Prof. SUN Yuxiang (孫宇翔)

Prof. Yuxiang Sun received his BSc in Biotechnology from Anhui University and PhD in Biophysics from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where his research uncovered the disruption of chromosomal architecture at the COX2 locus, sensitizing lung cancer cells to radiotherapy. He completed postdoctoral training at UC Riverside, focusing on RNA modifications in trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, employing molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical chemistry. In 2024, he has joined the Department of Neuroscience at City University of Hong Kong.

Epigenetic modifications occur on genomic DNA and histones to influence gene expression. His research interests are investigating roles of epigenetic regulation in gene expression and epitranscriptomic modulation in driving neurodegeneration.

1. Having elucidated the critical role of RNA modifications in neurological diseases caused by CAG repeat RNA expansions, he aims to further explore epitranscriptomic modifications in various RNA repeat expansions associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This exploration seeks to identify effective molecular targets for developing therapeutic approaches.
2. Recognizing the significant role of non-canonical repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation in inducing neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, his work will investigate how modified nucleosides in expanded repeat RNA influence RAN translation. Additionally, he will assess how RNA-modifying enzymes regulate RAN translation products. This ongoing research aims to provide new mechanistic insights into RAN translation, documenting the roles of RNA modifications and revealing additional pathological implications of epitranscriptomic modifications in neurodegenerative diseases.
3. Given the demonstrated toxicity of RAN proteins in cellular and animal models, his research will utilize the ascorbate peroxidase (APEX)-based proximity labeling method to analyze the interactomes of RAN proteins. By identifying novel interaction partners of these proteins, his goal is to gain mechanistic insights into their toxicity, particularly their sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, which may contribute significantly to disease etiology.