Hua Lou, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Genetics

Research:
Regulation of pre-mRNA processing in neurons and cancer cells

The research focus of my laboratory is to understand the mechanisms that regulate tissue-specific alternative RNA processing in mammals. We are specifically interested in such regulation in neurons and cancer cells. Recently, we discovered that the Hu family of paraneoplastic neurologic disease (PND) antigens function as novel alternative splicing regulators in neurons. We are currently studying the mechanisms that control the neuron-specific alternative RNA processing by Hu proteins. Work is also in progress to identify additional neuronal targets of Hu proteins. These studies will provide significant insights into the role of Hu proteins in the development and function of neurons.

 

Selected Publications

Zhu, H, Hasman, RA, Young, KM, Kedersha, NL, and Lou, H (2003)
U1 snRNP-dependent function of TIAR in the regulation of alternative RNA processing of the human calcitonin/CGRP pre-mRNA.
Mol Cell Biol. 23:5959-5971.

Lou H, Helfman DM, Gagel RF, and Berget SM (1999)
Polypyrimidine-tract binding protein positively regulates inclusion of an alternative 3' terminal exon.
Mol. Cell. Biol. 19:78-85.

Lou H, Neugabauer, KM, Gagel RF, and Berget SM (1998)
Regulation of alternative polyadenylation by U1 snRNPs and SRp20.
Mol. Cell. Biol. 18:4977-4985.

Lou H, Gagel RF, and Berget SM (1996)
An intron enhancer recognized by splicing factors activates polyadenylation.
Genes Dev. 10:208-219.