Our lab is interested in the function, regulation, and targeting of enzymes that control protein post-translational modifications (PTM). After the human genome is sequenced, a major challenge to understand biology and human diseases is to understand the function of all proteins. Proteins are not always expressed, and even if expressed, their activities are not always on. Their activities are often regulated by certain stresses and signals, which is crucial for all cell signaling events. Thus, to fully understand the function of a protein, it is also crucial to understand how it is regulated. We, therefore, focus on understanding the function and regulation of PTM enzymes and use the understanding to develop small molecule inhibitors for these enzymes as potential therapeutics for treating human diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Columbia University
New York City
PhD - bio-organic chemistry
2003
Tsinghua University
Beijing
BS - Chemistry
1998
Antibiotic target discovery by integrated phenotypic and activity-based profiling of electrophilic fragments.
Antibiotic target discovery by integrated phenotypic and activity-based profiling of electrophilic fragments. Cell Chem Biol. 2025 Mar 20; 32(3):434-448.e9.
PMID: 40020665
Loss of Diphthamide Increases DNA Replication Stress in Mammalian Cells by Modulating the Translation of RRM1.
Loss of Diphthamide Increases DNA Replication Stress in Mammalian Cells by Modulating the Translation of RRM1. ACS Cent Sci. 2024 Oct 23; 10(10):1835-1847.
PMID: 39463834
A Mitochondria-Targeting SIRT3 Inhibitor with Activity against Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.
A Mitochondria-Targeting SIRT3 Inhibitor with Activity against Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. J Med Chem. 2024 Sep 12; 67(17):15428-15437.
PMID: 39191393
MAVS Cys508 palmitoylation promotes its aggregation on the mitochondrial outer membrane and antiviral innate immunity.
MAVS Cys508 palmitoylation promotes its aggregation on the mitochondrial outer membrane and antiviral innate immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Aug 20; 121(34):e2403392121.
PMID: 39141356
Sirt2 inhibition improves gut epithelial barrier integrity and protects mice from colitis.
Sirt2 inhibition improves gut epithelial barrier integrity and protects mice from colitis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Apr 30; 121(18):e2319833121.
PMID: 38648480
GS-441524-Diphosphate-Ribose Derivatives as Nanomolar Binders and Fluorescence Polarization Tracers for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Macrodomains.
GS-441524-Diphosphate-Ribose Derivatives as Nanomolar Binders and Fluorescence Polarization Tracers for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Macrodomains. ACS Chem Biol. 2024 05 17; 19(5):1093-1105.
PMID: 38646883
NLRP3 Cys126 palmitoylation by ZDHHC7 promotes inflammasome activation.
NLRP3 Cys126 palmitoylation by ZDHHC7 promotes inflammasome activation. Cell Rep. 2024 04 23; 43(4):114070.
PMID: 38583156
Amino acid and protein specificity of protein fatty acylation in C. elegans.
Amino acid and protein specificity of protein fatty acylation in C. elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Jan 30; 121(5):e2307515121.
PMID: 38252833
Iso-ADP-Ribose Fluorescence Polarization Probe for the Screening of RNF146 WWE Domain Inhibitors.
Iso-ADP-Ribose Fluorescence Polarization Probe for the Screening of RNF146 WWE Domain Inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol. 2024 02 16; 19(2):300-307.
PMID: 38237916
Interactome Analysis Identifies the Role of BZW2 in Promoting Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Contact and Mitochondrial Metabolism.
Interactome Analysis Identifies the Role of BZW2 in Promoting Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Contact and Mitochondrial Metabolism. Mol Cell Proteomics. 2024 Feb; 23(2):100709.
PMID: 38154691