Dr. Frederick E. Domann- Professor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests

• My laboratory focuses on the transcriptional regulation of cancer related genes including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Specifically, we are studying the molecular mechanisms by which aberrant cytosine methylation of CpG dinucleotides affects gene expression during the development of cancer. We have focused primarily on the tumor suppressor gene SOD2 that encodes the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. We have determined that site specific DNA methylation of the SOD2 gene promoter can suppress its transcriptional activation. Thus, cytosine methylation of genetic regulatory elements within this important tumor suppressor gene can mediate its inactivation.
• We are also studying transcription factor AP-2 and its interactions with the SOD2 promoter. Interestingly, these interactions are affected by DNA methylation. We are also assessing chromatin accessibility in the region of the SOD2 promoter in cells that differentially express the gene. Our future research directions will be aimed at elucidating the role of cytosine methylation as a mechanism for inactivation of other genes involved in protection against oxidative damage as well as other classical tumor suppressor genes, and to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which CpG methylation can bring about these changes in gene expression.
• We have recently been studying mechanisms underlying the transcriptional silencing of another tumor suppressor gene of particular interest to breast cancer etiology. We have determined that the maspin gene is transcriptionally silenced in the majority of advanced human breast cancers by an epigenetic mechanism involving aberrant cytosine methylation and chromatin condensation of the maspin gene promoter. We are continuing to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to transcriptional regulation of the maspin gene in human cancer.

Example Publications

• Domann, F.E., Rice, J.C., Hendrix, M.J.C., and Futscher, B.W. (2000) Epigenetic silencing of maspin gene expression in human breast cancers. Int. J. Cancer, 85: 805-810. [Abstract]
• Huang, Y., He, T., and Domann, F.E. (1999) Decreased MnSOD expression in transformed cells is associated with increased cytosine methylation of the SOD2 gene. DNA & Cell Biol. 18(8): 643-652. [Abstract]
• Huang, Y., Peng, J., Oberley L.W., and Domann, F.E. (1997) Transcriptional inhibition of manganese superoxide dismutaes (SOD2) gene expression by DNA methylation of the 5' CpG island. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 23(2): 314-320. [Abstract]
• Huang, Y., and Domann, F.E., (1998) Redox modulation of AP-2 DNA binding activity in vitro. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 249: 307-312. [Abstract]
• Yang, J., Li, S., Domann, F.E., Buettner, G.R., and Oberley, L.W. (1999) Superoxid generation in v-Ha-ras transformed human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 26: 180-188. [Abstract]

Complete Publications

 

Honors, Awards and Organizations

• 1997 Radiation Research Society Travel Award (Yuanhui Huang).
• 1996 Presidential Young Investigator Award, The Oxygen Society (Yuanhui Huang).
• 1996 Radiological Society of North America/Fuji Film Seed Grant Award.
• 1995 Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, University of Wisconsin- Platteville.
• 1994 Cancer Research Award, Ladies Auxilliary VFW, Iowa Chapter.
• 1993-94 Central Investment Fund for Research Enhancement, Vice President for Research, The University of Iowa.
• 1992-93 NIH/NRSA Postdoctoral Training Grant Recipient, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona.
• 1991 International Congress of Radiation Research Student Travel Award.
• 1989-91 NIH/NRSA Predoctoral Training Grant Recipient, Human Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin.
• 1989-90 Radiation Research Society Student Travel Award.
• 1984 Human Oncology Special Fellowship, University of Wisconsin- Madison.
• 1982 Leo E. Boebel Memorial Biology Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Education

• PhD Human Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1991

• BS Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 1983 (Magna cum laude)

Post-Graduate Education

• The University of Arizona, Department of Radiation Oncology, Arizona Cancer Center, Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1991-1992.

• The University of Arizona, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology,Arizona Cancer Center, NIH/NRSA Postdoctoral Trainee, 1992-1993.