Department of Nutrition
Ron F. Morrison, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Office: 336-256-0321
email: rfmorris@uncg.edu
Education
- Ph.D., Physiology, East Carolina Univ. School of Medicine, 1994
- B.S., Biology, East Carolina University, 1978
Research Interest
- Molecular mechanisms regulating adipocyte growth and differentiation;
OBESITY
- Molecular mechanisms coupling growth arrest and adipocyte differentiation;
CANCER
- Mechanisms linking obesity and insulin-resistance; DIABETES
- Nutrient-gene interactions that modulate adipocyte function.
Current Research
Our current research addresses four complimentary areas of investigation concerning the adipocyte or “fat cell”. First, studies are conducted to better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating adipocyte hyperplasia which is particularly important in the development of childhood obesity. Second, studies address the interaction and function of several diverse transcription factor families in mediating the complex process of adipocyte differentiation. Third, molecular mechanisms are explored whereby mediators of differentiation actively suppress cell cycle progression as a potential therapy for cancer. Fourth, studies are underway to investigate processes that link obesity and the onset of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Selected Publications
- Fernandes KM, Auld CA, Hopkins RG, Morrison RF (2008) Helenalin-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of p21(Cip1) inhibits 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation. J Cell Biochem. 2008 Aug 26. [Epub ahead of print]
- Consitt LA, Wideman L, Hickey MS, Morrison RF (2008) Phosphorylation of the JAK2-STAT5 pathway in response to acute aerobic exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 40(6):1031-1038.
- Auld CA, Fernandes KM, Morrison RF. (2007) Skp2-mediated p27(Kip1) degradation during S/G2 phase progression of adipocyte hyperplasia. J Cell Physiol 211(1):101-111.
- Auld CA, Caccia CD, Morrison RF. (2007) Hormonal induction of adipogenesis induces Skp2 expression through PI3K and MAPK pathways. J Cell Biochem 100(1):204-216.
- Auld CA, Hopkins RG, Fernandes KM, Morrison RF. (2006) Novel effect of Helenalin on Akt signaling and Skp2 expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 346(1):314-20.
- Auld CA, Morrison RF. (2006) Evidence for cytosolic p27(Kip1) ubiquitylation and degradation during adipocyte hyperplasia. Obesity 14(12):2136-2144.
- Brown JM, Boysen MS, Chung S, Fabiyi O, Morrison RF, Mandrup S, McIntosh MK. (2004) Conjugated linoleic acid induces human adipocyte delipidation: autocrine/paracrine regulation of MEK/ERK signaling by adipocytokines. J Biol Chem. 279:26735-47.
- Moldes, M., Zuo, Y., Morrison, R.F., Silva, D., Park, B.H. Liu, J., Farmer, S.R. (2003) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g suppresses Wnt/b-catenin signaling during adipogenesis. Biochem J. 376:607-13.
- Brown, J.M., Boysen, M.S., Jensen, S.S., Morrison, R.F., Storkson, J., Lea-Currie, R., Pariza, M. Mandrup, S., McIntosh, M.K. (2003) Isomer-specific regulation of metabolism and PPARg signaling by CLA in human preadipocytes. J. Nutrition 44(7):1287-1300.