Helen L. Henry
Professor of Biochemistry

Molecular Endocrinology B.A., Biology, 1965 Washington University Ph.D., Biology, 1970 Washington University  Public Health Service Career Development Award 1978-1983 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Fuller Albright Award, 1984  NIH General Medicine B Study Section Council, Amer. Society Bone & Mineral Research Editorial Boards of Endocrinology and American Journal of Physiology VOICE: 951-827-3796 FAX: 951-827-4784 MAIL: helen.henry@ucr.edu

My research is concerned with the regulation of steroid hormones at the point of synthesis. Specifically, we are examining, at the cellular and molecular level, the regulation of the production of the calcium regulating steroid hormone, 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D₃, (1,25(OH)₂D₃) whose synthesis is catalyzed by a mitochondrial cytochrome P450-dependent mixed function oxidase. Our studies include activation of both protein kinases A and C, processes already implicated in the regulation of this enzyme. Another major area of interest is the molecular structure and regulation of the gene encoding the endogenous inhibitor protein of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKI). We have determined that the steady state levels PKI mRNA is regulated by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in vivo and in cell culture. We have obtained the genomic DNA which encodes PKI, determined its intron/exon structure, and are currently studying the regulatory elements in its promoter region. These studies are directed not only at unraveling the interaction of calcium regulating hormones at the cellular and molecular levels, but also are aimed toward the development of a model system for the examination of the regulation of steroid metabolism in general in a tissue other than those of well known steroidogenic capacity such as the adrenal cortex.

Henry / Norman Group

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Bula, C.M., Huhtakangas, J., Olivera, C., Bishop, J.E., Norman , A.W., and Henry, H.L.  Presence of a truncated form of the VDR in a strain of VDR-KO mice, in press, 2005

Henry, H.L. The 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 3 -1a-Hydroxylase in Vitamin D (ed. D., Feldman, F. H. Glorieux, J. W. Pike) P69-83, Academic Press (2005)

Norman, A.W., Okamura, W.H., Bishop, J.E., and Henry, H.L. Update on biological actions of 1a,25(OH) 2 -vitamin D 3 (rapid effects) and 24R,25(OH) 2 -vitamin D 3. Mol. Cell Endocinol. 197:1-13 (2002).

Henry, H.L. The 25(OH)D 3 /1a,25(OH) 2 D 3 -24R-hydroxylase: a catabolic or biosynthetic enzyme?  Steroids 66: 391-398 (2001).

Rowland-Goldsmith, M. A., Holmquist, B., and Henry, H.L. Genomic cloning, structure, and regulatory elements of the 1a-25(OH) 2 D 3 down-regulated gene for the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. Biochim. Biophys., Acta 1446: 414-418 (1999)

Marchetto, G.S. and Henry, H.L. Tissue-specific expression and regulation by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 of chick kidney protein kinase inhibitor mRNA. Endocrine 6:5-10 (1997).

Xu, J. and Henry, H.L. Tissue-specific regulation by vitamin D 3 of a novel protein containing ankyrin-like repeats. Mol. Cell Endocr. 126:101-107 (1997).

Blanchard, R.K. and Henry, H. L. Chick kidney ferredoxin: Complementary DNA cloning and vitamin D effects on mRNA levels. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 114:337-344 (1996).

Chou, S.Y., Hannah, S.S., Lowe, K.E., Norman, A.W. and Henry, H.L. Tissue-specific regulation by vitamin D status of nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression in kidney and intestine. Endocrinology 136:5520-5526 (1995).

Marchetto, G.M. and Henry, H.L. Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding the avian kidney cAMPdependent protein kinase inhibitor. Gene 158:303-304 (1995).