Qing LI
Email: Li.qing(at)pku(dot)edu(dot)cn；
Telephone: +86-10-62752516；
Lab Homepage: http://www.bio.pku.edu.cn/index.php?id=128&action=showmember&uid=158
Research Area:
Research Interest - Chromatin assembly and Epigenetic inheritance.
How epigenetic states defined by chromatin organization are inherited remains one of the most enigmatic, yet fundamental questions in the field of chromatin research. Accumulated data show that dysregulation of this process is linked to various diseases, including cancer and premature aging. The long-term goals of my laboratory’s research are aimed at addressing: 1) how epigenetic information, defined by chromatin structures, is inherited during mitotic cell division; 2) how this process is involved in maintaining genome integrity; and 3) how this process goes awry in human disease. Specifically, using both yeast and mammalian cells, we will determine how nucleosomes, the basic repeating units of chromatin, are disassembled/reassembled in a process coupled to DNA replication and how DNA replication-coupled (RC) nucleosome dynamics impacts epigenetic silencing. These studies will utilize combinatorial tools including biochemistry, genetics and genome-wide approaches to dissect the detailed mechanisms driving this crucial process. Answers to these questions will not only have significant scientific value, but will also likely lead to the discovery of novel drug targets for the treatment of diseases caused by epigenetic alterations.
Selected Publications:
1. Su D#, Hu Q#, Li Q#, Thompson JR, Cui GF, Fazly A, Davies BA, Botuyan MV, Zhang ZG*, Mer G*, Structural basis for recognition of H3K56-acetylated histone H3-H4 by the chaperone Rtt106. NATURE, doi:10.1038/nature10861, 2012 (#Equal contributions) (*Co-corresponding authors). In Press.
2. Li Q, Zhang ZG*, Linking DNA replication to heterochromatin silencing and epigenetic inheritance. ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA (ABBS), 44 (1): 3-13, 2012 (*Corresponding author). Invited Review. Cover story.
3. Li Q#, Burgess R#, Zhang ZG*, All roads lead to chromatin: Multiple pathways for histone deposition. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS, In Press, Corrected Proof, 2011 (#Equal contributions) (*Corresponding author). Invited Review.
4. Han JH, Li Q, McCullough L, Kettelkamp C, Formosa T, Zhang ZG*, Ubiquitylation of FACT by the cullin-E3 ligase Rtt101 connects FACT to DNA replication. GENES AND DEVELOPMENT, 24: 1485-1490, 2010 (*Corresponding author).
5. Li Q, Fazly AM, Zhou H, Huang SB, Zhang ZG*, Stillman B*, The elongator complex interacts with PCNA and modulates transcriptional silencing and sensitivity to DNA damage agents. PLOS GENETICS, 5(10): e1000684, 2009 (*Co-corresponding authors).
6. Li Q#, Zhou H#, Wurtele H, Davies B, Horazdovsky B, Verreault A*, Zhang ZG*, Acetylation of histone H3 lysine 56 regulates replication-coupled nucleosome assembly. CELL, 134: 244-255, 2008 (#Equal contributions) (*Co-corresponding authors) . Previewed in the same issue. Highlighted in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, September 2008.
7. Han P#, Li Q#, Zhu YX*, Mutation of Arabidopsis BARD1 causes meristem defects by failing to confine WUSCHEL expression to the organizing center. PLANT CELL, 20: 1482-1493, 2008 (#Equal contributions) (*Corresponding author).
8. Li Q, Feng JX, Han P, Zhu YX*, Parental RNA is Significantly Degraded During Arabidopsis Seed Germination. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, 48 (1): 114-120, 2006 (*Corresponding author).