Qing Zhang

The oxygen-sensing pathway contributes largely to the development of tumors.

One of the central players in this pathway is prolyl hydroxylase (EglN1, 2 and 3). Our lab currently studies hypoxia signaling, prolyl hydroxylase and cancer, specifically breast and renal cell carcinoma.
One project focuses on using proteomic and genomic approaches to screen for novel prolyl hydroxylase substrates that play important roles in cancer. We have generated an IVT-compatible breast cancer gene library, which is comprised of 1200-1300 genes that were either reported or predicted to be important for breast tumorigenesis. Then, we developed a 96-well format high-throughput format to screen
for whether any of the genes in the library can be hydroxylated in vitro by recombinant EglN2. Preliminary data from this screen identifies FOXO3a as one of potential EglN2 substrate. We are currently investigating the role of EglN2 target FOXO3a in breast
cancer. In addition, we also developed an EglN2-substrate trapping strategy followed by TAP-TAG purification and mass spectrometry. Several potential EglN2 substrates have been identified from mass spectrometry and we are investigating their role in breast cancer.

The other project involves integrating CHIP-seq strategy with gene expression profiling in order to identify EglN2 prolyl hydroxylase and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) targets in the malignant diseases. The ultimate goal is to understand mechanistically how oxygen-sensing pathways contribute to cancer progression, which will facilitate our
design of efficient treatment strategies to specifically target cancer.

2003   First Prize, Poster Presentations, Annual Retreat, Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh

2004   The director’s award for research excellence and potential, 16th Annual University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Scientific Retreat

2004   First Prize, Poster Presentations, Annual Retreat, Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh

2005   Travel Award, The Edward A. Smuckler Memorial Workshop: Pathobiology of Cancer, American Association for Cancer Research

2009   Dana Farber Cancer Institute Friends Award, Boston, MA

2009   Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 

2010   Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)

2011   NIH Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) Award