Professor

PhD: Michigan State University
Post Doctoral Research: University of Iowa

Joined the faculty: 1992

Affiliations: Center for Metabolic Research

Teaching: CCMD 730, MS1 PBL, BMS 715, BMS 751

Room: 3088
Phone: (304) 293-7751
Fax: (304) 293-6846
Email: fbhillgartner@hsc.wvu.edu

My laboratory is interested in the mechanisms mediating the nutritional and hormonal regulation of genes involved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Our recent studies have focused on the regulation of the lipogenic pathway by members of the nuclear receptor family, including the nuclear T3 receptor, liver X receptor, and farnesoid X receptor. We are also interested in characterizing novel signaling pathways that inhibit triacylglycerol accumulation in adipose tissue. One such pathway is activated by fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19), an enterohepatic hormone whose expression is induced by bile acids. Our studies indicate that the inhibitory effect of FGF-19 on adiposity can be attributed in part to a reduction hepatic fatty acid synthesis. We are currently analyzing the mechanisms by which FGF-19 inhibits hepatic fatty acid synthesis. We are also characterizing the signaling pathways controlling the expression of FGF-19.

  References:

• Bhatnagar, S., Damron, H. A., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2009) Fibroblast growth factor-19, a novel factor that inhibits hepatic fatty acid synthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 284, 10023-10033.
   
• Talukdar, S., Bhatnagar, S., Dridi, S., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2007) Chenodeoxycholic acid suppresses the activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase- gene transcription by the liver X receptor agonist T0-901317. J. Lipid Res. 48, 2647-2663.
   
• Talukdar, S. and Hillgartner, F. B. (2006) The mechanism mediating the activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase- gene transcription by liver X receptor agonist T0-901317. J. Lipid Res., 47, 2451-2461.
   
• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• 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- gene transcription in hepatocytes. J. Lipid Res. 44, 356-368.
   
• Yin, L., Zhang, Y., and Hillgartner, F. B. (2002) Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP 1) interacts with the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor to enhance acetyl-CoA carboxylase- transcription in hepatocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 277,19554-19565.