DIANZHENG ZHANG, PHD
Department of Bio-Medical Sciences - Philadelphia
Professor

Courses

Dr. Zhang teaches the following courses: Introduction to Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Cellular and Molecular Basis of Medicine (CMBM). Dr. Zhang’s courses cover the following content areas: hormonal regulation of metabolisms, ATP and energy generation, dietary carbohydrate metabolism, dietary proteins, fatty acid synthesis, and lipoproteins.

Research

Research Keywords

Prostate cancer
Nutrition
Resveratrol
Androgen receptor

Awards

2008 Visiting Professor: Changsha Medical College, Hunan Province, PRC

2007 Visiting Professor: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Province, PRC

2006 Young Researcher Scholarship for AICR/WCRF International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer (2006, Washington, D.C.) American Institute of Cancer Research and World cancer Research Fund International

2005 Outstanding Performance and Excellence in Scientific Presentation The 2005 Texas Chapter Annual Symposium

2003 Award for Excellent Presentation of Research Society of Chinese Biochemists in America, Texas Chapter

1990 Advanced Research Award Hunan province, P. R. China

1989 Excellent Teaching Award Hunan Medical University, P. R. China

Publications

Selected Publications

Qiuli Liu, Dali Tong, Gaolei Liu, Yuting Yi, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Zhang, Yao Zhang, Zaoming Huang, Yaoming Li, Rongrong Chen, Yanfang Guan, Xin Yi & Jun Jiang (2017) HIF2A germline-mutation-induced polycythemia in a patient with VHL-associated renal-cell carcinoma Cancer Biology & Therapy 2017 Nov 27:1-4. doi: 10.1080/15384047.2017.1394553. [Epub ahead of print]

Cunjie Chang, Jiakuan Liu, Wenxu He, Mincheng Qu, Xiaojing Huang, Yongming Deng, Lan Shen, Xiaozhi Zhao, Hongqian Guo, Jun Jiang, Xin-Yuan Fu, Ruimin Huang, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Yan (2017) A regulatory circuit HP1γ/miR-451a/c-Myc promotes prostate cancer progression Oncogene (in print)

Saber Imani, Marzieh Dehghan Shasaltaneh, Jingliang Cheng, Chunli Wei, Shangyi Fu, Hanchun Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Hongbin LV, Yumei Li, Rui Chen and Junjiang Fu (2017) Genetic identification and molecular modeling characterization reveal a novel PROM1 mutation in Stargardt4-like Macular Dystrophy Oncotarget (in print) 

Junlong Zhuang, Lan Shen, Lin Yang, Xiaojing Huang, Qun Lu, Yangyan Cui, Xi Zheng, Xiaozhi Zhao, Dianzheng Zhang, Ruimin Huang, Hongqian Guo, and Jun Yan (2017) TGFβƒ1 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance Through Regulating the LncRNA-LET/NF90/ miR-145 Signaling Axis in Bladder Cancer Theranostics 7 (12) 3053-3067

Sarah Wilson, Lucia Cavero, Dali Tong, Qiuli Liu, Kyla Geary, Nicholas Talamonti, Jing Xu, Junjiang Fu, Jun Jiang and Dianzheng Zhang (2017) Resveratrol enhances polyubiquitination-mediated ARV7 degradation in prostate cancer cells Oncotarget 8 (33): 54683-54693

Qiuli Liu, Dali Tong, Gaolei Liu, Jing Xu, Khang Do, Kyla Geary, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Zhang, Yao Zhang, Yaoming Li, Gang Bi, Weihua Lan and Jun Jiang (2017) Metformin reverses prostate cancer resistance to enzalutamide by targeting TGF-β1/STAT3 axis-regulated EMT Cell Death and Disease 2017 Aug 24;8(8):e3007. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2017.417

Shangyi Fu, Jingliang Cheng, Chunli Wei, Luquan Yang, Xiuli Xiao, Dianzheng Zhang, M. David Stewart, Junjiang Fu (2017) Development of diagnostic SCAR markers for genomic DNA amplifications in breast carcinoma by DNA cloning of high-GC RAMP-PCR fragments Oncotarget 8 (27): 43866-43877

Qiuli Liu, Yan Wang, Dali Tong, Gaoli Liu, Wanqiang Yuan, Jun Zhang, Jin Ye, Yao Zhang, Gang Yuan, Qingxing Feng, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Jiang (2017) A somatic HIF2α mutation-induced multiple and recurrent pheochromocytoma/paragangliona with polycythemia: clinical study with literature review Endocrine Pathology 28 (1): 75-82

Qiuli Liu, Dali Tong, Wenqiang Yuan, Gaoli Liu,  Gang Yuan, Weihua Lan, Dianzheng Zhang, Zaoming Huang,  Yao Zhang, Jun Jiang (2017) Different RET gene mutation-induced multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A in 3 Chinese families Medicine 96(3): e5967. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000005967.

Dali Tong, Qiuli Liu, Gaoli Liu, Jing Xu, Weihua Lan, Yao Jiang, Hualiang Xiao, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Jiang (2017) Metformin Inhibits Castration-induced EMT in Prostate Cancer by Repressing COX2/PGE2/STAT3 Axis Cancer Letters 389: 23-3. 

Meijuan Zhou, Fangzhi Chen, Hanchun Chen, Xinxing Wan, Zhou X, Fang Q, Dianzheng Zhang (2017) ISG15 inhibits cancer cell growth and promotes apoptosis International Journal of Molecular Medicine 39(2):446-452 

Hongmei Dong, Jinjin Xu, Weiwei Li, Jinfeng Gan, Wan Lin, Jierong Ke, Jiali Jiang, Liang Du, Yuping Chen, Xueyun Zhong, Dianzheng Zhang, Xiaotao Li, Hao Zhang (2016) Reciprocal androgen receptor-IL-6 crosstalk drives esophageal carcinoma progression and contributes to patient prognosis The Journal of Pathology 241 (4): 448-264

Dali Tong, Qiuli Liu, gaolei Liu, Wenqiang Yuan, Luofu Wang, Yanli Guo, weihua Lan, Dianzheng Zhang, Shuo Dong, Yan Wang, Hualiang Xiao, Jianghong Mu, Chengyi Mao, and Jiemin Wong, Jun Jiang (2016) The HIF/PHF8/AR axis promotes prostate cancer progression Oncogenesis (2016) 5, e283; doi:10.1038/oncsis.2016.74

Chunli Wei, Jingliang Cheng, Boxv Zhou, Li Zhu, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Tao He, Sufang Zhou, Jian He, Xiaoling Lu, Hanchun Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Yongxiang Zhao, Junjiang Fu (2016) Tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) promotes breast cancer metastasis by stabilizing TWIST1 protein Scientific Reports 14 (6): 29822

Qiuli Liu, Wenqiang Yuan, Dali Tong, Gaolei Liu, Weihua Lan, Dianzheng Zhang, Hualiang Xiao, Yao Zhang, Zaoming Huang, Junjie Yang, Jun Zhang and Jun Jiang (2016) Metformin represses bladder cancer progression by inhibiting stem cell repopulation via COX2/PGE2/STAT3 axis Oncotarget 7 (19): 28235-28246

Lang Ma, Zhimeng Yao, Weilun Deng, Dianzheng Zhang, Hao Zhang (2016) Multifaceted MTA3 in human cancers: from signaling pathways to translational settings Current Protein & Peptide Science 17 (8):726-734

Wei Sang, Ying Wang, Cong Zhang, Dianzheng Zhang, Cai Sun, Mingshan Niu, Zhe Zhang, Xiangyu Wei, Bin Pan, Wei Chen, Dongmei Yan, Lingyu Zeng, Thomas P. Loughran Jr, and Kailin Xu (2016) MiR-150 impairs inflammatory cytokine production by targeting ARRB-2 after blocking CD28/B7 costimulatory pathway Immunology Letters 172:1-10

Fu-lan Yang, Fang-zhi Chen, Xin-xing Wan, Xi Zhou, Mei-juan Zhou, Han-chun Chen, Jun-jiang Fu and Dianzheng Zhang (2015) Effects of a particular heptapeptide on the IFN-a-sensitive CML cells BioMed Research International Volume 2015, Article ID 325026, 8 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/325026

Wei Sang, Cong Zhang, Dianzheng Zhang, Ying Wang, Cai Sun, Mingshan Niu, Xiaoshen Sun, Cui Zhou, Lingyu Zeng, Bin Pan, Wei Chen, DongmeiYan, Feng Zhu, Qingyun Wu, Jiang Cao, Kai Zhao, Chong Chen, Zhenyu Li, Deping Li, Loughran TP, Kailin Xu. (2015) MicroRNA-181a, a potential diagnosis marker, alleviates acute graft versus host disease by regulating IFN-γ production American Journal of Hematology. 90 (11): 998-1007

Yan Wang, Gaolei Liu, Dali Tong, Henna Parmar, Donald Hasenmayer, Wenqiang Yuan, Dianzheng Zhang, and Jun Jiang. (2015) Metformin represses androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancers by targeting androgen receptor. The Prostate 75(11):1187-1196

Xiaoshen Sun, Zainul S. Hasanali, Allshine Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Xin Liu, Hong-Gang Wang, David J. Feith, Thomas P. Loughran Jr and Kailin Xu (2015) Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and cladribine synergistically induce apoptosis in NK-LGL leukaemia. British Journal of Hematology 168(3):371-83

Zhifeng Ning, Jinfeng Gan, Chaoying Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Hao Zhang (2014) Molecular functions and significance of the MTA family in hormone-independent cancer Cancer and Metastasis Review 33(4):901-19

Wei Zhao, Cunjie Chang, Yangyan Cui, Xiaozhi Zhao, Jun Yang, Lan Shen, Ji Zhou, Zhibo Hou, Zhen Zhang, Changxiao Ye, Donald Hasenmayer, Robert Perkins, Xiaojing Huang, Xin Yao, Like Yu, Ruimin Huang, Dianzheng Zhang, Hongqian Guo, Jun Yan (2014) Steroid Receptor Coactivator-3 Regulates Glucose Metabolism in Bladder Cancer Cells through Coactivation of Hypoxia Inducible-Factor 1α. Journal of Biological Chemistry 289 (16):11219-29

Xin-xing Wan, Hanchun Chen, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Ai-hua Xu, Fu-lan Yang, Yun-yi Zhang and Dian-zheng Zhang (2013) ISG15 Inhibits IFN-α Resistant Liver Cancer Cell Growth BioMed Research International 2013:570909. doi: 10.1155/2013/570909

Weihua Lan, Dianzheng Zhang, Jun Jiang (2013) The roles of LSD1-mediated epigenetic modifications in maintaining the pluripotency of bladder cancer stem cells Medical Hypotheses 81(5): 823-5

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Han-chun Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Junjiang Fu (2013) Twist: a molecular target in cancer therapeutics Tumor Biology 34 (5): 2497-2506

Fang-dan Ouyang, Fu-lan Yang, Han-chun Chen, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Feng-mao Huang, Xin-xing Wan, Ai-hua Xu, Xing Huang, Mei-juan Zhou, Qian Fang, Dian-zheng Zhang (2013) Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XPD, XRCC1 and OGG1, and lung adenocarcinoma susceptibility in Chinese population Tumor Biology 34 (5):2843-8

Tang Q, Li G, Wei X, Zhang J, Chiu JF, Hasenmayer D, Dianzheng Zhang, Zhang H. (2013) Resveratrol-induced apoptosis is enhanced by inhibition of autophagy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma Cancer Letters 336 (2): 325-37

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Han-chun Chen, Xin-xing Wan, Mousumi Tania, Ai-hua Xu,Fang-zhi Chen, and Dian-zheng Zhang (2013) Regulatory Effects of Resveratrol on Antioxidant Enzymes: A Mechanism of Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Cancer Cells. Molecules and Cells 35(4): 355

Feng-mao Huang, Han-chun Chen, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Fu-lan Yang, Xin-xing Wan, Ai-hua Xu, Fang-dan Ou-yang, Dian-zheng Zhang (2013) CYP2A6, CYP1A1, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms in lung cancer patients from Central South China Medical Oncology 30 (2): 521

Jia Liu, Han-chun Chen, Zhou-zhou Rao, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Xin-xing Wan, Ai-hua Xu, Nuo Zhang and Dian-zheng Zhang (2011) Identification of heptapeptides interacting with IFN-a-sensitive CML cells Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 20 (12): 1583-1589

Han-chun Chen & Hui-juan Chen & Md. Asaduzzaman Khan & Zhou-zhou Rao & Xin-xing Wan & Bo Tan and Dianzheng Zhang (2011) Genetic mutations of p53 and k-ras in gastric carcinoma patients from Hunan, China Tumor Biology 32 (2): 367-73

Luo YP, Chen HC, Khan MA, Chen FZ, Wan XX, Tan B, Ou-Yang FD, and Zhang DZ (2011) Genetic Polymorphisms of Metabolic Enzymes- CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1, and GSTT1, and Gastric Carcinoma Susceptibility Tumor Biology 32 (1): 215-22

Md Asaduzzaman Khan, Han-chun Cheng, Mousumi Tiana, and Dianz-Zheng Zhang (2011) Anticancer activities of Nigella Sativa (black cumin) African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (AJTCAM) 8(5S): 226-232

Xin-Xing Wan, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-Chun Chen (2010) The functions of ISG15 Ubiquitin-like Modifier and its Modifier Enzymes. Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 26 (4): 295-300

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Mousumi Tania, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-chun Chen (2010) Antixodant Enzymes and Cancer Chinese Journal of Cancer Research 22 (2):87-92

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Mousumi Tania, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-chun Chen (2010) Cordyceps Mushroom: A Potent Anticancer Nutraceutical. The Open Nutraceuticals Journal 3: 179-183

Wen-feng Shi, Melanie Leong, Ellen Cho, Joseph Farrell, Han-chun Chen, Jun Tian and Dianzheng Zhang (2009) Repressive Effects of Resveratrol on Androgen Receptor Transcriptional Activity Plos ONE 4 (10), e7398: 1-10

Melanie Leong, Wen-feng Shi, Jun Tian, Ellen Cho, Abbas Raza, Saquib A. Siddiqi, Abdulhafez Selim, Han-chun Chen, and Dianzheng Zhang (2009) Overexpression of truncated ERG from TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and Prostate Cancer Development. Pathology and Lab Medicine International 1:13-21

Jun Tian, Wen-Feng Shi, Lu-Wei Zhang, Nan Lu, Xian-Quan Cui, Wan-Hua Xian, Huai-Bin Sun, En-Gang Li, Li-Na Geng, Dianzheng Zhang, and Xiong Zou (2009) HLA Class-I (ABC) Up-Regulation on Peripheral Blood CD3+/CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Surface Is A Potential Predictor for Acute Rejection In Renal Transplant. Transplantation 88 (12): 1393–1397

Dianzheng Zhang, Ellen Cho and Wong, J. (2007) A critical role for the co-repressor N-CoR in erythroid differentiation and heme synthesis Cell Research 17 (9): 804-14

Li, J., Zhang, D., Fu, J., Huang, Z. and Wong, J. (2007) Structural and functional analysis of androgen receptor in chromatin Molecular Endocrinology

Klose RJ, Yamane K, Bae Y, Zhang, D, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P, Wong J, Zhang Y. (2006) The transcriptional repressor JHDM3A demethylates trimethyl histone H3 lysine 9 and lysine 36. Nature 442 (7100): 312-6

Geiser D.L., Zhang, D., Winzerling, J. J. (2006) Secreted ferritin: Mosquito defense against iron overload? Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 36 (3): 177-187

Zhang, D., Yoon, H. and Wong, J. (2005) JMJD2A is a novel N-CoR interacting protein and is involved in repression of the human transcription factor Achaete Scute-Like Homologue-2 (ASCL2/HASH2). Molecular and Cellular Biology 25 (15): 6404-6414

Thompson, P. R., Wang, D., Wang, L., Fulco, M., Pediconi, N., Zhang, D., An, W., Ge Q., Roeder, R.G., Wong, J., Levrero M., Sartorelli V., Cotter R. J., Cole P.A. (2004) Regulation of the p300 HAT domain via a novel activation loop. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology 11(4): 308-415

Mayo, J., Kohlhepp, E., Zhang, D., and Winzerling, J. (2004) Effects of Sham air and cigarette smoke on A549 lung cells implications for iron-mediated oxidative damage. American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 284(4): L866-876

Zhang, D., Dimopoulos, G., Wolf, A., Minana, B., Kafatos, F., and Winzerling, J. (2002) Cloning and molecular characterization of two mosquito iron regulatory protein 1 genes Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 32 (5): 579-589

Gailer, J., George, G., Pickering, I., Prince R., Kohlhepp, P., Zhang, D., F. Walker, A. and Winzerling, J. (2001) Human cytosolic iron regulatory protein 1 contains a linear iron-sulfur cluster. Journal of American Chemical Society 123 (41): 10121-10122

Zhang, D., Albert, D., Kohlhepp P., Pham, D. Q-D., and Winzerling, J. J. (2001) Repression of Manduca sexta ferritin synthesis by IRP1/IRE interaction. Insect Molecular Biology 10(6): 531-539

Zhang, D., Ferris, C., Gailer, J., Kohlhepp, P., and Winzerling, J. (2001) Manduca sexta IRP1: Molecular characterization and in vivo response to iron. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 32 (1): 85-96

Zhang, D., (2001) Cloning, over-expression and characterization of iron regulatory protein 1 from insects, Ph.D. Dissertation The University of Arizona

Pham, D. Q-P., Zhang, D., Hufnagel, David H., Winzerling, J. (1996) Manduca sexta hemolymph ferritin: cDNA sequence and mRNA expression. Gene, 172: 255-259

Dunkov, B., Zhang, D., Choumorov, K., Winzerling, J. and Law, J. (1995) Purification and characterization of an insect ferritin and cDNA sequence of one sub-unit. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 29: 293-307

Regan, J., Bailey, T., Donello, J., Pierce, K., Pepperl, D., Zhang, D., Kedzie, K., Fairbarirn, C., Bogerdus, A., Woodward, D. and Gil, D. (1994) Molecular cloning and expression of human EP3 receptors: evidence of three variants with differing carboxyl termini. British Journal of Pharmacology 112: 377-385

Zhang, D. and Lu, Y. (1988) The first instance of variation of human erythrocyte membrane glycophorin in Chinese population. Chinese Journal of Hematology 10 (1):15-18

Zhang, D. and Lu, Y. (1988) Glycoprotein variations of human red blood cell membrane Guo Wai Yi Xue 9 (1): 56-59

Book Chapter (in progress)

Title of chapter:  Environmental and Dietary Factors in Cancer Development and Bioethical Implications

Title of book:  Epigenetics and Cancer

Scholarly Presentations

Identification and characterization of microRNAs as biomarkers for acute graft versus host disease (2016) 5^Th International Pre-Conference Workshop on Blood Disorders, the invited keynote speaker, Abuja, Nigeria

How to write scientific articles (2016) Central South University, Changsha, Human, P.R. China

How to write a scientific research paper (2016) The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. of China

How to write a scientific research paper (2016) Southwest Medical University, Lu-Zhou, Sichuan, P. R. of China

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for acute graft versus host disease (2015) The 3^rd international conference on hematology & blood disorder; Atlanta, GA

Long Noncoding RNAs in Prostate Cancer (2014) BIT’s7th Annual World Cancer Congress-2014-Breast Cancer Congress (The Blue Print of War on Cancers for the Next Decade); Chair of Symposium 611: Cancer Epigenetics, MicroRNAs and Long Noncoding RNAs, Nanjing, P. R. China

Combating prostate cancer by targeting androgen receptor with phytochemical resveratrol (2010) BIT’s 3^rd Annual World Cancer Congress-2010-Breast Cancer Congress (Fighting Breast Cancer at Molecular Level), Section Chair, Shanghai, P. R. China

Resveratrol, Health and Longevity (2009) Global Health Awareness Month Seminar Series, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Medical education in the United States of America (2008) Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Province, PRC

Establishing, testing and modifying research hypothesis (2008) Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Province, PRC

Medical education in the United States of America (2008) Changsha Medical College, Hunan Province, PRC

Molecular biological methodology in studying transcriptional regulation (2007) Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Province, PRC

Hormone receptor-targeted cancer therapy (2006) Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Transcriptional co-repressor N-CoR and erythrocyte terminal differentiation (2005) Department of   Immunology, University of Texas, Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

JMJD2A Mediated N-CoR/HDAC3 Dependent Transcriptional Repression (2005) Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

IRP/IRE Interaction and Iron Homeostasis in Insects (2002) Department of Cell Biology, The Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH         

Comparison of Iron Homeostasis between Insects and Mammals (2002) Department of  Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Iron Regulatory Protein 1 and Iron Homeostasis in Insects (2001) Division of Molecular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA

Iron Homeostasis in Mammals and in Insects (2001). Department of Cancer Biology and Biochemistry, Wake Forest University of Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC

Grants

Resveratrol, Aging and Prostate Cancer. $5000 (2006); The Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA), Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Effects of Resveratrol in Aging and Prostate Cancer, $15,859; 01/01/2007-21/31/2010, 2006 Formula Grant, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Health Statistics and Research

Chromosomal Translocation-Induced Overexpression of ERG and Prostate Tumorigenesis, $15,000; 07/2008-06/2010, Christian R. Mary F. Lindback Foundation

Modification of Resveratrol and Identification of More Potent Prostate Cancer Prevention Reagents: $300,000; 6/1/2010-5/31/2013 SynStar Inc.