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Tso-Pang Yao

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Duke Box 3813, Durham, NC 27710
C203, LSRC, Box 3813 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My laboratory studies the regulatory functions of protein acetylation in cell signaling and human disease. We focus on a class of protein deacetylases, HDACs, which we have discovered versatile functions beyond gene transcription. We wish to use knowledge of HDAC biology to develop smart and rational clinical strategies for HDAC inhibitors, a growing class of compounds that show potent anti-tumor and other clinically relevant activities. Currently, there two major research major areas in the laboratory: aging/age-related disease, and mitochondrial biology/cancer metabolism. 

(1) Quality control (QC) autophagy in aging and neurodegenerative disease. The accumulation of damaged proteins and mitochondria is prominently linked to aging and age-associated disease, including neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders and cancer. Autophagy has emerged as specialized degradation machinery for the disposal of damaged protein aggregates and mitochondria, two common denominators in neurodegenerative diseases. We have discovered that this form of quality control (QC) autophagy is controlled by a ubiquitin-binding deacetylase, HDAC6.  Using both mouse and cell models, we are investigating how HDAC6 enforces QC autophagy and its importance in neurodegenerative disease and metabolic disorders. The potential of HDAC6 as a therapeutic target is being actively pursued.

(2) HDAC in mitochondria function and quality control. Acetyl-CoA is the donor of acetyl group for protein acetylation and numerous metabolic reactions. Remarkably, many mitochondrial enzymes and proteins are subject to acetylation. We are interested in characterizing the roles of HDAC in mitochondrial adaptation to changing metabolic demands and elucidating the intimate relationship between metabolism and protein acetylation. 

(3) HDAC, skeletal muscle remodeling, regeneration and neuromuscular disease. Skeletal muscle undergoes active remodeling in response to change in neural inputs or damage. Loss in neural input causes dramatic muscle dysfunction and disease, such as ALS. We have discovered that neural activity controls muscle phenotype through HDAC4, whose activity becomes deregulated in ALS patients. We have characterized this novel HDAC4-dependent signaling pathway and are evaluating modulators of this pathway for potential clinical utility in motor neuron disease.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2012 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology · 2020 - Present Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1998 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published January 29, 2015
Ben Wang: A Student Researcher and Food Lover

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Recent Publications


Branched-Chain Amino Acid Accumulation Fuels the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype.

Journal Article Adv Sci (Weinh) · January 2024 The essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine play critical roles in protein synthesis and energy metabolism. Despite their widespread use as nutritional supplements, BCAAs' full effects on mammalian physiology remain unc ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Discovery of the First Irreversible HDAC6 Isoform Selective Inhibitor with Potent Anti-Multiple Myeloma Activity.

Journal Article J Med Chem · July 27, 2023 In our previous research, a series of phenylsulfonylfuroxan-based hydroxamates were developed, among which compound 1 exhibited remarkable in vitro and in vivo antitumor potency due to its histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory and nitric oxide (NO)-donatin ... Full text Link to item Cite

Parkin regulates neuronal lipid homeostasis through SREBP2-lipoprotein lipase pathway-implications for Parkinson's disease.

Journal Article Hum Mol Genet · April 20, 2023 Abnormal lipid homeostasis has been observed in the brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and experimental models, although the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear. Notably, previous studies have reported that the PD-linked protein Parkin ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Oxidative stress mechanisms regulating gamma-globin gene transcription in sickle cell disease

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2026

Roles of mitochondrial dynamics and mtDNA in senescence

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2026

Mechanisms of mitochondrial genome integrity in familial and idiopathic Parkinson's disease

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2020 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of California, San Diego · 1994 Ph.D.