Jian Wei

Postdoctoral Associate

Studies the impact of metabolic pathways and environments on function of immune cells during homeostasis and diseases.

About Jian Wei, Ph.D.

My background is in lipid metabolism with a focus on exploring genetic reasons and mechanisms of cholesterol homeostasis and metabolic diseases. Currently I have a keen interest in metabolic regulation of immune system. Besides providing energy and fundamental substrates for survival and growth, metabolic pathways and metabolites control fate decision, differentiation, and effector functions of immune cells. We are investigating the role of metabolic evens within immune cells and elucidating how this impacts immune response outcome. In addition, our study lies at how conditions within the tumor microenvironment shape the metabolism and function of immune cells, thereby suppressing immune response. Ultimately, we aim to develop genetic and pharmacological approaches manipulating immune cell metabolism to improve treatment of cancer and immunological diseases.

Download CV

Education and experience

Education

Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Adv: Dr. Bao-Liang Song
2009-2015

Shandong University
B.A., biology
2005-2009

Experience

The Jackson Laboratory
Postdoctoral associate
2018-present

Wuhan University
Postdoctoral associate
2015-2017

Selected Publications

Highlighted Abstract

Cholesterol biosynthesis is tightly regulated in the cell. For example, high sterol concentrations can stimulate degradation of the rate-limiting cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase, HMGCR). HMGCR is broken down by the endoplasmic reticulum membrane-associated protein complexes consisting of insulin-induced genes (Insigs) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase gp78. Here we found that HMGCR degradation is partially blunted in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells lacking gp78 (gp78-KO). To identify other ubiquitin ligase(s) that may function together with gp78 in triggering HMGCR degradation, we performed a small-scale short hairpin RNA-based screening targeting endoplasmic reticulum-localized E3s. We found that knockdown of both ring finger protein 145 (Rnf145) and gp78 genes abrogates sterol-induced degradation of HMGCR in CHO cells. We also observed that RNF145 interacts with Insig-1 and -2 proteins and ubiquitinates HMGCR. Moreover, the tetrapeptide sequence YLYF in the sterol-sensing domain and the Cys-537 residue in the RING finger domain were essential for RNF145 binding to Insigs and RNF145 E3 activity, respectively. Of note, amino acid substitutions in the YLYF or of Cys-537 completely abolished RNF145-mediated HMGCR degradation. In summary, our study reveals that RNF145, along with gp78, promotes HMGCR degradation in response to elevated sterol levels and identifies residues essential for RNF145 function.

Search MagazineJune 18, 2019
Connected through Science
When Isabelle Chen, a senior at The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Conn., met Ann Bresnahan ‘69 during a science alumnae panel discussion at Bresnahan’s 50-year high school reunion, the two knew that they shared a passion for science.
Featured ArticleJune 04, 2019
MCGI Advances clinical genomics education in Maine
Oncology practices in Maine will continue to have access to advanced educational curricula on genomic tumor testing in patient care through the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI), thanks to a gift from the Maine Cancer Foundation.
- Meet our donors
- Cancer
Research HighlightMay 20, 2019
Revealing cellular traits, one cell at a time
Scientists have developed an expanded toolkit that enables investigations of cellular traits at the single cell level at an unprecedented level of detail.
Research HighlightApril 17, 2019
Intercepting genes to study red blood cells
Supported by a recent two-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, JAX researchers are developing a new form of gene intercept methodology to deplete mouse macrophages but not other cells.

Tech CornerJune 17, 2019
The genome of Eve (the mouse)
C57BL/6—aka Black 6—is the most widely used mouse strain in research. Its reference genome was published in 2003 and has been carefully curated over the years since.
Search MagazineMay 22, 2019
JAX scientists speak out on the crisis of opioid addiction
JAX scientists are intensifying their efforts to shed light on the genetic and neurobiological causes of addiction, along with the impact of environmental influences.
Featured ArticleApril 30, 2019
Mapping a Cancer Free Life
Jens Rueter, Medical Director of the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative, and Madeleine Braun, Chief of Presidential Initiatives at JAX, discuss the future of cancer care during the first 2019 JAXtaposition event at the Portland Museum of Art.
Press ReleaseApril 16, 2019
A thorough characterization of structural variants in human genomes
A recent study used multiple advanced technologies to dive deeper into the human genome than ever before to comprehensively characterize the structural variants present in three families, and what their functional consequences might be.