Mark Hiller, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Research Interests

Drosophila genetics and developmental biology, regulation of gene expression, and reproductive biology.

Research in Progress

Regulation of Gene Expression

Gene expression is a tightly regulated process that directs both cell fate decisions and development. Every gene in the genome of a multi-cellular organism must be expressed in the correct cell type and at the correct time during development. However, the mechanisms that regulate this process are largely unknown. To study tissue-specific transcription we are studying spermatogenesis in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The complex cellular changes that produce fully differentiated sperm depend on a robust transcriptional program in developing germline cells. Using a wide range of genetic and molecular biological techniques, we are investigating several male-sterile mutants that do not correctly regulate gene expression of spermatid differentiation genes. Analysis of the male sterile mutants indicates that function of several tissue-specific subunits of the general RNA polymerase II machinery are important for transcription in the fly germline. Interestingly, mammals also have tissue-specific general transcription machinery, and thus the general mechanisms regulating gene expression in Drosophila may be conserved in mammals.

Representative Publications

Chen X, Hiller M, Sancak Y, Fuller MT. (2005) Tissue-specific TAFs counteract Polycomb to turn on terminal differentiation. Science. 310(5749):869-72

Hiller, M.A., X. Chen, M.J. Pringle, M. Suchorolski, Y. Sancak, S. Viswanathan, B. Bolival, T-Y. Lin, S. Marino, and M.T. Fuller. (2004) Testis-specific TAF homologs collaborate to control a tissue-specific transcription program. Development. 131(21):5297-308.

Perezgasga, L., J-Q. Jian, B. Bolival Jr., M. Hiller, E. Benson, M.T. Fuller, H. White- Cooper. (2004) Regulation of transcription of meiotic cell cycle and terminal differentiation genes by the testis-specific Zn-finger protein matotopetli. Development 131:1691-702.

J.J.Hwa, M.A. Hiller, M.T. Fuller, A. Santel (2002) Differential expression of the Drosophila mitofusin genes fuzzy onions and dMfn. Mechanisms of Development 116: 213-216.

Hiller, M.A., T.-Y. Lin, C. Wood, and M.T. Fuller (2001) Developmental regulation of transcription by a tissue specific TAFII homolog. Genes and Development 15: 1021-1030.