Vinod Pant, Ph.D.
Department of Genetics, Division of Discovery Science
About Dr. Vinod Pant
Dr. Pant is a cancer geneticist who is interested in understanding the regulation and function of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Originally from India, Dr. Pant finished his graduate studies in Developmental Biology and Genetics from Uppsala University, Sweden. He later joined the Department of Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center for his post-doctoral training and was promoted to Instructor and Assistant Professor positions. Dr. Pant is an expert in genetic models and has generated multiple mouse models that have provided key insights into the role of negative regulators of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Dr. Pant’s research is focused on understanding the regulation of p53 during development, DNA damage and disease conditions. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is highly regulated in vivo by Mdm2 and Mdm4. To characterize the role of these regulators, Dr. Pant generated mouse models and showed that heterodimerization between Mdm2 and Mdm4 through their respective RING domains is critical for regulating p53 activity during early embryogenesis but is not important for the stability of p53 and Mdm2. In another project, Dr. Pant showed that in contrast to the prevailing dogma, the p53-Mdm2 feedback loop is dispensable for normal development, and longevity. However, it is critically required for regulating p53 activity after genotoxic damage. He has used these mice to further show that p53 plays a paradoxical role in hematopoietic and gastrointestinal compartments. Feedback deficient mice undergo p53-dependent bone marrow failure after sub-lethal IR, but are resistant to gastrointestinal toxicity following high dose shielded body radiation. These studies have implications towards designing of future approaches to regulate p53 in clinical settings. Additionally, Dr. Pant has actively collaborated with other researchers and has been supported by NIH training grant and fellowships from various foundations
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Dept. of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Research Interests
Dr. Pant’s research is focused on understanding the regulation of p53 during development, DNA damage and disease conditions. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is highly regulated in vivo by Mdm2 and Mdm4. To characterize the role of these regulators, Dr. Pant generated mouse models and showed that heterodimerization between Mdm2 and Mdm4 through their respective RING domains is critical for regulating p53 activity during early embryogenesis but is not important for the stability of p53 and Mdm2. In another project, Dr. Pant showed that in contrast to the prevailing dogma, the p53-Mdm2 feedback loop is dispensable for normal development, and longevity. However, it is critically required for regulating p53 activity after genotoxic damage. He has used these mice to further show that p53 plays a paradoxical role in hematopoietic and gastrointestinal compartments. Feedback deficient mice undergo p53-dependent bone marrow failure after sub-lethal IR, but are resistant to gastrointestinal toxicity following high dose shielded body radiation. These studies have implications towards designing of future approaches to regulate p53 in clinical settings. Additionally, Dr. Pant has actively collaborated with other researchers and has been supported by NIH training grant and fellowships from various foundations.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2003 | Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE, Developmental Biology & Genetics, Ph.D |
Postgraduate Training
| 2005-2011 | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2004-2005 | Postdoctoral Associate, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2014 - 2023
Instructor, Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2014
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, MD Anderson - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2020 - 2025 |
| Title: | Identifying the vulnerabilities in Mdm2 overexpressing cancer cells |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R50 CA251703-01 |
| Date: | 2004 - 2010 |
| Title: | Molecular Genetics of Cancer Training Grant |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Postdoctoral Fellow |
| ID: | T32-CA009299 |
| Date: | 1988 - 2027 |
| Title: | A Pathway of Tumor Suppression |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 2R01 CA047296 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Xiong S, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Pant V, Mirani A, Gencel-Augusto J, Chau G, You M, Lozano G. Dependence on Mdm2 for Mdm4 inhibition of p53 activity. Cancer Lett, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40081463.
- Gencel-Augusto, J, Su, X, Qi, Y, Whitley, EM, Pant, V, Xiong, S, Shah, VV, Lin, J, Perez, E, Fiorotto, M, Mahmud, I, Jain, A, Lorenzi, PL, Navin, N, Richie, ER, Lozano, G. Dimeric p53 Mutant Elicits Unique Tumor-Suppressive Activities through an Altered Metabolic Program. Cancer discovery 13(5):1230-1249, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37067911.
- Xiong S, Chachad D, Zhang Y, Gencel-Augusto J, Sirito M, Pant V, Yang P, Sun C, Chau G, Qi Y, Su X, Whitley EM, El-Naggar AK, Lozano G. Differential gain-of-function activity of three p53 hotspot mutants in vivo. Cancer Res 82(10):1926-1936, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35320355.
- Pant V, Aryal NK, Xiong S, Chau GP, Fowlkes NW, Lozano G. Alterations of the MDM2 C-terminus differentially impact its function in vivo. Cancer Res 82(7):1313-1320, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35078816.
- Pant V, Xiong S, Wasylishen AR, Larsson CA, Aryal NK, Chau G, Tailor RC, Lozano G. Transient enhancement of p53 activity protects from radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 116(35):17429-17437, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31409715.
- Aryal NK, Pant V, Wasylishen AR, Rimel BJ, Baseler L, El-Naggar AK, Mutch DG, Goodfellow PJ, Arur S, Lozano G. Dicer1 Phosphomimetic Promotes Tumor Progression and Dissemination. Cancer Res 79(10):2662-2668, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30914430.
- Aryal NK, Pant V, Wasylishen AR, Parker-Thornburg J, Baseler L, El-Naggar AK, Liu B, Kalia A, Lozano G, Arur S. Constitutive Dicer1 phosphorylation accelerates metabolism and aging in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 116(3):960-969, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30593561.
- Wasylishen AR, Estrella JS, Pant V, Chau GP, Lozano G. Daxx Functions are p53-independent In Vivo. Mol Cancer Res 16(10):1523-1529, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29903771.
- Zhang Y, Xiong S, Liu B, Pant V, Celii F, Chau G, Elizondo-Fraire AC, Yang P, You MJ, El-Naggar AK, Navin NE, Lozano G. Somatic Trp53 mutations differentially drive breast cancer and evolution of metastases. Nat Commun 9(1):3953, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30262850.
- Larsson CA, Moyer SM, Liu B, Michel KA, Pant V, Yang P, Wong J, El-Naggar AK, Krahe R, Lozano G. Synergistic and additive effect of retinoic acid in circumventing resistance to p53 restoration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115(9):2198-2203, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29440484.
- Ortiz GJ, Li Y, Post SM, Pant V, Xiong S, Larsson CA, El-Naggar AK, Johnson DG, Lozano G. Contrasting effects of an Mdm2 functional polymorphism on tumor phenotypes. Oncogene 37(3):332-340, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 28925402.
- Aryal NK, Wasylishen AR, Pant V, Riley-Croce M, Lozano G. Loss of digestive organ expansion factor (Diexf) reveals an essential role during murine embryonic development that is independent of p53. Oncotarget 8(61):103996-104006, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29262616.
- Pant V, Larsson CA, Aryal N, Xiong S, You MJ, Quintas-Cardama A, Lozano G. Tumorigenesis promotes Mdm4-S overexpression. Oncotarget 8(16):25837-25847, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28460439.
- Xiong S, Pant V, Zhang Y, Aryal NK, You MJ, Kusewitt D, Lozano G. The p53 inhibitor Mdm4 cooperates with multiple genetic lesions in tumourigenesis. J Pathol 241(4):501-510, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27925213.
- Pant V, Xiong S, Chau G, Tsai K, Shetty G, Lozano G. Distinct downstream targets manifest p53-dependent pathologies in mice. Oncogene 35(44):5713-5721, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27065327.
- Jiang S, Minter LC, Stratton SA, Yang P, Abbas HA, Akdemir ZC, Pant V, Post S, Gagea M, Lee RG, Lozano G, Barton MC. TRIM24 suppresses development of spontaneous hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. J Hepatol 62(2):371-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25281858.
- Xiong S, Tu H, Kollareddy M, Pant V, Li Q, Zhang Y, Jackson JG, Suh YA, Elizondo-Fraire AC, Yang P, Chau G, Tashakori M, Wasylishen AR, Ju Z, Solomon H, Rotter V, Liu B, El-Naggar AK, Donehower LA, Martinez LA, Lozano G. Pla2g16 phospholipase mediates gain-of-function activities of mutant p53. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111(30):11145-50, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25024203.
- Pant V, Xiong S, Jackson JG, Post SM, Abbas HA, Quintás-Cardama A, Hamir AN, Lozano G. The p53-Mdm2 feedback loop protects against DNA damage by inhibiting p53 activity but is dispensable for p53 stability, development, and longevity. Genes Dev 27(17):1857-67, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23973961.
- Jackson JG, Pant V, Li Q, Chang LL, Quintás-Cardama A, Garza D, Tavana O, Yang P, Manshouri T, Li Y, El-Naggar AK, Lozano G. p53-mediated senescence impairs the apoptotic response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome in breast cancer. Cancer Cell 21(6):793-806, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22698404.
- Guibert S, Zhao Z, Sjölinder M, Göndör A, Fernandez A, Pant V, Ohlsson R. CTCF-binding sites within the H19 ICR differentially regulate local chromatin structures and cis-acting functions. Epigenetics 7(4):361-9, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22415163.
- Pant V, Xiong S, Iwakuma T, Quintás-Cardama A, Lozano G. Heterodimerization of Mdm2 and Mdm4 is critical for regulating p53 activity during embryogenesis but dispensable for p53 and Mdm2 stability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108(29):11995-2000, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21730132.
- Xiong S, Pant V, Suh YA, Van Pelt CS, Wang Y, Valentin-Vega YA, Post SM, Lozano G. Spontaneous tumorigenesis in mice overexpressing the p53-negative regulator Mdm4. Cancer Res 70(18):7148-54, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20736370.
- Post SM, Quintás-Cardama A, Pant V, Iwakuma T, Hamir A, Jackson JG, Maccio DR, Bond GL, Johnson DG, Levine AJ, Lozano G. A high-frequency regulatory polymorphism in the p53 pathway accelerates tumor development. Cancer Cell 18(3):220-30, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20832750.
- Zhao Z, Tavoosidana G, Sjölinder M, Göndör A, Mariano P, Wang S, Kanduri C, Lezcano M, Sandhu KS, Singh U, Pant V, Tiwari V, Kurukuti S, Ohlsson R. Circular chromosome conformation capture (4C) uncovers extensive networks of epigenetically regulated intra- and interchromosomal interactions. Nat Genet 38(11):1341-7, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17033624.
- Yu W, Ginjala V, Pant V, Chernukhin I, Whitehead J, Docquier F, Farrar D, Tavoosidana G, Mukhopadhyay R, Kanduri C, Oshimura M, Feinberg AP, Lobanenkov V, Klenova E, Ohlsson R. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation regulates CTCF-dependent chromatin insulation. Nat Genet 36(10):1105-10, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15361875.
- Pant V, Kurukuti S, Pugacheva E, Shamsuddin S, Mariano P, Renkawitz R, Klenova E, Lobanenkov V, Ohlsson R. Mutation of a single CTCF target site within the H19 imprinting control region leads to loss of Igf2 imprinting and complex patterns of de novo methylation upon maternal inheritance. Mol Cell Biol 24(8):3497-504, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15060168.
- Pant V, Mariano P, Kanduri C, Mattsson A, Lobanenkov V, Heuchel R, Ohlsson R. The nucleotides responsible for the direct physical contact between the chromatin insulator protein CTCF and the H19 imprinting control region manifest parent of origin-specific long-distance insulation and methylation-free domains. Genes Dev 17(5):586-90, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12629040.
- Ginjala V, Holmgren C, Ullerås E, Kanduri C, Pant V, Lobanenkov V, Franklin G, Ohlsson R. Multiple cis elements within the Igf2/H19 insulator domain organize a distance-dependent silencer. A cautionary note. J Biol Chem 277(8):5707-10, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 11777900.
- Pant V, Gupta D, Choudhury NR, Malathi VG, Varma A, Mukherjee SK. Molecular characterization of the Rep protein of the blackgram isolate of Indian mungbean yellow mosaic virus. J Gen Virol 82(Pt 10):2559-67, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11562548.
- Kanduri C, Pant V, Loukinov D, Pugacheva E, Qi CF, Wolffe A, Ohlsson R, Lobanenkov VV. Functional association of CTCF with the insulator upstream of the H19 gene is parent of origin-specific and methylation-sensitive. Curr Biol 10(14):853-6, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 10899010.
- Gaikwad A, Babbarwal V, Pant V, Mukherjee SK. Pea chloroplast FtsZ can form multimers and correct the thermosensitive defect of an Escherichia coli ftsZ mutant. Mol Gen Genet 263(2):213-21, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 10778739.
- Vaishnav YN, Pant V. Differential regulation of E2F transcription factors by p53 tumor suppressor protein. DNA Cell Biol 18(12):911-22, 1999. e-Pub 1999. PMID: 10619603.
- Vaishnav YN, Vaishnav MY, Pant V. The molecular and functional characterization of E2F-5 transcription factor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 242(3):586-92, 1998. e-Pub 1998. PMID: 9464260.
Invited Articles
- Pant V, Sun C, Lozano G. Tissue specificity and spatio-temporal dynamics of the p53 transcriptional program. Cell Death Differ 30(4):897-905, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36755072.
- Pant V, Lozano G. Limiting the power of p53 through the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Genes Dev 28(16):1739-51, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25128494.
- Pant V, Lozano G. Dissecting the p53-Mdm2 feedback loop in vivo: Uncoupling the role in p53 stability and activity. Oncotarget 5(5):1149-56, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24658419.
- Pant V, Quintás-Cardama A, Lozano G. The p53 pathway in hematopoiesis: lessons from mouse models, implications for humans. Blood 120(26):5118-27, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23018641.
- Abbas HA, Pant V, Lozano G. The ups and downs of p53 regulation in hematopoietic stem cells. Cell Cycle 10(19):3257-62, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21957490.
- Post SM, Pant V, Abbas H, Quintás-Cardama A. Prognostic impact of the MDM2SNP309 allele in leukemia and lymphoma. Oncotarget 1(3):168-74, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21301048.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026