University of Pittsburgh Department of Cell Biology

  • Research

    The Tan Lab studies core principles of cell biology in aging, with particular interest in basic molecular mechanisms underlying cellular homeostasis and stress response. Organelle stress and damages are common risk factors in aging and diseases. A major goal of our lab is elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the sensing, repairing, and clearance of damaged organelles in mammalian cells. We search for essential, unifying principles behind complex stress responses through unbiased approaches, and dissect underlying mechanisms with multidisciplinary methods including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. Current research topics include lysosomal quality control in aging and neurodegeneration, inter-organelle communications in cell homeostasis, and lysosomal stress in age-related inflammation

  • Publications

    1. Tan JX, Finkel T. Autophagy goes nuclear.. Nat Cell Biol. 2020 Oct;22(10):1159-1161. doi: 10.1038/s41556-020-00587-5. PubMed PMID: 32989248;
    2. Tan JX, Finkel T. Mitochondria as intracellular signaling platforms in health and disease.. J Cell Biol. 2020 May 4;219(5):. pii: e202002179. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202002179. PubMed PMID: 32320464;
    3. Gui X, Yang H, Li T, Tan X, Shi P, Li M, Du F, Chen ZJ. Autophagy induction via STING trafficking is a primordial function of the cGAS pathway.. Nature. 2019 Mar;567(7747):262-266. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1006-9. PubMed PMID: 30842662;
    4. Tan X, Sun L, Chen J, Chen ZJ. Detection of Microbial Infections Through Innate Immune Sensing of Nucleic Acids.. Annu Rev Microbiol. 2018 Sep 8;72():447-478. doi: 10.1146/annurev-micro-102215-095605. PubMed PMID: 30200854;
    5. Tan X, Anderson RA. Keeping in touch with the ER network.. Science. 2017 May 12;356(6338):584-585. doi: 10.1126/science.aan4807. PubMed PMID: 28495716;
    6. Thapa N, Tan X, Choi S, Lambert PF, Rapraeger AC, Anderson RA. The Hidden Conundrum of Phosphoinositide Signaling in Cancer.. Trends Cancer. 2016 Jul;2(7):378-390. . PubMed PMID: 27819060;
    7. Tan X, Thapa N, Liao Y, Choi S, Anderson RA. PtdIns(4,5)P2 signaling regulates ATG14 and autophagy.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Sep 27;113(39):10896-901. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1523145113. PubMed PMID: 27621469;
    8. Thapa N, Tan X, Choi S, Wise T, Anderson RA. PIPKIγ and talin couple phosphoinositide and adhesion signaling to control the epithelial to mesenchymal transition.. Oncogene. 2017 Feb 16;36(7):899-911. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.267. PubMed PMID: 27452517;
    9. Tan X, Lambert PF, Rapraeger AC, Anderson RA. Stress-Induced EGFR Trafficking: Mechanisms, Functions, and Therapeutic Implications.. Trends Cell Biol. 2016 May;26(5):352-366. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2015.12.006. PubMed PMID: 26827089;
    10. Tan X, Thapa N, Choi S, Anderson RA. Emerging roles of PtdIns(4,5)P2--beyond the plasma membrane.. J Cell Sci. 2015 Nov 15;128(22):4047-56. doi: 10.1242/jcs.175208. PubMed PMID: 26574506;
    11. Tan X, Thapa N, Sun Y, Anderson RA. A kinase-independent role for EGF receptor in autophagy initiation.. Cell. 2015 Jan 15;160(1-2):145-60. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.12.006. PubMed PMID: 25594178;
    12. Tan X, Sun Y, Thapa N, Liao Y, Hedman AC, Anderson RA. LAPTM4B is a PtdIns(4,5)P2 effector that regulates EGFR signaling, lysosomal sorting, and degradation.. EMBO J. 2015 Feb 12;34(4):475-90. doi: 10.15252/embj.201489425. PubMed PMID: 25588945;
    13. Sun Y, Hedman AC, Tan X, Anderson RA. An unexpected role for PI4,5P 2 in EGF receptor endosomal trafficking.. Cell Cycle. 2013 Jul 1;12(13):1991-2. doi: 10.4161/cc.25309. PubMed PMID: 23759577;
    14. Sun Y, Hedman AC, Tan X, Schill NJ, Anderson RA. Endosomal type Iγ PIP 5-kinase controls EGF receptor lysosomal sorting.. Dev Cell. 2013 Apr 29;25(2):144-55. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.03.010. PubMed PMID: 23602387;

     

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