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Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology

Email Dr. Darling
Phone Number: 502-852-5508
Fax:

Address: 303 Dentistry
Lousville, KY 40202

Ph.D., 1983, University of Washington

Area of Interest:

Transcriptional regulation of neurodevelopment

Investigators:

Dr. Venkatesh Srirangapatnam
Kristina Hapney
Andrew Killgore
Joseph Chichetti
Sudarshana Sengupta

Research Interests

Our laboratory is interested in the regulation of gene transcription in eucaryotic cells. We are investigating the molecular mechanism of action of the zfh family of transcription factors. We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones of the Zinc Finger Homeodomain Enhancer-binding Protein (Zfhep) gene. Zfhep is essential for life as well as T-cell development, craniofacial development, and skeletal patterning. Current projects investigate the role of Zfhep and related genes in early development, and the molecular interactions that underlie those roles. For example, we are studying the molecular basis for cleft palate in knock-out mice, post-translational processing of Zfhep, and the role of Zfhep in neurogenesis. In addition, we are interested in the molecular action of nuclear receptors, including how Zfhep influences nuclear receptors and other endocrine signals

Selected Publications:

Darling D.S., Stearman R.P., Qi Y, Qiu M., and Fellar J.P. (2003) Expression of Zfhep/δEF1 protein in palate, neural progenitors, and differentiated neurons.  Gene Expression Patterns 3: 709-717.

Smith, G.E. and Darling, D.S. (2003) Combination of a Zinc Finger and Homeodomain required for protein-interaction.  Mol. Biol. Reports. 30 (4):199-206. 

Costantino, M.E., Smith, G.E. and Darling, D.S. (2002) Cell-Specific Phosphorylation of Zfhep Transcription Factor.  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com. 296: 368- 373

Yen, G., Croci, A., Dowling, A., Zhang, S., Zoeller, R.T., Darling, D.S. (2001) Developmental and functional evidence of a role for Zfhep in neural cell development. Brain Research: Molecular Brain Research. 96 (1-2): 59-67.

Cabanillas A.M., Smith G.E., Darling D.S.  (2001) T3-Activation of the Rat Growth Hormone Gene is Inhibited by a Zinc Finger/Homeodomain Protein. Mol Cell Endocrinol.  181:131-137. 

Li, J., Yen, T-Y, Allende, M.L., Joshi, R.K., Cai, J., Pierce, W.M., Jaskiewicz, E., Darling, D.S., Macher, B.A. and Young, W.W., Jr. (2000) -Disulfide Bonds of GM2 synthase homodimers. Antiparallel orientation of the catalytic domains. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 41476-41486.

Cowley D.J., Moore Y.R., Joyce P.B., Darling D.S., Gorr S.U. (2000) Cell-type specific sorting of chromogranin A in endocrine GH4C1 and neuroendocrine PC12 cells. J. Biol. Chemistry 275(11): 7743-7748.

Darling D.S., Gaur N.K., Zhu B. (1998) A zinc finger homeodomain transcription factor binds specific thyroid hormone response elements. Mol. Cell. Endo. 139: 25-35.

Zhu G., Jaskiewicz E., Bassi R., Darling D.S., Young W.W., Jr. (1997) b1,4 N acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GM2/GD2/GA2 synthase) forms homodimers in the endoplasmic reticulum: A strategy to test for dimerization of golgi membrane proteins. Glycobiology 7: 987-996.

Darling D.S., and Belker A.M. (1997) The Genetics of Male Infertility. J. Urology 158: 550-551.