Lizi Wu,
Professor
Department:
Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Business Phone:
(352) 273-8205
Business Email:
lzwu@ufl.edu
About Lizi Wu
We study cancer cell signaling with expertise in signal transduction, genetic and epigenetic regulation, and animal models. Our current research is centered on two families of transcriptional co-activators, MAML and CRTC, which are essential components of Notch receptor signaling and LKB1-CRTC/CREB signaling pathways, respectively. We are investigating the molecular regulation and the roles of deregulated cell signaling in cancer generation and progression, with the goal of gaining molecular insights into cancer pathogenesis and identifying novel cancer diagnostic and therapeutic targets. We have 3 main projects: identification and functional characterization of a family of MAML transcriptional co-activators; identification, functional characterization, and targeting of CRTC1-MAML2 fusion oncogene; and investigations into deregulated LKB1-CRTC signaling in human cancers. Each project is expected to enhance our understanding of the roles and mechanisms of signaling in cancers, and such knowledge will help with diagnosis and treatment of tumors.
Related Links:
Additional Positions:
Co-leader, the Mechanisms of Oncogenesis (MOO) program
2020 – current
·
UF Health Cancer Center
Teaching Profile
Courses Taught
2009-2025
GMS7194 Biotechnology Seminar
2013-2025
GMS6036 Molecular Virology III: DNA Viruses
2014-2015,2017-2025
GMS6065 Fundamentals of Cancer Biology
2014,2017-2025
GMS6338 Recent Advances in Cancer Metastasis
2018
GMS7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2018
ZOO7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2013,2015-2017,2017
GMS6051 Signal Transduction
2011-2012
GMS5905 Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences
2010
GMS6905 Independent Studies in Medical Sciences
2024-2025
BMS6003 Genetics and Health
Research Profile
Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)
0000-0002-0076-2617
Publications
Academic Articles
2025
KRAS Mutants Confer Platinum Resistance by Regulating ALKBH5 Post-translational Modifications in Lung Cancer.
The Journal of clinical investigation.
135(6)
[DOI] 10.1172/JCI185149.
2024
Development of Novel Indole-Based Covalent Inhibitors of TEAD as Potential Antiliver Cancer Agents.
Journal of medicinal chemistry.
67(18):16270-16295
[DOI] 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00925.
[PMID] 39270302.
2024
The YAP1-MAML2 fusion drives tumorigenesis and sustains tumor growth
Molecular Therapy: Oncology.
32(4)
[DOI] 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200900.
[PMID] 39624057.
2023
Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine
Oncogene.
42(47):3457-3490
[DOI] 10.1038/s41388-023-02844-x.
[PMID] 37864030.
2023
Design and realization of lung organoid cultures for COVID-19 applications
Bio-Design and Manufacturing.
6(6):646-660
[DOI] 10.1007/s42242-023-00255-1.
2022
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Suppresses AMPK and Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Pyroptosis under Energy Stress.
Cells.
11(14)
[DOI] 10.3390/cells11142208.
[PMID] 35883651.
2022
PROTAC therapy as a new targeted therapy for lung cancer.
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy.
31(3):647-656
[DOI] 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.011.
[PMID] 36415148.
2021
Author response: Dependency of human and murine LKB1-inactivated lung cancer on aberrant CRTC-CREB activation
.
[DOI] 10.7554/elife.66095.sa2.
2021
Dependency of human and murine LKB1-inactivated lung cancer on aberrant CRTC-CREB activation.
eLife.
10
[DOI] 10.7554/eLife.66095.
2021
Post-translational modification of RNA m6A demethylase ALKBH5 regulates ROS-induced DNA damage response.
Nucleic acids research.
[DOI] 10.1093/nar/gkab415.
[PMID] 34048572.
2021
Targeting Notch and EGFR signaling in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
6(1)
[DOI] 10.1038/s41392-020-00388-0.
[PMID] 33473104.
2021
The CRTC1-MAML2 fusion is the major oncogenic driver in mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
JCI insight.
6(7)
[DOI] 10.1172/jci.insight.139497.
[PMID] 33830080.
2020
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α negatively regulates connective tissue growth factor during liver regeneration
The FASEB's Journal.
34(4):4970-4983
[DOI] 10.1096/fj.201902382R.
[PMID] 32057145.
2020
LATS kinase-mediated CTCF phosphorylation and selective loss of genomic binding.
Science advances.
6(8)
[DOI] 10.1126/sciadv.aaw4651.
[PMID] 32128389.
2019
MYB-activated models for testing therapeutic agents in adenoid cystic carcinoma
Oral oncology.
98:147-155
[DOI] 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.09.005.
[PMID] 31606723.
2018
CRTC1-MAML2 fusion-induced lncRNA LINC00473 expression maintains the growth and survival of human mucoepidermoid carcinoma cells
Oncogene.
37(14):1885-1895
[DOI] 10.1038/s41388-017-0104-0.
[PMID] 29353885.
2018
Notch1 activation enhances proliferation via activation of cdc2 and delays differentiation of myeloid progenitors.
Leukemia Research.
72:34-44
[DOI] 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.07.022.
[PMID] 30086426.
2018
Role of INSL4 Signaling in Sustaining the Growth and Viability of LKB1-Inactivated Lung Cancer
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
111(7):664-674
[DOI] 10.1093/jnci/djy166.
[PMID] 30423141.
2016
cAMP/CREB-regulated LINC00473 marks LKB1-inactivated lung cancer and mediates tumor growth.
The Journal of clinical investigation.
126(6):2267-79
[DOI] 10.1172/JCI85250.
[PMID] 27140397.
2016
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition confers pericyte properties on cancer cells.
The Journal of clinical investigation.
126(11):4174-4186
[DOI] 10.1172/JCI86623.
[PMID] 27721239.
2016
Mof Acetylates the Histone Demethylase Lsd1 to Suppress Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition
Cell Reports.
15(12):2665-2678
[DOI] 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.050.
2015
A Microrna-1280/Jag2 Network Comprises a Novel Biological Target in High-Risk Medulloblastoma
Oncotarget.
6(5):2709-2724
2015
Fbxo11 Promotes Ubiquitination of the Snail Family of Transcription Factors in Cancer Progression and Epidermal Development
Cancer Letters.
362(1):70-82
[DOI] 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.03.037.
[PMID] 25827072.
2015
Gene Expression Profiling Analysis of Crtc1-Maml2 Fusion Oncogene-Induced Transcriptional Program in Human Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Cells
Bmc Cancer.
15
[DOI] 10.1186/s12885-015-1827-3.
[PMID] 26503699.
2015
Role of LKB1-CRTC1 on glycosylated COX-2 and response to COX-2 inhibition in lung cancer
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
107(1)
[DOI] 10.1093/jnci/dju358.
[PMID] 25465874.
2014
A Unifying Gene Signature for Adenoid Cystic Cancer Identifies Parallel Myb-Dependent and Myb-Independent Therapeutic Targets
Oncotarget.
5(24):12528-12542
2014
CRM1 inhibition induces tumor cell cytotoxicity and impairs osteoclastogenesis in multiple myeloma: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
Leukemia.
28(1):155-65
[DOI] 10.1038/leu.2013.115.
[PMID] 23588715.
2014
Crtc1/Maml2 Gain-Of-Function Interactions With Myc Create a Gene Signature Predictive of Cancers With Creb-Myc Involvement
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
111(32):E3260-E3268
[DOI] 10.1073/pnas.1319176111.
[PMID] 25071166.
2013
Blockage of Notch Signaling Inhibits the Migration and Proliferation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
The Scientific World Journal.
2013(1)
[DOI] 10.1155/2013/178708.
[PMID] 24453806.
2013
Brief Report: Blockade of Notch Signaling in Muscle Stem Cells Causes Muscular Dystrophic Phenotype and Impaired Muscle Regeneration
Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio).
31(4):823-828
[DOI] 10.1002/stem.1319.
[PMID] 23307608.
2013
DDX5 is a positive regulator of oncogenic NOTCH1 signaling in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Oncogene.
32(40):4845-53
[DOI] 10.1038/onc.2012.482.
[PMID] 23108395.
2013
Overexpression of Six1 leads to retardation of myogenic differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts.
Molecular biology reports.
40(1):217-23
[DOI] 10.1007/s11033-012-2052-7.
[PMID] 23079703.
2013
Proteomic and Functional Analyses Reveal the Role of Chromatin Reader Sfmbt1 in Regulating Epigenetic Silencing and the Myogenic Gene Program
Journal of Biological Chemistry.
288(9):6238-6247
[DOI] 10.1074/jbc.M112.429605.
[PMID] 23349461.
2013
The malignant brain tumor (MBT) domain protein SFMBT1 is an integral histone reader subunit of the LSD1 demethylase complex for chromatin association and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
The Journal of biological chemistry.
288(38):27680-27691
[DOI] 10.1074/jbc.M113.482349.
[PMID] 23928305.
2012
Altered LKB1/CREB-regulated transcription co-activator (CRTC) signaling axis promotes esophageal cancer cell migration and invasion.
Oncogene.
31(4):469-79
[DOI] 10.1038/onc.2011.247.
[PMID] 21706049.
2012
Crm1 Blockade By Novel Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (Sines) Inhibits Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth, Osteoclastogenesis, and Myeloma-Induced Osteolysis
Blood.
120
2012
Dna Methyltransferase Inhibitor Cda-Ii Inhibits Myogenic Differentiation
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.
422(3):522-526
[DOI] 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.05.068.
[PMID] 22627135.
2012
Notch1-mediated tumor suppression in cervical cancer with the involvement of SST signaling and its application in enhanced SSTR-targeted therapeutics.
The oncologist.
17(2):220-32
[DOI] 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0269.
[PMID] 22291092.
2010
Essential Role for the Maml1 Co-Activator in T-All.
Blood.
116
2010
Inhibition of notch signaling blocks growth of glioblastoma cell lines and tumor neurospheres.
Genes & cancer.
1(8):822-35
[DOI] 10.1177/1947601910383564.
[PMID] 21127729.
2010
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Regulates Murine and Human Cell Differentiation Through Stat3/P63/Jagged/Notch Cascade
The Journal of clinical investigation.
120(1):103-114
[DOI] 10.1172/JCI37964.
[PMID] 20038814.
2010
Notch1 and Notch3 Coordinate Esophageal Squamous Differentiation Through a Csl-Dependent Transcriptional Network
Gastroenterology.
139(6):2113-2123
[DOI] 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.08.040.
[PMID] 20801121.
2010
The Mastermind-Like 1 (Maml1) Co-Activator Regulates Constitutive Nf-Kappa B Signaling and Cell Survival
Journal of Biological Chemistry.
285(19):14356-14365
[DOI] 10.1074/jbc.M109.078865.
[PMID] 20231278.
2007
The notch regulator MAML1 interacts with p53 and functions as a coactivator.
The Journal of biological chemistry.
282(16):11969-81
[PMID] 17317671.
2007
The transcriptional coactivator Maml1 is required for Notch2-mediated marginal zone B-cell development.
Blood.
110(10):3618-23
[PMID] 17699740.
2006
The Notch coactivator, MAML1, functions as a novel coactivator for MEF2C-mediated transcription and is required for normal myogenesis.
Genes & development.
20(6):675-88
[PMID] 16510869.
2005
Transforming activity of MECT1-MAML2 fusion oncoprotein is mediated by constitutive CREB activation.
The EMBO journal.
24(13):2391-402
[PMID] 15961999.
2004
Cloning and functional characterization of the murine mastermind-like 1 (Maml1) gene.
Gene.
328:153-65
[PMID] 15019995.
2004
Modulation of Notch signaling by mastermind-like (MAML) transcriptional co-activators and their involvement in tumorigenesis.
Seminars in cancer biology.
14(5):348-56
[PMID] 15288260.
2003
Cross-repressive interaction of the Olig2 and Nkx2.2 transcription factors in developing neural tube associated with formation of a specific physical complex.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience.
23(29):9547-56
[PMID] 14573534.
2003
t(11;19)(q21;p13) translocation in mucoepidermoid carcinoma creates a novel fusion product that disrupts a Notch signaling pathway.
Nature genetics.
33(2):208-13
[PMID] 12539049.
2002
Identification of a family of mastermind-like transcriptional coactivators for mammalian notch receptors.
Molecular and cellular biology.
22(21):7688-700
[PMID] 12370315.
2001
The role of protein composition in specifying nuclear inclusion formation in polyglutamine disease.
The Journal of biological chemistry.
276(48):44889-97
[PMID] 11572863.
2000
Immobilization of Notch ligand, Delta-1, is required for induction of notch signaling.
Journal of cell science.
113 Pt 23:4313-8
[PMID] 11069775.
2000
MAML1, a human homologue of Drosophila mastermind, is a transcriptional co-activator for NOTCH receptors.
Nature genetics.
26(4):484-9
[PMID] 11101851.
1999
Identification of two major histocompatibility complex class Ib genes, Q7 and Q9, as the Ped gene in the mouse.
Biology of reproduction.
60(5):1114-9
[PMID] 10208972.
1998
Differential expression of Ped gene candidates in preimplantation mouse embryos.
Biology of reproduction.
59(4):941-52
[PMID] 9746747.
1998
Ooplasmic transfer in mature human oocytes.
Molecular human reproduction.
4(3):269-80
[PMID] 9570273.
1998
Role of the Ped gene and apoptosis genes in control of preimplantation development.
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics.
15(5):331-7
[PMID] 9604770.
1996
Sequence and transcription of Qa-2-encoding genes in mouse lymphocytes and blastocysts.
Immunogenetics.
45(2):97-107
[PMID] 8952959.
1995
Mapping of the SLA complex class III region by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.
Mammalian genome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society.
6(9):607-10
[PMID] 8535067.
Grants
Jan 2024
ACTIVE
The molecular basis of 7SK RNA methylation in non-small cell lung cancer
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Jun 2023
ACTIVE
UF Health Cancer Center Support Grant
Role: Other
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
May 2023
ACTIVE
Elucidating and targeting INSL4 signaling in lung cancer
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH BANKHEAD-COLEY CANCER RE
Sep 2022
ACTIVE
UF HEALTH CANCER CENTER PILOT PROJECTS GRANTS FUNDED THROUGHTHE FLORIDA CONSORTIUM OF NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE CENTER
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Aug 2022
ACTIVE
Embedded Printing of Human Respiratory Model with Air-Liquid Interface for COVID-19 Research
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI
Apr 2021
ACTIVE
Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Aug 2020
ACTIVE
Signaling and Targeting of CRTC1-MAML2 Fusion Oncoprotein in Salivary Gland
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDCR
Feb 2019
– Jan 2025
Aberrant CRTC activation as a unique vulnerability of lung cancer with LKB1 inactivation
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Sep 2018
– Aug 2021
OR-DRPD-ROF2018: Identification of the first extracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-binding receptor in animal cells
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: UF RESEARCH
Apr 2015
– Mar 2018
A novel noncoding RNA and human lung cancers with inactivated LKB1 signaling
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Jan 2015
– May 2024
UF Health Cancer Center Bridge Seed Grant funded through the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Aug 2014
– May 2020
Signaling and targeting of CRTC1-MAML2 fusion oncoprotein in salivary gland tumor
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH
Feb 2012
– Mar 2018
Sponholtz Family Cancer Research Fund – #F14006
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF FOUNDATION
Mar 2006
– May 2023
Davis Cancer Researach Equipment
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF FOUNDATION
Contact Details
Phones:
- Business:
- (352) 273-8205
Emails:
- Business:
- lzwu@ufl.edu
Addresses:
- Business Mailing:
-
CGRC Room 362
2033 Mowry Road
Gainesville FL 32610 - Business Street:
-
PO BOX 103610
Cancer & Genetics Research Complex
2033 MOWRY ROAD
GAINESVILLE FL 326110001