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Anjana D. Saxena
Assistant Professor
Biology
Location: 416 Ingersoll Hall Extension
Phone: 718.951.5000 x2671
Fax: 718.951.4659
Email:
Anjana Saxena is interested in the field of checkpoint-tumor suppressor signaling and studying the cell cycle regulators of future therapeutic values. Using nucleolin, an abundant nucleolar phosphoprotein, as a model molecule, Saxena's lab studies nucleolar-stress and its influence on the p14ARF/p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Nucleolin is a critical factor in ribosome biogenesis that modulates the protein levels and/or activities of wild-type p53 and the p53-antagonist Hdm2. Nucleolin also interacts with the p14ARF (alternate reading frame) protein, an upstream controller of p53-mediated tumor suppression. Nucleolin itself is regulated by CK2-mediated phosphorylation and transcriptional activation by the proto-oncogene c-Myc. The lab is actively involved in dissecting growth-promoting and growth-retarding properties of nucleolin by understanding its role in the p14ARF/p53 tumor suppressor network, a key defense against cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.
Education:
Research Assistant Professor, New York University School of Medicine - 2004 (Biochemistry of tumor suppressor pathways)
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University - 2000 (Protein Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology)
Postdoctoral fellow, College of Judea and Samaria (Ariel, Israel) - 1999 (Molecular Genetics)
Ph.D., University of Mumbai (India) - 1997 (Applied Biology)
M.S., M.S. University (Baroda, India) - 1991 (Biochemistry)
B.S., University of Mumbai (India) - 1989 (Microbiology)
Areas of Expertise:
Nucleolin, a major phosphoprotein involved in ribosome biosynthesis, is often elevated in cancers and has been a useful marker for cancer diagnosis. Saxena's lab studies the regulatory role of nucleolin on the tumor suppressor proteins (such as p14ARF and p53) as well as oncogenes (such as p53-antagonist Hdm2 and ARF-antagonist nucleophosmin).
Doctoral Rotation Projects:
Saxena's lab is currently evaluating role of nucleolin and its phosphorylation by CK2 in protein-protein interactions (focusing on its interactions with ARF, B23 and Hdm2) and their implications on cell-cycle checkpoint activation (focusing on the p53-tumor suppressor pathway). The lab also evaluates the role of nucleolin in RNA-binding and RNA-processing machinery upon DNA damage.
Books and Publications
Akinyeke, T., S. Matsumura, X. Wang, Y. Wu, E.D. Schalfer, A. Saxena, W. Yan, S.K. Logan and X. Li.
AACR Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Faculty Scholar Award in Cancer Research, for participation in the AACR 104th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 6-10. (Awards and Honors) 2013
"Metformin Targets Tumor Cells and the Microenvironment to Prevent Prostate Cancer Initiation and Growth in Bone." Tunde Akinyeke, New York University; Xinying Wang, New York University; Satoko Matsumura, New York University; Himaly Shinglot, New York University; Rupak Bhatt, New York University; Anjana Saxena, Brooklyn College; Wenbo Yan, Nyack College; Xin Li, New York University. Oral Presentations, Presentation Number 1087. Concurrent Oral Session 15: Greg Mundy Memorial Cancer and Bone Session ASBMR annual meeting, Minneapolis, Oct. 12-15. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2012
"HeLa's Troubled Legacy: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" faculty panel discussion. Wolfe Institute for the Humanities in collaboration with the First College Year Program. Brooklyn College, Nov. 6. 2012
"Metformin Targets c-MYC Oncogene to Prevent Prostate Cancer." Carcinogenesis, Oct. 22. [Epub ahead of print] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24130167. (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2013
Zhang, Xiaokan, Shu Xiao, Emral Devany, Zaineb Nadeem, Elif Caglar ýþýn, Frida Kleiman and Anjana D. Saxena. "Nucleolin Phosphorylation Mediated Regulation of Gene Expression in Determining Cellular Fate During the DNA Damage Response (DDR)." Category: MCB05-09 Posttranscriptional and translational control. Abstract #3188, American Association for Cancer Research 104th Annual Meeting Proceedings, Washington, D.C., April 6-10. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2013
Bhatt, Purvi, Claire d'Avout, Naomi S. Kane, James A. Borowiec and Anjana Saxena (corresponding author). "Specific Domains of Nucleolin Interact With Hdm2 and Antagonize Hdm2-mediated p53-ubiquitination." FEBS Journal 279: 370-83 (PMID: 22103682). (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2012
Caglar, E., D. Das, J. Borowiec and A. Saxena. "Nucleolin Phosphorylation by CK2 Modulates Its Role in Cell Cycle Checkpoint Activation, Category: Cellular and Molecular Biology." Abstract #2967, American Association for Cancer Research 102nd Annual Meeting Proceedings, April 2-6. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2011
Bhatt, P., C. d'Avout, N. Kane, J. Borowiec and A. Saxena. "Nucleolin Inhibits Hdm2-mediated p53 Ubiquitination Using Multiple Interactions, Category: Tumor Metabolism and Regulation of Apoptosis." Abstract #4532, American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting Proceedings, April 17-21. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2010
"DNA Repair." Gallus Reactome. http://gallus.reactome.org/cgi-bin/eventbrowser?DB=test_gallus_reactome_release_2_myisam&ID=353377&ZOOM=2. (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2009
Saxena, A., C. Rorie, Dimitrova, Y. Daniely and J. Borowiec. "Nucleolin Inhibits Hdm2 by Multiple Pathways Leading to p53 Stabilization." Oncogene 25: 7274-88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15743838 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2006
Kim, K., D.D. Dimitrova, K.M. Carta, A. Saxena, M. Daras and J.A. Borowiec. "Novel Checkpoint Response to Genotoxic Stress Mediated by Nucleolin-replication Protein a Complex Formation." Molecular Cell Biology 25: 2463-74. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
Bhatt, P., K. Kadam, A. Saxena and U. Natraj. "Fertilization, Embryonic Development and Oviductal Environment: Role of Estrogen Induced Oviductal Glycoprotein." Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 42, November: 1043-55. http://www.ncbi.
Salas, M., R. John, A. Saxena, S. Barton, D. Frank, G. Fitzpatrick, M.J. Higgins and B. Tycko. "Placental Growth Retardation Due to Loss of Imprinting of Phlda2." Mechanisms of Development 121: 1199-1210. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Tycko, B., J.H. Lee, A. Ciappa, A. Saxena, C.M. Li, L. Feng, A. Arriaga, Y. Stern, R. Lantigua, N. Shachter and R. Mayeux. "APOE and APOC1 Promoter Polymorphisms and the Risk of Alzheimer Disease in African American and Caribbean Hispanic Individuals." Archives of Neurology 61: 1434-39. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Saxena, A., D. Frank, B. Tycko and H. Thakkar. "The Product of the Imprinted Gene Ipl Marks Human Villous Cytotrophoblast and Is Lost in Hydatidiform Mole." Placenta 24: 835-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13129680 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2003
Frank, D., W. Fortino, L. Clark, R. Musalo, W. Wang, A. Saxena, C.M. Li, T. Ludwig, W. Reik and B. Tycko. "Placental Overgrowth in Mice Lacking the Imprinted Gene Ipl." Proceedings of the Natinoal Academy of Science (USA) 99: 7490-95. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12032310 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2002
Ottaviani, E., A. Franchini, M. Mandrioli, A. Saxena, A. Hanukoglu and I. Hanukoglu. "Amiloride-sensitive Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) Subunits Are Expressed in Human and Mussel Immunocytes." Development & Comparative Immunology 26: 395-402. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11906720 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2002
Saxena, A., I. Hanukoglu, D. Saxena, R.J. Thompson, R.M. Gardiner and A. Hanukoglu. "Novel Mutations in Amiloride-Sensitive Epithelial Sodium Channel Subunits Responsible for Multi-System Pseudohypoaldosteronism." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 87: 3344-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11906720 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2002
Saxena, A., P. Morozov, D. Frank, R. Musalo, M.A. Lemmon, E.Y. Skolnik and B. Tycko. "Phosphoinositide Binding by the Pleckstrin Homology Domains of Ipl and Tih1." Journal of Biological Chemistry 277: 49935-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Hanukoglu, A., A. Saxena and I. Hanukoglu. "Aldosterone Insensitivity Syndromes
(Pseudohypoaldosteronism): From Clinic to Molecular Biology of Sodium Transport." Polish Journal of Endocrinology 52: 27-37. (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2001
Hanukoglu, A., A. Saxena, R.M. Gardiner and I. Hanukoglu. "Aldosterone Unresponsiveness (Pseudohypoaldosteronism) Results From Mutations in Epithelial Sodium Channel Subunits. Molecular Steroidogenesis. Eds. M. Okamoto, Y. Ishimura and H. Nawata. Tokyo: Universal Academy Press. 369-70. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2000
Shah, A., T.D. Nandedkar, V.P. Raghavan, S.V. Parulekar and U. Natraj. "Characterization and Localization of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors of the Human Fallopian Tube." Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 37: 893-99. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10687285 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 1999
Saxena, A., I. Hanukoglu, S.S. Strautnieks, R.J. Thompson, R.M. Gardiner and A. Hanukoglu. "Gene Structure of the Human Amiloride-sensitive Epithelial Sodium Channel Beta Subunit." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 252: 208-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9813171 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 1998
Shah, A., S. Kundale, V.P. Raghavan, T.D. Nandedkar, I. Hinduja, S.V. Parulekar and U. Natraj. "Effect of Estrogen and Progesterone on Newly Synthesized and Released Human Fallopian Tube Specific Proteins." Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 36: 564-68. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9731469 (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 1998
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21) from NCI, for "Role of Nucleolin in Regulating mRNA Stability During DNA Damage Response (DDR)." Multi-PI award: Frida Kleiman(Chemistry Department, Hunter College) and Anjana Saxena (Biology Department, Brooklyn College). 2013-15. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
PSC-CUNY Award, for "To Evaluate Nucleolin Phosphorylation by CK2 During Normal Cell Cycle and Upon DNA Damage." (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
The CUNY Collaborative Incentive Research Grant (CIRG) Program, for "Role of Nucleolin in Regulating mRNA Stability During DNA Damage Response." Participating PI: Anjana Saxena (Brooklyn College) and Frida Kleiman (Hunter College). 2012-13. (Grants and Fellowships) 2012
AACR Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Faculty Scholar Award in Cancer Research, for participation in the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting, Orlando, Fla., April 2-7. (Awards and Honors) 2011
New Faculty Fund (Brooklyn College), for "Nucleolin Phosphorylation by CK2 Modulates B23-ARF Interaction." (Grants and Fellowships) 2011
Awarded to participate at University of Kentucky/National Institute of General Medical Sciences Internet Grant Writing Program, University of Kentucky, May 10-12. (Awards and Honors) 2010
New Faculty Fund (Brooklyn College), for "Phosphorylation of Nucleolin Alters Nucleolin-B23 Interaction." (Grants and Fellowships) 2010
PSC-CUNY Award, for "Disruption of Nucleolin-Hdm2 Interaction Is Dependent on Nucleolin Phosphorylation." (Grants and Fellowships) 2010
New Faculty Fund (Brooklyn College), for "Nucleolin Regulates Subnuclear Localization of Nucleophosmin." (Grants and Fellowships) 2009
PSC-CUNY Award, for "Nucleolin Inhibits ARF Tumor Suppressor Protein." (Grants and Fellowships) 2009
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
"Role of Nucleolin Phosphorylation and Regulation of Cell Cycle." Biology Department, Queen's College. May 18. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011
"Nucleolar Stress: Role of Nucleolin in Tumor Suppression." Biology Department, Long Island University, Brooklyn campus, Feb. 22. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010
Saxena, A., C. Rorie, Dimitrova, Y. Daniely and J. Borowiec. "Nucleolin Inhibits Hdm2 by Multiple Pathways Leading to p53 Stabilization." 12th Virus-Host Interactions Symposium. New York Academy of Sciences. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006
Saxena, A., D. Frank and B. Tycko. "Properties of the PH-domain Proteins Encoded by the Imprinted Gene Ipl and Its Relative Tih1" workshop. 3rd Annual Conference on Sex and Gene Expression. Society for Women's Health Research. San Jose, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2002
Saxena, A., I. Hanukoglu, S.S. Strautnieks, et al. "Elucidation of the Gene Structure of the Epithelial Sodium Channel Beta Subunit Reveals a New Mutation That Causes Unresponsiveness to Aldosterone." Israel Endocrine Society. Tel-Aviv, Israel. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 1999
Shah, A., V.P. Raghavan, S.B. Moodbidri, et al. "Hormonal Regulation of the Secreted Proteins of the Human Fallopian Tube in-vitro." IXth World Congress on Human Reproduction and Vth Conference on Fallopian Tube in Health and Disease. WCHR. Philadelphia. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 1996
Other Professional Activities
