Transposons – also known as "jumping genes" – are pieces of movable DNA that can jump around in the genome. Through a cut-and-paste or copy-and-paste mechanism, they can move copies of themselves to a different chromosome or to a different area of the same chromosome. This process – called transposition – can result in mutations and DNA damage.

Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) is a family of transposons that continually mutate the mammalian genome through this "jumping" activity. Their unchecked expression is associated with various abnormal states, such as cancer, infertility, aging and neurologic diseases.

Scientists do not yet know whether they play a role in causing these disorders, partly because our knowledge of L1 biology in vivo is rudimentary. To better understand L1 and its possible role in infertility, Jeffrey Han, MD, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and Tulane Cancer Center Program Member, was recently awarded a five-year, $2 million National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant to investigate transposon activity in a mouse model.

"It's been shown that in the male mouse germline, when you have certain mutations – and these can occur in humans too – transposons are basically unrepressed," said Han. "They go wild and the mice are sterile; they can't reproduce because their germ cells arrest in meiosis. We're interested in what part transposons play in that process and how."

It is difficult to "knock out" or turn off these genes to see the effects because there are simply too many copies. Instead, Han and his team plan to knock out a cellular pathway – the endosomal sorting complex or ESCRT – they previously found to be important for LINE-1 transposition. "We can knock it out and in theory suppress transposition and then determine whether these mice can bypass the meiotic arrest and potentially become fertile again."

A possible long-term outcome of this research is to identify transposon activity as a druggable target for some subset of human infertility. If we can find drugs to block the DNA damaging activity of the transposons, we can subsequently block their ability to mutate the DNA. So far, according to Han, there hasn't been a lot of interest from pharmaceutical companies in this area, but as more evidence is gathered, he feels there could be a potential interest in developing these types of drugs.

Although the work supported by this grant involves infertility, a better understanding of the biology of L1 could help researchers make connections to other diseases associated with transposon activity, including cancer. "Certainly L1 is turned on in many human cancers," said Han. "I think understanding how these particles traffic around the cell could be relevant and is something you could potentially target in cancer treatment as well."

"Many people wonder why these elements even exist, why there are so many of them," said Han. "They must be doing something wonderful for us since there are so many copies in our genome. The likely answer is no. They're just parasites that have been in our genome for hundreds of millions of years, and their goal is to make more copies of themselves so they will continue to survive. As long as they can replicate faster than we're getting rid of them, they will be here."

Patients battling prostate cancer may one day be less likely to face life-threatening side effects, thanks to research being conducted at the New Orleans Veterans Medical Center and Tulane University School of Medicine.

Franck Mauvais-Jarvis, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and the Price-Goldsmith Professor of Nutrition, has been selected for the VA Office of Research and Development’s Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award. The award was given in support of his work to prevent prostate cancer patients from developing type 2 diabetes due to their lower testosterone levels.

Mauvais-Jarvis’s work focuses on older men and those who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, who together represent a large percentage of patients at VA. Both groups have increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes because of the drop in testosterone that happens naturally with age but can also be accelerated by prostate cancer treatment. Mauvais-Jarvis seeks to capitalize on the positive effects of increased testosterone, such as muscle and bone preservation, without negative effects including prostate cancer.

“Dr. Mauvais-Jarvis’s groundbreaking research has great potential to improve the lives of our patients,” said VA Medical Center Director Fernando Rivera. “The Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award confirms the significance of his work and secures its future.”

The Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award increases funding for further research, which is now funded at $150,000 per year for eight years, for a total of $1.2 million. According to VA, awardees are selected based on grant score, outstanding scholarly activity, and strong contribution to VA research and clinical teams.

As quirky New Orleans events go, this one's a standout! Picture a sea of walkers and runners (and even pooches!) – all wearing bedazzled pink bras – completing a 5K course atop the Mississippi River levee, with the iconic New Orleans skyline in the background!

Once registered on Eventbrite, your bib number will be assigned. You're encouraged to print out and wear your bib to show observers that you are participating in a registered race. Use your favorite fitness app – Fitbit, Motion X, Strava, etc. – to log your run or walk for distance, time and route. Save the information on a screenshot (optional) and visit the race website to complete the run form once your event is completed. Your run/walk must be done and submitted by May 7th at 9 p.m. Don't forget to send us your pictures!! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or your platform of choice – #PBR2022, #PinkBraRun.

For additional information or to register, please visit www.KrewedePink.org or click here.

Several hundred supporters – approximately 50 four-man teams plus additional guests – attended this year's event, which included competitive sporting clays and other shooting competitions, live and silent auctions, raffles, live entertainment, incredible food and MORE!

This event is held in loving memory of one of its founders – Connie Mack Boykin – a former patient of Dr. Oliver Sartor's. When an unexpected diagnosis of prostate cancer changed his life, Connie Mack not only resolved to fight his disease, but he also wanted to raise awareness among as many men as possible to be proactive when it comes to their health and that early detection of prostate cancer is key. He, along with his brother, Michael, and friends, Randy Hays and Cyril LeJeune, thought the best way to do this was to wrap the message around an activity that men enjoy - sporting clays.

Complimentary PSA blood tests – provided by Tulane Medical Center – are available at The Shoot every year in an effort to focus attention on the importance of early detection when it comes to prostate health. This year, 58 men rolled up their sleeves and participated in the free PSA blood draw.

To view additional photos and video from this year's event, please see below and visit www.onemanshoot.com.