Non-classical steroid signalling through SF-1 responsive genes: a key mechanism in environmental endocrine disruption, cancer, and aging. Endocrine disruption by pervasive manmade chemicals, which mimic natural hormones, and are found in plastics, cosmetics, and fire retardants, is known to cause developmental defects in model organisms and wildlife, with substantial risk also to human health. This risk increases with increasing population density and dependence on water recycling. Current tests ....Non-classical steroid signalling through SF-1 responsive genes: a key mechanism in environmental endocrine disruption, cancer, and aging. Endocrine disruption by pervasive manmade chemicals, which mimic natural hormones, and are found in plastics, cosmetics, and fire retardants, is known to cause developmental defects in model organisms and wildlife, with substantial risk also to human health. This risk increases with increasing population density and dependence on water recycling. Current tests to assess such substances use oversimplified modes of hormone action and grossly underestimate the risk of endocrine disruption. This proposal will yield new knowledge about how such substances act in the body, or on wildlife, and form the basis for new more sensitive methods of environmental monitoring.Read moreRead less
New insights into mammalian gene transcription - the role of parafibromin. Increasing our knowledge of fundamental gene and protein interactions is imperative as we move into an era of targetted molecular therapies to treat disease. Cancer is at the forefront of these diseases with hope of improved treatments firmly based in understanding the basic cell biology of tumours. This proposal describes research into a protein called parafibromin. We propose that parafibromin acts in major pathways res ....New insights into mammalian gene transcription - the role of parafibromin. Increasing our knowledge of fundamental gene and protein interactions is imperative as we move into an era of targetted molecular therapies to treat disease. Cancer is at the forefront of these diseases with hope of improved treatments firmly based in understanding the basic cell biology of tumours. This proposal describes research into a protein called parafibromin. We propose that parafibromin acts in major pathways responsible for how a cell manages stress by regulating levels of proteins involved in the cellular stress response. Discoveries made during the course of this research will provide knowledge of gene and protein interactions that will be important in the future to develop anti-cancer therapies. Read moreRead less
Molecular dynamics of steroid receptor crosstalk. This project uses state-of-the-art technology to show how steroids (for example, testosterone) affect many aspects of human life, and how these can be disrupted by chemicals and synthetic hormones. The results can be used to interpret disease, predict safety of new drugs, and to monitor risk to humans and wildlife of environmental chemicals.