Yun-Tae Lee
Pohang University of Science and Technology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
About the Lab
Professor Yun-Tae Lee's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune regulation, development, and cancer pathogenesis, with a central emphasis on the transcriptional regulator Capicua (CIC). The lab investigates how CIC functions as a critical transcriptional repressor in diverse biological contexts, including T follicular helper cell differentiation, liver-resident memory T cell development, B-1 cell homeostasis, and hepatocellular carcinoma progression. By integrating genetic, molecular, and immunological approaches, the lab uncovers how CIC maintains immune tolerance and tissue homeostasis, and how its dysregulation contributes to autoimmunity and cancer. The research also extends to the enzymatic mechanisms of RNase III proteins, particularly Drosha, in microRNA biogenesis, highlighting the lab’s broad interest in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
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Selected Papers
15RNase III proteins play key roles in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. The nuclear RNase III Drosha cleaves primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic RNase III Dicer to generate mature miRNAs. While Dicer (class III) and other simple RNase III proteins (class I) have been studied intensively, the class II enzyme Drosha remains to be characterized. Here we dissected the action mechanism of human Drosha by generating mutants and by cha
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is developed by multiple steps accompanying progressive alterations of gene expression, which leads to increased cell proliferation and malignancy. Although environmental factors and intracellular signaling pathways that are critical for HCC progression have been identified, gene expression changes and the related genetic factors contributing to HCC pathogenesis are still insufficiently understood. In this study, we identify a transcriptional repressor, Capicua (CI
Capicua (CIC) is an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor. CIC contains a high-mobility group (HMG) box that recognizes specific DNA sequences to regulate the expression of various target genes. CIC was originally identified in Drosophila melanogaster as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. This molecule controls normal organ growth and tissue patterning as well as embryogenesis in Drosophila. Recent studies have also demonstrated it
Abstract High-affinity antibody production through the germinal centre (GC) response is a pivotal process in adaptive immunity. Abnormal development of follicular helper T (T FH ) cells can induce the GC response to self-antigens, subsequently leading to autoimmunity. Here we show the transcriptional repressor Capicua/CIC maintains peripheral immune tolerance by suppressing aberrant activation of adaptive immunity. CIC deficiency induces excessive development of T FH cells and GC responses in a
Liver‐resident memory T (liver T RM ) cells exert protective immune responses following liver infection by malaria parasites. However, how these T RM cells are developed and what the consequence is if they are not properly maintained remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcriptional repressor, Capicua (CIC), controls liver CD8 + T RM cell development to maintain normal liver function. Cic ‐deficient mice have a greater number of liver CD8 + T RM cells and liver injury phenotypes a
B-1 cell development mainly occurs via fetal and neonatal hematopoiesis and is suppressed in adult bone marrow hematopoiesis. However, little is known about the factors inhibiting B-1 cell development at the adult stage. We report that capicua (CIC) suppresses postnatal B-1a cell development and survival. CIC levels are high in B-1a cells and gradually increase in transitional B-1a (TrB-1a) cells with age. B-cell-specific Cic-null mice exhibit expansion of the B-1a cell population and a gradual
Follicular helper T (T FH ) cells mediate germinal center reactions to generate high affinity antibodies against specific pathogens, and their excessive production is associated with the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ETV5, a member of the ETS transcription factor family, promotes T FH cell differentiation in mice. In this study, we examined the role of ETV5 in the pathogenesis of lupus in mice and humans. T cell–specific deletion of Etv5
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), an aggressive subtype induced by hormone therapy, lacks effective treatments. This study explored the role of E26 transformation-specific variant 5 (ETV5) in NEPC development. Analysis of multiple prostate cancer datasets revealed that NEPC is characterized by significantly elevated ETV5 expression compared to other subtypes. ETV5 expression increased progressively under hormone therapy through epigenetic modifications. ETV5 induced neural stem–like feature
Research Areas
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