The Faculty in Reproductive Biology at Illinois

David J. Shapiro

Biochemistry
Ph.D., Purdue University

Visit the Shapiro Lab Group Page

To e-mail Dr. Shapiro use: djshapir@uiuc.edu

Our research is devoted to an understanding of the mechanisms by which estrogen receptor regulates gene transcription and messenger RNA stability. In our studies of gene transcription, we make use of transient and stably transfected tissue culture cells, cell-free transcription systems, mutant recombinant estrogen receptors expressed in various hosts, and reporter genes derived from the human genes and the promoter of the egg yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin.

In our studies of estrogen regulation of mRNA degradation, we are examining the mRNA sequences and structures, and the mRNA binding proteins which control mRNA degradation. Our studies of transcriptional regulation by estrogen receptor center on receptor-DNA interactions, including the role of receptor-induced DNA bending in steroid receptor action, and the roles of ligand binding and and receptor dimerization. In a collaborative project (with Prof. B. Katzenellenbogen) we are investigating the mechanism of action and potential therapeutic value of systems for the functional inactivation of estrogen receptor and estrogen receptor regulated genes in human breast cancer cells.

News Items

Estrogen interferes with immune surveillance in breast cancer

Selected Publications:

Chusacultanachai, S., Glenn, K.A., Rodriguez, A.O., Read, E.K., Gardner, J.F., Katzenellenbogen, B.S. and Shapiro D.J. (1999) Analysis of Estrogen Response Element Binding by Genetically Selected Steroid Receptor DNA Binding Domain Mutants Exhibiting Altered Specificity and Enhanced Affinity. J. Biol. Chem.274, 23591-23598.

Zhang, Cheng Cheng, Krieg, Sacha and Shapiro David (1999) HMG-1 Stimulates Estrogen Response Element Binding by Estrogen Receptor from Stably Transfected HeLa Cells. Mol. Endocrinol. 13, 632-643.

Kanamori, Hiroshi and Shapiro, David (1999) Differential Display Combined with a Regulated Transient Expression System. BioTechniques 26,1018-1020.

Zhang, Cheng Cheng, Krieg, Sacha and Shapiro David (1999) HMG-1 Stimulates Estrogen Response Element Binding by Estrogen Receptor from Stably Transfected HeLa Cells. Mol. Endocrinol. 13, 632-643.

Chusacultanachai, S., Glenn, K.A., Rodriguez, A.O., Read, E.K., Gardner, J.F., Katzenellenbogen, B.S. and Shapiro, D.J. (1999) Analysis of Estrogen Response Element Binding by Genetically Selected Steroid Receptor DNA Binding Domain Mutants Exhibiting Altered Specificity and Enhanced Affinity. J. Biol. Chem.274, 23591-23598.

Zhang, C.C. and Shapiro, D.J. (2000) Activation of the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway by Estrogen or by 4-Hydroxytamoxifen Is Coupled to Estrogen Receptor-induced Apoptosis. J. Biol. Chem.275, 479-486.

Kanamori, H., Krieg, S., Mao, C., Di Pippo V.A., Wang, S., Zajchowski, D.A. and Shapiro, D.J. (2000) Proteinase Inhibitor 9, an Inhibitor of Granzyme B-mediated Apoptosis, Is a Primary Estrogen-inducible gene in Human Liver Cells. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 5867-5873.

de Haan, G., Chusacultanachai, S., Mao, C., Katzenellenbogen, B.S. and Shapiro, D.J. (2000) Estrogen Receptor-KRAB Chimeras are Potent Ligand Dependent Repressors of Estrogen Regulated Gene Expression. J. Biol. Chem.. In Press, May.

Last updated May 17, 2001

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