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Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
PO Box 980614
Richmond, VA 23298-0614
Email: ggil@hsc.vcu.edu
Telephone: 804-828-0140
Education
- B.S., 1974, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- B.S., 1977, University of Barcelona, Spain
- M.S., 1978, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Ph.D., University of Barcelona, Spain, 1981
Post-Doc
Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, 1982-1988
Research
The overall goal of this laboratory is the molecular
characterization of the regulation of cholesterol and
bile acid metabolism. In particular, we are interested
in two genes. One is the gene that encodes the enzyme
cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase, a key regulatory enzyme
of the bile acid biosynthetic pathway. The activity
of this enzyme is negatively regulated by the end products
of the pathway, bile acids, as well as positively regulated
by its substrate, cholesterol. Both regulations occur
at the level of the transcription of its gene. The second
gene that we are interested in encodes sterol 12a-hydroxylase,
which determines the ratio of cholic acid to chenodeoxycholic
acid and it is also subjected to a feedback control.
We are studying the molecular mechanisms involved in
the bile acid-mediated regulation of the transcription
of the cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase and 12a-hydroxylase
genes. We use tissue culture systems, transgenic mice
technology, and in vitro approaches. We have identified
an orphan nuclear receptor, called FTF, that plays a
key role in the transcription and regulation of both
genes and we are studying novel interactions between
this receptor and other nuclear receptors as well as
other transcriptional factors.
Selected Publications
- del Castillo-Olivares, A., and Gil, G.: a1-Fetoprotein Transcription Factor is
required for the Expression of Sterol 12a-hydroxylase, the Specific Enzyme for Cholic
Acid Synthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 17793-17799, 2000
- del Castillo-Olivares, A. & Gil, G. Differential Effects of Sterol Regulatory
Protein 1 and 2 on Sterol 12a-Hydroxylase. J. Biol. Chem. 277: 6750-6757, 2002
- Gerbod, M.-C., del Castillo-Olivares, A., Janciauskiene, S., Gil, G., and Hylemon,
P.B., An a1-Antitrypsin Carboxy-terminal Peptide Represses Cholesterol 7a-Hydroxylase
via Interaction with a1-Fetoprotein Transcription Factor. J. Biol. Chem. 277:
42973-42980. 2002
- Pandak, W.M., Ren, S., Marques, D., Hall, E., Redford, K., Mallonee, D., Bohdan,
P., Heuman, D., Gil, G. and Hylemon, P.B. Transport of Cholesterol into Mitochondria
is Rate Limiting for Bile Acid Synthesis Via the Alternative Pathway in Primary Rat
Hepatocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 277: 48158-48164. 2002
- del Castillo-Olivares, A., Campos, J.A., Pandak, W.M. and Gil, G. The Role of a1-Fetoprotein
Transcription Factor /LRH-1 on Bile Acid Biosynthesis. A Known Nuclear Receptor that Can Act
as a Suppressor of Bile Acid Biosynthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 278: 16813-16821. 2004
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1101 E Marshall St | PO Box 980614 | Richmond, VA 23298 | ph 804.828.9762 | fax 804.828.1473
Site Update July 20, 2008, Responsible Unit - Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, biochemgrad@mail.vcu.edu
Virginia Commonwealth University,
VCU School of Medicine
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