Huang, Tim

Tim Huang, Ph.D.

Professor
Primary Appointment
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics Human Cancer Genetics

For More Information:
Please visit Human Cancer Genetics

Contact Information:

Research Interest: 

Epigenetic Alterations in Breast and Ovarian Cancers

Research Summary:

Epigenetic alterations in the form of DNA methylation and histone methylation play a critical role in transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Our laboratory has developed a novel microarray-based technique, called differential methylation hybridization (DMH), for global interrogation of gene loci subject to epigenetic changes in tumor genomes. Specific methylator phenotypes have been identified in breast cancer, and the likely mechanism is attributed to dysregulation of estrogen receptor (ER) signaling. Chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques and computational algorithms have been employed to identify novel repressors that participate in epigenetic silencing of ER downstream targets. The recruitment of these repressors signifies target genes permanently silenced in cancer cells. We have utilized this epigenetic fingerprint to define different stages and development of breast and ovarian cancer. These epigenetic biomarkers are useful in predicting cancer patients’ survival and responses to chemotherapies.

Selected Publications:
Yan P, Rahmatpanah F, Shi H, Hsiua T H-C, Hsiau A H-A, Liu JC, Leu YW, Huang TH-M. Differential distribution of DNA methylation within the RASSF1A CpG island in breast cancer. Cancer Res 63:6178-6186, 2003.

Kondo Y, Shen L, Yan PS, Huang TH-M, Issa J-P J. Chromatin immunoprecipitation microarrays for identification of genes silenced by histone H3 lysine 9 methylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:7398-7403, 2004.

Leu YW, Yan PS, Jin VX, Liu JC, Curran EM, Welshons WV, Wei SH, Davuluri RV, Plass C, Nephew KP, Huang TH-M. Loss of estrogen receptor signaling triggers epigenetic silencing of downstream targets in breast cancer. Cancer Res 64: 8184-8192, 2004.

 Jin VX, Leu YW, Liyanarachchi S, Sun, H, Nephew KP, Huang TH-M, Davuluri RV.  An integrated computational genomics approach to identify ERa target genes via chromatin immunoprecipitation microarray data. Nucleic Acids Res 32: 6627-6635, 2004.