Fen Wang, Ph.D. 1994, Clarkson University Texas A&M University Institute of Biosciences and Technology Cancer Biology and Nutrition Contact Information

Research Interests: Tyrosine kinase transduction; growth factor and receptor; transgenic; prostate cancer; structure and function of proteins

The research in my laboratory is directed at understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating growth, differentiation and function of cells. A strong interest in our lab is in the fibroblast growth factors that affect the growth, maintenance, function and tumorigenesis in the prostate and liver. Current studies in our lab focus on how the fibroblast growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases and the downstream molecules regulate the growth and function of the prostate and liver in human and rodents; how the fibroblast growth factor receptor regulates the embryo development and adult tissue homeostasis; as well as how the fibroblast growth factor to its receptor, or characterization of the tyrosine kinase substrate.

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Jones RB, Wang F, Luo Y, Yu C, Jin C, Suzuki T, Kan M, McKeehan WL (2001) The nonsense-mediated decay pathway and mutually exclusive expression of alternatively spliced FGFR2IIIb and IIIc mRNAs. J Biol Chem 276:4158-4167.

Uematsu F, Jang JH, Kan M, Wang F, Luo Y, McKeehan WL (2001) Evidence that the intracellular domain of FGF receptor 2IIIb affects contact of the ectodomain with two FTF7 ligands. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 283:791-797.

Wu X, Kan M, Wang F, Jin C, Yu C, McKeehan WL (2001) A rare premalignant prostate tumor epithelial cell syndecan-1 forms an FGF-binding complex with progression-promoting ectopic FGF receptor 1. Cancer Res 61:5295-5302.

Xia C, Ma W, Wang F, Hua SB, Liu M (2001) Identification of a novel prostate-specific G-proteincoupled receptor in prostate cancer. Oncogene 20:5903-5907.

Kan M, Wu X, Uematsu F, Wang F (2001) Directional specificity of prostate stromal to epithelial cell communication via FGF7/FGFR2 is set by cell- and FGFR2-isoform-specific heparin sulfate. In Vitro Cell Devel Biol 37:575-577.

Wang F, McKeehan K, Yu C, McKeehan WL (2002) Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 phosphotyrosine 766: Molecular target for prevention of progression of prostate tumors to malignancy. Cancer Res 62:898-1903.

Wang F (2002 Cell- and receptor isotype-specific phosphorylation of SNT1 by FGF receptor kinases. In Vitro Cell Devel Biol 38:178-183.