Yiqi Qian
Tsinghua Visiting Research Scholar
Education
BS, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 2013
Research Summary
SIRT1 is an NAD+-dependent deacetylase that plays important roles in many biological functions. Our lab determined that multi-functional sorting protein PACS-2 is an in vivo inhibitor of SIRT1. In response to DNA damage, PACS-2 promotes cell survival by inhibiting SIRT1-mediated p53 deacetylation to increase p21 expression and p21-dependent cell cycle arrest. In vitro assays and yeast two-hybrid assays show that PACS-2 binds to a disordered region of the SIRT1 N-terminal domain which is non-essential for enzyme activity. A clear map of PACS-2 SIRT1 interaction to identify the residues required for binding, combined with quantitative enzyme assays of kinetic studies will help us better understand the mechanism by which PACS-2 inhibits SIRT1 and the functions of this regulation in biological processes.
Research Lab Affiliation
Why I Chose Pitt
As a medical student from Tsinghua University in China, I am grateful to be involved in the Tsinghua-Pittsburgh Joint Program for a two-year research training in University of Pittsburgh. It's a great experience to work here.
Save The Date
This year's MMG Retreat will be on April 12!
