz, J.R., Petz, L.N., and Nardulli, A.M. 2003. Estrogen receptor alpha and Sp1 regulate progesterone receptor gene expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol, 201(1–2):165–75. [Abstract]

Loven, M., Muster, N., Yates, J.R., and Nardulli, A.M. 2003. A novel estrogen receptor alpha associated protein, template activating factor I beta, inhibits acetylation and transactivation. Mol Endocrinol, 17(1):67–78. [Abstract]

 

View Ann M. Nardulli's publications at the National Library of Medicine (PubMed)

Last updated December 4, 2006.

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