Histone modifications in cell differentiation

Place:Physical and chemical building, Science and technology exhibition hall on 1st floor (理化大楼一楼科技展厅)

Abstract: Arrest of cell differentiation is one of the leading causes of leukemia and other cancers. Induction of cell differentiation using pharmaceutical agents has been clinically attempted for the treatment of these cancers. Epigenetic regulation may be one of the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling cell proliferation or differentiation. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a novel histone modification − Hisone H3 propionylation. Using mass spectrometry and other biochemical tools, we were able to demonstrated that H3 K23 is hyperpropionylated in leukemia U937 cells while hypopropionylated in colon cancer tissue. A mechanism linking metabolism pathways to histone propionylation has been postulated and is under further and in-details investigation. 

Lecturer Brief Introduction: Kangling, Zhang’s research interest focuses on the development of state-of-the-art methodologies in mass spectrometry for the analysis of histone modifications followed by biological studies to understand their roles in epigenetic modulation and regulation of gene expression, with the hope of better understanding the cause of diseases and cancer.　 Several projects are currently being performed in my laboratory including, 1)quantification of histone modifications by LC-MS/MS in the multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode; 2)quantification of differential protein expression in cell differentiation; and 3)identification of epigenetic modification markers in leukemia diseases and colon cancers.

Contact:Shuhong Yu, 3603040(Tel)