RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Androgen Regulation of Gene Expression Steroid hormone receptors are ligand activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression by binding specific DNA sequences and interacting with other transcriptional regulatory proteins. We study the androgen receptor, the steroid receptor that mediates the biological effects of the androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Our focus is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of androgen receptor action. We use a variety of techniques to establish structure-function relationships of the ligand binding, DNA binding and transcriptional activation domains of the receptor. Specific naturally occurring mutations in the androgen receptor gene that cause androgen insensitivity are utilized in studies on receptor domain activity. Coactivator and corepressor proteins are being identified and characterized which interact with the receptor to modulate gene expression. Collaborative studies are underway to crystallize the purified full-length androgen receptor bound to androgen and DNA. In addition, we are investigating certain environmental chemicals with androgen or antiandrogen activity that act as endocrine disruptors to influence human sexual development or behavior.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
Bai S, Wilson EM. EGF dependent phosphorylation and ubiquitinylation of MAGE-11 regulates its interaction with the androgen receptor. Mol Cell Biol. Epub 2008 Bai S, Grossman G, Yuan L, Lessey BA, French FS, Young SL, Wilson EM. Hormone control and expression of androgen receptor coregulator MAGE-11 in human endometrium during the window of receptivity to embryo implantation. Mol Hum Reprod. Epub 2007 Mukherjee A, Wilson EM, Rotwein P. Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding Protein-5 Blocks Skeletal Muscle Differentiation by Inhibiting IGF Actions. Mol Endocrinol. 2008 Jan;22(1):206-15. Epub 2007 Green JR, Wilson EM, Wang YT, Moore CA. Estimating mandibular motion based on chin surface targets during speech. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2007 Aug;50(4):928-39 Askew EB, Gampe RT Jr, Stanley TB, Faggart JL, Wilson EM. Modulation of androgen receptor activation function 2 by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. J Biol Chem. 2007 Aug 31;282(35):25801-16. Epub 2007 Wilson EM, Trauner D.Concise synthesis of the bacterial DNA primase inhibitor (+) -Sch 642305. Org Lett. 2007 Mar 29;9(7):1327-9. Epub 2007 Wilson EM, Green JR. Coordinative organization of lingual propulsion during the normal adult swallow. Dysphagia. 2006 Oct;21(4):226-36 Wilson EM, Rotwein P. Selective control of skeletal muscle differentiation by Akt1. J Biol Chem. 2007 Feb 23;282(8):5106-10. Epub 2007 Wilson EM. Muscle-bound? A tissue-selective nonsteroidal androgen receptor modulator. Endocrinology. 2007 Jan;148(1):1-3 Lu NZ, Wardell SE, Burnstein KL, Defranco D, Fuller PJ, Giguere V, Hochberg RB, McKay L, Renoir JM, Weigel NL, Wilson EM, McDonnell DP, Cidlowski JA. International Union of Pharmacology. LXV. The pharmacology and classification of the nuclear receptor superfamily: glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, progesterone, and androgen receptors. Pharmacol Rev. 2006 Dec;58(4):782-97 Rojas AM, Lyn BE, Wilson EM, Williams FJ, Shah N, Dickson J, Saunders MI. Toxicity and outcome of a phase II trial of taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 3-dimensional, conformal, accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. Cancer. 2006 Sep 15;107(6):1321-30 Wilson EM, Rotwein P. Control of MyoD function during initiation of muscle differentiation by an autocrine signaling pathway activated by insulin-like growth factor-II. J Biol Chem. 2006 Oct 6;281(40):29962-71. Epub 2006 Wilson JJ, Wilson EM. Practical management: vocal cord dysfunction in athletes. Clin J Sport Med. 2006 Jul;16(4):357-60 Green JR, Wilson EM. Spontaneous facial motility in infancy: a 3D kinematic analysis. Dev Psychobiol. 2006 Jan;48(1):16-28 | 
Biochemistry and Biophysics - UNC School of Medicine
