Research Interests
We are interested how a proto-oncogene called Pim-1, a serine/threonine kinase, is involved in the molecular mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of lymphoid, myeloid and epithelial cells. In the adult, Pim-1 expression is limited to these cell types and to germ cells. Recently, the first target of Pim-1 was identified as a transcriptional co-activator of c-myb. We have now identified a second target, a phosphatase, which is involved in differentiation. During the course of our studies, we have also discovered that Pim-1 expression is highly regulated at multiple levels: transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational. This high degree of regulation suggests that Pim-1 kinase levels need to be precisely regulated for normal cellular activity. Thus, we are also interested in understanding how Pim-1 expression is regulated. With regards to cancer, Pim-1 is best described as a weak oncogene. By itself, it does not induce cancer, but when it is continuously over expressed along with a second oncogene such as c-myc, cancer is rapidly induced. Therefore, besides determining the normal function of Pim-1 in the immune system and in epithelial cells, we are also interested in determining how Pim-1 and other oncogenes such as c-Myc synergize cause cancer.
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