Department of Clinical Sciences
Faculty

 

Degrees:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, 1989
PhD, Cell & Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Nevada, Reno, 1994
Post-doctoral Fellowship, Colorado State University, 1995-1999

Research Interests and Current Projects
My laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis in breast cancer and canine osteosarcoma. In addition, we examine the regulation of cell-specific gene transcription that governs pituitary development and contributes to tumorigenesis.

Current Projects in the laboratory include:
- Characterization of the gene expression changes that contribute to metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy in canine osteosarcoma.
- Investigating the role of Ets transcription factors in the development of hormone refractory breast cancer.
- Signaling mechanisms regulating pituitary gene expression: the role of Pit-1 phosphorylation in protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions.

Selected References:
B.R. White, D.L. Duval, and C.M. Clay. Homologous regulation of the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene is partially mediated by protein kinase C activation of an activator protein-1 element. Mol Endocrinol, 13:566-577, 1999.

D.L. Duval, B.S. Ellsworth, and C.M. Clay. Is gonadotrope expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor gene mediated by autocrine/paracrine stimulation of an activin response element? Endocrinology, 140:1949-1952,1999.

D.L. Duval, A.R. Farris, C.C. Quirk, T.M. Nett, D.L. Hamernik, and C.M. Clay. Responsiveness of the ovine gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor gene to estradiol and gonadotropin releasing hormone is not detectable in vitro, but is revealed in transgenic mice. Endocrinology, 141:1001-1010, 2000.

K.D. Augustijn*, D.L.Duval*, R. Wechselberger, R. Kaptein, A. Gutierrez-Hartmann, P.C. van der Vliet. Structural characterization of the Pit-1/Ets-1 interaction: Charge dependence of Pit-1 for Ets-1 binding. Proc. Natl Acad Sci. 99: 12657-12662, 2002. *These authors contributed equally to this manuscript.

D.L. Duval, A. Jean, and A. Gutierrez-Hartmann. Ras signaling and transcriptional synergy at a flexible Ets-1/Pit-1 composite DNA element is defined by the assembly of selective activation domains. J Biol Chem. 278(41):39684-96, 2003.

B.S. Ellsworth, A.T. Burns, K.W. Escudero, D.L. Duval, S.E. Nelson, C.M. Clay. The gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor activating sequence (GRAS) is a composite regulatory element that interacts with multiple classes of transcription factors including Smads, AP-1 and a forkhead DNA binding protein. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 206(1-2):93-111, 2003.

D.L. Duval, M.D. Jonsen, S.E. Diamond, P. Murapa, A. Jean and A. Gutierrez-Hartmann. Differential Utilization Of Transcription Activation Subdomains By Distinct Coactivators Regulates Pit-1 Basal And Ras Responsiveness. Mol Endocrinol. 21(1):172-85, 2007.

Gutierrez-Hartmann, D.L. Duval, A.P. Bradford. ETS Transcription Factors in Endocrine Systems. Trends Endocrinol Metab,18(4):150-8, 2007.