David S. Loose, Ph.D. 1982, Stanford University UT-Houston Medical School Integrative Biology and Pharmacology Contact Information

Research Interests: Regulation of eucaryotic gene expression; regulation of cholesterol homeostasis; DNA-protein interactions

We utilize several model systems to investigate regulation of gene expression. Two of the genes we have been concentrating on are phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase, an enzyme crucial for glucose homeostasis and c-fos, a protooncogene which is a component of a transcriptional activator. Both of these genes are regulated by steroid hormones and our goal is to study the mechanisms underlying this regulation. We have also characterized a strain of rabbits which are completely resistant to elevations in plasma cholesterol following ingestion of diets high in fats and cholesterol. We are actively pursuing the metabolic, biochemical and genetic basis of the resistant phenotype.

____________

Loose-Mitchell DS, Chiappetta C, Stancel GM (1988) Induction of c-fos mRNA by estrogen. Mol Endo 2:946-951.

Overturf ML, Smith SA, Hewett-Emmett D, Loose-Mitchell DS, Soma MR, Gotto AM, Morrisett JD (1989) Development and partial metabolic characterization of a dietary cholesterol-resistant colony of rabbits. J Lipid Res 30:263-272.

Loose-Mitchell DS, Poorman JA, Smith SA, Morrisett JD, Overturf ML, Gotto AM, Soma MR (1991) Altered cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemia-resistant rabbits. Arteriosclerosis 87:169-181.

Program Affiliation:
Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology (Pharmacology Track)