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Thomas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D.
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Thomas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D. Instructor in Medicine Dr. Tom Kerr was recruited to the Gastroenterology Division at Washington University School of Medicine in 2009 after completing his gastroenterology fellowship training at Washington University and Barnes Jewish Hospital. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and completed his Internal Medicine residency through the Washington University School of Medicine at Barnes Jewish Hospital. Dr. Kerr is investigating the molecular mechanisms that govern mRNA stability as they relate to gastrointestinal and liver disease. Regulated mRNA stability is increasingly recognized as a key mechanism by which cells control gene expression. Stability is modulated by a variety of factors including RNA-binding proteins and micro RNAs (miRNA). Apobec-1 is an RNA-binding protein with a well-described role in ApoB mRNA editing and in lipid trafficking. Studies of mice lacking Apobec-1 have revealed distinct additional roles for Apobec-1 that include bile acid metabolism and gallstone formation. Future studies will be directed toward understanding the molecular mechanism by which Apobec-1 and other cellular processes modulate mRNA stability. Apobec-1 is also expressed in the colon, a site not involved in primary lipid trafficking or bile acid metabolism. The role of Apobec-1 in this organ is unknown. Dr. Kerr is engaged in studies directed toward understanding the role of Apobec-1, and more globally, regulated mRNA stability, in the colon. The overall goal of these studies is to better understand the genetic factors that contribute to colorectal cancer formation. Clinically Dr. Kerr is involved with patient care and teaching in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. He has a long-term interest in the specialized care of patients with liver disease._____________________________________ Publications: Lund E. G., Kerr T. A., Sakai J., Li W. P., Russell D. W. CDNA cloning of mouse and human cholesterol 25-hydroxylases, polytopic membrane proteins that synthesize a potent oxysterol regulator of lipid metabolism. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 1998; 273:34316-31327.
Lu T. T., Makishima M., Repa J. J., Schoonjans K., Kerr T. A., Auwerx J., Mangelsdorf D. J. Molecular basis for feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis by nuclear hormone receptors. Molecular Cell. 2000; 6:507-515.
Kerr T. A., Saeki S., Schneider M., Schaefer K., Reddy T., Berdy S., Shan B., Russell D. W., Schwarz M. Loss of nuclear receptor SHP impairs but does not eliminate negative feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis. Developmental Cell. 2002; 2:713-720.
Kerr T.A., Jonnalagadda S, Prakash P, Azar R. Pancreatitis following Olanzapine Therapy: A Report of Three Cases. Case Reports in Gastroenterology. 2007;1 (1):15-20.
Xie Y., Blanc V., Kerr T.A., Kennedy S., Luo J., Newberry E.P., Davidson N.O. Decreased expression of cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase and altered bile acid metabolism in APOBEC-1-/- mice leads to increased gallstone susceptibility. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2009; 284:16860-16871.
Abstracts
Kerr T. A., Grimson M. J., and Blanton R. L. Molecular and microscopic dissection of a primitive extracellular matrix: the stalk of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division, Norman, Oklahoma. 21-25 May 1995.
Blanton R.L., M.J. Grimson, and T. A. Kerr. Patterns of cellulose deposition by Dictyostelium discoideum during normal and abnormal development and in stalk cell monolayer cultures. Dicty 95, International Dictyostelium Conference, Dourdan, France. 25-30 June 1995. p. 131.
Kerr T. A., Grimson M. J., Blanton R. L., Morrison A. D., and Williams J. G. Molecular and microscopic dissection of a primitive extracellular matrix: the stalk tube of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Keystone Symposium on the Extracellular Matrix of Plants: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Tamarron, Colorado. 15-21 March 1996.
Early A., M.J. Grimson, T. A. Kerr, M.W. Melkus, A. Morrison, J.G. Williams, and R.L. Blanton. Dictyostelium morphogenesis in the absence of two major extracellular matrix proteins. International Dictyostelium Conference, Dundee, Scotland. 30 July- 4 August 2000.
Chapters
Kerr T.A. Gastric Disorders. In: Gyawali CP, DeFer TM, Henderson KE, eds. The Washington Manual Gastroenterology Subspecialty Consult (Washington Manual Subspecialty Consult). 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008
Nguyen Y, Kerr T, Azar R. A gastroenterology consult. In: Michel Torbey, ed. Neurocritical Care. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 2009. (In Press).
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Division of Gastroenterology
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