Research summary
Studies span cytochrome P450 genetics, nuclear-receptor biology of lipid metabolism, and transcription-factor-driven organogenesis and adipogenesis. A 1993 catalog enumerated 221 P450 genes and 12 pseudogenes from 31 eukaryotes and 11 prokaryotes, defined 36 gene families (12 universal in mammals), and provided mapping and nomenclature for 22 mammalian subfamilies that recur as tightly linked gene clusters [1]; an earlier review summarized P450 gene structure, evolution, and regulation, framing the system as a model for studying eukaryotic gene families [5]. Targeted disruption of the ligand-binding domain of mouse PPARalpha produced viable, fertile homozygous-null mice that failed to mount the pleiotropic peroxisome-proliferator response (hepatomegaly, peroxisome proliferation, target-gene activation) when challenged with clofibrate or Wy-14,643, establishing PPARalpha as the obligate mediator of these agents' effects [2]. Subjecting PPARalpha-null mice to a high-fat diet or to fasting and comparing them with wild-type animals revealed that PPARalpha is required for the transcriptional response to fasting and for adaptive mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty-acid oxidation during sustained food deprivation [3]. Targeted disruption of the thyroid-specific enhancer-binding protein (T/ebp) gene produced homozygous mice that lacked lung parenchyma, thyroid, ventral forebrain, and pituitary, while heterozygotes developed normally, identifying T/EBP as essential for organogenesis of these structures [7]. Use of an immortalized PPARgamma-null fibroblast line showed that C/EBPalpha could not induce adipogenesis without PPARgamma, supporting a unified PPARgamma-dependent adipogenic pathway rather than parallel C/EBPalpha- and PPARgamma-driven programs [6]. A separate study demonstrated that mitochondrial autophagy under hypoxia is an HIF-1-dependent adaptive response requiring BNIP3 induction together with constitutive Beclin-1 and Atg5, and is necessary to limit reactive oxygen species and cell death during sustained low oxygen [4].
Recent publications
- Targeted Disruption of the Nuclear Receptor FXR/BAR Impairs Bile Acid and Lipid HomeostasisDOI
- The P450 Superfamily: Update on New Sequences, Gene Mapping, Accession Numbers, Early Trivial Names of Enzymes, and NomenclatureDOI
- Targeted Disruption of the 伪 Isoform of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gene in Mice Results in Abolishment of the Pleiotropic Effects of Peroxisome ProliferatorsDOI
- Peroxisome proliferator鈥揳ctivated receptor 伪 mediates the adaptive response to fastingDOI
- Mitochondrial Autophagy Is an HIF-1-dependent Adaptive Metabolic Response to HypoxiaDOI
- P450 GENES: STRUCTURE, EVOLUTION, AND REGULATIONDOI
- C/EBP伪 induces adipogenesis through PPAR纬: a unified pathwayDOI
- The PPAR伪鈥搇eukotriene B4 pathway to inflammation controlDOI
- The molecular biology of cytochrome P450s.DOI
- The T/ebp null mouse: thyroid-specific enhancer-binding protein is essential for the organogenesis of the thyroid, lung, ventral forebrain, and pituitary.DOI
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Email Frank J. Gonzalez 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.
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External profiles
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7990-2140
- OpenAlex: openalex.org
Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, Osaka University faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.