Martin L. Adamo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Biochemistry

Location:	MED, Room 418B (office); Room 437B (lab)
Phone:	(210) 567-3742
Fax:	(210) 567-6595
E-mail:	adamo@uthscsa.edu

Research Interests:
This laboratory is interested in characterizing mechanisms that regulate insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression and action in models of tumor cell growth and altered musculoskeletal integrity. We have found that anti-proliferative stimuli such as cyclic AMP and type 1 interferon decrease IGF-I synthesis in rat glioma cells, in association with decreased
cellular growth. We now seek to determine the mechanisms by which these agents reduce IGF-I gene expression and whether inhibition of glioma cell growth involves decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis or both. Ultimately, we seek to determine to what extent anti-proliferative agents act by inhibiting IGF-I signaling systems. We are also initiating studies
on inbred mouse strains that show wide variation of serum IGF-I levels within the normal range in association with alterations in bone mineral density, and possible altered risk for certain malignancies. Our goal here, in collaboration with other investigators, it to determine whether altered serum IGF-I is a heritable trait, whether it is associated with
alterations in gene expression, and what are the pertinent control mechanisms. Ultimately, we wish to know whether alterations in endocrine and autocrine/paracrine IGF-I production in these mice is causative for altered bone mineral density and tumor formation/progression.

Unique Technical and Clinical Research Capabilities/Instrumentation:
An array of molecular and cellular biological techniques for assessing control of IGF-I, IGFBP and IGF-I receptor gene expression and action are available. Specifically, the availability of cloned sequences allows us to characterize the expression of IGF system mRNA variants, gene promoter activity, and mRNA stability.

Publications:
Wang, X., J. Talamantez, and M.L. Adamo. A CACCC box in the proximal exon 2 promoter of the rat insulin-like growth factor I gene is required for promoter activity. Endocrinology 139:1054-1066, 1998.

Yeh, L-CC, ML Adamo, C Duan, JC Lee. Osteogenic protein-1 regulates insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, and IGF binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) gene expression in fetal rat calvarial cells by different mechanisms. J. Cell. Physiol., 175: 78-88, 1998.

Benbassat, C., L.N.N. Shoba, M. Newman, M.L. Adamo, S.J. Frank, and W.L. Lowe, Jr. Growth hormone-mediated regulation of insulin-like growth factor I promoter activity in C6 glioma cells. Endocrinology 140: 3073-3081, 1999.

Ney, DM, DJ Huss, MB Gillingham, KR Kritsch, EM Dahly, JL Talamantez, and ML Adamo. Investigation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and insulin receptor binding and expression in jejunum of parenterally fed rats treated with IGF-I or growth hormone. Endocrinology 140: 4850-4860, 1999.

Wang, L., X. Wang, and M.L. Adamo. Two GATA motifs in the proximal exon 1 promoter of the rat insulin-like growth factor I gene regulate basal promoter activity. Endocrinology 141: 1118-1126, 2000.

Wang L, H Yang, ML Adamo. Glucose starvation reduces IGF-I mRNA in tumor cells: evidence for an effect on mRNA stability. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 269: 336-346, 2000.

Wang, L, and ML Adamo. Cell density influences insulin-like growth factor I gene expression in a cell-type specific manner. Endocrinology 141: 2481-2489, 2000.

Chacko MS, ML Adamo Double-stranded RNA decreases proliferation of C6 rat glioma cells: effects on insulin-like growth factor-I gene expression and action. Endocrinology 141: 3546-3555, 2000.

Peterson CA, MB Gillingham, NK Mohapatra, EM Dahly, ML Adamo, HV Carey, PK Lund, DM Ney. Enterotrophic effects of insulin-like growth factor-I and growth hormone in relation to localized expression of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and-5 mRNAs in jejunum of parenterally-fed rat. J Parent Ent Nutrition, in press, Volume 24 (5), September-October, 2000.

Key Words:
insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), cyclic AMP, mRNA expression, mRNA stability, gene transcription, exon 1 and exon 2 promoter activity, glioma, double-stranded RNA, type 1 interferon, tyrosine kinase receptor-activated pathways, C3H/HeJ and C57/Bl6 mouse strains, osteoblast IGF-I