Qin Chen, MD
Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Discovery Science
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Discovery Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1993 | Xian Medical University, Xian, CN, M.S. in Biochemistry |
| 1988 | Xinxiang Medical College, Xinxiang, CN, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 1998-2001 | Postdoc, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 1997-1998 | Postdoc, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Instructor, Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2013
Assistant Professor, Department of Vision Science, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2008
Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2001 - 2003
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China, Zhengzhou, 1993 - 1997
Honors & Awards
| Research Award, Henan Administration of Science and Technology of China | |
| Visiting Scholarship, Israeli Foreign Affair | |
| Postdoctoral Research Award, Gordon Research Conferences | |
| Research Award, Knights Templar Eye Foundation | |
| Travel award, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) | |
| R03, NIH/NEI | |
| ASBMR 2012 Annual Meeting President's Poster Competition Award, The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research | |
| 2012 Bone Disease Research Award, The Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas | |
| 2013 Bone Disease Research Award, The Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas | |
| Employee Service Award, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center | |
| CCE-NGS-Allowance-2014, The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center | |
| 2014 Children Sarcoma Initiative Seed Money Grant, The Children Sarcoma Initiative and The Triumph Over Kid Cancer Foundation | |
| Institutional Research Grant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Zhou, J, Chen, Q, Ren, R, Yang, J, Liu, B, Horton, JR, Chang, C, Li, C, Maksoud, L, Yang, Y, Rotili, D, Jain, A, Zhang, X, Blumenthal, RM, Chen, T, Gao, Y, Valente, S, Mai, A, Cheng, X. Quinoline-based compounds can inhibit diverse enzymes that act on DNA. Cell Chemical Biology 31(12):2112-2127.e6, 2024. PMID: 39437789.
- Zhou J, Horton JR, Kaur G, Chen Q, Li X, Mendoza F, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Biochemical and structural characterization of the first-discovered metazoan DNA cytosine-N4 methyltransferase from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. J Biol Chem 299(8):105017, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37414145.
- Chen Q, Liu B, Zeng Y, Hwang JW, Dai N, Corrêa IR, Estecio MR, Zhang X, Santos MA, Chen T, Cheng X. GSK-3484862 targets DNMT1 for degradation in cells. NAR Cancer 5(2):zcad022, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37206360.
- Ren R, Horton JR, Chen Q, Yang J, Liu B, Huang Y, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Structural basis for transcription factor ZBTB7A recognition of DNA and effects of ZBTB7A somatic mutations that occur in human acute myeloid leukemia. J Biol Chem 299(2):102885, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36626981.
- Horton JR, Zhou J, Chen Q, Zhang X, Bedford MT, Cheng X. A complete methyl-lysine binding aromatic cage constructed by two domains of PHF2. J Biol Chem 299(2):102862, 2023. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36596360.
- Chen Q, Sinha KM, de Crombrugghe B, Krahe R. Osteoblast-Specific Overexpression of Nucleolar Protein NO66/RIOX1 in Mouse Embryos Leads to Osteoporosis in Adult Mice. J Osteoporos 2023:8998556, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36660551.
- Yu D, Zhou J, Chen Q, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Enzymatic Characterization of In Vitro Activity of RNA Methyltransferase PCIF1 on DNA. Biochemistry 61(11):1005-13. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35605980.
- Zhang L, Chen Q, Chen Z, Wang Y, Gamboa JL, Ikizler TA, Garibotto G, Mitch WE. Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Protein Synthesis in CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2020. PMID: None.
- Horton JR, Woodcock CB, Chen Q, Liu X, Zhang X, Shanks J, Rai G, Mott BT, Jansen DJ, Kales SC, Henderson MJ, Cyr M, Pohida K, Hu X, Shah P, Xu X, Jadhav A, Maloney DJ, Hall MD, Simeonov A, Fu H, Vertino PM, Cheng X. Structure-Based Engineering of Irreversible Inhibitors against Histone Lysine Demethylase KDM5A. J Med Chem 61(23):10588-10601, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30392349.
- Chen Q, Sinha K, Deng JM, Yasuda H, Krahe R, Behringer RR, de Crombrugghe B. Mesenchymal Deletion of Histone Demethylase NO66 in Mice Promotes Bone Formation. J Bone Miner Res 30(9):1608-17, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25736226.
- Chen Q, Zhang L, de Crombrugghe B, Krahe R. Mesenchyme-specific overexpression of nucleolar protein 66 in mice inhibits skeletal growth and bone formation. FASEB J 29(6):2555-65, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25746793.
- Chen Q, Liu W, Sinha KM, Yasuda H, de Crombrugghe B. Identification and characterization of microRNAs controlled by the osteoblast-specific transcription factor Osterix. PLoS One 8(3):e58104, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23472141.
- Chen Q, Liang D, Overbeek PA. Overexpression of E2F5/p130, but not E2F5 alone, can inhibit E2F-induced cell cycle entry in transgenic mice. Mol Vis 14:602-14, 2008. PMID: 18385796.
- Xiao W, Liu W, Li Z, Liang D, Li L, White LD, Fox DA, Overbeek PA, Chen Q. Gene expression profiling in embryonic mouse lenses. Mol Vis 12:1692-8, 2006. PMID: 17213798.
- Reneker LW, Chen Q, Bloch A, Xie L, Schuster G, Overbeek PA. Chick delta1-crystallin enhancer influences mouse alphaA-crystallin promoter activity in transgenic mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 45(11):4083-90, 2004. PMID: 15505059.
- Chen Q, Liang D, Fromm LD, Overbeek PA. Inhibition of lens fiber cell morphogenesis by expression of a mutant SV40 large T antigen that binds CREB-binding protein/p300 but not pRb. J Biol Chem 279(17):17667-73, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 14742445.
- Chen Q, Liang D, Yang T, Leone G, Overbeek PA. Distinct capacities of individual E2Fs to induce cell cycle re-entry in postmitotic lens fiber cells of transgenic mice. Dev Neurosci 26(5-6):435-45, 2004. PMID: 15855772.
- Xia X, Chen Q. Effects of transgene Oncostatin M on the development of retinal neuron in transgenic mice. Yan Ke Xue Bao 19(1):44-8, 2003. PMID: 12852087.
- Zhao S, Chen Q, Hung FC, Overbeek PA. BMP signaling is required for development of the ciliary body. Development 129(19):4435-42, 2002. PMID: 12223402.
- Chen Q, Dowhan DH, Liang D, Moore DD, Overbeek PA. CREB-binding protein/p300 co-activation of crystallin gene expression. J Biol Chem 277(27):24081-9, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 11943779.
- Chen Q, Ash JD, Branton P, Fromm L, Overbeek PA. Inhibition of crystallin expression and induction of apoptosis by lens-specific E1A expression in transgenic mice. Oncogene 21(7):1028-37, 2002. PMID: 11850820.
- Hung FC, Zhao S, Chen Q, Overbeek PA. Retinal ablation and altered lens differentiation induced by ocular overexpression of BMP7. Vision Res 42(4):427-38, 2002. PMID: 11853758.
- Chen Q, Hung FC, Fromm L, Overbeek PA. Induction of cell cycle entry and cell death in postmitotic lens fiber cells by overexpression of E2F1 or E2F2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 41(13):4223-31, 2000. PMID: 11095619.
- Chen Q, Li FX, Huang AG, Han XX, Bao YZ, Li YJ. An experimental research on the effect and mechanism of taurine protecting retina from lipid peroxidation. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 12:183-185, 1996. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Bao YZ, Jin WM, Zhou Q, Han XX. Histopathological changes of rabbit corneal ulcers induced by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa after the treatment with a2-macroglobulin. Chinese Ophthal. Res 14(1):7-8, 1996. PMID: None.
- Chen G, Bao YZ, Chen Q, Zhou JM. Experimental study on the treatment of corneal ulcer induced by staphylococcus aureus with a2-macroglobulin. Journal of Henan Medical University 31(1):45-47, 1996. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Bao YZ, Gao BZ, Zhou Q, Han XX. Scanning electron microscopic investigation of the retinal pigment epithelial degeneration induced by sodium iodate before and after the treatment with hEGF. Chinese Ophthal. Res 14(4):243-246, 1996. PMID: None.
- Han XX, Xu GH, Chen Q, Chen J, Bao YZ, Zhou Q, Chen ZJ. Effects of mixed margarite hydrolysate on the level of antioxidants in incubated lenses. Chinese Ophthal. Res 14:79-83, 1996. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Guo XY, Ding XZ, Bao YZ, Jin WM. Morphological changes of rabbit retina degeneration induced by sodium iodate. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 12:188-189, 1995. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Xu GL, Shen TS, Xue WL, Yang QT, Liang WS. Effects of selenium supplementation on platelet aggregation and 5-hydroxytrptamine release in rats fed grains from a selenium-deficient Keshan disease area. Chinese Journal of Control of Endemic Diseases 10(5):265-267, 1995. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Xu GL, Xue WL, Shen TS, Zhai LB, Yang ZT. Effects of dietary selenium-yeast and sodium selenite on platelet thromboxane formation of rats fed grains from a selenium-deficient Keshan disease area. Endemic Disease Bulletin 8:1-4, 1995. PMID: None.
- Bao YZ, Zhi HJ, Chen Q, Zhou Q, Han ZZ. Assay of DNA topoismerase in normal human lens. Chinese Ophthal. Res 12(4):227-229, 1994. PMID: None.
Abstracts
- Chen Q. GSK-3484862 targets DNMT1 for degradation in cells. CCE Retreat None(None):None, 2023. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Zhang X, Cheng X. Elevation of p53-pathway in Lung cancer cells treated with novel small-molecule inhibitors of DNA cytosine methyltransferases. CCE Retreat. CCE Retreat None(None):None, 2022. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Zhang X, Cheng X. Identification and characterization of 6,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone as an inhibitor of histone demethylase PHF8 activity. The ASBMB-BSC Symposium on the Interplay between Epigenetic Regulation and Genome Integrity (abstract book), 2019. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Horton JR, Zhang X, and Cheng X. Effects of Inhibition of Histone Lysine Demethylase KDM5 in Breast Cancer Cells. CSH-Asia 2018 conference abstract book, 2018. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Horton JR, Zhang X, Cheng XD. Mechanism for KDM5 Histone Lysine Demethylase Inhibition in Breast Cancer Cells. 2017 Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Conference, 2017. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Dong J, Zhang L, Shi X, de Crombrugghe B, Krahe R. Germline deletion of histone demethylase NO66 in mice leads to postnatal overgrowth and increased tumorigenesis. 2015 G&D Retreat, 2015. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Sinha K, Deng JM, Yasuda H, Behringer RR, de Crombrugghe B. Mesenchymal Deletion of Histone Demethylase NO66 in Mice Promotes Bone Formation. Genes & Development 2013 Spring Retreat, 2013. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Sinha K, Deng JM, Yasuda H, Behringer RR, de Crombrugghe B. NO66, a Jumonji Family Histone Demethylase, is a Negative Regulator of Bone Formation. ASBMR (The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) 2012 Annual Meeting, 2012. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Liu W, Yasuda H, Sinha K, de Crombrugghe B. Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs Controlled by Osx. Genes & Development 2011 Spring Retreat, 2011. PMID: None.
- Sinha K, Chen Q, Yasuda H, de Crombrugghe B. Histone demethylase NO66 is a negative regulator of Osterix and osteoblast differentiation. ASBMR 2010 Annual Meeting, 2010. PMID: None.
- Chen Q, Liu W, Yasuda H, Wang X, de Crombrugghe B. Non-coding RNA expression profiling in calvaria of Osx-/- mice. Genes & Development 2010 Spring Retreat Abstract Book, 2010. PMID: None.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2023. GSK-3484862 targets DNMT1 for degradation in cells. None. Center for Cancer Epigenetics Annual Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Elevation of p53-pathway in Lung cancer cells treated with novel small-molecule inhibitors of DNA cytosine methyltransferases. None. Center for Cancer Epigenetics Annual Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Inhibition of histone demethylase KDM5 in breast and prostate cancer cells. None. Work In Progress Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. A new synthetic flavonoid, G11, represses PHF8 activity and inhibits growth of breast and prostate cancer cells. None. Center for Cancer Epigenetics (CCE) Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. NO66 (Nucleolar Protein 66), a novel tumor suppressor, synergizes with p53 in tumorigenesis. None. Departmental Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Germline deletion of histone demethylase NO66 in mice leads to postnatal overgrowth and increased tumorigenesis. None. Genes & Development Retreat. Camp Allen, Texas, US.
- 2013. Mesenchymal Deletion of Histone Demethylase NO66 in Mice Promotes Bone Formation. Poster. Genes & Development 2013 Retreat, Texas, US.
- 2012. Epigenetic Regulation in Osteogenesis. Poster. Research Forum. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. NO66, a Jumonji Family Histone Demethylase, is a Negative Regulator of Bone Formation. Poster. Genes & Development 2012 Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs Controlled by Osx. Poster. Genes & Development 2011 Retreat, Texas, US.
- 2010. Non-coding RNA expression profiling in calvaria of Osx-/- mice. None. Genes & Development 2010 Retreat, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2017. Mechanism for KDM5 Histone Lysine Demethylase Inhibition in Breast Cancer Cells. None. 2017 Annual Conference. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2012. Epigenetic Regulation in Osteogenesis. None. Lawrence Research Award Competition, The Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2012. NO66, a Jumonji Family Histone Demethylase, is a Negative Regulator of Bone Formation. Invited. 2012 Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota, US.
- 2011. Histone demethylase NO66 is a negative regulator of bone formation. Invited, Utah, US.
- 2007. Expression of zinc finger proteins during mouse lens development. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2006. Gene expression profiling in embryonic lenses. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2005. Gestational lead exposure switches cell fate and increases proliferation in the developing mouse retina. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2004. Transgenic mouse models of retinoblastoma. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2003. Distinct roles of individual E2Fs in induction of cell cycle entry and cell death in lens fiber cells of transgenic mice. Invited, Rhode Island, US.
- 2003. Distinct roles of individual E2Fs in induction of cell cycle entry and cell death in lens fiber cells of transgenic mice. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2002. A mutant SV40 large T antigen E107K that does not bind Rb dramatically inhibits lens fiber cell differentiation. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2001. CBP/p300 coactivation of c-maf mediated crystallin gene expression was regulated by Prox1 and Sox1. Invited, Florida, US.
- 2000. Mutant SV40 large T antigen blocks terminal differentiation in lenses of transgenic mice. Invited. Visual System Development, Rhode Island, US.
- 2000. Comparison of expression of cell cycle regulators and apoptosis by lens specific E2F expression in transgenic mice. Invited, Florida, US.
- 1999. Altered lens differentiation and cell cycle regulation in transgenic mice expressing E1A. Invited, Florida, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. GSK-3484862 targets DNMT1 for degradation in cells. Poster. Biological and Clinical Frontiers in Epigenetics. Cancun, MX.
- 2019. Identification and characterization of 6,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone as an inhibitor of histone demethylase PHF8 activity. Visiting. Zhengzhou, CN.
- 2019. Identification and characterization of 6,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone as an inhibitor of histone demethylase PHF8 activity. Invited. Symposium on the Interplay between Epigenetic Regulation and Genome Integrity. Suzhou, CN.
- 2018. Effects of Inhibition of Histone Lysine Demethylase KDM5 in Breast Cancer Cells. Invited. Clinical and Biological Frontiers in Epigenetics. Nassau, BS.
- 2018. Effects of Inhibition of Histone Lysine Demethylase KDM5 in Breast Cancer Cells. Invited. Conference on Chromatin, Epigenetics & Transcription. Suzhou, CN.
- 2002. Overexpression of E2F4 or E2F5 is not sufficient to inhibit cell cycle reentry induced by overexpression of E2F2 in transgenic mice. Invited. Liaoning, CN.
- 2000. Evidence that CBP/p300 is required for lens fiber cell differentiation and E1A induced cell death. Invited. Hong Kong, CN.
- 1997. Human lens epithelial cells: growth characteristics and the effects of corticosteroid and growth factors. Invited, GB.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Targeting DNMT1 and p53 in non-small cell lung cancer |
| Funding Source: | Tobacco Pilot Project, UTMDACC |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | CPRIT Established Investigator Award |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Exploring 5FU resistance and DNA adenine methylation in tumor and associated intratumoral bacteria |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Explore the therapeutic effects of quinoline-based compounds on DNA repair enzymes |
| Funding Source: | Internal Funding |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Explore the therapeutic effects of quinoline-based compounds in lung cancer |
| Funding Source: | UT SPORE in Lung Cancer |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Explore the therapeutic effects of targeting the DNMT1-TRIM28 axis in lung cancer |
| Funding Source: | Internal, DRP Lung Cancer Translational Research |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Novel role of CNBP (Cellular Nucleic Acid Binding Protein) in Corneal Dystrophy |
| Funding Source: | IRG |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Gene profiling of BMSC cells from wild type and NO66 null mice |
| Funding Source: | CCE-NGS Allowance-2014 |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Cooperation of NO66, a novel histone demethylase, with mutant p53 in osteosarcomagenesis |
| Funding Source: | The Children Sarcoma Initiative and Triumph Over Kid Cancer Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Epigenetic Regulation in Osteogenesis |
| Funding Source: | The Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Culture and Characterization of Lens Progenitor Cells |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NEI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Delineating the Role of the Histone Demethylase Nucleolar Protein 66 in Tumorigenesis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | A new pathway to muscle atrophy in chronic kidney disease |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDDK |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Dissecting the role of nucleolar protein 66 (NO66), a histone demethylase, as a novel tumor suppressor |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified February 11, 2025