Tamara Terzian, PhD

Professional Titles

• Chair of Personnel and Benefits at Faculty Council
• Secretary of Faculty Council
• Secretary of Colorado Melanoma Foundation

Recognitions

• Distinguished Service Award, University of Colorado Faculty Council (2019)

Research Interests

My laboratory is interested in the regulation of a key tumor suppressor, the transcription factor p53. p53 is mutated in over 50% of human cancers and has therefore been the subject of intensive basic and preclinical investigation. Wild type p53 has been identified by us and others as an important player in development and a master regulator of pigmentation. We are currently exploiting the photo-protective abilities of p53 in skin cancer prevention and treating pigmentary disorders like vitiligo. My lab is exploring three main research areas: 1) p53 and tumorigenesis: My lab is examining the role of p53 mutations in driving tumorigenesis to improve cancer therapy using mouse models of cancer. We are particularly interested in unveiling mechanisms that initiate and promote skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinomas and melanoma. 2) p53 and development: Our mouse models that express elevated p53 levels exhibit developmental abnormalities principally lymphatic defects. Characterizing these mice phenotypically and molecularly will identify key factors contributing to the pathogenesis of associated diseases. In addition, we are examining the potential of certain drugs in treating the devastating disease of lymphedema. 3) p53 and pigmentation: We are investigating the activation of the p53 pathway in skin stem cells to treat pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo and giant congenital nevi. We have identified a drug that targets the p53 pathway and that may promote melanocyte proliferation and repigmentation of depigmented vitiligo skin. We are analyzing the mode of action of this drug in preparation for clinical trials.

Publications

• Genetics of ribosomal proteins: "curiouser and curiouser".
• Zeron-Medina J, Wang X, Repapi E, Campbell MR, Su D, Castro-Giner F, Davies B, Peterse EF, Sacilotto N, Walker GJ, Terzian T, Tomlinson IP, Box NF, Meinshausen N, De Val S, Bell DA, Bond GL. A polymorphic p53 response element in KIT ligand influences cancer risk and has undergone natural selection. Cell. 2013 Oct 10;155(2):410-22. PubMed PMID: 24120139
• Terzian T, Box N. Genetics of ribosomal proteins: "curiouser and curiouser". PLoS Genet. 2013;9(1):e1003300. PubMed PMID: 23382707
• Box NF, Vukmer TO, Terzian T. Targeting p53 in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2014 Jan;27(1):8-10. PubMed PMID: 24118922
• Barón AE, Asdigian NL, Gonzalez V, Aalborg J, Terzian T, Stiegmann RA, Torchia EC, Berwick M, Dellavalle RP, Morelli JG, Mokrohisky ST, Crane LA, Box NF. Interactions between ultraviolet light and MC1R and OCA2 variants are determinants of childhood nevus and freckle phenotypes. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Dec;23(12):2829-39. PubMed PMID: 25410285
• Box NF, Vukmer TO, Terzian T. Targeting p53 in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2014 Jan;27(1):8-10. PubMed PMID: 24118922
• Joselow A, Lynn D, Terzian T, Box NF. Senescence-Like Phenotypes in Human Nevi. Methods Mol Biol. 2017;1534:175-184. PubMed PMID: 27812879
• Filipp FV, Birlea S, Bosenberg MW, Brash D, Cassidy PB, Chen S, D'Orazio JA, Fujita M, Goh BK, Herlyn M, Indra AK, Larue L, Leachman SA, Le Poole C, Liu-Smith F, Manga P, Montoliu L, Norris DA, Shellman Y, Smalley KSM, Spritz RA, Sturm RA, Swetter SM, Terzian T, Wakamatsu K, Weber JS, Box NF. Frontiers in pigment cell and melanoma research. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2018 Nov;31(6):728-735. PubMed PMID: 30281213
• Mylavarapu, R.; Plehaty, M.; Sobhani, N.; Stevens, W.; Flores, R., Finlon, J., Box, N., Kiefer, F., Tamburini, B., and Terzian, T. Investigating new molecular pathways in skin vascular formation and disease, Journal of Investigative Dermatology
• Tang, H., Little, C., Aalborg, J., Asdigian, N., Terzian, T., Dellavalle, R., Baron, A., Mokrohisky, S., Morelli, J., Crane, L., and Box, N. Genetics of pigmentation changes in a pediatric population, Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Professional Memberships

• American Academy for Cancer Research (AACR), Member
• Society of Investigative Dermatology, Member
• Colorado Melanoma Foundation, Secretary
• Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI), Member
• Colorado BioScience Association, Member
• University of Colorado Cancer Center, Member
• University of Colorado Center for Neuroscience, Member