Fen Wang

Biography

Fen Wang earned his B.S. degree in microbiology and M.S. degree in cell biology at Xiamen University in Fujian, China.  He received a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry in 1994 in a joint program between Clarkson University, Postdam, New York, and the W. Alton Jones Cell Science Center, Lake Placid, New York. He was a postdoctoral fellow (1994 to 1996) and Assistant Research Scientist from 1997-1999 in the Center for Cancer Biology and Nutrition, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas. He was promoted to Tenured Associate Professor in 2006 and is Assistant Director of the Transgenic Models Core of the IBT.

Research

The laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular basis of cell signaling, and how aberrant cell signaling leads to birth defects and causes cancers. Using in vitro cell culture systems and in vivo mouse models, we study how the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activates its receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase, and how the activated FGFR transmits the signals to downstream targets and regulates proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, and function of the cells, as well as in organogenesis and development, including prostate and cardiovascular system development. The laboratory also employs molecular biology, cell biology, and mouse genetic technologies to study how aberrant FGF signals promote tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In addition, how environmental factors contribute to tumorigenesis and congenital birth defects by modulating FGF signal intensity and specificity is also under the scope of our research interests.

Five Most Significant Publications Prior to 2005

Wang, F., K. McKeehan, C. Yu and W. L. McKeehan. (2002) Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 phosphotyrosine 766: Molecular target for prevention of progression of prostate tumors to malignancy. Cancer Res. 62: 1898-1903.

Jin, C., K. McKeehan, and F. Wang (2003) Transgenic mouse with high cre recombinase activity in all prostate lobes, seminal vesicle, and ductus deferens. The Prostate 57: 160-164.

Wang, F. and W.L. McKeehan (2003) The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling complex. Handbook of Cell Signaling Vol. I, Chap. 46, pp. 265-270, (R. Bradshaw and E. Dennis, eds.), Academic/Elsevier Press.
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Jin, C., K. McKeehan, W. Guo, S. Jauma, M. Ittmann, B. Foster, N. Greenberg, W. L. McKeehan, and F. Wang (2003) Cooperation between ectopic FGFR1 and depression of FGFR2 signaling in induction of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in mouse prostate. Cancer Res. 63: 8784-8790.

Zhang Y., Y. Lin, C. Bowles, F. Wang. (2004) Direct cell cycle regulation by the FGFR kinase through phosphorylation-dependent release of Cks1 from FRS2. J. Biol. Chem. 279: 55348-55354 [Epub 2004 Oct 27]

Publications 2005

Yu, C., F. Wang, C. Jin, X. Huang, and W. L. McKeehan (2005) Independent repression of bile acid synthesis and activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) by activated hepatocyte fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) and bile acids. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 17707-17714 [Epub 2005 Mar. 4]

Publications 2006

Weng, J., J. Wang, X. Hu, F. Wang, M. Ittmann, and M. Liu (2006) PSGR2, a novel G-protein coupled receptor, is overexpressed in human prostate cancer. Int. J. Cancer 118: 1471-1489.

Lin, Y., G. Liu, and F. Wang (2006) Generation of an Fgf9 Conditional Null Allele. Genesis 44: 150-154.

Huang, X., C. Yu, C. Jin, C. A. Bowles, F. Wang, and W. L. McKeehan (2006) Ectopic activity of FGFR1 in hepatocytes accelerated hepatocarcinogenesis by driving proliferation and VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Cancer Res. 66: 1481-1490.

Ma, W., X. Xia, L. J. Stafford, C. Yu, F. Wang, and M. Liu (2006) Expression of GCIP in transgenic mice decreases susceptibility to chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. Oncogene 25: 4207-4216 [Epub 2006 Feb 27].

Huang, X., C. Yu, C. Jin, C. Yang, R. Xie, D. Cao, F. Wang, and W.L. McKeehan (2006) Forced expression of liver fibroblast growth factor 21 delays initiation of chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Mol. Carcinog. 45: 934-942. [Epub 2006 Aug 23].

Guo, C., G. Wu, S. S. Taylor, F. Wang, Y. Zuo, I. Van Huizen, G. Bauman, J. L. Chin, M. Moussa, J. W. Xuan (2006). Bub1 up-regulation and hyper-phosphorylation are major features promoting prostate cancer transformation in SV40 Tag -induced transgenic mouse models. Mol. Cancer Res. 4: 957-969.

Publications 2007

Lin Y, G. Liu, Y. Zhang, Y-P. Hu, K. Yu, C. Lin, K. McKeehan, J. W. Xuan, D. Ornitz, M. M. Shen, N. Greenberg, W. L. McKeehan, and F. Wang (2007). Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 tyrosine kinase is required for prostatic morphogenesis and acquisition of strict androgen dependency for adult tissue homeostasis. Development 134: 723-734 [Epub 2007 Jan 10].

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