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Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Faculty, Kellogg School of Science and Technology

Research Focus

Our lab is interested in two broad themes related to the regulation of energy balance in mammals: Nuclear receptors as nutrient sensors - Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that sense dietary components such as lipids, vitamins and cholesterol derivatives. We are interested in identifying novel nutrient signaling pathways that involve nuclear receptors. Using high-throughput cell based and biochemical screens as well as a variety of animal models we hope to discover diet-derived physiological signaling pathways. Genetic regulation of energy storage - Excess energy is stored in adipose tissue. We are using genomic and chemical approaches to identify novel genetic regulators of adipose tissue formation and to examine their role in metabolic disease. By enhancing our understanding of how diet influences gene expression and the genetic regulation of energy balance, we aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Education

Ph.D., Genetics, Harvard University, 1995
A.B., Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 1989

Awards & Professional Activities

1986-1989 The Allen Williamson Talley Memorial Scholarship, Princeton University
1989-1990 Richard B. Carter Trust Fellowship, Harvard University
1995-1996 American Diabetes Association Postdoctoral Fellowship
1997-2000 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
2008-2013 American Diabetes Association Career Development Award

Selected References

Claudio Villanueva, C., Vergnes, L., Wang, J., Drew, B., Hong, C., Tu, Y., Hu, Y., Peng, X., Xu, P., Saez, E., Hevener, A., Reue, K., Loren Fong, L., Young, S. and P. Tontonoz. 2013. Adipose subtype-selective recruitment of TLE3 or Prdm16 by PPARγ specifies lipid-storage versus thermogenic gene programs. Cell Metabolism, 17:423–435.

Galmozzi, A., Mitro, N., Ferrari, A., Gers, E., Gilardi, F., Godio, C., Cermenati, G., Gualerzi, A., Donetti, E., Rotili, D., Valente, S., Guerrini, U., Caruso, D., Mai, A., Saez, E., De Fabiani, E. and M. Crestani. 2013. Inhibition of Class I Histone Deacetylases Unveils a Mitochondrial Signature and Enhances Oxidative Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue. Diabetes, 62:732-42. 

Jain, T., Papas, A., Jadhav, A. and E. Saez. 2012. In situ electroporation of surface-bound siRNAs in microwell arrays. Lab on a Chip, 12: 939-47.

Cermenati, G., Abbiati, F., Cermenati, S., Brioschi, E., Volonterio, A., Cavaletti, G., Saez, E., De Fabiani, E., Crestani, M., Garcia-Segura, L., Melcangi, R.C., Caruso, D. and Nico Mitro. 2012. Diabetes induced myelin abnormalities are associated with an altered lipid pattern: protective effects of LXR activation. Journal of Lipid Research, 53:300-10.

Villanueva, C.J., Waki, H., Godio, C., Nielsen, R., Chou, W.-L., Vargas, L., Wrobleski, K., Schemdt, C., Chao, L. C., Boyadjian, R., Mandrup, S., Hevener, S., Saez, E. and P. Tontonoz. 2011. TLE3 is a dual function transcriptional coregulator of adipogenesis. Cell Metabolism 3:413-27. (co-corresponding authors).

Mitro, N., Mak, P., Vargas, L., Godio, C., Hampton, E., Molteni, V., Kresuch, A. and Saez, E. The nuclear receptor LXR is a glucose sensor. Nature 2007, 445: 219-23.

Waki, H., Park, K.W., Mitro, N., Pei, L., Damoiseaux, R., Wilpitz, D.C., Reue, K., Saez, E. and P. Tontonoz. The Small Molecule Harmine Is an Antidiabetic Cell-Type-Specific Regulator of PPARγ Expression. Cell Metabolism 2007, 5: 357-70.

Commerford, S.R., Vargas, L., Dorfman, S.E., Mak, P.A., Rocheford, E.C., Mitro, N., Li, X., Kennedy, P., Mullarkey, T.L. and E. Saez. 2007. Dissection of the anti-diabetic effect of Liver X Receptor ligands. Molecular Endocrinology 12: 3002-12.