Rong Huang

765-494-3426

B.S. -1996 Tongji Medical University (Pharmacy)
M.S. - 1999 Tongji Medical University (Pharmaceutical Science)
Ph.D. -2006 Purdue University (Medicinal Chemistry)
Postdoc. -2007-2011 Johns Hopkins University (Chemical Biology)

Project 1: Targeting Methyltransferases to discover new drugs

Project 2: Targeting Protein α-N-terminal Acetylation

Our lab applies a multidisciplinary approach to: 

• Elucidate the mechanisms and functions of epigenetic modifications including methylation and  acetylation 
• Rational design and synthesize selective and potent inhibitors for protein methyltransferases and alpha N-terminal acetyltransferases
• Develop novel therapeutic agents for cancer and other diseased through targeting epigenetic pathways 

Please see: http://www.rhuanglab.com for detailed information.

Dongxing Chen (Post-Doctoral Research Associate)
Youchao Deng (Post-Doctoral Research Associate)
Krystal Diaz (Graduate Student)
Guangping Dong (Graduate Student)
Amr Mohamed Elkabbany (Graduate Student)
Yi-Hsun Ho (Graduate Student)
Zhi Huang (Post-Doctoral Research Associate)
Iredia David Iyamu (Post-Doctoral Research Associate)
Ying Meng (Graduate Student)
Nazimuddin Nazimuddin (Post-Doctoral Research Associate)

MCMP205 Medicinal Organic Chemistry

MCMP570 Basic Principles of Chemical Action on Biological Systems (Coordinator)

NIH R01GM117275

NIH U01CA214649

Purdue University College of Pharmacy Startup Funds

Chen D, Li L, Diaz K, Iyamu I, Yadav R, Noinaj N, Huang R. (2019) Novel propargyl-linked bisubstrate analogs as tight-binding Inhibitors for nicotinamide N-methyltransferase. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2019 Nov 14. PMID: 31724854.  doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01255.

Chen D, Dong G, Noinaj N, Huang R. (2019) Discovery of bisubstrate inhibitors for protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 62(7), 3773-3779. PMID: 30883119â��. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00206

Huang R. (2019) Chemical biology of protein N-terminal methyltransferases. ChemBioChem. Young Researcher Issue: ChemBioTalents.  20 (8), 976-984. PMID: 30479015â��. PMCID: PMC6465133. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbic.201800615.

Cheng D, Dong G., Li L, Zhu L., Tempel W, Liu Y, Huang R*, and Jin M*. (2018) An asparagine/glycine switch governs product specificity of human N-terminal methyltransferase NTMT2. Communications Biology. 1, 183. PMID: 30417120. PMCID: PMC6214909 (* co-corresponding  authors) www.nature.com/articles/s42003-018-0196-2

Kronfol MM, Dozmorov MG, Huang R, Slattum PW and McClay JL (2017) The role of epigenomics in personalized medicine. Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drug Development. 2(1), 33-45. 

Khalil EM, Mackie BD, Mao Y, and Huang R. (2016) Methyltransferases: Key Regulators in Cardiovascular Development and Disease. Annals of Vascular Medicine and Research. 3(2): 1032. Invited Review Link

Zhang G, Huang R. (2016) Facile Synthesis of SAM-Peptide Conjugates through Alkyl Linkers Targeting Protein N-terminal Methyltransferase 1. RSC Advance, 6, 6768-6771. Link

Cheng D, Mao Y, Tempel W, Qin S, Li L, Loppnau P, Huang R*, and Jin M*. (2015) Structural basis for the substrate recognition by the human N-terminal methyltransferase 1. Gene & Development, 29 (22), 2343-2348. PMID: 26543161. PMCID:PMC4691889 (* co-corresponding  authors) Link

Richardson SL, Mao Y, Zhang G, Hanjra P, Peterson DL, Huang R. (2015) Mechanistic studies of protein N-terminal RCC1 methyltransferase 1. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290 (18), 11601-11610. PMID: 25771539. PMCID:PMC4416863 Link

Richardson SL, Hanjra P, Zhang G, Mackie BD, Peterson DL, Huang R. (2015) A Direct, ratiometric, and quantitative MALDI-MS assay for protein methyltransferases and acetyltransferases. Analytical Biochemistry: Methods in the Biological Sciences, 478, 59-64. PMID: 25778392. PMCID: PMC4855292. Link

Zhang G, Richardson SL, Mao Y, Huang R. (2015) Design, synthesis, and kinetic analysis of potent protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 inhibitors. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. 13, 4149-4154. PMID: 25712161. PMCID: PMC4857722. Link
This work was highlighted in its front cover image.