Dianqing (Dan) Wu, PhD

Our long-term goal is to understand the molecular basis and function of signal transduction pathways, with the emphasis on those initiated by seven-transmembrane receptors. These receptors can be divided into two groups: one couples to heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins; and the other binds to ligands including hedgehog proteins and Wnt proteins. Currently, we are focusing on chemoattractant and Wnt-activated signaling. Chemoattractants, including the superfamily of chemotactic cytokines, chemokines, play an important role in host defense by attracting and activating leukocytes at sites of injury and infection. However, their unchecked activities contribute to may inflammation-related diseases, including atherosclerosis, arthritis, tumorigenesis, and various allergies. Work in my lab has made significant contributions to the understanding of signaling mechanisms and functions of a number of chemoattractant-activated pathways. These include pathways linked by PLC ß, PI3K?, PIXa/Pak/Cdc42, PTEN, P-Rex1, and Myo1f. We are continuing to use a combination of molecular and cell biological, biochemical, transgenic, functional genomic, and proteomic approaches to characterize novel chemoattractant signaling mechanisms and study their functions in cell migration and inflammation-related paradigms. The Wnt family of secretory glycoproteins participates in a wide variety of developmental events including, control of cell growth, generation of cell polarity, and specification of cell fate. Wnt pathways have been also closely linked to tumorigenesis and bone formation. Most notable contributions from my is the discovery of the interaction between Wnt coreceptor LRP-5 and Axin, which provides the first connection from a Wnt receptor to a intracellular signaling component and the characterization of the role of Dkk2 in regulation of osteogenic differentiation. We are continuing to work on the elucidation of fundamental mechanisms of Wnt signaling and characterization of their role in pathophysiological processes, including osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and tumorigenesis, using computation-based virtual screening and chemical genomic approaches, in addition to the aforementioned ones.1) Wnt signaling mechanisms and functions
2) Regulation of neutrophil migration
3) Atherosclerosis
4) Wnt signaling in bone development and diseases
5) Wnt signaling and stem cell biology