Prof Lijun DI

Education
PhD	Biochemistry and molecular biology, Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (2006)
MSc	Genetics, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China (2003)
BSc	Biology, School of life sciences, University of Inner Mongolia, Huhehaote, China (2000)

Positions
2018 – Present	Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau
2013 – 2018	Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau
2007 – 2012	Visiting Fellow and Research Fellow, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
2006 – 2007	Postdoc Fellow, Biochemistry Department, University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA

Research Interests

Dr. Di’s group works on diseases including cancer and metabolic disorders in gene function and energy metabolism perspectives using both the in vivo and in vitro models. By applying biochemistry, molecular biology, histology, transgenic mice, bioinformatics approaches and focusing on a few key factors, our research illustrated several novel regulatory mechanisms that play important roles in promoting cancer progression, cancer metabolism and microenvironment regulation and increasing chemo drug resistance etc.; and some regulatory axes regulating obesity induced inflammation and its associated insulin resistance and diabetes etc. Our goal is to identify some novel biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets that are employable to a subgroup of the patients based on a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease mechanistically.

Representative Publications

Lixin Tai, Dongliang Zhu, Ping Tang, Jiajia Li,Junyi Li, Peipei Li, Zhonghua Tao, Haipeng Lei, Kai Miao, Hong-xia Wang, Shuhai Lin, Lei Zhang, Dou Man, Yu Han, Han-Ming Shen, Chuxia Deng, Li Wang, Li-jun Di, Reciprocal Stabilization of CtBP and TRIM28 by forming complex promotes cancer metastasis via repressing autophagy. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.  2025 May 15. doi: 10.1038/s41594-025-01554-0 Li Wang, Jiajia Li, Ping Tang, Dongliang Zhu , Lixin Tai, Yuan Wang, Tsukiko Miyata , James R. Woodgett , Lijun Di, GSK3β Deficiency Expands Obese Adipose Vasculature to Mitigate Metabolic Disorders. Circulation Research 2025 Jan 3;136(1):91-111 Jingjing Li, Yuan Wang, Li Wang, Dapeng Hao, Peipei Li, Minxia Su, Zhiqiang Zhao, Tianyu Liu, Lixin Tai, Jinjian Lu, Li-Jun Di., Metabolic modulation of CtBP dimeric status impacts the repression of DNA damage repair genes and the platinum sensitivity of ovarian cancer. Int J Biol Sci. 2023 Apr 9;19(7):2081-2096 Li Wang*, Jiajia Li, Lijun Di*., Glycogen synthesis and beyond, a comprehensive review of GSK3 as a key regulator of metabolic pathways and a therapeutic target for treating metabolic diseases, Medicinal Research Reviews (https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21867) Peipei Li, Li Wang, Junning Yang, Li-Jun Di* &Jingjing Li*  Applications of the CRISPR-Cas system for infectious disease diagnostics. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 2021 Jul;21(7):723-732, Yuan Wang, Jiajia Li, Jingjing Li, Peipei Li, Li Wang, Lijun Di*, An Enhancer-Based Analysis Revealed a New Function of Androgen Receptor in Tumor Cell Immune Evasion. Front Genet, 2020 Dec 2;11:595550. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2020.595550. eCollection 2020. Peipei Li, Li Wang, Li-jun Di*, Applications of Protein Fragment Complementation Assays for Analyzing Biomolecular Interactions and Biochemical Networks in Living Cells, J. Proteome Res. 2019, 18, 8, 2987-2998 Peipei Li, Yuan Meng, Yuan Wang, Jingjing Li, Manting Lam, Li Wang, Li-jun Di*. Nuclear localization of Desmoplakin and its involvement in telomere maintenance, Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15(11):2350-2362 Dapeng Hao, Guangyu Wang, Weiwei Yang, Jinan Gong, Xingmin Li, Mingming Xiao, Lijie He, Li Wang, Xiaobo Li, Lijun Di*, Reactive versus Constitutive: Reconcile the Controversial Results about the Prognostic Value of PD-L1 Expression in cancer. Int J Biol Sci  2019 Jul 21;15(9):1933-1941 Dapeng Hao, Jingjing Li, Jianlin Wang, Yuan Meng, Zhiqiang Zhao, Chao Zhang, Chuxia Deng, Benjamin K. Tsang, Li Wang*, Li-jun Di*, Non-classical estrogen signaling in ovarian cancer improves chemo-sensitivity and patients’ outcome, Theranostics 2019; 9(13):3952-3965 Peipei Li, Yuan Meng, Li Wang, Li-jun Di, BioID: a proximity-dependent labeling approach in proteomics study, Methods Mol Biol*. 2019;1871:143-151 Zhiqiang Zhao, Dapeng Hao, Li Wang， Jingjing Li, Yuan Meng, Peipei Li, Yuan Wang, Chao Zhang, Haisheng Zhou, Kevin Gardner, Li-jun Di*, CtBP promotes metastasis of breast cancer through repressing cholesterol and activating TGF-b signaling, Oncogene. 2019 Mar;38(12):2076-2091 Li Wang*, Yuan Wang, Chao Zhang, Jingjing Li, Yuan Meng, Man Dou, Constance T, Noguchi, Li-jun Di*, Inhibiting Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Reverses Obesity-Induced White Adipose Tissue Inflammation by Regulating Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophage/CD5L-Mediated Macrophage Migration. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology 2018 Sep;38(9):2103-2116 Dapeng Hao, Jie Liu, Meng Chen, JingJing Li, Li Wang, Xiaobo Li, Qi Zhao, Li-jun Di*, Immunogenomic analyses of advanced serous ovarian cancer reveal immunoscore is a strong prognostic factor and a predictor of chemo-sensitivity. Clinical Cancer Research 2018 Aug 1;24(15):3560-3571 Li Wang, Yuan Wang, Yuan Meng, Chao Zhang, Li-jun Di*, GSK3 activated STAT5 regulates expression of SFRPs to modulate adipogenesis. FASEB J 2018 Sep;32(9):4714-4726 Li Wang, Jing-jing Li, Li-yu Guo, Peipei Li, Zhiqiang Zhao, Haisheng Zhou, Li-jun Di*, Molecular link between glucose and glutamine consumption in cancer cells mediated by CtBP and SIRT4., Oncogenesis 2018 Mar 13;7(3):26 Dapeng Hao, Jingjing Li, Shanshan Jia, Yuan Meng, Chao Zhang, Li Wang, Lijun Di*, Integrated analysis reveals tubal and ovarian originated serous ovarian cancer and predicts differential therapeutic responses, Clinical Cancer Research, 2017 Dec 1;23(23):7400-7411. Li J, Hao D, Wang L, Wang H, Wang Y, Zhao Z, Li P, Deng C, Di LJ*. Epigenetic targeting drugs potentiate chemotherapeutic effects in solid tumor therapy. Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 22;7(1):4035 Li P, Li J, Wang L, Di, Lijun*, Proximity labeling of interacting proteins: Application of BioID as a discovery tool. Proteomics, 2017 Oct;17(20) Hao Dapeng, Wang Li, Di Lijun*, Distinct mutation accumulation rates among tissues determine the variation in cancer risk, Scientific Report, 2016, Jan 20;6:19458 Wang L, Di LJ*. Wnt/β-catenin mediates AICAR effect in increasing GATA3 expression and inhibiting adipogenesis. J Biol Chem. 2015 Aug 7;290(32):19458-68. Wang L., Zhou HS., Wang YT., Cui GZ., Di, L.J*, CtBP maintains cancer cell growth and metabolic homeostasis via regulating SIRT4. Cell Death Diseases. 2015 Jan 29;6:e1620, Wang L., Di, L.J. *, BRCA1 And Estrogen/Estrogen Receptor In Breast Cancer: Where They Interact? Int J Biol Sci. 2014 14;10(5):566-75, Wang L, Di L.J*, Noguchi CT. Erythropoietin, a novel versatile player regulating energy metabolism beyond the erythroid system. Int J Biol Sci. 2014 Aug 23;10(8):921-39. Wang L, Di L.j.(Co-first), Noguchi CT.  AMPK is involved in mediation of erythropoietin influence on metabolic activity and reactive oxygen species production in white adipocytes. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Sep;54:1-9, Di, LJ., Byun, J., Wong, M., Wakano, C., Hunter, K., Olopade, OI., Perou, C., Evan, M., Chou, JW., Gardner, K., Genome-wide Profiles of CtBP Link Metabolism With Genome Stability and Epithelial Reprogramming in Breast Cancer (Nat. Commun, 2013 4:1449). Wakano, C., Byun, J., Di, LJ., Gardner, K., The Dual Lives of Bidirectional Promoters. BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanism 2012 Jul;1819(7):688-93, Di, LJ., Fernandez, A., De Siervi A., Longo DL, Gardner K.,  Regulation of BRCA1 transcription by a metabolic switch. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 2010 Dec;17(12):1406-13, De Siervi A, De Luca P, Byun JS, Di LJ, Fufa T, Haggerty CM, Vazquez E, Moiola C, Longo DL, Gardner K.,  Transcriptional autoregulation by BRCA1. Cancer Res. 2009 70:532-42, Di, LJ., Wang, L., Lv X., Zheng W., Xue Z., Guo Zhi-Chen., Liu, DP & Liang, CC., Inter-MARs’ association mediated by SATB1 contributes to active transcriptional looping events in human b-globin gene cluster. (PLoS ONE.4(2):e4629. 2009, Di, LJ., Wang, L., Zhou, GL., Wu, XS., Guo, ZC., Ke, XS., Liu, DP & Liang, CC., Identification of long range regulatory elements of mouse alpha-globin gene cluster by quantitative associated chromatin trap (QACT). J. Cell. Biochem. 105:301-312. 2008, Zhou, GL., Xin, L., Song, W., Di, LJ., Liu, G., Wu, XS., Liu, DP & Liang, CC., Active chromatin hub of the mouse alpha-globin locus forms in a transcription factory of clustered housekeeping genes. Mol Cell Biol  26:5096-5105, 2006. Zhou H, Shao M, Yang X, Li C, Cui G, Gao C, Di L, Zhong H, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Lee SM, Tetramethylpyrazine Analogue T-006 Exerts Neuroprotective Effects against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Parkinson’s Disease In Vitro and In Vivo. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Nov 14;2019:8169125. Wang L, Chan JY, Zhou X, Cui G, Yan Z, Wang L, Yan R, Di Lijun, Wang Y, Hoi MP, Shan L, Lee SM, A Novel Agent Enhances the Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of Doxorubicin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells,  Front Pharmacol. 2016 Aug 10;7:249 Liang Wang, Xiaojing Zhang, Guozhen Cui, Judy Yuet‑Wa Chan, Li Wang, Chuwen Li, Luchen Shan, Changjiang Xu, Qingwen Zhang, Yuqiang Wang, Lijun Di†, Simon Ming‑Yuen Lee†, A novel agent exerts antitumor activity in breast cancer cells by targeting mitochondrial complex II, Oncotarget, 2016 May 31;7(22):32054- Pan Zhao,  Si-Jia Guoa, Zhen-zhen Tua, Li-Jun Di, Xiao-Jun Zha, Hai-Sheng Zhou, Xue-jun Zhang, Grhl3 induces human epithelial tumor cell migration and invasion via downregulation of E-cadherin, Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, 2016 Mar;48(3):266-74. Zha X, Hu Z, Ji S, Jin F, Jiang K, Li C, Zhao P, Tu Z, Chen X, Lijun Di, Zhou H, Zhang H, NFκB up-regulation of glucose transporter 3 is essential for hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin-induced aerobic glycolysis and tumor growth Wang L, Teng R, Di L.j., Rogers H, Wu H, Kopp JB, Noguchi CT. PPARα and Sirt1 mediate erythropoietin action in increasing metabolic activity and browning of white adipocytes to protect against obesity and metabolic disorders. Diabetes. 2013 Dec;62(12):4122-31. Jie Liu, Shuo Yang, Bihui Cao, Guangyu Zhou, Fengjuan Zhang, Yuan Wang, Rixin Wang, Lipeng Zhu, Ya Meng, Cong Hu, Hui Liang, Xu Lin, Kangshun Zhu, Guokai Chen, Kathy Qian Luo, Lijun Di & Qi Zhao. Targeting B7-H3 via chimeric antigen receptor T cells and bispecific killer cell engagers augments antitumor response of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Journal of Hematology & Oncology volume 14, Article number: 21 (2021) Haitao Wang, Sen Guo, Seung-Jin Kim, Fangyuan Shao, Joshua Wing Kei Ho, Kuan Un Wong, Zhengqiang Miao, Dapeng Hao, Ming Zhao, Jun Xu, Jianming Zeng, Koon Ho Wong, Lijun Di, Ada Hang-Heng Wong, Xiaoling Xu, Chu-Xia Deng, Cisplatin prevents breast cancer metastasis through blocking early EMT and retards cancer growth together with paclitaxel Theragnostic 2021; 11(5):2442-2459. Yun Liu, Honglian Wang, Xin Wang, Jiaqi Liu, Junjian Li, Xiang Wang, Yun Zhang, Zhigang Bai, Qinghua Zhou, Ying Wu, Yi Shen, Xiaoling Weng, Fatao Liu, Jiancheng Guo, Lijun Di, Olivier Gires, Zhongtao Zhang, Yiding Chen & Hongxia Wang, Prevalence and reclassification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in a large, unselected Chinese Han breast cancer cohort, Journal of Hematology & Oncology volume 14, Article number: 18 (2021)

Awards
2020	Recipient of FDCT research excellence for Graduate Student (Awarded to Dr. Li jingjing)
2019	Recipient of FDCT research excellence for Graduate students (Awarded to Dr. Hao Dapeng)
2017	Recipient of Outstanding Academic Staff (Awarded to Lijun Di)
2017	Recipient of 1st prize for presentation of 4th Macau Symposium of Biomedical Sciences (Awarded to PhD student Hao Dapeng)
2016	Recipient for 3rd prize for presentation on 2016 national conference of biochemistry and molecular biology (Awarded to Di Lijun)
2016	2nd prize for presentation on 5th international oncology conference in Guangzhou (Awarded to PhD student Li Peipei)
2016	Recipients of EMSO Asia travel award (Award to Di Lijun and PhD student Li jingjing)
2015	Selected as 1st prize for presentation of 2th Macau symposium of Biomedical Sciences (Award to PhD student Hao Dapeng)
2011	Recipient of The Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) Award from CCR/NCI (Award to Di Lijun)
2010	Selected as one of TOP 10 most significant advances of CCR/NCI, USA

Professional Activities
Serve as reviewer for journals including International Journal of biological sciences, Experimental Cell Research, Endocrinology, Hereditary cancer in clinical practice, LSA, Molecular carcinogenesis etc.
Associate Editor of Journal of Ovarian Research (Biomedcentral)
External reviewer for Health and Medical Research Fund of Hong Kong
External reviewer for Barth syndrome foundation
Reviewer for National Science foundation (Young / General)