Research / Clinical
Summary
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Diseases/Research Topics
Phosphotases, SCP, Transcriptional Regulation
Dr. Gill's current primary research interest is in development of the nervous system. Specifically he is exploring the role of phosphatases in regulating transcription of neuronal genes. Several years ago his laboratory discoverd a family of class C phosphatases we termed SCPs (Small C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II Phosphatases). The 3 initial members of the SCP family, specifically dephosphorylated Serine 5 in the heptad, repeats of the CTD to block the initiation of gene transcription. SCPs function as a component of the REST/NRSF complex to silence neuronal gene expression in neuronal stem cells and in non-neuronal tissues. When stem cells differentiate into neurons SCP expression is extinguished. Inhibition of SCP initiates differentiation of stem cells into neurons.
They are currently:
1) Solving the crystal structure of SCP1 with a phospho CTD heptad bound.
2) Based on the structure they are designing chemical inhibitors.
3) They are exploring the detailed molecular interactions and function of SCPs within the REST and other transcription complexes.
4) They are investigating the regulation of SCP expression by micro RNAs.
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