MD - Charles University, Prague, 1978
Ph.D. - Charles University, Prague, 1985

We are interested in molecular pathology of cancer. Our laboratory focuses on regulation of transcription by nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs). We are studying the mechanism of function of NHRs and the role of NHRs in regulation of cell metabolism and differentiation.

Our projects are conducted in two different directions

1. We are searching for expression and mutations of NHRs and their interacting proteins (cofactors) in cancers.
2. We are studying the function of NHRs and cofactors in model organisms, a nematode C. elegans and and two species of jellyfish.

We are searching NHRs and cofactors in invertebrate species for identification of domains which are conserved during evolution and are likely to possess indispensable functions. We are studying the temporary and spatial expression of NHRs during the development of animals in laboratory cultures. The developmental functions of NHRs and specific intermolecular interactions are studied by methods of forward and reverse genetics. We focus primarily on receptors from Thyroid/Retinoic group.

Our laboratory is doing the research as an international group together with Dr. J. E. Rall, from Diabetes Branch, National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD. and Dr. Marta Kostrouchova, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.

The group is coordinated by J.E. Rall, Scientist Emeritus of NIH. JosephR@bdg10.niddk.nih.gov

We are cooperating with other scientists and their laboratories

Dr. Joram Piatigorsky, Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD Common projects on nuclear hormone receptors of jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora.

Prof. Milan Elleder, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Common projects on biochemistry of melanin in Cnidaian species and automated methods for NHRs in cancer.

Prof. Ivan Raska, Laboratory of Gene Expression, 1st School of Medicine, Charles University, Prague Structural studies of NHR mechanism of function.

Selected publications [1-3]

1. Kostrouch Z, Kostrouchova M, Rall JE: Steroid/thyroid hormone receptor genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1995; 92(1): 156-9.
2. Kostrouch Z, Kostrouchova M, Love W, Jannini E, Piatigorsky J, Rall JE: Retinoic acid X receptor in the diploblast, Tripedalia cystophora. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998; 95(23): 13442-7.
3. Kostrouchova M, Krause M, Kostrouch Z, Rall J: CHR3: a Caenorhabditis elegans orphan nuclear hormone receptor required for proper epidermal development and molting. Development 1998; 125(9): 1617-26.