References:
- Huang HW, Bi W, Jenkins GN, Alcorn JL. Glucocorticoid Regulation of Human Pulmonary Surfactant Protein-B mRNA Stability Involves the 3'-UTR. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2007; [Epub ahead of print]
- Vidaeff AC, Ramin SM, Gilstrap LC 3rd, Bishop KD, Alcorn JL. Impact of progesterone on cytokine-stimulated nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in HeLa cells. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 20:23-28, 2007.
- Merritt, TM, JL Alcorn, R Haynes and JT Hecht. Expression of Mutant Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Human Chondrocytes Induces the Pseudoachondroplasia Phenotype. J Orthopaedic Res.. 24:700-707, 2006.
- Alcorn, JL, Stark, JM, Chiappetta, CL, Jenkins, G and Colasurdo, GN. Effects of RSV infection on Pulmonary Surfactant Protein (SP-A) in Cultured Human Type II Cells: Contrasting Consequences on SP-A mRNA and Protein. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, 289:L1113-1122, 2005.
- Phokela, SS, Peleg, S, Moya, FR and Alcorn, JL. Regulation of human pulmonary surfactant protein gene expression by 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol., 289:L617-626, 2005.
- Romero EJ, Moya FR, Tuvim MJ,and Alcorn JL. Interaction of an Artificial Surfactant in Human Pulmonary Epithelial Cells. Ped. Pulmonology 39:167-177, 2005.
Joseph L. Alcorn , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
UTHSC, Medical School, (713) 500 - 5641
Joseph.L.Alcorn@uth.tmc.edu
Hormonal, developmental, and cell-specific regulation of pulmonary surfactant proteins;
The research in my laboratory is directed at understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in (1) post-transcriptional regulation of pulmonary surfactant protein (SP-A and SP-B) mRNA, and (2) post-translational regulation of innate immunity proteins, like SP-A, of the lung in response to environmental insults. With regards to analysis of SP-A and SP-B mRNA stability, we have found that the 3’-untranslated region (UTR) is key in the regulation of surfactant protein mRNA stability. We have identified short sequences that are necessary and sufficient for regulation. Our immediate goal is to identify the cellular components, such as proteins and microRNAs, that mediate these regulations. With regards to analysis of SP-A protein expression, we have found that expression of SP-A is reduced in pulmonary epithelial cells exposed to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and particulate matter. The mechanisms underlying these responses is unknown, but we suspect that the virus either induces proteases that reduce SP-A levels or microRNA that reduces translation of SP-A. A tutorial in my laboratory will provide experience in all methods of molecular biology, in mRNA manipulation and stability analysis, and protein manipulation and stability analysis. The student would also gain knowledge of cell culture techniques, of the culture of primary cells, and in techniques used to make recombinant replication-defective adenoviruses.
