Research Summary
RUNX1 is a transcription factor required for the formation of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and for its further maturation. RUNX1 is commonly mutated or involved in chromosomal translocations associated with AML or ALL. Dr. Friedman''s laboratory is investigating the mechanisms that allow RUNX1 to regulate normal hematopoietic stem cells and myeloid differentiation and to stimulate cell cycle progression. He ultimately envisions developing means to manipulate RUNX1 to assist formation and expansion of HSC from embryonic stem cells and to assist formation of autologous neutrophils to benefit patients with neutropenia. In addition, Dr. Friedman is investigating how mutations of RUNX1 or its partner CBFb contribute to acute leukemia, focusing on CBFb-SMMHC, a fusion oncoprotein expressed from the inv(16) chromosome in a subset of AML patients. Ultimately, he would like to identify small molecules that target CBFb-SMMHC to assist in the therapy of AML.
C/EBPa is a transcription factor required for formation of normal neutrophils and monocytes. C/EBPa is also commonly mutated in blasts derived from patients with AML. Dr. Friedman''s laboratory is investigating how C/EBPa cooperates with other proteins, including cytokines such as G-CSF or M-CSF, to control normal myeloid development. In addition, he is investigating how mutant forms of C/EBPa contribute to AML, in particular focusing on how interaction between C/EBPa and another transcription factor, NF-kB, inhibits apoptosis. By mapping the amino acids through which these proteins interact, Dr. Friedman hopes to ultimately design small molecules that prevent their interaction to induce leukemic cell death and contribute to the therapy of AML. As C/EBPs and NF-kB are also expressed also in other malignancies and in inflammatory cells which contribute to cancer formation and progression, such a small molecule might in addition have broader utility as a novel therapeutic.
Selected Publications
Nuchprayoon I, Meyers S, Scott LM, Suzow J, Hiebert S, Friedman AD. PEBP2/CBF, The Murine Homolog of the Human Myeloid Proto-oncogenes AML1 and PEBP2/CBF, Regulates the Murine Myeloperoxidase and Neutrophil Elastase Genes in Immature Myeloid Cells. Mol. Cell. Biol. 1994; 14(8):5558-68.
Kummalue T, Lou J, Friedman AD. Multimerization via its Myosin Domain is a Prerequisite for Inhibition of CBF Activities by the CBF-SMMHC Myeloid Leukemia Oncoprotein. Mol. Cell. Biol. 2002; 22(23):8278-91.
Cai DH, Wang D, Keefer J, Yeamans C, Hensley K, Friedman AD. C/EBP:AP-1 Leucine Zipper Heterodimers Bind Novel DNA Element, Activate the PU.1 Promoter, and Direct Monocyte Lineage Commitment More Potently Than C/EBP Homodimers or AP-1.Oncogene 2008; 27(19):2772-9.
Leong WY, Guo H, Ma O, Huang H, Cantor AB, Friedman AD. Runx1 Phosphorylation by Src Increases Trans-Activation via Augmented Stability, Reduced Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Binding, and Increased DNA Affinity, and Activated Runx1 Favors Granulopoiesis. J. Biol. Chem. 2016; 291(2):826-36.
Guo H, Cooper S, Friedman AD. In Vivo Deletion of the +37 kb Cebpa Enhancer Markedly Reduces Cebpa mRNA in Myeloid Progenitors but Not in Non-Hematopoietic Tissues to Impair Granulopoiesis. PLoS One 2016; 11(3):e0150809.
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