Xiao-Ming Yin, Associate Professor
MD, Shanhai Medical University, 1982
PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1991
Email: xmyin@pitt.edu
A cell has four choices once it is born, including differentiation to perform a special function, proliferation to expand to a population of its kind, and senescence to stay cool for the good time to come. But perhaps the most important choice is to survive or to die. Cell dies when its mission is accomplished or for the benefits of the population. Cell struggles for survive to perform its function and to maintain the health of the organs, and the individuals. Premature death and unjustified survival can be a problem. The fundamental interest of our laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cell survival and cell death in all aspects: Why and when does a cell die, what is the significance of cell death, what is the molecule mechanisms of cell death and the modes of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy or necrosis), and what is the relationship of cell survival/death with the other three choices of a cell's fate? We are not only focusing on the molecular and cellular aspects, but also the pathophysiological consequence using disease models. Our studies are currently in the context of cancer biology, tissue injury and metabolic stress, but are constantly changing and evolving with new and exciting directions ready to be pursued by new members. For additional information, please see http://path.upmc.edu/people/faculty/yin.html.
We are employing a very diverse array of technology and approaches in addressing these questions, including transgenic/knockout mice (more than 10 lines), sophisticated cell culture systems for primary cells and established cell lines, digital imaging (conventional, fluorescent, electronic, real time and time-lapsed) on animals, cells, DNA and protein molecules), biochemical fractionation and analysis of cellular and subcellular components, molecular cloning and protein expression, gene expression or knock-down with regular and viral means in cells and in animals. We are also collaborating with experts in systems biology, molecular modeling and high through-put technology. We believe a multi-facet approach is the best way to study interesting biological phenomena that are of medical significance.
Recent Publication
Chen, X, W-X, Ding, H-M. Ni, W. Gao, Y-H Shi, A. A. Gambotto, J. Fan, A.A. Beg and X-M. Yin. Bid-independent mitochondria activation in TNF -induced apoptosis and liver injury. Mol. Cell. Bio. 27 (2): 541-553, 2007.
Ding, W-X, H-M. Ni, W. Gao, Y-F. Hou, M. A Melan, X. Chen, D. B. Stolz, Z.-M. Shao and X-M. Yin. Differential effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced-autophagy on cell survival. J. Bio. Chem. 282: 4702-4710, 2007.
Ding, W-X, H-M. Ni, X. Chen, J. Yu, L. Zhang and X.-M. Yin. A coordinated action of Bax, PUMA and p53 promotes MG132-induced mitochondria activation and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Mol. Cancer Ther., In press, 2007
Yin, X-M. Bid, a BH3-only multi-functional molecule, is at the cross road of life and death. Gene, 369: 7-19, 2006.
Li, B., H.-M. Ni, X. Chen, D. DiFrancesca and X.-M. Yin. Deletion of Bid impedes cell proliferation and hepatic carcinogenesis. American J. Path. 166:1523-1532, 2005.
Yin, X-M and G. P. Linette. Programmed cell death and breast cancer. In "Molecular Oncology of Breast Cancer" (ed. J. S. Ross and G. N. Hortobagyi), Chapter 21, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005.
Ding, W-X, H.-M. Ni, D. DiFrancesca, D. B. Stolz and X.-M. Yin. Bid-dependent generation of oxygen radicals promotes death receptor activation-induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes. Hepatology 40: 403-413, 2004.
Ding, W.-X. and X.-M. Yin. Dissection of the multiple mechanisms of TNF -induced apoptosis in liver injury. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 8(4): 445-454, 2004.
Kim, T-H, Y. Zhao, W.-X. Ding, J. N. Shin, X. He, Y.-W. Seo, J. Chen, H. Rabinowich, A. A. Amoscato and X.-M. Yin. Bid-cardiolipin interaction at mitochondrial contact site contributes to mitochondrial cristae reorganization and cytochrome c release. Mol Biol. Cell 15:3061-3072, 2004.
Yin, X-M and W-X. Ding. Death receptor activation-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and live injury. Current Molecular Medicine. 3(6):491-508, 2003.
Zhao, Y., W.-X. Ding, T. Qian, D. K. Kuharsky, S. Watkin, J. J. Lemasters and X.-M. Yin. Bid activates multiple mitochondrial apoptosis mechanisms in primary hepatocyte culture after death receptor engagement Gastroenterology 125:854-867, 2003.
