Willis Li

Title(s)Professor, Medicine
SchoolHealth Sciences
Address9500 Gilman Drive #0716
La Jolla CA 92093
Phone858-534-7824
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse Education and Training
    Harvard Medical School, BostonPostdoctoral FellowGenetics
    Columbia University, New YorkPh.D.Biological Sciences
    Peking University, BeijingB.S.Biochemistry
    Collapse Awards and Honors
    Glenn Foundation for Medical Research2011Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging
    University of Rochester2008Davey Memorial Award for Outstanding Cancer Research
    Leukemia & Lymphoma Society2007  - 2012Research Scholar Award
    American Cancer Society2006  - 2010Research Scholar Award
    Columbia University1995Peter Sajovic Memorial Prize for Outstanding Graduate Student

    Collapse Overview 

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Research Activities and Funding
    Mechanism of heterochromatin regulation by STAT
    NIH R01GM131044Sep 20, 2018 - Aug 31, 2022
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Unphosphorylated STAT recruits HP1 for gene repression
    NIH R03CA212727Feb 1, 2017 - Jan 31, 2020
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Request for a Zeiss LSM 710 Confocal Microscope
    NIH S10RR026616Jun 24, 2010 - Jun 23, 2011
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Epigenetic tumor induction by heterochromatin instability
    NIH R01CA131326Jul 1, 2009 - Nov 30, 2014
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Network Interaction between EGFR and TGFbeta Pathways
    NIH R01GM077046Feb 1, 2006 - Jan 31, 2011
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Genetic Analysis of Intracellular Signaling Crosstalk
    NIH R01GM065774Apr 1, 2002 - Mar 31, 2007
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse ORNG Applications 
    Collapse Faculty Mentoring

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse Publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Next-Generation Sequencing and Proteomics of Cerebrospinal Fluid From COVID-19 Patients With Neurological Manifestations. Front Immunol. 2021; 12:782731. Wang H, Zhang Z, Zhou J, Han S, Kang Z, Chuang H, Fan H, Zhao H, Wang L, Ning Y, Sarapultsev A, Li WX, Li J, Lin Z, Luo S, Xiong N, Hu D. PMID: 34956212; PMCID: PMC8695435.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    2. Inpatient use of metformin and acarbose is associated with reduced mortality of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2022 01; 5(1):e00301. Li J, Wei Q, McCowen KC, Xiong W, Liu J, Jiang W, Thomas RL, Hepokoski M, He M, Shyy JYJ, Malhotra A, Xiong N, Li WX. PMID: 34585841; PMCID: PMC8646242.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    3. Worldwide inverse correlation between Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunization and COVID-19 mortality. Infection. 2021 Jun; 49(3):463-473. Li WX. PMID: 33495884; PMCID: PMC7831629.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    4. Drosophila SERTAD domain protein Taranis is required in somatic cells for maintenance of male germline stem cells. Dev Dyn. 2021 02; 250(2):237-248. Dutta P, Nath S, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 32969117; PMCID: PMC7855485.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    5. Metformin Use in Diabetes Prior to Hospitalization: Effects on Mortality in Covid-19. Endocr Pract. 2020 Oct; 26(10):1166-1172. Li J, Wei Q, Li WX, McCowen KC, Xiong W, Liu J, Jiang W, Marin T, Thomas RL, He M, Gongol B, Hepokoski M, Yuan JX, Shyy JY, Xiong N, Malhotra A. PMID: 33471718; PMCID: PMC7834011.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Worldwide inverse correlation between Bacille Calmette-Guérin immunization and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Res Sq. 2020 Jul 16. Li WX. PMID: 32702715; PMCID: PMC7373138.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    7. A Screening Method for Identification of Heterochromatin-Promoting Drugs Using Drosophila. J Vis Exp. 2020 03 12; (157). Zhang L, Dao K, Kang A, Loyola AC, Shang R, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 32225149; PMCID: PMC7323709.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    8. Streptonigrin at low concentration promotes heterochromatin formation. Sci Rep. 2020 02 26; 10(1):3478. Loyola AC, Dao K, Shang R, Zhang L, Dutta P, Fowler C, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 32103104; PMCID: PMC7044429.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    9. Unphosphorylated STAT3 in heterochromatin formation and tumor suppression in lung cancer. BMC Cancer. 2020 Feb 22; 20(1):145. Dutta P, Zhang L, Zhang H, Peng Q, Montgrain PR, Wang Y, Song Y, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 32087696; PMCID: PMC7036253.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    10. Endogenous IL-33 and Its Autoamplification of IL-33/ST2 Pathway Play an Important Role in Asthma. J Immunol. 2020 03 15; 204(6):1592-1597. Magat JM, Thomas JL, Dumouchel JP, Murray F, Li WX, Li J. PMID: 31988179; PMCID: PMC7065953.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    11. Identification of methotrexate as a heterochromatin-promoting drug. Sci Rep. 2019 08 12; 9(1):11673. Loyola AC, Zhang L, Shang R, Dutta P, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 31406262; PMCID: PMC6690983.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    12. Genome-wide Kdm4 histone demethylase transcriptional regulation in Drosophila. Mol Genet Genomics. 2019 Oct; 294(5):1107-1121. Tsurumi A, Xue S, Zhang L, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 31020413; PMCID: PMC6813854.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    13. Tumour cell-intrinsic CTLA4 regulates PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer. J Cell Mol Med. 2019 01; 23(1):535-542. Zhang H, Dutta P, Liu J, Sabri N, Song Y, Li WX, Li J. PMID: 30378264; PMCID: PMC6307812.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    14. Canonical and non-canonical JAK/STAT transcriptional targets may be involved in distinct and overlapping cellular processes. BMC Genomics. 2017 Sep 11; 18(1):718. Tsurumi A, Zhao C, Li WX. PMID: 28893190; PMCID: PMC5594485.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    15. The SERTAD protein Taranis plays a role in Polycomb-mediated gene repression. PLoS One. 2017; 12(6):e0180026. Dutta P, Li WX. PMID: 28665982; PMCID: PMC5493352.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    16. Heterochromatin components in germline stem cell maintenance. Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 02; 5:17463. Xing Y, Li WX. PMID: 26626305; PMCID: PMC4667240.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    17. Particulate matter-induced epigenetic changes and lung cancer. Clin Respir J. 2017 Sep; 11(5):539-546. Li J, Li WX, Bai C, Song Y. PMID: 26403658; PMCID: PMC7310573.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    18. Role of STAT3 in lung cancer. JAKSTAT. 2014; 3(4):e999503. Dutta P, Sabri N, Li J, Li WX. PMID: 26413424; PMCID: PMC4580090.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 31  
    19. Requirement for CRIF1 in RNA interference and Dicer-2 stability. RNA Biol. 2014; 11(9):1171-9. Lim SJ, Scott A, Xiong XP, Vahidpour S, Karijolich J, Guo D, Pei S, Yu YT, Zhou R, Li WX. PMID: 25483042; PMCID: PMC4615304.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    20. Drosophila Kdm4 demethylases in histone H3 lysine 9 demethylation and ecdysteroid signaling. Sci Rep. 2013 Oct 08; 3:2894. Tsurumi A, Dutta P, Dutta P, Shang R, Yan SJ, Sheng R, Li WX. PMID: 24100631; PMCID: PMC3792421.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 14     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    21. JAK-STAT in heterochromatin and genome stability. JAKSTAT. 2013 Jul 01; 2(3):e26090. Silver-Morse L, Li WX. PMID: 24069569; PMCID: PMC3772121.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9  
    22. Unphosphorylated STAT5A stabilizes heterochromatin and suppresses tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Jun 18; 110(25):10213-8. Hu X, Dutta P, Tsurumi A, Li J, Wang J, Land H, Li WX. PMID: 23733954; PMCID: PMC3690839.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    23. The Birt-Hogg-Dubé tumor suppressor Folliculin negatively regulates ribosomal RNA synthesis. Hum Mol Genet. 2013 Jan 15; 22(2):284-99. Gaur K, Li J, Wang D, Dutta P, Yan SJ, Tsurumi A, Land H, Wu G, Li WX. PMID: 23077212; PMCID: PMC3526160.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    24. Global heterochromatin loss: a unifying theory of aging? Epigenetics. 2012 Jul; 7(7):680-8. Tsurumi A, Li WX. PMID: 22647267; PMCID: PMC3414389.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 51     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    25. Heterochromatin formation promotes longevity and represses ribosomal RNA synthesis. PLoS Genet. 2012 Jan; 8(1):e1002473. Larson K, Yan SJ, Tsurumi A, Liu J, Zhou J, Gaur K, Guo D, Eickbush TH, Li WX. PMID: 22291607; PMCID: PMC3266895.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 96     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    26. A positive feedback signaling loop between ATM and the vitamin D receptor is critical for cancer chemoprevention by vitamin D. Cancer Res. 2012 Feb 15; 72(4):958-68. Ting HJ, Yasmin-Karim S, Yan SJ, Hsu JW, Lin TH, Zeng W, Messing J, Sheu TJ, Bao BY, Li WX, Messing E, Lee YF. PMID: 22207345; PMCID: PMC6616526.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    27. STAT is an essential activator of the zygotic genome in the early Drosophila embryo. PLoS Genet. 2011 May; 7(5):e1002086. Tsurumi A, Xia F, Li J, Larson K, LaFrance R, Li WX. PMID: 21637778; PMCID: PMC3102735.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 27     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    28. The role of receptor tyrosine kinases in primordial germ cell migration. Methods Mol Biol. 2011; 750:291-306. Silver-Morse L, Li WX. PMID: 21618099.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    29. Using Drosophila larval imaginal discs to study low-dose radiation-induced cell cycle arrest. Methods Mol Biol. 2011; 782:93-103. Yan SJ, Li WX. PMID: 21870287; PMCID: PMC3486928.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    30. Unphosphorylated STAT and heterochromatin protect genome stability. FASEB J. 2011 Jan; 25(1):232-41. Yan SJ, Lim SJ, Shi S, Dutta P, Li WX. PMID: 20847228; PMCID: PMC3005427.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 29     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    31. Bistability coordinates activation of the EGFR and DPP pathways in Drosophila vein differentiation. Mol Syst Biol. 2009; 5:278. Yan SJ, Zartman JJ, Zhang M, Scott A, Shvartsman SY, Li WX. PMID: 19536201; PMCID: PMC2710866.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    32. Canonical and non-canonical JAK-STAT signaling. Trends Cell Biol. 2008 Nov; 18(11):545-51. Li WX. PMID: 18848449; PMCID: PMC3082280.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 101     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    33. Raf activation is regulated by tyrosine 510 phosphorylation in Drosophila. PLoS Biol. 2008 May 20; 6(5):e128. Xia F, Li J, Hickey GW, Tsurumi A, Larson K, Guo D, Yan SJ, Silver-Morse L, Li WX. PMID: 18494562; PMCID: PMC2386837.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    34. Drosophila STAT is required for directly maintaining HP1 localization and heterochromatin stability. Nat Cell Biol. 2008 Apr; 10(4):489-96. Shi S, Larson K, Guo D, Lim SJ, Dutta P, Yan SJ, Li WX. PMID: 18344984; PMCID: PMC3083919.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 63     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    35. Evidence for transgenerational transmission of epigenetic tumor susceptibility in Drosophila. PLoS Genet. 2007 Sep; 3(9):1598-606. Xing Y, Shi S, Le L, Lee CA, Silver-Morse L, Li WX. PMID: 17845077; PMCID: PMC1971119.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    36. A novel function of Drosophila eIF4A as a negative regulator of Dpp/BMP signalling that mediates SMAD degradation. Nat Cell Biol. 2006 Dec; 8(12):1407-14. Li J, Li WX. PMID: 17115029; PMCID: PMC3090258.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 18     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    37. An intrinsic cell cycle checkpoint pathway mediated by MEK and ERK in Drosophila. Dev Cell. 2006 Oct; 11(4):575-82. Mogila V, Xia F, Li WX. PMID: 17011495; PMCID: PMC3095892.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    38. JAK signaling globally counteracts heterochromatic gene silencing. Nat Genet. 2006 Sep; 38(9):1071-6. Shi S, Calhoun HC, Xia F, Li J, Le L, Li WX. PMID: 16892059; PMCID: PMC3092431.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 81     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    39. A genetic screen for maternal-effect suppressors of decapentaplegic identifies the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A in Drosophila. Genetics. 2005 Dec; 171(4):1629-41. Li J, Li WX, Gelbart WM. PMID: 15972466; PMCID: PMC1456090.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    40. Functions and mechanisms of receptor tyrosine kinase Torso signaling: lessons from Drosophila embryonic terminal development. Dev Dyn. 2005 Mar; 232(3):656-72. Li WX. PMID: 15704136; PMCID: PMC3092428.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 26     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    41. Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and primordial germ cell development. Cell Cycle. 2004 Mar; 3(3):249-51. Li WX. PMID: 14726648; PMCID: PMC3090257.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  Translation:AnimalsCells
    42. Multiple signaling pathways and a selector protein sequentially regulate Drosophila wing development. Development. 2004 Jan; 131(2):285-98. Yan SJ, Gu Y, Li WX, Fleming RJ. PMID: 14701680.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    43. Patterns and functions of STAT activation during Drosophila embryogenesis. Mech Dev. 2003 Dec; 120(12):1455-68. Li J, Li W, Calhoun HC, Xia F, Gao FB, Li WX. PMID: 14654218; PMCID: PMC3090291.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    44. Coactivation of STAT and Ras is required for germ cell proliferation and invasive migration in Drosophila. Dev Cell. 2003 Nov; 5(5):787-98. Li J, Xia F, Li WX. PMID: 14602078; PMCID: PMC3092433.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 25     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    45. Drosophila gain-of-function mutant RTK torso triggers ectopic Dpp and STAT signaling. Genetics. 2003 May; 164(1):247-58. Li J, Li WX. PMID: 12750336; PMCID: PMC1462547.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    46. Differential requirement for STAT by gain-of-function and wild-type receptor tyrosine kinase Torso in Drosophila. Development. 2002 Sep; 129(18):4241-8. Li WX, Agaisse H, Mathey-Prevot B, Perrimon N. PMID: 12183376; PMCID: PMC3090254.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    47. Identification of autosomal regions involved in Drosophila Raf function. Genetics. 2000 Oct; 156(2):763-74. Li W, Noll E, Perrimon N. PMID: 11014822; PMCID: PMC1461272.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    48. A cyclase-associated protein regulates actin and cell polarity during Drosophila oogenesis and in yeast. Curr Biol. 2000 Aug 24; 10(16):964-73. Baum B, Li W, Perrimon N. PMID: 10985383.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 29     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    49. Dual function of Ras in Raf activation. Development. 1998 Dec; 125(24):4999-5008. Li W, Melnick M, Perrimon N. PMID: 9811584.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    50. The Drosophila 14-3-3 protein Leonardo enhances Torso signaling through D-Raf in a Ras 1-dependent manner. Development. 1997 Oct; 124(20):4163-71. Li W, Skoulakis EM, Davis RL, Perrimon N. PMID: 9374412.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    51. Specificity of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways: lessons from Drosophila. Genet Eng (N Y). 1997; 19:167-82. Li W, Perrimon N. PMID: 9193108.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    52. Effects of a conditional Drosophila PKA mutant on olfactory learning and memory. Learn Mem. 1996 Jan-Feb; 2(6):320-33. Li W, Tully T, Kalderon D. PMID: 10467582.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    53. Activity, expression and function of a second Drosophila protein kinase A catalytic subunit gene. Genetics. 1995 Dec; 141(4):1507-20. Meléndez A, Li W, Kalderon D. PMID: 8601490; PMCID: PMC1206883.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    54. Function of protein kinase A in hedgehog signal transduction and Drosophila imaginal disc development. Cell. 1995 Feb 24; 80(4):553-62. Li W, Ohlmeyer JT, Lane ME, Kalderon D. PMID: 7867063.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 93     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
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