D. Joseph Jerry

D. Joseph Jerry, Ph.D.

Professor

Science Director, Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute
Co-Director, Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research

he, him, his

Office: 

427P ISB

Office phone: 

413-545-5335

Fax: 

413-545-6326

M.S. Purdue University
Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University
Postdoctoral Training
Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

Classes: 

 

Classes:
FFYS 197ANML3 - What's in your genes?
ANIMLSCI 581 - Cancer Biology
ANIMLSCI 697C - Cancer Biology
ANIMLSCI 697J - Genes, Cells and Development
 

Research Interests

 

  • Regulation of the p53 tumor susceptibility gene and susceptibility to breast cancer.
  • Methods for genetic modification of livestock.

Reproductive factors and family history of breast cancer are among the most consistent predictors of an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer. These observations emphasize the important contributions of both genetic background and hormonal exposures in determining the risk of breast cancer. Through the use of contemporary techniques in molecular and cellular biology with animal models and primary cultures of human breast cells, we are defining the cues that influence development of the breast epithelium and providing mechanistic insights into the genetic and cellular basis for susceptibility to breast cancer.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a major focus of the laboratory because of its pivotal role in cancer. In addition to its role in genome surveillance, we found that loss of p53 allows expansion of the mammary stem cell population and this can be reversed by inhibition of Notch. Surprisingly, the fundamental actions of p53 on genome surveillance are enhanced by hormonal stimuli during pregnancy and contribute to the reduction in mammary tumors afforded by a full-term pregnancy. Administration of exogenous estrogen was sufficient to mimic the effect of pregnancy. Although estrogen stimulates proliferation, it also potentiates the p53-mediated apoptosis. These duplicitous actions of estrogens appear to be regulated through distinct estrogen receptors alpha and beta. The genes that arbitrate the decisions of whether cells live or die in response to stress stimuli represent critical pathways determining risk or resistance to breast carcinogenesis. Selective activation of the genome surveillance actions can be harnessed for the prevention of breast cancer and adjuvant therapies forthose tumors with functional p53.

The frequent mutation of p53 in breast cancer reflects its critical role. However, in mice bearing mutations in p53, the incidence of mammary tumors differs dramatically among strains. Naturally-occurring variants in homology-directed DNA repair have revealed a profound role for this pathway in determining risk of mammary tumors. To translate these observations to humans, we have collaborated with clinicians and scientists at Baystate Medical Center to establish the Rays of Hope Breast Research Registry. Through this prospective cohort, we have consented nearly 1000 women and established primary breast epithelial cells from ~200 women. These resources allow us to define the mechanistic basis for differences in responses to exposures to estrogens and environmental chemicals that can predispose individuals to breast cancer. We are also studying the molecular basis for premalignancy using gene expression profiles from atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasias. These studies provide the basis for diagnostic tests defining which patients are at high risk and should consider treatments while also providing insights into the molecular basis for premalignancy in the human breast.

Lab Personnel

Name Email Phone Office
Gorfinkel, Anna
Undergraduate student
agorfinkel [at] umass.edu 413-545-1129 ISB 465A
Phadkar, Janhavi
Graduate Student - ABBS
jphadkar [at] umass.edu 413-545-1129 ISB 465A
Roberts, Amy
Research Technician
amy [at] vasci.umass.edu 413-545-1129 465A ISB

Publications

Miller, J. L., Bartlett, A. P., Harman, R. M., Majhi, P. Dhangada, D Jerry, J., & Van de Walle, G. R.. (2022). Induced mammary cancer in rat models: pathogenesis, genetics, and relevance to female breast cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia, 27(2), 185-210. presented at the 2022 06. doi:10.1007/s10911-022-09522-w
Vandenberg, L. N., Kolla, S. D. D., LaPlante, C. D., & D Jerry, J.. (2020). The Mouse Mammary Gland: a Tool to Inform Adolescents About Environmental Causes of Breast Cancer. J Cancer Educ, 35(6), 1094-1100. presented at the 2020 12. doi:10.1007/s13187-019-01563-w
Dunphy, K. A., Black, A. L., Roberts, A. L., Sharma, A., Li, Z., Suresh, S., et al.. (2020). Inter-Individual Variation in Response to Estrogen in Human Breast Explants. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia, 25(1), 51-68. presented at the 2020 03. doi:10.1007/s10911-020-09446-3
Gregory, K. J., Roberts, A. L., Conlon, E. M., Mayfield, J. A., Hagen, M. J., Crisi, G. M., et al.. (2019). Gene expression signature of atypical breast hyperplasia and regulation by SFRP1. Breast Cancer Res, 21(1), 76. presented at the 2019 06 27. doi:10.1186/s13058-019-1157-5
D Jerry, J., Shull, J. D., Hadsell, D. L., Rijnkels, M., Dunphy, K. A., Schneider, S. S., et al.. (2018). Genetic variation in sensitivity to estrogens and breast cancer risk. Mamm Genome, 29(1-2), 24-37. presented at the 2018 02. doi:10.1007/s00335-018-9741-z
Le, N. D. B., Tonga, G. Yesilbag, Mout, R., Kim, S. - T., Wille, M. E., Rana, S., et al.. (2017). Cancer Cell Discrimination Using Host-Guest "Doubled" Arrays. J Am Chem Soc, 139(23), 8008-8012. presented at the 2017 06 14. doi:10.1021/jacs.7b03657
Le, N. D. B., Tonga, G. Yesilbag, Mout, R., Kim, S. - T., Wille, M. E., Rana, S., et al.. (2017). Cancer Cell Discrimination Using Host–Guest “Doubled” Arrays. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 139, 8008–8012. presented at the jun/2017. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.7b03657
Mak, P., Li, J., Samanta, S., Chang, C., D Jerry, J., Davis, R. J., et al.. (2015). Prostate tumorigenesis induced by PTEN deletion involves estrogen receptor β repression.. Cell Rep, 10(12), 1982-91. presented at the 2015 Mar 31. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.063
Makari-Judson, G., Braun, B., D Jerry, J., & Mertens, W. C.. (2014). Weight gain following breast cancer diagnosis: Implication and proposed mechanisms. World J Clin Oncol, 5(3), 272-82. presented at the 2014 Aug 10. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.272
Rotunno, M., Sun, X., Figueroa, J., Sherman, M. E., Garcia-Closas, M., Meltzer, P., et al.. (2014). Parity-related molecular signatures and breast cancer subtypes by estrogen receptor status. Breast Cancer Res, 16(4), R74. presented at the 2014 Jul 08. doi:10.1186/bcr3689
Yadava, N., Schneider, S. S., D Jerry, J., & Kim, C.. (2013). Impaired mitochondrial metabolism and mammary carcinogenesis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia, 18(1), 75-87. presented at the 2013 Mar.
Dunphy, K. A., Schneyer, A. L., Hagen, M. J., & D Jerry, J.. (2011). The role of activin in mammary gland development and oncogenesis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia, 16(2), 117-26. presented at the 2011 Jun.
Dunphy, K. A., Schneyer, A. L., Hagen, M. J., & D Jerry, J.. (2011). The role of activin in mammary gland development and oncogenesis. Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia, 16(2), 117-26. presented at the 2011 Jun.
Blackburn, A. C., & D Jerry, J.. (2011). Map making in the 21st century: charting breast cancer susceptibility pathways in rodent models. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia, 16(1), 57-64. presented at the 2011 Apr.
D Jerry, J., Dunphy, K. A., & Hagen, M. J.. (2010). Estrogens, regulation of p53 and breast cancer risk: a balancing act. Cell Mol Life Sci, 67(7), 1017-23. presented at the 2010 Apr.
D Jerry, J., Dunphy, K. A., & Hagen, M. J.. (2010). Estrogens, regulation of p53 and breast cancer risk: a balancing act. Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 67(7), 1017-23. presented at the 2010 Apr.
Yan, H., Blackburn, A. C., S McLary, C., Tao, L., Roberts, A. L., Xavier, E. A., et al.. (2010). Pathways contributing to development of spontaneous mammary tumors in BALB/c-Trp53+/- mice. The American journal of pathology, 176(3), 1421-32. presented at the 2010 Mar.
Dunphy, K. A., Tao, L., & D Jerry, J.. (2010). Mammary epithelial transplant procedure. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, (40). presented at the 2010.
Roy, R., D Jerry, J., & Thayumanavan, S.. (2009). Virus-inspired approach to nonviral gene delivery vehicles. Biomacromolecules, 10(8), 2189-93. presented at the 2009 Aug 10.
Roy, R., D Jerry, J., & Thayumanavan, S.. (2009). Virus-inspired approach to nonviral gene delivery vehicles. Biomacromolecules, 10(8), 2189-93. presented at the 2009 Aug 10.
Troester, M. A., Lee, M. Hee, Carter, M., Fan, C., Cowan, D. W., Perez, E. Roman, et al.. (2009). Activation of host wound responses in breast cancer microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res, 15(22), 7020-8. presented at the 2009 Nov 15.
Bajaj, A., Miranda, O. R., Kim, I. - B., Phillips, R. L., D Jerry, J., Bunz, U. H. F., & Rotello, V. M.. (2009). Detection and differentiation of normal, cancerous, and metastatic cells using nanoparticle-polymer sensor arrays. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(27), 10912-6. presented at the 2009 Jul 7.
D Jerry, J., Tao, L., & Yan, H.. (2008). Regulation of cancer stem cells by p53. Breast Cancer Res, 10(4), 304. presented at the 2008.
D Jerry, J., Tao, L., & Yan, H.. (2008). Regulation of cancer stem cells by p53. Breast cancer research : BCR, 10(4), 304. presented at the 2008.
Koch, J. G., Gu, X., Han, Y., El-Naggar, A. K., Olson, M. V., Medina, D., et al.. (2007). Mammary tumor modifiers in BALB/cJ mice heterozygous for p53. Mamm Genome, 18(5), 300-9. presented at the 2007 May.
D Jerry, J. (2007). Roles for estrogen and progesterone in breast cancer prevention. Breast Cancer Res, 9(2), 102. presented at the 2007.
D Jerry, J., Minter, L. M., Becker, K. A., & Blackburn, A. C.. (2002). Hormonal control of p53 and chemoprevention. Breast cancer research : BCR, 4(3), 91-4. presented at the 2002.
D Jerry, J., Minter, L. M., Becker, K. A., & Blackburn, A. C.. (2002). Hormonal control of p53 and chemoprevention. Breast Cancer Res, 4(3), 91-4. presented at the 2002.
Blackburn, A. C., & D Jerry, J.. (2002). Knockout and transgenic mice of Trp53: what have we learned about p53 in breast cancer?. Breast cancer research : BCR, 4(3), 101-11. presented at the 2002.