Department of Biochemistry

Brad Hillgartner, Ph.D.

Ph.D. - Michigan State University, 1986
Post Doctoral Research - University of Iowa

Professor
Department of Biochemistry
West Virginia University
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center
P.O. Box 9142
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: (304) 293-7751
Fax: (304) 293-6846
Email: fbhillgartner@hsc.wvu.edu

Research:

Elevated triacylglycerol levels in the blood, liver, and adipose tissue contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in humans.  Insulin and glucagon are important hormones controlling the expression of genes involved in triacylglycerol synthesis.  Currently, my laboratory is characterizing the signaling pathways mediating the actions of insulin and glucagon on the activity of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), a key factor controlling the transcription of genes in the triacylglycerol synthesis pathway.  The goal of these studies is to identify new cellular targets that can be pharmacologically manipulated to treat and prevent obesity and diseases associated with obesity.

References:

• Yin, L., Zhang, Y., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2002) Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 interacts with the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor to enhance acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha transcription in hepatocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 277,19554-19565.
   
• Zhang, Y., Yin, L., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2003) SREBP 1 integrates the actions of thyroid hormone, insulin, cAMP, and medium-chain fatty acids on acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha transcription in hepatocytes. J. Lipid Res. 44, 356-368.
   
• Zhang, Y. and Hillgartner, F. B. (2004) Starvation and feeding a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet regulate the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 in chickens. J. Nutr. 134, 2205-2210.
   
• Yin, L., Wang, Y., Dridi, S., Vinson, C., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2005) Role of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein, histone acetylation, and coactivator recruitment in the regulation of malic enzyme transcription by thyroid hormone. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 245, 43-52.
   
• Talukdar, S. and Hillgartner, F. B. (2006) The mechanism mediating the activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha gene transcription by the liver X receptor agonist T0-901317. J. Lipid. Res. 47, 2451-2461.
   
• Talukdar, S., Bhatnagar, S., Dridi, S., and Hillgartner, F. B.  (2007) Chenodeoxycholic acid suppresses the activation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase-{alpha} gene transcription by the liver X receptor agonist T0-901317.  J Lipid Res. 48, 2647-2663