Dr. Huang receives NIH/NCI SBIR Innovative Concept Award
Dr. Cathy A. Swindlehurst, Raushan Kurmasheva, and Shile Huang (Multiple Principal Investigators) receive NIH/NCI SBIR Innovative Concept Award in the amount of $300,000 for the period of January 20, 2022 through January 19, 2023 on the grant entitled “Novel small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma”.

Lin Li, a PhD student in the Huang lab, successfully passed her Preliminary Examination on September 9, 2021. Congratulations!

Paper from the Huang Lab published in the journal “Cells”, June 2021
Luo J, Odaka Y, Huang Z, Cheng B, Liu W, Li L, Shang C, Zhang C, Wu, Y, Luo Y, Yang S, Houghton PJ, Guo X, Huang S (2021) Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits mTORC1 Signaling by Activating the AMPK Pathway in Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumor Cells. Cells 2021, 10(6), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061363

Dr. Huang receives FWCC Bridging Award
Dr. Shile Huang receives 2021 Spring Feist-Weiller Cancer Center (FWCC) Bridging Award in the amount of $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 on the grant entitled “mTORC1 regulation of the phosphorylation of FAK”.

Paper from the Huang Lab published in Oncogene, June 2020
Shang C, Zhou H, Liu W, Shen T, Luo Y, Huang S. Iron chelation inhibits mTORC1 signaling involving activation of AMPK and REDD1/Bnip3 pathways. Oncogene. 2020 Jul;39(29):5201-5213. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1366-5. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Shile Huang, PhD, Awarded Grant from Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Dr. Shile Huang for being awarded a pilot grant from the Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center for his proposal  “Role of PHLPP and PP2A in the anti-diabetic activity of Artemisia extracts.” The grant provides Dr. Huang with $30,000.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. mTOR signaling in cell motility
   mTOR functions as two complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2), and regulates cell growth, proliferation, survival, and motility. We are focusing on understanding how the two complexes mediate cell motility.
    

2. Mechanisms of anticancer action of small molecules
   The laboratory is investigating the molecular mechanisms of anticancer action of small molecules, such as curcumin, cryptotanshinone, artemisinin, and ciclopirox olamine. Curcumin, cryptotanshinone, and artemisinin are the natural products isolated from the plants Curcuma longa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Artemisia annua, respectively, whereas ciclopirox olamine is an off-patent synthetic fungicide. Of note, curcumin, artesunate (a water-soluble artemisinin derivative) and ciclopirox olamine are undergoing early clinical trials as novel anticancer agents. However, the anticancer mechanisms of these compounds remain to be elucidated. Our recent studies indicate that they may execute their anticancer activities by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing cell death, suppressing cell motility, and inhibiting angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis. We are elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.
    

3. Mechanism of cadmium-induced neuronal cell death
   Cadmium, a heavy metal, may be accumulated in the body through long-term exposure to cadmium-polluted environment, which contributes to carcinogenesis, immunedepression and neurodegeneration. We are elucidating how cadmium causes neuronal cell death.
    
   Cd induces accumulation of autophagosomes contributing to neuronal apoptosis 

Selected Publications

(*Co-corresponding author, ^#Equal contribution)

1. Luo J#, Odaka Y#, Huang Z#, Cheng B, Liu W, Li L, Shang C, Zhang C, Wu, Y, Luo Y, Yang S, Houghton PJ, Guo X*, Huang S* (2021) Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits mTORC1 Signaling by Activating the AMPK Pathway in Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumor Cells. Cells. 10:1363.
2. Shang C#, Zhou H#, Liu W#, Shen T, Luo Y, Huang S (2020) Iron chelation inhibits mTORC1 signaling involving activation of AMPK and REDD1/Bnip3 pathways. Oncogene. 39:5201-5213.
3. Sohretoglu D#, Zhang C#, Luo J, Huang S (2019) ReishiMax inhibits mTORC1/2 by activating AMPK and inhibiting IGFR/PI3K/Rheb in tumor cells. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 4:21.
4. Barzegar M#, Ma S#, Zhang C, Chen X, Gu Y, Shang C, Jiang X, Yang J, Nathan CA, Yang S*, Huang S* (2017) SKLB188 inhibits the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing EGFR signaling. Br J Cancer. 117:1154-1163.
5. Zhou H#, Shang C#, Wang M, Shen T, Kong L, Yu C, Ye Z, Luo Y, Liu L, Li Y*, Huang S* (2016) Ciclopirox olamine inhibits mTORC1 signaling by activation of AMPK. Biochem Pharmacol. 116:39-50.
6. Odaka Y, Xu B, Luo Y, Shen T, Shang C, Wu Y, Zhou H, Huang S (2014) Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling pathways in tumor cells. Carcinogenesis. 35:192-200.
7. Beevers CS, Chen L, Liu L, Luo Y, Webster NJG, Huang S (2009) Curcumin disrupts the mammalian target of rapamycin-raptor complex. Cancer Res. 69:1000-1008.
8. Chen L, Liu L, Huang S (2008) Cadmium activates MAPK pathway via induction of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A and 5. Free Radic Biol Med. 45:1035-1044.
9. Liu L, Chen L, Chung J, Huang S (2008) Rapamycin inhibits F-actin reorganization and phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins. Oncogene 27:4998-5010.
10. Liu L, Li F, Cardelli, JA, Martin KA, Blenis J, Huang S (2006) Rapamycin inhibits cell motility by suppression of mTOR-mediated S6K1 and 4E-BP1 pathways. Oncogene. 25:7029-7040.

Complete List of my Published Work: BIBLIOGRAPHY

Post-doctoral Fellows

While we are not currently recruiting Post-doctoral Fellows, quality candidates will always be considered. To enquire about opportunities, contact Dr. Huang at shile.huang@lsuhs.edu.

Graduate Students

Graduate students interested in conducting research in the Huang lab should contact Dr. Huang at shile.huang@lsuhs.edu.

Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows

The Huang laboratory has several research projects available for Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows interested. Contact Dr. Huang at shile.huang@lsuhs.edu for more information.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Undergraduates interested in having research training in the Huang lab should contact Dr. Huang at shile.huang@lsuhs.edu.