We are utilizing techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology to investigate molecular mechanisms of apoptosis. Our future plans are to explore apoptotic pathways in neural cells and other cell types with the tools of molecular biology previously utilized by us for many years in the study of neuropeptide gene expression and, more recently, in our study of radiation-induced apoptosis in the fetal rat brain. Gamma-radiation induced cell death the fetal rat brain possesses molecular characteristics of apoptosis and is associated with specific mRNA elevations. Molecular Brain Research 35, 19-30.
Cholestasis is associated with preproenkephalin mRNA expression in the adult rat liver.
Transcription of the rat and mouse proenkephalin genes is initiated at distinct sites in spermatogenic and somatic cells. Molecular and Cellular Biology 10, 3717-3726. Molecular Endocrinology 4, 384-392.