Robert Holmgren, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Research Interests:
Our work on signal transduction and gene expression is focused on the Hedgehog Hh signal transduction cascade and the Ci/Gli family of transcription factors. This signaling system has been conserved throughout animal evolution, and thus, its characterization is critical to our understanding of animal development. In Drosophila the Hh signaling is required for the proper patterning of structures within each segment, while in mammals it patterns many organs. Our goal is to understand how Hh signaling alters Ci/Gli protein activity and how Ci/Gli regulates the expression of Hh target genes.

Selected Publications:
Croker, J. A., Ziegenhorn, S. L. and Holmgren, R. A. (2006). Regulation of the Drosophila transcription factor, Cubitus interruptus, by two conserved domains. Dev Biol 291, 368-81.

Sisson, B. E., Ziegenhorn, S. L. and Holmgren, R. A. (2006). Regulation of Ci and Su(fu) nuclear import in Drosophila. Dev Biol 294, 258-70.

Tian, L., Holmgren, R. A. and Matouschek, A. (2005). A conserved processing mechanism regulates the activity of transcription factors Cubitus interruptus and NF-kappaB. Nat Struct Mol Biol 12, 1045-53.

Lefers, M. A., Wang, Q. T. and Holmgren, R. A. (2001). Genetic dissection of the Drosophila Cubitus interruptus signaling complex. Dev Biol 236, 411-20.

Wang, Q. T. and Holmgren, R. A. (2000). Nuclear import of cubitus interruptus is regulated by hedgehog via a mechanism distinct from Ci stabilization and Ci activation. Development 127, 3131-9.