Research Publications - College of Medicine and Health Science

Department of Biochemistry
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Phenomena.
We focused on using complex network analysis
tools to study biological processes such as human
consanguinity and congenital disorders,
disease spread in the population using HIV/
AIDS as an example, and RNA structure analysis.
These studies have resulted in three MS theses
(two as co-supervisor) and one publication.
Sequence comparison of MMTV-like fragments amplified out of human tissues
compared to MMTV strain Mtv-8 and the endogenous human retrovirus HERV-K.
Overall, these sequences revealed over 90% homology with MMTV, but less
than 50% homology with HERV-K. Additionally, the various samples showed
slight differences in their sequence between each other, ruling out any possible
contamination with a laboratory strain of MMTV or otherwise.
Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation by
chromatin-modifying complexes (Dr. A.H.
Al-Marzouqi)
The research in my laboratory is focused on
understanding the mechanisms of action of the
protein complexes that regulate gene expression
by modifying the structure of chromatin.
In eukaryotes, the compaction of DNA into the
nucleus inhibits the access of factors to DNA
which leads to the repression of many important
cellular processes required for maintenance
and growth of the cell. To access the DNA and
the genes, the nucleoprotein structure, called
chromatin, which consists of DNA, histones, and
non-histone proteins needs to be opened up or
altered. This is accomplished as a result of DNA
and histone modifications or by DNA binding
proteins. Many studies in the past few years
have described conserved protein complexes
whose function is to modulate the access of
transcription factors to regulatory regions of
genes relieving chromatin-mediated repression.
The action of these complexes that are able to
overcome the repressive effects of chromatin is
an important step in the regulation of eukaryotic
gene expression.
Specifically, the overall goals of my research
are to understand how certain proteins can
regulate gene expression by modifying the
structure of chromatin or interacting with its
components. We are interested in how different
types of chromatin modifying proteins work
in turning genes on or off. This is an important
question to be addressed since gene regulation
can determine the amount of protein production
required for important functions of all cells.
This is also important since many subunits of
these chromatin-modifying proteins in humans
have been implicated in the initiation of various
diseases. It is likely that errors in the function of
these protein complexes can result in alterations
in the life cycle of the cell that may lead
to the development of cancer. Thus, we are also
interested in studying how chromatin misregulation
contributes to cancer development and
could be helpful in finding potential cures for it
in the future.
Research highlights
The three areas of research focus in my laboratory
during 2011 were:
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the various chromatin-modifying complexes.
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dependent chromatin remodeling complexes.
������������������� in vivo functions of chromatin
remodelers and their roles in gene silencing
Neuro-modulation of the immune response
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My main research interest is to investigate the
mechanism by which organophosphorus compounds
(OPCs) modulate the immune response.
It has been well described that the toxic effects
of the OPCs are due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) in the central and peripheral
nervous systems, with a consequent increase in
the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
(ACh) which leads to cholinergic hyperstimulation.
We have recently demonstrated that
subchronic doses of paraoxon, the bioactive
metabolite of the OPC parathion, prepared the