On March 24th, 2017, Reuben Harris, University of Minnesota Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, visted China-US(Henan) hormel cancer institute for academic exchange and gave a lecture entitled “Clinical Impact and Molecular Mechanism of APOBEC Mutagenesis in Breast Cancer”. and then had depth academic discussion with experts, professors, and technician from the institute.

The team led by Dr. Reuben S. Harris conducted a large number of studies on DNA mutant enzymes (APOBEC) using model systems and experimental methods to unravel how APOBEC provides immunity against viral infections and contributes to the development of tumors through genomic DNA mutagenesis.

APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) , a family of evolutionarily conserved cytidine deaminase, Different cognate catalytic subunits can edit RNA or DNA and catalyze the deamination of cytosine to Uracil or Thymine.

Harris Laboratory conducted a comprehensive analysis of the seven homologous proteins of the APOBEC3 family and found that combination of four proteins APOBEC3D, APOBEC3F,APOBEC3H and APOBEC3G repress HIV-1 type virus infection.

They found that mutations of APOBEC may enrich tumor subclones and APOBEC cytosine deaminase accelerates subcloning amplification and tumour heterogeneity. The APOBEC family members may represent a class of targets designed to limit tumor progression, adaptation, and drug resistance.

Dr. Harris, also as an expert in breast cancer, will cooperate closely with the China-US(Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute and work on applying the finding into Medical transformation and developping new therapies against viruses and cancer.