The areas of research are focused on gene expression with interest in identification and characterization of cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate gene expression. We have cloned, sequenced and identified putative regulatory elements of glutamine synthetase gene from adipocytes. Current research is focused on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene expression. Studies are performed in cultured kidney and other cell lines to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of PDGF and its receptor in response to various growth factors and effectors.

Molecular biological techniques: Northern and Southern hybridization, in vitro translation and nuclear transcription elongation analyses, determination of mRNA half-life, construction of cDNA and genomic libraries, screening of cDNA and genomic libraries, cloning of cDNA and 5'-promoter region, DNA sequencing, construction of fusion genes, transfection studies using reporter systems such as CAT and luciferase, DNA footprint, gel mobility shift and southwestern blot analyses, in vitro transcription of fusion genes, etc. Biochemical and chemical techniques: Various techniques including protein purification, enzyme kinetics, analysis of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism of micro-organisms and plants as well as mammallian systems, proton translocation in micro-organisms, preparation of membrane vesicles, etc.

Bhandari B, Wenzel UO, Marra F, Abboud HE. A nuclear protein in mesangial cells that binds to promoter region of the PDGF-A chain gene: Induction by phorbol ester. J Biol Chem 270:5541-5548, 1995.

Bhandari B, Abboud HE. Platelet-derived growth factor-A chain gene expression in cultured mesangial cells: Regulation by phorbol ester at the level of mRNA abundance, transcription and mRNA stability. Mol Cell Endocrinology 91:185-191, 1993.

Bhandari B, Saini KS, Miller RE. Glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene expression in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes: Regulation by insulin, dexamethasone and dibutyryl cAMP at the level of mRNA abundance, transcription and mRNA stability. Mol Cell Endocrinology 76:71-77, 1991.

Bhandari B, Roesler WJ, DeLisio KD, Klemm DJ, Ross NS, Miller RE. A functional promoter flanks an intronless glutamine synthetase gene. J Biol Chem 266:7784-7792, 1991.

Bhandari B, Beckwith KD, Miller RE. Cloning, nucleotide sequence and potential regulatory elements of the glutamine synthetase gene from murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) 85:5789-5793, 1988.

kidney, mesangial cells, growth factors, cytokines, platelet-derived growth factors and receptors, transcription factors, differentiation, proliferation, promoter region of a gene, cloning