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Jian-Ting Zhang, PhD

Andrew and Peggy Thomson Chair in Hematology/Oncology
Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Research Interest

The major research interests of my laboratory are tumorigenesis, drug discovery, and cancer treatment resistance.

Education

1983

B.Sc. Biochemistry | Nanjing University | China

1984

Diploma in English | Sun Yet-Sen University | China

1989

Ph.D. Molecular and Cell Biology | State University of New York | Buffalo, New York

Editorial Activities

2010-present

Editor-in-Chief | International Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2009-present

Editorial Board Member | Lung Cancer: Targets and Therapy

2009-present

Editorial Board Member | Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy

2009-present

Editorial Board Member | American Journal of Translational Research

2009-present

Editorial Board Member | Cancer Therapy

2007-present

Editorial Review Board Member | Scientific Journals International

2004-present

Editorial Board Member | Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment

2004

Guest Editor-in-Chief | Current Medicinal Chemistry: Anticancer Agents

1996-present

Editorial Advisory Panel Member | Molecular Membrane Biology

Honors

2007-present

Guest Professor | Central South University | Changsha, China

2007

Prostate Cancer Foundation Competitive Award

2005

Michael K. Guest Award for Innovative Research | Walther Cancer Institute | Indiana University School of Medicine

1999

EJCB Most Interesting Paper of the Year

1998-2001

Career Investigator Award | American Lung Association

1998

Eminent Scholar | Indiana University School of Medicine

1995

Outstanding Poster Presentation Award | 86th Annual AACR Conference

1990-1993

Postdoctoral Fellowship | National Cancer Institute of Canada

1983-1984

CUSBEA Fellow

1981

Outstanding Student Award | Nanjing University

Translational Control

 

Gene expression is regulated at multiple levels. The two primary regulations of gene expression occur at the level of transcription to produce mRNAs and at the step of translation to produce proteins. Deregulation at any of these steps causes abnormal gene expression and, thus, deregulated cell growth and possibly cancer. In eukaryotes, mRNA translation is mainly regulated at the initiation, the rate-limiting step of mRNA translation controlled by many initiation 

factors (eIFs). We are currently investigating the regulatory role of eIF3 in protein synthesis and oncogenesis.

Drug Resistance/Apoptosis Pathways

Drug resistance is caused by many molecular and cellular mechanisms. One prevalent mechanism is the over-expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, such as MDR1 (ABCB1). These ABC transporters function as membrane pumps that actively efflux a wide variety of anticancer agents out of cells and decrease intracellular accumulation of effective concentrations of anticancer drugs, resulting multidrug resistance. Currently, we are studying MRP1 (ABCC1) and BCRP/MXR (ABCG2). Signal transduction pathways in survival and apoptosis are also an important molecular mechanism for cancer

cells to survive therapeutic treatments. Currently, we are studying 14-3-3sigma, survivin, and fatty acid synthase and hope to develop these proteins as targets for better future cancer therapies. 

Experimental Therapeutics/Drug Discovery

We recently established a computation-based,  high throughput screening/ chemoinformatic laboratory.   Using this high throughput screening tool, our goal is to discover small molecule compounds that can be developed into therapeutics to circumvent drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy and for targeted cancer therapies. 

Proteome Profiling and Interactive Proteomics

Proteomic approaches (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in combination with mass spectrometry) are being used to investigate the proteome in mammalian cells that are under control at the translational level and to identify protein targets that are potentially responsible for drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Interactive proteomics using tandem affinity purification (TAP) approach are being applied to identify signaling partners of 14-3-3, survivin, and eIF3.

 

Select Primary Research Articles

Invited Reviews and Book Chapters

  • Mo, W.; Liu, J.Y.; Zhang, J.T. Biochemistry and pharmacology of human ABCC1/MRP1 and its role in detoxification and in multidrug resistance of cancer chemotherapy. Recent Advances of Cancer Research and Therapy (ed X.Y. Liu; S. Pestka; Y. Shi) (in press).

  • Yin, J.Y.; Dong, Z.Z.; Liu, Z.; Zhang, J.T. Translational control gone awry: a new mechanism of tumorigenesis and novel targets of cancer treatments. BioScience Rep. 31:1-15; 2011 (pee-reviewed).

  • Liu, H.; Liu, J.Y.; Wu, X.; Zhang, J.T. Biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology of fatty acid synthase, an emerging therapeutic target and diagnosis/prognosis marker. Int. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 1:69-89; 2010 (peer-reviewed).

  • Zhang, J.T.; Turchi, T.; Kumar, R.; Hong, W.; Shaw, G.; Wang, D. The Launch of International Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Int. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 1:I; 2010.

  • Mo, W.; Zhang, J.T. Oligomerization of human ATP-binding cassette transporters and its potential significance in human disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 5:1049-63; 2009 (peer-reviewed).

  • Li, Z.; Liu, J.Y.; Zhang, J.T. 14-3-3σ, the double-edged sword of human cancers. Am. J. Transl. Res. 1:312-324; 2009.

  • Zhang, J.T. Biochemistry and pharmacology of the human multidrug resistance gene product, ABCG2. J. Cent. South Univ. (Med Sci) 32:531-541; 2007.

  • Zhang, J.T.; Liu, Y. Identification of resistance mechanisms in cancer treatment using comparative proteomics.Cancer Treat. Rev. 33:741-56; 2007 (peer-reviewed).

  • Zhang, J.T. Use of arrays to investigate contribution of ATP-binding cassette transporters to drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy and prediction of chemosensitivity. Cell Res. 17:311-323; 2007 (peer-reviewed).

  • Xu, J.; Peng, H.; Zhang, J.T. Human multidrug transporter ABCG2, a target for sensitizing drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Curr. Med. Chem. 14:689-701; 2007. (peer-reviewed).

  • Dong, Z.; Zhang, J.T. Initiation factor eIF3 and regulation of mRNA translation, cell growth, and cancer. Critical Rev. Hem/Onc 59:169-180; 2006 (peer-reviewed).

  • Han, B.; Zhang, J.T. Multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy and xenobiotic protection mediated by the half ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2. Curr. Med. Chem.-Anti-Cancer Agents 4:31-42; 2004. (peer-reviewed)

  • Zhang, J.T. Use of cell-free expression systems to determine P-glycoprotein topology. Methods Enzymol. 292:279-289; 1998.

  • Nicholson, B.J.; Zhang, J.T.  Multiple protein components of a single gap junction: cloning of a second hepatic gap junction protein (Mr21,000).  Modern Cell Biol. 7:207-220; 1988. 

Education

Research

Discovery

Welcome to the Zhang laboratory affiliated with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Simon Cancer Center at Indiana University School of Medicine. The major research interest of our laboratory is on tumorigenesis, drug discovery, and cancer treatment resistance. Currently, the laboratory is housed in the new state of the art Joseph Walther Hall (R3) and consists of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty and technical staff. We provide an outstanding opportunity for training of summer undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the areas of molecular biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, cancer biology, and bio/chemoinformatics. For more information about the Zhang laboratory, please click icons below.


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Jian-Ting Zhang, PhD

980 W. Walnut Street
Walther Hall (R3) Room C510
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 278-4503 - Office
(317) 278-4504 - Lab
jianzhan@iupui.edu