He Zhu

He Zhu

Assistant Professor
Tumor Cell Biology Program
M.D. Medicine, 1983, The Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, CHINA
Postdoc, 1990-1991, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, JAPAN.

Contact Information
2500 N State St. Room R634-01
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: 601-815-3511
Email: hzhu2@umc.edu

Research Interests

  • The correlative studies of Notch receptors with clinical outcome and tumour clinicopathological parameters in human breast cancer
  • The possible role of Akt signaling in the Notch-1 mediated ER-dependent transcription via IKKa in breast cancer cells

Research Synopsis
Notch signaling is an evolutionary conversed pathway that regulates numerous physiological processes. Disruption of Notch has been implicated in multiple tumor types. Evidence from in vitro experiments, mouse models and human tumor samples indicates that Notch plays a predominantly oncogenic role in breast cancer and interacts with other pathways involved in tumorigenesis. One of our research aims is to evaluate the expression and subcellular localization of Notch signaling-related proteins by IHC staining in TMAs constructed from tissue blocks obtained from clinical studies and to reveal the associations between Notch signaling-related proteins and clinical outcome in breast cancer. The use of archival tissue for a retrospective study allows for Notch protein expression to be analyzed with the benefit of long-term follow-up (survival) information. In addition, the studies from our research group have revealed that IKKα and its kinase activity are required by Notch-1 for transcriptional activity of ER-dependent genes. The finding suggests that promoting the chromatin recruitment of IKKα is a novel function of Notch-1, through which Notch-1 can mediate crosstalk with other transcription factors. It is well known that Akt phosphorylates numerous protein targets that control cell survival, proliferation and motility. So far many studies have demonstrated the involvement of Akt signaling in Notch activation. The illustration of possible role of Akt signaling in the Notch-1 mediated ER-dependent transcription via IKKα in breast cancer cells will be of significantly importance, which will greatly benefit our understanding of the mechanism whereby Notch signaling exerts its function in tumourigenesis.

Selected Publications

  1. Zhu H et al. Cross-reactivity of rabbit anti-bovine prothrombin/thrombin IgGs with bovine factor V/Va-related antigens. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 16(5):522-28, 2010.
  2. Zhu H et al. Comparison of immunogenic potentials of bovine thrombin preparations. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 15(1):41-49, 2009.
  3. Zhu H et al. Normal [3H]flunitrazepam binding to GABAA receptors in the locus coeruleus in major depression and suicide. Brain Res 1125:138-46, 2006.
  4. Zhu H et al. Non-adrenergic exploratory behavior induced by moxonidine at mildly hypotensive doses. Brain Res 964(1): 9-20, 2003.
  5. Zhu H et al. Effect of bupropion on immunodensity of putative imidazoline receptors on platelets of depressed patients. J. Psychiatric Res 33: 323-33, 1999.