Michael Choi's Research

Address:

Dana-Farber Caner Institute
44 Binney Street
Dana D716
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 632-4477

Current Projects:

Regulation of gut differentiation and defensin genes by transcription factor Isx.

We recently identified a novel, intestine-restricted, homeodomain-containing transcription factor, Isx. Studies on the Isx-null ileum reveal dysregulated expression of SR-BI. We are in the process of elucidating how Isx regulates this and other related genes. Together, these studies represent novel approaches toward understanding fundamental aspects of intestinal biology that are pertinent to prevalent clinical disorders.

Functional analysis of the stomach- and hindbrain-restricted homeodomain transcription factor Nkx6.3

Homeodomain transcription factors are important for organogenesis and cell differentiation. The Nkx family illustrates these functions especially well, and the Nkx6 subfamily controls differentiation in central nervous system and pancreas. Nkx6.3, a recent addition to this subfamily, overlaps in expression with Nkx6.1 and Nkx6.2 in hindbrain and stomach. Like other Nkx factors, Nkx6.3 probably has a prominent role in organ specific differentiation. We are in the process of generating appropriate animal models to understand the function of Nkx6.3 in stomach development.

Recent Publications

  • Hafler BP, Choi MY, Shivdasani RA, Rowitch D. Expression and function of Nkx6.3 in vertebrate hindbrain. Brain Res. 2008 Jul 30;1222C:42-50. Epub 2008 May 6.

  • Choi MY, Romer AI, Wang Y, Wu MP, Ito S, Leiter AB, Shivdasani RA. Requirement of the tissue-restricted homeodomain transcription factor Nkx6.3 in differentiation of gastrin-producing G cells in the stomach antrum. Mol Cell Biol. 2008 May;28(10):3208-18. Epub 2008 Mar 17.

  • Choi MY, Lauwers GY, Hur C, Willett CG, Chung DC. Microsatellite Instability is Frequently Observed in Rectal Cancer and Influenced by Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007 Aug 1;68(5):1584.

  • Choi MY, Romer AI, Hu M, Lepourcelet M, Mechoor A, Yesilaltay A, Krieger M, Gray PA, Shivdasani RA. A dynamic expression survey identifies transcription factors relevant in mouse digestive tract development. Development. 2006 Oct;133(20):4119-29. Epub 2006 Sep 13.

  • Chawla A, Andre N, Choi M, Bernabe-Ortiz J, Xavier R. An update on lymphocyte activation and signal transduction in inflammation. In: VI International Symposium on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Eds. D. Rachmilewitz, R. Modigliani, DK Podolsky, DB Sachar, N. Tozun. 2002, Kluwer Academic Publishers.