John White

Professor, Departments of Physiology and Medicine, McGill University

Address
Department of Physiology
McGill University
McIntyre Medical Sciences Building
Room 1128
3655 Promenade Sir William Osler
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6

Tel.: 514-398-8498
Fax: 514-398-7452
john [dot] white [at] mcgill [dot] ca (Email)
Dr. White's Website

Expertise: Role of nuclear receptors in controlling gene transcription

Summary of Research Activities
Since its inception, the laboratory has focused on various aspects of regulation of gene expression. Much of the work centers on the role of nuclear receptors in controlling gene transcription. The lab has been interested in the molecular mechanisms of action of estrogen receptors (ERs) for several years, and has identified novel coregulatory factors that control the nuclear and extra-nuclear functions of ERs and other nuclear receptors. The laboratory is also studying the genomics of nuclear receptor action. We are analyzing the potential role of vitamin D3 receptor target genes in controlling the growth of cancer cells. We have identified ~1000 vitamin D3 target genes in squamous carcinoma cells using both in silico approaches and microarray analysis, and are determining the function of key genes in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation.

Recent Publications
Wang X, Wang TT, White JH, Studzinski GP. Expression of human kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (hKSR-2) gene in HL60 leukemia cells is directly upregulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and is required for optimal cell differentiation. Exp Cell Res. 2007 Aug 15;313(14):3034-45. Epub 2007 May 31.

Deschenes J, Bourdeau V, White JH, Mader S. Regulation of GREB1 transcription by estrogen receptor alpha through a multipartite enhancer spread over 20 KB of upstream flanking sequences. J Biol Chem. 2007 Jun 15;282(24):17335-9. Epub 2007 Apr 26.

Laperriere D, Wang TT, White JH, Mader S. Widespread Alu repeat-driven expansion of consensus DR2 retinoic acid response elements during primate evolution. BMC Genomics. 2007 Jan 19;8:23.

Tavera-Mendoza LE, Mader S., White JH. Genome-wide approaches for identification of nuclear receptor target genes. Nucl Recept Signal. 2006;4:e018. Epub 2006 Jul 7.

Wang X, Wang TT, White JH, Studzinski GP. Induction of kinase suppressor of RAS-1(KSR-1) gene by 1, alpha25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in human leukemia HL60 cells through a vitamin D response element in the 5'-flanking region. Oncogene. 2006 Nov 9;25(53):7078-85. Epub 2006 May 29.

Pontier SM, Lahaie N, Ginham R, St-Gelais F, Bonin H, Bell DJ, Flynn H, Trudeau LE, McIlhinney J, White JH, Bouvier M. Coordinated action of NSF and PKC regulates GABAB receptor signaling efficacy. EMBO J. 2006 Jun 21;25(12): 2698-709. Epub 2006 May 25.

Tavera-Mendoza LE, Wang TT, White JH. p19INK4D and cell death. Cell Cycle. 2006 Mar;5(6):596-8. Epub 2006 Mar 15.

Tavera-Mendoza L, Wang TT, Lallemant B, Zhang R, Nagai Y, Bourdeau V, Ramirez-Calderon M, Desbarats J, Mader S, White JH. Convergence of vitamin D and retinoic acid signalling at a common hormone response element. EMBO Rep. 2006 Feb;7(2):180-5.