E. Brad Thompson, M.D.
 Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
 Mary and J. Palmer Saunders Professor
email:  bthompso@utmb.edu

Research interests:
 

This laboratory has a longstanding interest in the cellular and molecular actions of steroids, especially glucocorticoids and oxysterols. The lab has a record of leadership in this field and is actively pursuing several aspects of this work. Glucocorticoid actions on leukemic cells: Glucocorticoids cause many types of malignant lymphoid cells to die by the process known as apoptosis. Using a human leukemic cell line, we have discovered that the mechanism of this process involves rapid regulation of c-myc, c-jun, ODC and other genes important for cell cycling. Gene array analyses are being used in combination with somatic cell genetics to identify these. Interactions of the PKA, PKC and glucocorticoid pathways are being explored.  Structural studies of the glucocorticoid receptor: The functional structure of the major transcription-activating domain of the receptor is under study, using recombinant peptides and proteins. This domain seems to lack tertiary structure in its native state, but structure can be induced by use of osmolytes. This allows study of function. Methods: mutagenesis, protein expression and purification, CD, fluorescence emissions, ultracentrifugation, NMR, etc.  Use of glucocorticoid receptor gene fragment to cause cell death in the absence of steroid:  We have discovered that certain very small fragments of a mutated form of the glucocorticoid receptor are capable of causing cell death when transfected into several kinds of cancer cells. The mechanism of this effect may involve interaction with cellular transcription machinery.  These molecular steps are being worked out, and the application of this finding for a potentially novel form of therapy is being pursued through studies on efficient delivery mechanisms.