Marie-Louise Ricketts, Ph.D.

Education

Post Doctoral Training

Research Interests

Dr. Ricketts’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic effects exerted by dietary constituents, bioactive food components and botanicals via interaction with Nuclear Hormone Receptors.  There are 48 members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that are ligand-dependent, or in some cases ligand-independent, transcription factors that play pivotal roles in both normal physiology (eg metabolism, development and reproduction) and in various disease states. Dr Ricketts’s interests are focused on a subfamily of receptors that include the former “orphan” receptors that have been shown to play important roles in metabolic pathways:

Dr Ricketts’s recent work has involved elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the cholesterol- raising ability of a diterpene, namely cafestol, present in unfiltered coffee brews such as Turkish, Scandinavian and French press coffee. She is also working on the underlying molecular mechanism behind the triglyceride lowering ability of a grape seed procyanidin extract in collaboration with a group in Spain. Dr Ricketts’s research encompasses the areas of molecular endocrinology and nutrition and uses a variety of cellular and molecular techniques as well as in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Classes Taught

None at this time

Selected Publications

J.M.Del Bas*, M.Vaqué*, M.L.Ricketts*, E. Sala H.Quesada, A.Ardevol, M.J.Salvadó, M.Blay, L.Arola, D.D.Moore, G.Pujadas, J.Fernandez-Larrea, C.Bladé.
Dietary procyanidins enhance transcriptional activity of bile acid-activated FXR in vitro and reduce triglyceridemia in vivo in a FXR-dependent manner. (Submitted to Faseb J) * Equal first author

Y.Li, D.D.Moore, N.F.Shay, M.L.Ricketts*
Species-specific regulation of CYP3A4 and Cyp3A11 by the soy isoflavones Genistein and Equol.  (In Preparation) * Corresponding author.

M.L.Ricketts and D.D.Moore.
Nuclear receptors as targets for herbal remedies. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. Invited review (In Preparation)

J.M.Del Bas, M.L.Ricketts, I.Baiges, H.Quesada, A.Ardevol, M.J.Salvadó, G.Pujadas, M.Blay, L.Arola, C.Bladé, D.D.Moore,  J.Fernandez-Larrea.
Dietary procyanidins signal through the nuclear receptor SHP to inhibit hepatocyte triglyceride secretion. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (In Press)

M.L.Ricketts*
Does Coffee raise cholesterol..? Invited Editorial. Future Lipidology (2007) 2(4); 373-377
* Corresponding author

M.L.Ricketts*, M.V.Boekschoten, A.J.Kreeft, G.J.Hooiveld, C.J.Moen, M.Muller, R.R.Frants,  S.Kasanmoentalib, S.M.Post, H.M.Princen, J.G.Porter, M.B.Katan, M.H.Hofker &  D.D.Moore (2007) The cholesterol-raising factor from coffee beans, cafestol, as an agonist ligand for the farnesoid and pregnane x receptors. Molecular Endocrinology.  21 (7): 1603-1616 (Epub: April 24th 2007) Manuscript is featured on the cover of the July 2007 issue * Corresponding author.

F.Durocher, R.Sanchez, M.L.Ricketts, Y.Labrie, V.Laudet, J.Simard (2005)
Characterization of the guineapig 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/D5-D4-isomerase expressed in the adrenal gland and gonads.
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 97(3):289-298 (Epub: Sept 6th 2005)

M.L.Ricketts, D.D.Moore, W.J.Banz, O. Mezei, N.F.Shay (2005).
Molecular mechanisms of action of the soy isoflavones includes activation of promiscuous receptors. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 16(6):321-330

J. Simard, M.L.Ricketts, S.Gingras, P.Soucy, F.A.Feltus, M.H.Melner (2005)
Molecular Biology of the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4-isomerase gene family. Endocrine Reviews 26(4):525-582. (Epub: Jan 4th 2005).

J.Simard, M.L.Ricketts, A.M.Moisan, V. Tardy, M.Peter, Y. Morel (2000)
A new insight into the molecular basis of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency. Proceedings from the IXth Adrenal Cortex Conference, Toronto, 18-19th June, 2000. Endocrine Research 26 (4): 761-770.

Agarwal AK, Giacchetti G, Lavery G, Nikkila H, Palermo M, Ricketts M, McTernan C, Bianchi G, Manunta P, Strazzulo P, Mantero F, White PC, Stewart PM. (2000)
CA-repeat polymorphism in Intron 1 of HSD11B2: Effects on gene expression and salt sensitivity. Hypertension 36:187-194.

A.M.Moisan*, M.L.Ricketts*, V.Tardy, M.Derochers, F.Mébarki et al. (1999)
New insight into the molecular basis of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency: Identification of eight mutations in the HSD3B2 gene in eleven patients from seven new families and comparison of the functional properties of twenty-five mutant enzymes.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 84: 4410-4425
* Equal first author

M.L.Ricketts and P.M.Stewart (1999)
Regulation of type 2 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by diuretics and modulators of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis.
Clinical Science 96:669-675

M.L. Ricketts, J.M. Verhaeg, I.J.Bujalska, A.J. Howie, W.E.Rainey, P.M. Stewart (1998)
Immunohistochemical localization of type 1 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human tissues.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 83:1325-1335

M.L.Ricketts, K.J.Shoesmith, M. Hewison, A. Strain, M.C. Eggo, P.M. Stewart (1998)
Regulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in primary cultures of rat and human hepatocytes.
Journal of Endocrinology 156:159-168

M.Shimojo, M.L.Ricketts, M.D.Petrelli, P.Moradi, G.D.Johnson, A.R.Bradwell, M.Hewison, A.J.Howie and P.M.Stewart (1997)
Immunodetection of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in human mineralocorticoid target tissues: evidence for nuclear localization.
Endocrinology 138:1305-1311.

J.Condon, M.L.Ricketts, C.B.Whorwood, P.M.Stewart (1997)
Ontogeny and sexual dimorphic expression of mouse type 2 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 127:121-128

M.M.Pasquarette, P.M.Stewart, M.L.Ricketts, K.Imaishi, J.I.Mason (1996)
Regulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity and mRNA in human choriocarcinoma cells
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 16:269-275

C.B.Whorwood, J.I.Mason, M.L.Ricketts, A.J.Howie, P.M.Stewart (1995)
Detection of human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms using reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and localization of the type 2 isoform to renal collecting ducts.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 110:R7-R12

C.B.Whorwood, M.L.Ricketts, P.M.Stewart (1994)
Epithelial localization of type 2 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat and human colon
Endocrinology 135:2533-2541

C.B.Whorwood, M.L.Ricketts, P.M.Stewart (1994)
Regulation of Sodium-Potassium Adenosine Triphosphate subunit gene expression by corticosteroids and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity

Endocrinology 135:901-910

Book Chapter

J. Simard, M.L.Ricketts, A.M.Moisan and Y. Morel (2002).
3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogense/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase deficiency. In ‘Genetics of Steroid Biosynthesis and Function’, edited by J.I. Mason, Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK

Contact Information

359 Food Science and Human Nutrition Building
P.O. BOX 110370
Newell Drive
University of Florida
Gainesville, Fl 32611-0370
Email:mlricketts@ufl.edu