Kihun Han
Korea University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
About the Lab
Professor Kihun Han's research lab focuses on the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, with a central emphasis on gene regulation in the brain. The lab investigates post-transcriptional control mechanisms, particularly the roles of microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins, in regulating key synaptic scaffolding genes such as *MECP2* and *SHANK3*. Using integrative approaches including transcriptome analysis, animal models, and patient-derived cells, the lab explores how dysregulation of these pathways contributes to diseases like autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, and bipolar disorder. A major research direction involves identifying downstream molecular pathways affected by synaptic protein overexpression or mutation, especially those involving mTORC1 signaling and dendritic spine pathology.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Proper neurological function in humans requires precise control of levels of the epigenetic regulator methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). MeCP2 protein levels are low in fetal brains, where the predominant MECP2 transcripts have an unusually long 3' untranslated region (UTR). Here, we show that miR-483-5p, an intragenic microRNA of the imprinted IGF2, regulates MeCP2 levels through a human-specific binding site in the MECP2 long 3' UTR. We demonstrate the inverse correlation of miR-483-5p and
Park, Seung-Jung; Park, Duk-Woo; Kim, Young-Hak; Kang, Soo-Jin; Lee, Seung-Whan; Lee, Cheol Whan; Han, Ki-Hoon; Park, Seong-Wook; Yun, Sung-Cheol; Lee, Sang-Gon; Rha, Seung-Woon; Seong, In-Whan; Jeong, Myung-Ho; Hur, Seung-Ho; Lee, Nae-Hee; Yoon, Junghan; Yang, Joo-Young; Lee, Bong-Ki; Choi, Young-Jin; Chung, Wook-Sung; Lim, Do-Sun; Cheong, Sang-Sig; Kim, Kee-Sik; Chae, Jei Keon; Nah, Deuk-Young; Jeon, Doo-Soo; Seung, Ki Bae; Jang, Jae-Sik; Park, Hun Sik; Lee, Keun Author Information
Silencing of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) cause fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability and autistic behaviors. FMRP is an mRNA-binding protein regulating neuronal translation of target mRNAs. Abnormalities in actin-rich dendritic spines are major neuronal features in FXS, but the molecular mechanism and identity of FMRP targets mediating this phenotype remain largely unknown. Cyto
BACKGROUND: Proper neuronal function requires tight control of gene dosage, and failure of this process underlies the pathogenesis of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. The SHANK3 gene encoding core scaffolding proteins at glutamatergic postsynapse is a typical dosage-sensitive gene, both deletions and duplications of which are associated with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, or schizophrenia. However, the regulatory mechanism of S
Mania causes symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, elevated mood, reduced anxiety and decreased need for sleep, which suggests that the dysfunction of the striatum, a critical component of the brain motor and reward system, can be causally associated with mania. However, detailed molecular pathophysiology underlying the striatal dysfunction in mania remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify the molecular pathways showing alterations in the striatum of SH3 and multiple ankyri
Variants of the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain 3 (<i>SHANK3</i>) gene, encoding excitatory postsynaptic core scaffolding proteins, are causally associated with numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia (SCZ). Although detailed synaptic changes of various <i>Shank3</i> mutant mice have been well characterized, broader downstream molecular changes, including direct and i
Recent molecular genetic studies have identified 100s of risk genes for various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. As the number of risk genes increases, it is becoming clear that different mutations of a single gene could cause different types of disorders. One of the best examples of such a gene is <i>SHANK3</i>, which encodes a core scaffold protein of the neuronal excitatory post-synapse. Deletions, duplications, and point mutations of <i>SHANK3</i> are associated with autism
BACKGROUND The effect of foot orthoses in terms of kinematics and kinetics during walking could be affected on different geometrical designs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical and clinical effects of 3 different insoles on rearfoot motion (RFM) and ankle joint moment parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty eight university students with flexible flatfoot were recruited for this study, and each participant was asked to wear 3 different insoles: normal insole wi
The SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins are core organizers of the postsynaptic density in neuronal excitatory synapses, and their defects cause various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mechanistically, Shank3 directly and indirectly interacts with hundreds of synaptic proteins with diverse functions and potentially exerts its regulatory roles in synaptic development and function via these interactors. However, Shank3-dependent regulation of synaptic abu
Recent molecular genetic studies have suggested that two members of the cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein (CYFIP) gene family, CYFIP1 and CYFIP2, are causally associated with several brain disorders. However, the clinical features of individuals with CYFIP1 and CYFIP2 variants are quite different. In addition, null mice for either Cyfip1 or Cyfip2 are lethal, indicating that these two genes cannot compensate for each other in vivo. Although these results strongly suggest that CYFIP1 and CYFIP
Cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2) is a key component of the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) which regulates actin polymerization and branching in diverse cellular compartments. Recent whole exome sequencing studies identified <i>de novo</i> hotspot variants in <i>CYFIP2</i> from patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and microcephaly, suggesting that CYFIP2 may have some functions in embryonic brain development. Although perinatal lethality of <i>Cyfip2</i>-null (<i>Cyfip
Research Areas
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