Deng Lih Wen

Associate Professor
Deng Lih Wen

Affiliations

Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS.
Supervisor, NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), NUS
Affiliated member, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Education

Degree and Institution Year(s)
PhD, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK 1996-2000
B.Sc, National Taiwan University 1992-1996

Professional Experience

Position and Institute Year(s)
Affiliate Member, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore, NUS 2014 – present
Faculty, NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering 2014 – present
Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 2014 – present
Research Director, Department of Biochemistry, NUS 2017 – 2020
Member of NUS-Drug Development Unit 2014 – 2020
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, NUS 2004 – 2013
Research Fellow, Dept of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Harvard University, USA 2000 – 2003

Research Interest

Our lab is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanism in cancer development and developing novel targets for therapeutic cancer intervention.

Our current research areas are:

  1. Genomic instability and chromatin dynamics in cancer development
  2. Mechanisms of therapy resistance
  3. Therapeutic potential of targeting cancer metabolism and tumor microenvironment
  4. Cancer oxidative stress and glutathione homeostasis

     

    Research Articles

    1. Nin DS, Deng LW (2023) Biology of Cancer-Testis Antigens and Their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cells. 12(6):926. doi: 10.3390/cells12060926. (5-Yr Impact Factor= 7.7)
    2. Bui QT, Lee KD, Fan YC, Lewis BS, Deng LW, Tsai YC. (2023) Disruption of CCL2 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Anti-Tumor Approach against Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 15(2):441. doi: 10.3390/cancers15020441. (5-Yr Impact Factor= 6.9)
    3. Zhang X, Zhang BW, Xiang L, Wu H, Alexander SAS, Zhou P, Dai MZ, Wang X, Xiong W, Zhang Y, Jin ZB, Deng LW. (2022) MLL5 is involved in retinal photoreceptor maturation through facilitating CRX-mediated photoreceptor gene transactivation. iScience. 25(4):104058. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104058. (Impact Factor= 6.2)
    4. Peng L, Jiang J, Chen HN, Zhou L, Huang Z, Qin S, Jin P, Luo M, Li B, Shi J, Xie N, Deng LW, Liou YC, Nice EC, Huang C, Wei Y. Redox-sensitive cyclophilin A elicits chemoresistance through realigning cellular oxidative status in colorectal cancer. Cell Rep. 2021 Nov 30;37(9):110069. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110069. PMID: 34852234.
    5. Loo SY, Toh LP, Xie WH, Pathak E, Tan W, Ma S, Lee MY, Shatishwaran S, Yeo JZZ, Yuan J, Ho YY, Peh EKL, Muniandy M, Torta F, Chan J, Tan TJ, Sim Y, Tan V, Tan B, Madhukumar P, Yong WS, Ong KW, Wong CY, Tan PH, Yap YS, Deng LW, Dent R, Foo R, Wenk MR, Lee SC, Ho YS, Lim EH, Tam WL. Fatty acid oxidation is a druggable gateway regulating cellular plasticity for driving metastasis in breast cancer. Sci Adv. 2021 Oct 8;7(41):eabh2443. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abh2443. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34613780.
    6. Nin DS, Wujanto C, Tan TZ, Lim D, Damen JMA, Wu KY, Dai ZM, Lee ZW, Idres SB, Leong YH, Jha S, Ng JS, Low JJH, Chang SC, Tan DSP, Wu W, Choo BA, Deng LW. GAGE mediates radio resistance in cervical cancers via the regulation of chromatin accessibility. Cell Rep. 2021 Aug 31;36(9):109621. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109621. PMID: 34469741.
    7. Liu C, Xie J, Wu W, Wang M, Chen W, Idres SB, Rong J, Deng LW, Khan SA, Wu J. Automated synthesis of prexasertib and derivatives enabled by continuous-flow solid-phase synthesis. Nat Chem. 2021 May;13(5):451-457. doi: 10.1038/s41557-021-00662-w. Epub 2021 Apr 19. PMID: 33875818.
    8. Ho YK, Woo JY, Tu GXE, Deng LW, Too HP. (2020) A highly efficient non-viral process for programming mesenchymal stem cells for gene directed enzyme prodrug cancer therapy. Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 31;10(1):14257. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71224-2. 
    9. Yan J, Cheo HW, Teo WK, Shi X, Wu H, Idres SB, Deng LW, Wu J. (2020) A Radical Smiles Rearrangement Promoted by Neutral Eosin Y as a Direct Hydrogen Atom Transfer Photocatalyst. J Am Chem Soc. 142(26):11357-11362. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c02052. Epub 2020 Jun 22. 
    10. Novera W, Lee ZW, Nin DS, Dai MZ, Binte Idres S, Wu H, Damen JMA, Tuan ZT, Sim AYL, Long YC, Wu W, Huang RY, Deng LW. (2020) Cysteine deprivation targets ovarian clear cell carcinoma via oxidative stress and iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis deficit. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2020 Apr 25. doi: 1089/ars.2019.7850. [Epub ahead of print]
    11. Nin DS, Idres SB, Song ZJ, Moore PK, Deng LW (2020) Biological Effects of Morpholin-4-Ium 4 Methoxyphenyl (Morpholino) Phosphinodithioate and Other Phosphorothioate-Based Hydrogen Sulfide Donors. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2020 Jan 10;32(2):145-158. doi: 10.1089/ars.2019.7896.
    12. Khattar E, Maung KZY, Chew CL, Ghosh A, Mok MMH, Lee P, Zhang J, Chor WHJ, Cildir G, Wang CQ, Mohd-Ismail NK, Chin DWL, Lee SC, Yang H, Shin YJ, Nam DH, Chen L, Kumar AP, Deng LW, Ikawa M, Gunaratne J, Osato M, Tergaonkar V. (2019) Rap1 regulates hematopoietic stem cell survival and affects oncogenesis and response to chemotherapy. Nat Commun. 2019 Dec 13;10(1):5349. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13082-9.
    13. Szmyd R, Niska-Blakie J, Diril MK, Renck Nunes, Tzelepis K, Lacroix A, van Hul N, Deng LW, Matos J, Dreesen O, Bisteau X, Kaldis P. (2019) Premature activation of Cdk1 leads to mitotic events in S phase and embryonic lethality. Oncogene. Oncogene. 2019 Feb;38(7):998-1018. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0464-0. Epub 2018 Sep 6.
    14. Zhou P, Ding X, Wan X, Liu L, Yuan X, Zhang W, Hui X, Meng G, Xiao H, Li B, Zhong J, Hou F, Deng LW, Zhang Y. (2018) MLL5 suppresses antiviral innate immune response by facilitating STUB1-mediated RIG-I degradation. Nat Commun. 9(1):1243. 
    15. Lee ZW, Teo XY, Song ZJ, Nin DS, Novera W, Choo BA, Dymock BW, Moore PK, Huang RY, Deng LW (2017) Intracellular Hyper-Acidification Potentiated by Hydrogen Sulfide Mediates Invasive and Therapy Resistant Cancer Cell Death. Front Pharmacol. 8:763. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00763. eCollection 2017. 
    16. Rajagopalan D, Pandey AK, Xiuzhen MC, Lee KK, Hora S, Zhang Y, Chua BH, Kwok HS, Bhatia SS, Deng LW, Tenen DG, Kappei D, Jha S. (2017) TIP60 represses telomerase expression by inhibiting Sp1 binding to the TERT promoter. PLoS Pathog. 13(10):e1006681. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006681. eCollection 2017 Oct. 
    17. Zhang XM, Novera W, Zhang Y, Deng LW (2017) MLL5 (KMT2E): structure, function, and clinical relevance. Cell Mol Life Sci. 74(13):2333-2344. doi: 10.1007/s00018-017-2470-8. Epub 2017 Feb 10. Review. 
    18. Liang D, Bian JS, Deng LW and Huang D (2017) Cyclic polysulphide 1,2,4-trithiolane from stinky bean (Parkia speciosa seeds) is a slow releasing hydrogen sulphide (H2S) donor. Journal of Functional Foods, 35: 197-204 
    19. Feng W, Novera W, Peh K, Neo D, Ramanujulu PM, Moore PK, Deng LW, Dymock BW. (2017) Discovery of medium ring thiophosphorus based heterocycles as antiproliferative agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. S0960-894X(16)31358-0.
    20. Zhao W, Liu J, Zhang XM & Deng LW. (2016) MLL5 maintains spindle bipolarity by preventing aberrant cytosolic aggregation of PLK1. Journal of Cell Biology, 212: 829-843 
    21. Liang D, Wang C, Tocmo R, Wu H, Deng LW and Huang D (2015) Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releasing capacity of essential oils isolated from organosulfur rich fruits and vegetables. Journal of Functional Foods, 14: 634–640 
    22. Feng W, Teo X, Novera W, Ramanujulu PM, Dong L, Huang D, Moore PK, Deng LW, Dymock BW. (2015) Discovery of new H2S releasing phosphordithioates and 2,3-dihydro-2-phenyl-2-sulfanylenebenzo[d][1,3,2]oxazaphospholes with improved anti-proliferative activity. J Med Chem. 58(16):6456-80 
    23. Nin DS, Huang W, Ali M, Yew CW, Kutateladze TG & Deng LW (2015) O-GlcNAcylation of MLL5β is essential for MLL5β-AP1 transcription complex assembly at the HPV16/18 Long Control Region. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology 7(2):180-3. DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjv009
    24. Lee ZW & Deng LW (2015) Role of H2S Donors in Cancer Biology in “Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Hydrogen Sulfide”. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 230:243-65. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18144-8.
    25. Nin DS, Yew CW, Tay SK & Deng LW (2014) Targeted silencing of MLL5β inhibits tumor growth and promotes gamma-irradiation sensitization in HPV16/18-associated cervical cancers. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (Highlighted by Editorial Board) 13(11):2572-82. DOI:1158/1535-7163
    26. Wu H, Krishnakumar S, Liang D, Yu J, Qi H, Lee ZW, Deng LW* & Huang D* (*co-corresponding authors) (2014) Highly selective and sensitive near infrared fluorescent probes for detection of cellular hydrogen sulfide and imaging of H2S in mice. Chem-Asian J 9(12):3604-11. DOI: 10.1002/asia.201402860
    27. Lee ZW, Teo XY, Tay EY, Tan CH, Hagen T, Moore PK & Deng LW (2014) Utilizing hydrogen sulfide as a novel anti-cancer agent by targeting cancer glycolysis and pH imbalance. Br J Pharmacol. 171(18):4322-36. DOI: 10.1111/bph.12773
    28. Lee ZW, Low YL, Huang S, Wang T & Deng LW (2014) Cystathionine-γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system maintains cellular glutathione status. Biochem J. 460 (3):425-435. (Highlighted by Editorial Board with online podcast) DOI: 10.1042/BJ20131434
    29. Song ZJ, Ng MY, Lee ZW, Dai W, Hagen T, Moore PK, Huang D, Deng LW* & Tan CH* (*co-corresponding authors) (2013). Hydrogen sulfide donors in research and drug development. MedChemComm 5 (5); 557-570. DOI: 10.1039/c3md00362k
    30. Ali M, Rincón-Arano H, Zhao W, Rothbart SB, Tong Q, Parkhurst SM, Strahl BD, Deng LW, Groudine M, & Kutateladze TG. (2013) Molecular basis for chromatin binding and regulation of MLL5. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 110(28):11296-11301. https://www.pnas.org/content/110/28/11296
    31. Yan Y, Krishnakumar S, Yu H, Ramishetti S, Deng LW, Wang S, Huang L & Huang D (2013). Nickel(II) dithiocarbamate complexes containing sulforhodamine B as fluorescent probes for selective detection of nitrogen dioxide. J Am Chem Soc, 135(14):5312-5315. DOI: 10.1021/ja401555y
    32. Liu J, Cheng F & Deng LW. (2012) MLL5 maintains genomic integrity by regulating the stability of the chromosomal passenger complex via a functional interaction with Borealin. Journal of Cell Science, 125(Pt 19):4676-4685 [Highlighted by Editorial Board in the issue of 2012 Oct 1, 125 (19)] DOI: 10.1242/jcs.110411
    33. Gao S, Wang Q, Wang G, Lomenick B, Liu J, Fan CW, Deng LW, Huang J, Lum L & Chen C. (2012) The chemistry and biology of Nakiterpiosin. Synlett 16(23):2298-2310.  DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1290460
    34. Yew CW, Lee P, Chan WK, Lim KJ, Tay SK, Tan MC & Deng LW (2011) A novel MLL5 isoform that is essential to activate E6 and E7 transcription in HPV16/18-associated cervical cancers. Cancer Research 71(21):6696-6707. (Highlighted in “Faculty of 1000 Biology”, 19th Sep 2011) DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-11-1271
    35. Ye F, Tan L, Yang Q, Xia Y, Deng LW, Murata-Hori M & Liou YC. (2011) The K-fiber localization of HURP is important for chromosome congression in a Kif18A dependent manner. Current Biology 21(18):1584-1591. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.08.024
    36. Lee ZW, Tan CH, Chen CS, Li L, Moore PK* & Deng LW* (*co-corresponding authors) (2011) The slow-releasing hydrogen sulfide donor, GYY4137, exhibits novel anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 6(6):e21077. (57 citations within 3 yrs) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021077
    37. Cheng F, Liu J, Teh C, Chong SW, Korzh V, Jiang YJ & Deng LW. (2011) Camptothecin-induced down-regulation of MLL5 contributes to the activation of tumor suppressor p53. Oncogene 30(33):3599-3611. DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.71
    38. Yong QC, Cheong JL, Hua F, Deng LW, Khoo YM, Lee HS, Perry A, Wood M, Whiteman M & Bian JS. (2011) Regulation of heart function by endogenous gaseous mediators: Cross-talk between nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide. Antioxid Redox Signal 14(11):2081-2091. DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3572
    39. Chen MJ, Peng ZF, Manikandan J, Melendez AJ, Tan GS, Chung MC, Tan TM, Russo-Marie F, Deng LW, Moore PK & Cheung NS. (2010) Gene profiling reveal hydrogen sulphide recruits death signaling via the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor identifying commonalities with excitotoxicity. J Cell Physiol 226(5):1308-1322. DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22459
    40. Liu J, Wang XN, Cheng F, Liou YC & Deng LW. (2010) Phosphorylation of Mixed Lineage Leukemia 5 by Cdc2 affects its cellular distribution and is required for mitotic entry. J Biol Chem 285(27):20904-20914. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M109.098558
    41. Huang S, Chua JH, Yew WS, Sivaraman J, Moore PK, Tan CH & Deng LW. (2010) Site-directed mutagenesis on human cystathionine-gamma-lyase reveals insights into the modulation of H2S production. J Mol Biol 396(3):708-718. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.11.058
    42. Sun Q, Collins R, Huang S, Holmberg-Schiavone L, Anand GS, Tan CH, van-den-Berg S, Deng LW, Moore PK, Karlberg T & Sivaraman J. (2009) Structural basis for the inhibition mechanism of human cystathionine gamma-lyase, an enzyme responsible for the production of H2S. J Biol Chem 284(5):3076-3085. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M805459200
    43. Cheng F, Liu J, Zhou SH, Wang XN, Chew JF & Deng LW. (2008) RNA interference against Mixed Lineage Leukemia 5 resulted in cell cycle arrest. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 40(11):2472-2481. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2008.04.012
    44. Deng LW, Chiu I & Strominger JL. (2004) MLL 5 protein forms intranuclear foci, and over-expression inhibits cell cycle progression. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101(3):757-762. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2036345100
    45. Malik P, Klimovitsky P, Deng LW, Boyson JE & Strominger JL. (2002) Uniquely conformed peptide-containing β2-microglobulin-free heavy chains of HLA-B2705 on the cell surface. J Immunol 169(8):4379-4387. https://www.jimmunol.org/content/169/8/4379.full
    46. Deng LW & Perham RN. (2002) Delineating the site of interaction on the pIII protein of filamentous bacteriophage fd with the F-pilus of Escherichia coli. J Mol Biol 319(3):603-614. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2836(02)00260-7
    47. Deng LW, Malik P & Perham RN. (1999) Interaction of the globular domains of pIII protein of filamentous bacteriophage fd with the F-pilus of Escherichia coli. Virology 253(2):271-277.  DOI: 10.1006/viro.1998.9509
    48. Fanutti C, Del Pozzo G, De Berardinis P, Guardiola J, Deng LW & Perham RN. (1998) Phage-display of antigenic peptides applied to vaccine design. Biochem Soc Trans 26(1):S8 DOI: 10.1042/bst026s008

    Conference Papers in Pubmed

    1. Lee ZW, Low YL, Wang T, Deng LW (2013) P24 Cystathionine-γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system maintains cellular redox homeostasis via glutathione recycling. Nitric Oxide. Sep 1;31 Suppl 2:S45. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2013.06.086. PMID: 24948294
    2. Lee ZW, Tay EY, Tan CH, Hagen T, Moore PK, Deng LW (2013) P18 Utilization of hydrogen sulfide donor as a cancer therapy. Nitric Oxide. Sep 1;31 Suppl 2:S27. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2013.06.048. PMID: 24948256
    3. Liao LX, Tsai CY, Atan MS, Lee ZW, Deng LW, Dymock BW, Feng W, Tan CH, Moore PK. (2013) P28 Identification of a novel slow-releasing hydrogen sulfide donor for cancer therapy. Nitric Oxide. Sep 1;31 Suppl 2:S47. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2013.06.090. PMID: 24948298

    Book Chapter

    1. Tan MC & Deng LW (2013) Chapter 4: Enzymology in “Microbial Biotechnology: Principles and Applications” (3rd Edition, Editor: Lee Yuan Kun. p95-p116, published in March 2013)
    Top