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Sung-Kil Ji

Korea University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Sung-Kil Ji's research lab specializes in developing advanced nanomaterials and molecular therapeutics for targeted cancer therapy, with a focus on overcoming tumor microenvironment challenges. The lab investigates stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, particularly those activated by redox (GSH/H₂O₂) and enzymatic (e.g., NQO1) triggers, to enhance precision and efficacy. Key research directions include mitochondria-targeted theranostic agents, autophagy modulation, and the molecular mechanisms of tumor suppressors like XAF1 and CAV1 in cancer metabolism and apoptosis. The lab integrates nanomedicine, molecular biology, and cancer cell signaling to drive translational innovations.

stimuli-responsive drug deliverynanomedicinecancer metabolismmitochondria-targeted theranosticstumor microenvironment

Research Overview

Papers
151
Total Citations
9,900
Papers (5y)
68
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
68total
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
334total
20212022202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|5,992 citations·2016
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)
Daniel J. Klionsky, Kotb Abdelmohsen, Akihisa Abe, Md. Joynal Abedin, Hagai Abeliovich, Abraham Acevedo‐Arozena, Hiroaki Adachi, Christopher M. Adams, Peter D. Adams, Khosrow Adeli, Peter J. Adhihetty, Sharon G. Adler
SJR Q1AutophagyOA

AUTORES: Daniel J Klionsky1745,1749*, Kotb Abdelmohsen840, Akihisa Abe1237, Md Joynal Abedin1762, Hagai Abeliovich425,
\nAbraham Acevedo Arozena789, Hiroaki Adachi1800, Christopher M Adams1669, Peter D Adams57, Khosrow Adeli1981,
\nPeter J Adhihetty1625, Sharon G Adler700, Galila Agam67, Rajesh Agarwal1587, Manish K Aghi1537, Maria Agnello1826,
\nPatrizia Agostinis664, Patricia V Aguilar1960, Julio Aguirre-Ghiso784,786, Edoardo M Airoldi89,422, Slimane Ait-Si-Ali1376,
\nTakahiko

EpidemiologyMedicine
2
Article|748 citations·2007
Ubiquitination Regulates PTEN Nuclear Import and Tumor Suppression
Lloyd C. Trotman, Xinjiang Wang, Andrea Alimonti, Zhenbang Chen, Julie Teruya‐Feldstein, Haijuan Yang, Nikola P. Pavletich, Brett S. Carver, Carlos Cordon‐Cardo, Hediye Erdjument‐Bromage, Paul Tempst, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1CellOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Article|188 citations·2003
Transforming growth factor-β1 activates interleukin-6 expression in prostate cancer cells through the synergistic collaboration of the Smad2, p38-NF-κB, JNK, and Ras signaling pathways
Jae‐Il Park, Min Goo Lee, Kyucheol Cho, Bum-Joon Park, Kwon Seok Chae, Do-Sun Byun, Byung-Kyu Ryu, YongKeun Park, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1Oncogene
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
Article|131 citations·2019
Emerging 2D material-based nanocarrier for cancer therapy beyond graphene
Yingwei Wang, Meng Qiu, Miae Won, Eugeine Jung, Taojian Fan, Ni Xie, Sung-Gil Chi, Han Zhang, Jong Seung Kim
SJR Q1Coordination Chemistry Reviews
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
5
Review|121 citations·2022
Covalent organic framework nanomedicines: Biocompatibility for advanced nanocarriers and cancer theranostics applications
Nem Singh, Jungryun Kim, Jungryun Kim, Jaewon Kim, Jaewon Kim, Kyung-Woo Lee, Zehra Zunbul, Injun Lee, Eunji Kim, Sung-Gil Chi, Jong Seung Kim, Jong Seung Kim
SJR Q1Bioactive MaterialsOA

Nanomedicines for drug delivery and imaging-guided cancer therapy is a rapidly growing research area. The unique properties of nanomedicines have a massive potential in solving longstanding challenges of existing cancer drugs, such as poor localization at the tumor site, high drug doses and toxicity, recurrence, and poor immune response. However, inadequate biocompatibility restricts their potential in clinical translation. Therefore, advanced nanomaterials with high biocompatibility and enhance

Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
6
Article|106 citations·2019
Targeting Heterogeneous Tumors Using a Multifunctional Molecular Prodrug
Amit Sharma, Min-Goo Lee, Miae Won, Seyoung Koo, Jonathan F. Arambula, Jonathan L. Sessler, Sung-Gil Chi, Jong Seung Kim
SJR Q1Journal of the American Chemical Society

Reported here is a molecular construct (<b>K1</b>) designed to overcome hurdles associated with delivering active drugs to heterogeneous tumor environments. Construct <b>K1</b> relies on two cancer environment triggers (GSH and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) to induce prodrug activation. It releases an active drug form (SN-38) under conditions of both oxidative and reductive stress <i>in vitro</i>. Specific uptake of <b>K1</b> in COX-2 positive aggressive colon cancer cells (SW620 and LoVo) was see

Organic ChemistryChemistry
7
Article|94 citations·2016
Mitochondria-targeted aggregation induced emission theranostics: crucial importance of in situ activation
Weon Sup Shin, Min-Goo Lee, Peter Verwilst, Joung Hae Lee, Sung-Gil Chi, Jong Seung Kim
SJR Q1Chemical ScienceOA

A mitochondria targeted AIE fluorophore was further decorated with an NQO1 cleavable masking unit and showed selective targeting to and activation in cancer cells resulting in bright AIE fluorescence and apoptosis triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Materials ChemistryMaterials Science
8
Article|75 citations·2018
XAF1 forms a positive feedback loop with IRF-1 to drive apoptotic stress response and suppress tumorigenesis
Seong-In Jeong, Jung‐Wook Kim, Kyung-Phil Ko, Byung-Kyu Ryu, Min-Goo Lee, Hyo-Jong Kim, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1Cell Death and DiseaseOA

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)-associated factor 1 (XAF1) is a proapoptotic tumor suppressor that is frequently inactivated in multiple human cancers. However, the molecular basis for the XAF1-mediated growth inhibition remains largely undefined. Here, we report that XAF1 forms a positive feedback loop with interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and functions as a transcriptional coactivator of IRF-1 to suppress tumorigenesis. Under various stressful conditions, XAF1 transcription is act

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|55 citations·2012
CAV1/caveolin 1 enhances aerobic glycolysis in colon cancer cells via activation of SLC2A3/GLUT3 transcription
Tae-Kyu Ha, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1AutophagyOA

Although elevated expression of CAV1/caveolin 1 is associated with the malignant progression of various human cancers, the molecular mechanism underlying its oncogenic functions is largely unknown. We found that CAV1 is frequently overexpressed in advanced colorectal tumors due to aberrant promoter CpG site hypomethylation, and its elevation is implicated in enhanced aerobic glycolysis of tumor cells. Depletion of elevated CAV1 downregulates glucose uptake, intracellular ATP level and lactate ac

Cell BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
10
Article|53 citations·2011
Epigenetic Alteration of PRKCDBP in Colorectal Cancers and Its Implication in Tumor Cell Resistance to TNFα-Induced Apoptosis
Jin Hee Lee, Min Ju Kang, Hye-Yeon Han, Min-Goo Lee, Seong-In Jeong, Byung-Kyu Ryu, Tae-Kyu Ha, Nam-Goo Her, Jikhyon Han, Sun Jin Park, Kil Yeon Lee, Hyo-Jong Kim
SJR Q1Clinical Cancer Research

PURPOSE: PRKCDBP is a putative tumor suppressor in which alteration has been observed in several human cancers. We investigated expression and function of PRKCDBP in colorectal cells and tissues to explore its candidacy as a suppressor in colorectal tumorigenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression and methylation status of PRKCDBP and its effect on tumor growth were evaluated. Transcriptional regulation by NF-κB signaling was defined by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|53 citations·2020
Mitochondrial Relocation of a Common Synthetic Antibiotic: A Non-genotoxic Approach to Cancer Therapy
Kyoung Sunwoo, Miae Won, Kyung-Phil Ko, Miri Choi, Jonathan F. Arambula, Sung-Gil Chi, Jonathan L. Sessler, Peter Verwilst, Jong Seung Kim
SJR Q1ChemOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
12
Article|44 citations·2012
CD81 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in human gastric cancer
Tae-Hyoung Yoo, Byung-Kyu Ryu, Min-Goo Lee, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1Cellular OncologyOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
13
Article|39 citations·2016
RASSF1A Directly Antagonizes RhoA Activity through the Assembly of a Smurf1-Mediated Destruction Complex to Suppress Tumorigenesis
Min-Goo Lee, Seong-In Jeong, Kyung-Phil Ko, Soon Ki Park, Byung-Kyu Ryu, Ick-Young Kim, Jeong-Kook Kim, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1Cancer Research

RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor implicated in many tumorigenic processes; however, the basis for its tumor suppressor functions are not fully understood. Here we show that RASSF1A is a novel antagonist of protumorigenic RhoA activity. Direct interaction between the C-terminal amino acids (256-277) of RASSF1A and active GTP-RhoA was critical for this antagonism. In addition, interaction between the N-terminal amino acids (69-82) of RASSF1A and the ubiquitin E3 ligase Smad ubiquitination regulatory

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
14
Article|37 citations·2013
PPARδ promotes oncogenic redirection of TGF-β1 signaling through the activation of the ABCA1-Cav1 pathway
Nam-Hu Her, Seong-In Jeong, Kyucheol Cho, Tae-Kyu Ha, Jikhyon Han, Kyung-Phil Ko, Soon Ki Park, Jin Hee Lee, Min Goo Lee, Byung-Kyu Ryu, Sung-Gil Chi
SJR Q1Cell CycleOA

TGF-β1 plays biphasic functions in prostate tumorigenesis, inhibiting cell growth at early stages but promoting malignant progression at later stages. However, the molecular basis for the oncogenic conversion of TGF-β1 function remains largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate that PPARδ is a direct transcription target of TGF-β1 and plays a critical role in oncogenic redirection of TGF-β1 signaling. Blockade of PPARδ induction enhances tumor cell response to TGF-β1-mediated growth inhibition, whi

Cell BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|35 citations·2015
Reactive oxygen species production has a critical role in hypoxia-induced Stat3 activation and angiogenesis in human glioblastoma
Mi Ok Yu, Kyung-Jae Park, Dong‐Hyuk Park, Yong-Gu Chung, Sung-Gil Chi, Shin-Hyuk Kang
SJR Q1Journal of Neuro-Oncology
OncologyMedicine

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyCell BiologyCancer ResearchOncologyEpidemiologyImmunology

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