Dr. Ellie K. Gagliani

My research background is in the field of structural biology, which is the study of the 3D molecular structure and dynamics of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA, and how those structures relate to biological functions. My research primarily focuses on studying transcription complexes that form within the nucleus of a cell. In particular, I focus on proteins within the Notch signaling pathway and homeobox transcription factors. The proteins I work with are highly conserved throughout metazoan life and are critical for proper animal development. Mutations in these proteins are associated with many human diseases including developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and many types of cancers.

In the Gagliani lab, students can expect to learn following research skills:

• Protein purification
• Molecular cloning and site-directed mutagenesis
• In vitro binding assays to measure affinities of protein-protein, protein-DNA, and/or protein-drug interactions
• 3D structure modeling of proteins and DNA using PyMol and related software
• Bioinformatic database navigation (including but not limited to the Protein Data Bank, NCBI BLAST, and structure prediction servers)

 Relevant Publications

1. Gagliani, E. K., L. Gutzwiller, Y. Kuang, Y. Odaka, P. Hoffmeister, S. Hauff, A. Turkiewicz, E. Harding-Theobald, P. J. Dolph, T. Borggrefe, F. Ozwald, B. Gebelein, R. Kovall. A Drosophila Su(H) model of Adams-Oliver Syndrome reveals cofactor titration as a mechanism underlying developmental defects. PLOS Genetics. Vol 18. August 11, 2022.
2. Kuang, Y., A. Pyo, N. Eafergan, B. Cain, L. M. Gutzwiller, O. Axelrod, Gagliani, E. K., M. T. Weirauch, R. Kopan, R. Kovall, D. Sprinzak, B. Gebelein. Enhancers with cooperative Notch binding sites are more resistant to regulation by the Hairless co-repressor. PLOS Genetics. September 24, 2021. Vol 17.
3. Landor, Sebastian K. J., Niina M. Santio, William B. Eccleshall, Valeriy M. Paramonov, Ellen K. Gagliani, Daniel Hall, Shao-bo Jin, Käthe M. Dahlström, Tiina A. Salminen, Adolfo Rivero-Müller, Urban Lendahl, Rhett A. Kovall, Päivi J. Koskinen and Cecilia Sahlgren. Journal of Biological Chemistry, March 26, 2021. Vol 296. PIM-mediated phosphorylation of Notch3 promotes CSL-independent tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells through regulation of estrogen receptor alpha signaling.
   • Crystal Structure of CSL bound to Notch3 RAM and DNA: PDBID 6WQU
4. Giaimo. B. D., Gagliani, E. K., Kovall, R. A., Borggrefe, T. Transcription Factor RBPJ as a Molecular Switch in Regulating the Notch Response. In: Reichrath J., Reichrath S. (eds) Notch Signaling in Embryology and Cancer. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1287. Springer, Cham. (2021)