Dianzheng Zhang, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Room 411, Evans Hall
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 871-6588 (voice)
(215) 871-6865 (fax)
dianzhengzh@pcom.edu

Education

PhD Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona
MS Biochemistry, Hunan Medical University
BS Chemistry, Qufu Teaching University

Dr. Dianzheng Zhang, Associate Professor, assumed a tenure-track position in the Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at PCOM in 2006 after three and a half years of postdoctoral research in the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Zhang's general research interests are in the nutrient control of gene expression (transcriptional and translational) in health and diseases. As living organisms we continuously exchange chemical components with the environment; through this exchange, nutrients are implicated in the regulation of gene expression and cell fates, which ultimately confer life or death. With increasing knowledge of the importance of nutrition in our aging population, medicine is shifting its focus from the treatment of acute diseases to the prevention of cancer and chronic diseases. It has been estimated that thirty to fifty percent of all cancers could be prevented by attention to dietary factors. Dr. Zhang is particularly interested in the regulation of gene expression by micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as well as phytochemicals. Presently, Dr. Zhang's research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of different phytochemicals in prostate cancer chemoprevention. Presently, there is a technician, two MS students and a few DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) student working in Dr. Zhang's laboratory.

In addition, Dr. Zhang also holds a visiting professor position at the Central South University in the People's Republic of China, which will foster international collaborations in both medical teaching and research.

Publications

Jia Liu, Han-chun Chen†, Zhou-zhou Rao, Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Xin-xing Wan, Ai-hua Xu, Nuo Zhang and Dian-zheng Zhang (2011) Identification of heptapeptides interacting with IFN-a-sensitive CML cells, Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 20 (12): 1583-1589

Han-chun Chen & Hui-juan Chen & Md. Asaduzzaman Khan & Zhou-zhou Rao & Xin-xing Wan & Bo Tan and Dian-zheng Zhang (2011) Genetic mutations of p53 and k-ras in gastric carcinoma patients from Hunan, China, Tumor Biology 32 (2): 367-73

Luo YP, Chen HC, Khan MA, Chen FZ, Wan XX, Tan B, Ou-Yang FD, and Zhang DZ (2011) Genetic Polymorphisms of Metabolic Enzymes- CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1, and GSTT1, and Gastric Carcinoma Susceptibility, Tumor Biology 32 (1): 215-22

Xin-Xing Wan, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-Chun Chen (2010) The functions of ISG15 Ubiquitin-like Modifier and its Modifier Enzymes, Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 26 (4): 295-300

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Mousumi Tania, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-chun Chen (2010) Antixodant Enzymes and Cancer, Chinese Journal of Cancer Research 22 (2):87-92

Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Mousumi Tania, Dianzheng Zhang, and Han-chun Chen (2010) Cordyceps Mushroom: A Potent Anticancer Nutraceutical, The Open Nutraceuticals Journal 3: 179-183

Jun Tian, Wen-Feng Shi, Lu-Wei Zhang, Nan Lu, Xian-Quan Cui, Wan-Hua Xian, Huai-Bin Sun, En-Gang Li, Li-Na Geng, Dianzheng Zhang, and Xiong Zou (2009) HLA Class-I (ABC) Up-Regulation on Peripheral Blood CD3+/CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Surface Is A Potential Predictor for Acute Rejection In Renal Transplant. Transplantation 88 (12): 1393–1397

Wen-feng Shi, Melanie Leong, Ellen Cho, Joseph Farrell, Han-chun Chen, Jun Tian and Dianzheng Zhang (2009) Repressive Effects of Resveratrol on Androgen Receptor Transcriptional Activity. Plos ONE 4 (10), e7398: 1-10

Melanie Leong, Wen-feng Shi, Jun Tian, Ellen Cho, Abbas Raza, Saquib A. Siddiqi, Abdulhafez Selim, Han-chun Chen, and Dianzheng Zhang (2009) Overexpression of truncated ERG from TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and Prostate Cancer Development. Pathology and Lab Medicine International 1:13-21

Zhang, D., Cho, E. and Wong, J. (2007) A critical role for the co-repressor N-CoR in erythroid differentiation and heme synthesis. Cell Research 17 (9): 804-14

Li, J., Zhang, D., Fu, J., Huang, Z. and Wong, J. (2007) Structural and functional analysis of androgen receptor in chromatin. Molecular Endocrinology (2007 Jan 16, Epub ahead of print)

Geiser D.L., Zhang, D., Winzerling, J. J. (2006) Secreted ferritin: Mosquito defense against iron overload? Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 36 (3): 177-187

Zhang, D., Yoon, H. and Wong, J. (2005) JMJD2A is a novel N-CoR interacting protein and is involved in repression of the human transcription factor Achaete Scute-Like Homologue-2 (ASCL2/HASH2). Molecular and Cellular Biology 25 (15): 6404-6414

Thompson, P. R., Wang, D., Wang, L., Fulco, M., Pediconi, N., Zhang, D., An, W., Ge Q., Roeder, R.G., Wong, J., Levrero M., Sartorelli V., Cotter R. J., Cole P.A. (2004) Regulation of the p300 HAT domain via a novel activation loop. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology 11(4): 308-415

Mayo, J., Kohlhepp, E., Zhang, D., and Winzerling, J. (2004) Effects of Sham air and cigarette smoke on A549 lung cells implications for iron-mediated oxidative damage. American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 284(4): L866-876

Zhang, D., Dimopoulos, G., Wolf, A., Minana, B., Kafatos, F., and Winzerling, J. (2002) Cloning and molecular characterization of two mosquito iron regulatory protein 1 genes. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 32 (5): 579-589

Gailer, J., George, G., Pickering, I., Prince R., Kohlhepp, P., Zhang, D., F. Walker, A. and Winzerling, J. (2001) Human cytosolic iron regulatory protein 1 contains a linear iron-sulfur cluster. Journal of American Chemical Society 123 (41): 10121-10122