LuZhe Sun, Ph.D.

Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students.

Sun Lab research

Our laboratory studies molecular mechanisms that regulate cancer development, growth, invasion, and metastasis using molecular and cellular biology techniques, systems biology, animal models, and clinical specimens.  One project involves the investigation on how aging and obesity may affect the function and susceptibility to transformation of mammary stem cells.  We are investigating the molecular mechanisms that cause the formation of the abnormal mammary stem/progenitor cells during aging, which may initiate mammary tumorigenesis, and potential interventions that can prevent the formation of these abnormal stem cells. The second project involves collection of tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver samples from local patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for establishing novel HCC cell models and patient-derived xenografts, and for whole genome RNA and exome sequencing. Our goals are to identify molecular mechanisms that contribute to high incidence of HCC in local Hispanic population and develop novel biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted treatment of HCC. 

Techniques used in Sun Lab

Our approaches to study regulation of gene expression include transcriptional and posttranscriptional analyses with techniques such as next generation sequencing, promoter activity measurements, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, receptor cross-linking, immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analyses, and immunohistochemistry.  To study gene functions, we use gene transfection, RNA interference, and viral transduction techniques to regulate gene expression and study the effects of altered gene expression on malignant phenotypes of cancer cells in tissue culture and in mice. We are also utilizing bioinformatics and computational biology tools to identify potential genes and pathways that may drive tumor initiation and progression.

Specific field of study: Breast and liver cancer

Sub-field of study: Stem cells

Research Area: Cancer Biology

Relevant Diseases: Breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 1990 - PhD - Physiology - Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey and UMDNJ
  • 1985 - MS - Physiology - Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey
  • 1982 - BS - Agricultural Science - Shanghai Fisheries College
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship - Molecular Biology Postdoctoral Fellow - Baylor College of Medicine

  Appointments

  • 6/2017 - Associate Director - For Basic Research, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, San Antonio
  • 5/2015 - Clayton Investigator - Clayton Foundation for Research, One Riverway, Suite 1500, Houston, TX 77056
  • 2/2013 - Program Director/PI - Institutional Cancer Biology Training Program supported by the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) T32 grant
  • 4/2010 - Faculty Member - Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science CenterSan Antonio
  • 9/2009 - Dielmann Chair in Oncology - University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 9/2009-5/2017 - Associate Director for Translational Research, - Cancer Therapy & Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, San Antonio
  • 9/2004 - Professor - University of Texas Health Science Center, Cell & Structural Biology (Cell Systems & Anatomy starting Oct. 2016), San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 8/1999 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committees, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 8/1999 - Present, Individual Instruction to Predoctoral Trainees, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 8/1999 - Present, Post-Doctoral Fellow Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 7/2017 - Present, Cancer Biology Core I , The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 7/2017 - Present, Intro to Research (CSBL 5074), The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 7/2017 - Present, Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS 5000), The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 7/2017 - Present, Cancer Biology Core II , The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2013 - Present, INTD 6007 Advanced Cell Biology Module, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2016 - Present, TSCI 5070 Responsible Conduct of Research , The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 11/2015 - Present, Undergraduate Student Supervision, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2013 - Present, Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology (INTD 5007), The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

• Research & Grants

  Research areas

  Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Development and Progression, Animal Models, Breast Cancer, Liver Cancer, Prostate Cancer, 

  Experimental Therapeutics, Clinical studies

  Research profile

  Grants

  Federal

  P30 CA-54174                              Mesa (PI)        09/01/2014 – 08/31/2020 (expect to be renewed for another 5 yrs)                  

  National Cancer Institute             

  This is a Cancer Center Support Grant that provides infrastructure support to members of the cancer center for conducting their cancer-related research.

  Role: Associate Director for Basic Research

   

  R01 CA192564-01A1                   Sun (PI)                       09/01/2015 – 08/31/2021 (no cost extension)                 

  National Cancer Institute                         

  Aging mammary stem cells and breast cancer prevention

  The major goals are to investigate the potential utility of Rapamycin and other anti-inflammatory agents for the prevention of the transformation of murine and human mammary stem cells.

  Role: PI

   

  R01 CA196214-01A1       Jiang and Sun (Multi-PI)                     02/01/2016 - 01/31/2021 

  National Cancer Institute

  Connexin hemichannels in suppression of breast cancer bone metastasis

  The major goals are to determine the mechanisms of connexin 43 hemichannel-mediated inhibition of breast cancer-induced bone metastasis and the role of ATP receptors in mediating the crosstalk between osteocytes and breast cancer cells.

  Role: Multi-PI

   

  T32CA148724       -06                                           Sun (PI)                                                                 08/01/2016-07/31/2021          

  National Cancer Institute             

  Cancer Biology Training Program

  The major goal of the project is to train pre- and post-doctoral fellows in cancer research.

  Role: PI

   

   

   

  BC161273                                                 Jiang and An (MPI)                                        09/30/2017 - 09/29/2021                                   

  DoD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Level 3 Award                     

  Development of hemichannel-targeting antibody therapies for breast cancer bone metastasis

  The major objective of this grant is to develop a therapeutic antibody that targets connexin hemichannel and can be used to treat breast cancer bone metastasis.

  Role:          Co-investigator

   

  R01CA23362201A1                      Hinck (PI)                                                                                07/01/2019 - 06/30/2023                       

  National Cancer Institute                        

  HTS for TGF-beta receptor assembly inhibitors with anti-tumor and anti-fibrosis activities

  The main objective of this sub-award from University of Pittsburgh is to assess the effects of novel TGFβ inhibitors identified by the PI, Dr. Andrew Hinck, on cellular activities that are known to promote cancer progression, metastasis and fibrosis.

  Role: Co-Investigator

   

  R01CA247379-01A1        Sun (PI)                                   07/01/2020 – 06/30/2025

  National Cancer Institute

  Role of STEAP2 protein in hepatocarcinogenesis

  The main goals are to determine the structure-function relationship of STEAP2 protein, its role in regulating the malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the underlying mechanisms by which STEAP2 drives HCC progression.

  Role: PI

   

  Private

  Foundation grant                                       Cigarroa (PI)                                                   05/01/2015 – 12/31/2021           

  Clayton Foundation for Research

  Development of biorepository and novel therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma 

  The major goals are to establish hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and patient-derived xenografts from Hispanic patients and to investigate genetic mutations and gene expression profiles of HCC from Hispanic patients.

  Role: co-PI

• Publications

  • Age-Associated Genes in Human Mammary Gland Drive Human Breast Cancer Progression.
  • Gli2 mediates the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer
  • Everolimus inhibits the progression of ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive breast cancer via downregulation of MMP9 expression
  • An ancestral informative marker panel design for individual ancestry estimation of Hispanic population using whole exome sequenc
  • Everolimus induces G1 cell cycle arrest through autophagy-mediated protein degradation of cyclin D1 in breast cancer cells.
  • Isolation, culture, and differentiation of mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells from fresh or ex vivo cultured human breast
  • Differential effects of GLI2 and GLI3 in regulating cervical cancer malignancy in vitro and in vivo
  • A novel TGF-β trap blocks chemotherapeutics-induced TGF-β1 signaling and enhances their anticancer activity in gynecological can
  • A novel highly potent trivalent TGF-β receptor trap inhibits early-stage tumorigenesis and tumor cell invasion in murine Pten-de

  Additional publications at 

  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1VkqbXW27jl/bibliography/41562583/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending