Marie C. DeFrances, Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Pittsburgh, 1995
MD, University of Pittsburgh, 1997
Email: defrancesmc@upmc.edu
Research Interests:
The main focus of Dr. DeFrances' research is PI3K signaling mechanisms in hepatocytes. She explores regulation of this signaling pathway at the molecular level using in vivo and in vitro models including overexpressing and null mouse models. Emphasis is also placed on unraveling the role of PI3K signaling in normal and neoplastic human and rodent liver. Dr. DeFrances' laboratory also explores tyrosine kinase pathways in liver growth, regeneration and neoplasia.
Recent Publication
View Dr. DeFrances' publications on PubMed
Ma, J., DeFrances, M.C., Zou, C., Johnson, C.J., Ferrell, R. and Zarnegar, R. (2009) "Somatic mutation and functional polymorphism of a novel regulatory element in the HGF gene promoter causes its aberrant expression in human breast cancer" Journal of Clinical Investigation (In Press; online publication: doi:10.1172/JCI36640)
He, X, Zhu, Z, Johnson, CJ, Stoops, J, Eaker, AE, Bowen, W and DeFrances, M.C. (2008) "PIK3IP1, a negative regulator of PI3K, suppresses hepatocarcinogenesis" Cancer Research 68: 5591-5598
Wu, T, Li, G, Lim, K, DeFrances, M.C., Chandrashekhar, G, and Han, C. (2008) "Transgenic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in hepatocytes accelerates endotoxin-induced acute liver failure" The Journal of Immunology 181: 8027 - 8035
Zhu, Z, Hu, X, Johnson, CJ, Stoops, J, Eaker, AE, Bell, A, Stoffer, D, Zarnegar, R., and DeFrances, M.C. (2007) "PI3K is negatively regulated by PIK3IP1, a novel p110 interacting protein" Biochem. and Biophys. Res. Commun. 358: 66-72
Zou, C., Ma, J., Strom, S., Michalopoulos, G.K., DeFrances, M.C., and Zarnegar, R. (2007) "Lack of Fas antagonism by Met in fatty liver disease: The alpha chain of Met is a natural antagonist of FasL via a novel YLGA motif" Nature Medicine 13: 1078 - 1085
Yu, YP, Yu, G, Tseng, G, Cieply, K, Nelson, J, DeFrances, M.C., Zarnegar, R, Michalopoulos, GK, and Luo, JH (2007) "Glutathione Peroxidase 3, Deleted or Methylated In Prostate Cancer, Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis" Cancer Research 67: 8043-50.
Michalopoulos GK, DeFrances M. Liver regeneration. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2005;93:101-34. Review.
Wang, X. DeFrances, M.C., Dai, Y. Bell, A., Michalopoulos G.K. and R. Zarnegar (2002). A novel mechanism of cell survival: sequestration of the death receptor Fas by direct physical association with the tyrosine kinase receptor Met. Molecular Cell 9:411-422.
Recent Review Articles & Book Chapters:
DeFrances, M.C. "Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights to Therapy" in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Diagnosis and Treatment, 2nd Edition Ed. by B. Carr, Humana Press, Totowa, NJ (In Press)
Michalopoulos, G.K. and DeFrances, M.C. (2008) "Liver Regeneration," in The Textbook of Gastroenterology, 5th Edition Chapter 28, Ed. By T. Yamada et al., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Hagerstown, MD
DeFrances, M.C. and Michalopoulos, G.K. (2005) "Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights to Therapy" in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Diagnosis and Treatment, Ed. by B. Carr, Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, pp. 23-58.
Michalopoulos, G. and DeFrances, M.C. (2005) "Liver Regeneration" in "Regenerative Medicine," Ed. by I. Yannas, Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology 93: 101-134.
