LI

 

Hui Li, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

 

 

 

Education and Training:

1998, B.S. Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, China

2003, Ph.D. Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

2003-2006, Postdoctoral Associate, Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT

2006-2009 Associate Research Scientist, Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Research:

A recurrent chromosomal translocation in endometrial stroma tumors results in a fusion between the 5' of the JAZF1 gene and 3' of JJAZ1 gene. JAZF1 gene encodes a putative transcription factor. But the function of the protein is essentially unknown. JJAZ1/SUZ12 encodes a core component of Polycomb Complex 2 (PRC2), which methylates histone H3K27 and causes compacting of chromatin structure. Gene fusion has long been considered a unique feature of neoplasms. Our recent findings have turned the dogma on its head. Chimeric JAZF1-JJAZ1 RNA is identified to be present in normal tissues through a trans-splicing mechanism. One burning question is that how broad the trans-splicing phenomenon is. Based on some preliminary data, we believe it is more common than just a few isolated cases. What is more important is that the trans-splicing might play a critical role in normal development as well as cancer initiation. The lab is also studying the oncogenic effect of JAZF1-JJAZ1 fusion and JAZF1-PHF1 fusion in the endometrial stroma tumor.

Recent Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified SNPs in JAZF1 gene that gives carrier higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and lower risk of prostate cancer. Quantitative expression analysis has proven the risk allele for T2D is associated with higher level of JAZF1. On the other extreme, knockout mice of JAZF1 are more sensitive to insulin and resistant to fat induced obesity as well as diabetes.  However, the animals have defects in mammary gland development. The lab is interested in 1) characterize the knock out animal for prostate and breast cancer risk. 2) study the function of JAZF1. 3) study the inverse correlation between T2D and prostate/breast cancers.  

Selected Publications:

  • Hui Li*, Jinglan Wang, Xianyong Ma and Jeffrey Sklar (2009) Gene fusions and RNA Trans-splicing in Normal and Neoplastic Human Cells. Cell Cycle 2009 January 8:2, 1-5(* corresponding author)
  • Hui Li, Jinglan Wang, Gil Mor and Jeffrey Sklar (2008) A Neoplastic Gene Fusion Mimics Trans-splicing of RNAs in Normal Cells. Science 2008 September 5; 321,1357-1361.
  • Hui Li, XianYong Ma, Jinglan Wang, Jason Koontz, Marisa Nucci and Jeffrey Sklar (2007) Effects of rearrangement and allelic exclusion of JJAZ1/SUZ12 on cell proliferation and survival. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 December 11; 104(50): 20001-20006.
  • Hui Li, Lois Myeroff, Dominic Smiraglia, Michael F. Romero, Theresa P. Pretlow, Lakshmi Kasturi, Jim Lutterbaugh, Ronald M. Rerko, Graham Casey, Jean-Pierre Issa, Joseph Willis, James K.V. Willson, Christoph Plass and Sanford Markowitz (2003) SLC5A8: A Novel Sodium Transporter, is a Tumor Suppressor Gene Silenced by Methylation in Human Colon Aberrant Crypt Foci and Cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Jul 8; 100(14): 8412-7.
  • Hui Li, Lois Myeroff, Lakshmi Kasturi, Lisa Krumroy, Stuart Schwartz, James KV Willson, Eric Stanbridge, Graham Casey and Sanford Markowitz (2002) Chromosomal autonomy of hMLH1 methylation in colon cancer. Oncogene 21, 1443-1449.
  • Hui Li and Qing-xiang Guo. (1998) Recent Progress in Studies on the Application of Cationic Liposome to Gene Therapy. Ziran Zazhi (Chinese Nature) 20(5): 275-8.