Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor which regulates the expression of many cytoprotective genes. In the present study, we found that the expression of Nrf2 was suppressed in prostate tumor of the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mice. Similarly, the expression of Nrf2 and the induction of NQO1 were also substantially suppressed in ...

Many DNA hypermethylated and epigenetically silenced genes in adult cancers are Polycomb group (PcG) marked in embryonic stem (ES) cells. We show that a large region upstream ( approximately 30 kb) of and extending approximately 60 kb around one such gene, GATA-4, is organized-in Tera-2 undifferentiated embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells-in a topologically complex multi-loop conformation that is fo...

Mechanical stimulation of the skeleton promotes bone gain and suppresses bone loss, ultimately resulting in improved bone strength and fracture resistance. The molecular mechanisms directing anabolic and/or anti-catabolic actions on the skeleton during loading are not fully understood. Identifying molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction (MTD) signaling cascades could identify new therapeuti...

Epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure is a fundamental process for eukaryotes. Regulators include DNA methylation, microRNAs and chromatin modifications. Within the chromatin modifiers, one class of enzymes that can functionally bind and modify chromatin, through the removal of methyl marks, is the histone lysine demethylases. Here, we summarize the current findings of the 13 known histo...

Histone N(ϵ)-methyl lysine demethylases are important in epigenetic regulation. KDM4E (histone lysine demethylase 4E) is a representative member of the large Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate- dependent family of human histone demethylases. In the present study we report kinetic studies on the reaction of KDM4E with O2. Steady-state assays showed that KDM4E has a graded response to O2 over a physiologicall...