Email: yincq@szbl.ac.cn
Dr. Yin's research group focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming and protein post-translational modifications in the development and progression of malignant tumors. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the team integrates advanced techniques such as proteomics, metabolomics, tumor biology, genetic engineering, and high-throughput screening. Combining these with clinical samples, tumor organoids, and animal models, the group aims to uncover critical metabolic and signaling pathways involved in cancer progression. This research seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop innovative treatment strategies for cancer.
Dr. Yin is a Junior Principal Investigator at the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory. His recent research focuses on the mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, as well as the development of drugs for cancer prevention and treatment. Dr. Yin’s work has been published as the first author or corresponding author (including co-corresponding) in renowned international journals such as Cell, Nature, Nature Communications, Trends in Cell Biology, Advanced Science, and Cancer Research. He has led various research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Fund Project, Shenzhen Medical Research Special Fund Project, and the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award. Additionally, he has contributed as a core member to the National Key R&D Programs and special NSFC projects. Dr. Yin holds one authorized U.S. patent and two domestic patents.
Major scientific findings
1、Molecular Mechanism of GPCR MC1R Palmitoylation in Melanoma Prevention
We elucidated the molecular mechanism by which palmitoylation of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) MC1R inhibits melanoma development. We also validated a novel method for melanoma prevention (Nature, 2017; Cancer Research, 2023).
2、Post-Translational Regulation of NRAS in Melanoma Progression
We uncovered the molecular mechanism regulating NRAS protein through post-translational modifications that promote melanoma progression. Furthermore, we developed specific small-molecule kinase inhibitors targeting this pathway (Cell, 2019; Nature Communications, 2024).
3、Role of Amino Acids and Gut Metabolites in Cell Death Regulation
We revealed and investigated the mechanisms by which amino acids and other gut metabolites regulate cell death, providing new targets for the development of cancer therapies that exploit metabolic vulnerabilities (Advanced Science, 2023; Trends in Cell Biology, 2024).
1. SLC25A1 and ACLY maintain cytosolic acetyl-CoA to regulate ferroptosis susceptibility via FSP1 acetylation. EMBO Journal. Li, W.#, Han, J.#, Huang, B. #, Xu, T. #, Wan, Y., Luo, D., Kong, W., Yu, Y., Zhang, L., Nian, Y. *, Chu, B. *, Yin, C. * 2025, in press
2. PTPN23-dependent activation of PI3KC2α is a therapeutic vulnerability of BRAF-mutant cancers. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 222(3): e20241147. He, Y.#, Li, W.#, Zhang, M. #, Wang, H., Lin, P., Yu, Y., Huang, B., Hao, M., He, J., Kong, W., Luo, D., Xu, T., Wang, J., Huang, Y., Zhao, Q., Liu, Y., Zhang, J., Nian, Y., Zhang, L., Zhu, B., Yin, C.* 2025/01. DOI:10.1084/jem.20241147
3. Palmitoylation-dependent regulation of GPX4 suppresses ferroptosis. Nature Communications. 16: 867. Huang, B.#, Wang, H.#, Liu, S.#, Hao, M.#, Luo, D., Zhou, Y., Huang, Y., Nian, Y., Zhang, L., Chu, B., Yin, C.* 2025/01. DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-56344-5
4. Pharmacological targeting of casein kinase 1δ suppresses oncogenic NRAS-driven melanoma. Nature Communications. 15, 10088. Wen, Y.#, Wang, H.#, Yang, X.#, Zhu, Y., Li, M., Ma, X., Huang, L., Wan, R., Zhang, C., Li, S., Jia, H., Guo, Q., Lu, X., Li, Z., Shen, X., Zhang, Q.*, Si, L.*, Yin, C.*, Liu, T*. 2024/11.
5. Gut microbial metabolism in ferroptosis and colorectal cancer. Trends in Cell Biology. 10(11), Cui, W.#, Hao, M.#, Yang, X.*, Yin, C.*, Chu, B*. 2024/08.
6. Tryptophan metabolism acts as a new anti-ferroptotic pathway to mediate tumor growth. Advanced Science. 10(6), 2204006. Liu, D.#, Liang, C.#, Huang, B.#, Zhuang, X., Cui, W., Yang, L., Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., Fu, X., Zhang, X., Du, L., Gu, W., Wang, X., Yin, C.*, Chai, R.*, Chu, B.* 2023/02.
7. Aberrant promoter methylation of Wnt inhibitory factor-1 gene is a potential target for treating psoriasis. Clinical Immunology. 252023, 0, 109294. Liu, L. #, Zhou, Y. #, Luo, D. #, Sun, X., Li, H., Lu, Y., Wang, J., Zhang, M., Lin, N., Yin, C.*, Li, X.*, 2023/01.
8. AMPK phosphorylates ZDHHC13 to increase MC1R activity and suppress melanomagenesis. Cancer Research. 83 (7): 1062–1073. Sun, Y.#, Li, X.#, Yin, C.#, Zhang, J., Liang, E., Wu, X., Ni, Y., Arbesman, J., Goding, C. R., Chen, S. 2023/01
9. Pharmacological targeting of STK19 inhibits oncogenic NRAS-driven melanomagenesis. Cell. 176(5), 1113-1127. Yin, C.#, Zhu, B.#, Zhang, T.#, Liu, T.#, Chen, S., Liu, Y., Li, X., Miao, X., Li, S., Mi, X., Zhang, J., Li, L., Wei, G., Xu, Z., Gao, X., Huang, C., Wei, Z., Goding, C. R., Wang, P.*, Deng, X.*, Cui, R.* 2019/02
10. Palmitoylation-dependent activation of MC1R prevents melanomagenesis. Nature. 549(7672), 399-403. Chen, S.#, Zhu, B.#, Yin, C.#, Liu, W., Han, C., Chen, B., Liu, T., Li, X., Chen, X., Li, C., Hu, L., Zhou, J., Xu, Z., Gao, X., Wu, X., Goding, C. R., Cui, R. 2017/09