Address

4125 BSB, 5047 Gullen Mall Detroit, MI 48202

Office Address

4125 BSB, 5047 Gullen Mall
Detroit, MI 48202

Research Interests

• Chromatin structure and function
• Regulation of gene expression
• Histone modification in development, cell proliferation and metabolism
 

Research Description

Gene expression is regulated in part by the interactions of genomic DNA with the packaging histone proteins. Research in the Pile laboratory is directed toward understanding how genome packaging affects gene expression. Histones undergo a variety of modifications including acetylation, phosphorylation and methylation, which in turn affect the level of packaging. We are currently investigating how the SIN3 histone deacetylase complex functions to repress transcription at the epigenetic level. SIN3 is required for viability of multi-cellular organisms and mutations in components in the complex have been linked to defects in cell cycle progression. Current objectives of the lab are to understand regulatory pathways that affect SIN3 activity and to understand the consequences of SIN3 recruitment at target genes. We are taking a multi-pronged approach to address these questions in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We utilize a combination of biochemical, molecular and genetic techniques to understand the mechanism of SIN3 gene regulation. Data from these studies will help to elucidate the contribution of histone acetylation to signaling cascades that impact cellular decisions critical for proliferation, development and viability.

Recent Publications

Liu M, Saha N, Gajan A, Saadat N, Gupta SV, Pile LA. A complex interplay between SAM synthetase and the epigenetic regulator SIN3 controls metabolism and transcription. J Biol Chem. 2019;295:375-89.

Barnes VL, Laity KA, Pilecki M, and Pile LA. Systematic Analysis of SIN3 Histone Modifying Complex Components During Development. Sci Rep. 2018;8:17048.

Chaubal A and Pile LA. 2018. Same agent, different messages: insight into transcriptional regulation by SIN3 isoforms. Epigenetics Chromatin. 2018;11:17.

Liu M and Pile LA. The Transcriptional Corepressor SIN3 Directly Regulates Genes Involved in Methionine Catabolism and Affects Histone Methylation, Linking Epigenetics and Metabolism. J Biol Chem. 2017;292:1970-76.

 

Education/Training

PhD in Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology (1998): University of Cincinnati Medical School

Courses Taught

CB7220 Molecular Biology of Cancer Development

 

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