Primary Appointment

We study the intersection between epigenetics and cancer with a specific focus on one class of epigenetic mark - arginine methylation. To better understand the biological roles of arginine methylation, our research group uses a number of different biological approaches to interrogate PRMT function. These include mouse gain- and loss-of-function PRMT models, protein microarrays screens for methyl-binding proteins, biochemical screens for PRMT substrates, and screens for chemical inhibitors of PRMT family members.We have generated targeted disruptions of a number of arginine methyltransferase genes in mice in the hopes of unmasking cellular and tissue-specific roles for this post-translational modification. In-hand we currently have CARM1, PRMT3 and PRMT6 null mice. We are performing transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) and ChIP-seq on these null mice to identify the repertoire of genes that they regulate. We are also performing double knockouts to investigate redundancy between the different PRMTs.We are also generating gain-of-function transgenic mouse models to determine the effects of PRMT overexpression in vivo. These are transgenic mice that can be activated by crossing to a tissue-specific cre line. The Cre expression removes a lox/STOP/los cassette and activates expression of the PRMT. We have already generated PRMT6 gain-of-function mice using this approach. We are currently producing CARM1, PRMT1, PRMT5 and TDRD3 transgenic mice using the same approach.

Academic Appointments

Last updated: 3/7/2013