Yusuf Abul-Hajj, MS, PhD

Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry

Yusuf Abul-Hajj

Contact Info

abulh001@umn.edu

Office Phone 612-624-5987

Fax 612-626-3114

Office Address:
8-170 Weaver Densford Hall

Mailing Address:
University of Minnesota
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
8-101 Weaver Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry


PhD, University of Wisconsin, 1968

Master, American University of Beirut, 1964

Bachelor, American University of Beirut, 1962

Summary

The major emphasis of the work in my laboratory is on the relationship between estrogens and cancer. Estrogens have been shown to induce various tumors in several animal species. Although the exact mechanism for estrogen carcinogenesis is not fully understood, it is believed that metabolic activation of estradiol leading to the formation of catechol estrogens is a prerequisite for its genotoxic activity. Studies in my laboratory are aimed at identifying the nature and the mechanism(s) of estrogen reactive species that may be responsible for the toxicity and/or carcinogenicity of estrogens. Following the discovery of estrogen receptors and their presence in some hormone-dependent human breast tumors, the laboratory has been carrying out studies on the mechanisms of inhibition of mammary tumors by steroidal compounds. The design, synthesis and evaluation of substituted 4-androstenediones, 11ß-substituted estradiol and estrogen-linked cytotoxic agents are currently being investigated as chemical agents for the treatment of breast cancer.

Research

Research Summary/Interests

Relationship Between Estrogens and Cancer

Publications

  • A. Akanni, G. Paterlini, W.B. Gleason, W.H. Ojala and Y.J. Abul-Hajj. 6b-Propynyl Steroids: Mechanism-Based Enzyme-Activated Irreversible Inhibitors of Aromatase. J. Med. Chem., 40, 3263-3270 (1997).
  • A. Akanni and Y.J. Abul-Hajj. Estrogen-Nucleic Acid Adducts: Reaction of 3,4-Estrone Quinone Radical Anion with Deoxyribonucleosides. Chem. Res. Toxicol., 10, 760-766 (1997).
  • D. Roy and Y.J. Abul-Hajj. Estrogen-Nucleic Acid Adducts: Guanine is Major Site for Interaction between 3,4-Estrone Quinone and COIII Gene. Carcinogenesis, 18, 1247-1249 (1997).
  • D. Roy and Y.J. Abul-Hajj. Estrogen-Nucleic Acid Adducts: Guanine is Major Site for Interaction between 3,4-Estrone Quinone and COIII Gene. Carcinogenesis, 18, 1247-1249 (1997).