Brian J. North, PhD

Associate Professor

Biomedical Sciences

B North

Contact

School of Medicine
Biomedical Sciences
Graduate School
Biomedical Sciences (Doctorate)
Biomedical Sciences (Master of Science)
Translational Hearing
CRISS II - Criss 2 - 404

Brian J. North, PhD

Associate Professor

Biomedical Sciences

Brian J. North is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Sciences Department. After receiving his B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, he completed his Ph.D. from the University of California San Francisco with Dr. Eric Verdin. He then went on to his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School with Dr. David Sinclair, and subsequently was a Research Assistant Professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he worked closely with the lab of Dr. Wenyi Wei. His main research focus is to understand the molecular and cellular pathways involved in regulating the process of aging, and how changes in these pathways contribute to the development of age-related diseases, with a primary interest in tumorigenesis.

Learn more about Dr. North's research.

Cancer Research Focus

The North lab studies the interrelationship between aging and cancer. We are particularly interested in the the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in targeting tumor suppressors and oncogenes in an age-dependent manner. 

Cancer Research Area(s)
  • Colon Cancer
  • Skin Cancer
  • Age Related Cancer Mechanisms

 

Research Focus

Molecular basis for aging and its impact on age-related disease susceptibility; Understanding the roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases in tumorigenesis; Regulation and function of NAD+-dependent deacetylases

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Position

Associate Professor

General

  • Pun Renju, Takafuji Sylar, Thapa Aradhana, Suzuki Rexton, North Brian, Kim Michael H, Abstract P2037: Bubr1 Is A Critical Regulator Of Cardiac Aging 2023
  • Pun Renju, Jindra Katelyn, Noss Bryant, Kim Michael, North Brian, Abstract P1068: BubR1 Is A Novel Regulator Of Cardiac Development And Conduction 2022

Publications

  • Frontiers in cell and developmental biology
    Pun Renju, North Brian J., Role of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins in gametogenesis and embryogenesis
    12 2025
  • Circulation (New York, N.Y.)
    Pun Renju, Thapa Aradhana, Takafuji Sylar, Kay Gabrielle, Suzuki Rexton, Haas Aliya, Kim Michael, North Brian, Abstract 4144061: BubR1 Insufficiency Recapitulates Changes Associated with Age-Related Cardiac Pathologies
    150:Suppl_1 2024
  • Seminars in cancer biology
    Pun Renju, Monieb Rodaina Hazem, Kumari Niti, Wagh Sachin, North Brian J., BubR1 and SIRT2: Insights into aneuploidy, aging, and cancer
    106-107, p. 201 - 216 2024
  • International journal of molecular sciences
    Ege Tuba, Tao Litao, North Brian J., The Role of Molecular and Cellular Aging Pathways on Age-Related Hearing Loss
    25:17, p. 9705 2024
  • Kim Michael, Pun Renju, Takafuji Sylar, Suzuki Rexton, North Brian, Thapa Aradhana, Abstract P1169: BubR1 Regulates Cardiac Development Through CamkII In Vivo 2023
  • Cellular oncology (Dordrecht)
    Zou Qiang, Liu Meng, North Brian J, Wang Bin, Zhang Yi, Liu Kewei, E3 ubiquitin ligases in cancer stem cells: key regulators of cancer hallmarks and novel therapeutic opportunities 2023
  • Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine
    Pun Renju, Kim Michael H., North Brian J., Role of Connexin 43 phosphorylation on Serine-368 by PKC in cardiac function and disease
    9, p. 1080131 - 1080131 2023
  • Dai Xiangpeng, North Brian J., Guo Jianping, Zhang Jinfang, Editorial 2022
  • Cell and Bioscience
    Bloom Celia R., North Brian J., Physiological relevance of post-translational regulation of the spindle assembly checkpoint protein BubR1
    11:1 2021
  • Nature Communications
    Liu Jing, Tokheim Collin, Lee Jonathan D., Gan Wenjian, North Brian J., Liu X. Shirley, Pandolfi Pier Paolo, Wei Wenyi, Genetic fusions favor tumorigenesis through degron loss in oncogenes
    12:1 2021
  • Cell Reports
    Shimizu Kouhei, Tokunaga Fuminori, Wei Wenyi, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Gi Min, Suzuki Shugo, North Brian J., Asara John M., Watahiki Asami, Fukumoto Satoshi, Interplay between protein acetylation and ubiquitination controls MCL1 protein stability
    37:6 2021
  • Molecular biology reports
    Ma Ying, North Brian J., Shu Jianfeng, Regulation of topoisomerase II stability and activity by ubiquitination and SUMOylation
    48:9, p. 6589 - 6601 2021
  • Mediators of Inflammation
    Kumari Niti, Reabroi Somrudee, North Brian J., Unraveling the Molecular Nexus between GPCRs, ERS, and EMT
    2021 2021
  • Nature Cell Biology
    Gao Yang, Nihira Naoe Taira, Bu Xia, Chu Chen, Zhang Jinfang, Kolodziejczyk Aleksandra, Fan Yizeng, Chan Ngai Ting, Ma Leina, Liu Jing, Wang Dong, Dai Xiaoming, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Liu Huadong, Ono Masaya, Nakanishi Akira, North Brian J., Huang Yu Han, Sharma Samanta, Geng Yan, Miki Yoshio, Xu Wei, Liu X. Shirley, Li Lei, Sicinski Piotr, Freeman Gordon J., Wei Wenyi, Acetylation-dependent regulation of PD-L1 nuclear translocation dictates the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy
    22:9, p. 1064 - 1075 2020
  • Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer
    Cheng Ji, Guo Jianping, North Brian J., Wang Bin, Cui Chun Ping, Li Hongchang, Tao Kaixiong, Zhang Lingqiang, Wei W., Functional analysis of deubiquitylating enzymes in tumorigenesis and development
    1872:2 2019
  • Molecular Oncology
    Ma Ying, Xiong Xiufang, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Wei Wenyi, Sun Yi, North Brian J., Zhao Yongchao, Cui Danrui, SCFβ-TrCP ubiquitinates CHK1 in an AMPK-dependent manner in response to glucose deprivation
    13:2, p. 307 - 321 2019
  • Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer
    Cheng Ji, Guo Jianping, North Brian J., Tao Kaixiong, Zhou Pengbo, Wei Wenyi, The emerging role for Cullin 4 family of E3 ligases in tumorigenesis
    1871:1, p. 138 - 159 2019
  • Protein and Cell
    Ci Yanpeng, Li Xiaoning, Chen Maorong, Zhong Jiateng, North Brian J., Inuzuka Hiroyuki, He Xi, Dai Xiangpeng, Li Yu, Guo Jianping, SCFβ-TRCP E3 ubiquitin ligase targets the tumor suppressor ZNRF3 for ubiquitination and degradation
    9:10, p. 879 - 889 2018
  • Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer
    Cheng Ji, Guo Jianping, Wang Zhiwei, North Brian J., Tao Kaixiong, Dai Xiangpeng, Wei Wenyi, Functional analysis of Cullin 3 E3 ligases in tumorigenesis
    1869:1, p. 11 - 28 2018
  • Nature
    Wang Bin, North Brian J., Dai Xiangpeng, Harper J. Wade, Cheng Xuhong, Bian Xiuwu, Zhang Lingqiang, Sun Shao Cong, Ordureau Alban, Jie Zuliang, Joo Donghyun, Liu Pengda, Gan Wenjian, Guo Jianping, Zhang Jinfang, Wei Wenyi, TRAF2 and OTUD7B govern a ubiquitin-dependent switch that regulates mTORC2 signalling
    545:7654, p. 365 - 369 2017
  • PloS one
    North Brian J., Almeciga-Pinto Ingrid, Tamang David, Yang Min, Jones Simon S., Quayle Steven N., Enhancement of pomalidomide anti-Tumor response with ACY-241, a selective HDAC6 inhibitor
    12:3 2017
  • Science Signaling
    Nihira Naoe T., Gao Daming, Ogura Kohei, Shimizu Kouhei, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Wei Wenyi, Zhang Jinfang, North Brian J., Acetylation-dependent regulation of MDM2 E3 ligase activity dictates its oncogenic function
    10:466 2017
  • Science Signaling
    Shimizu Kouhei, Wei Wenyi, Fukumoto Satoshi, Nakayama Keiichi I., Nakayama Keiko, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Fukushima Hidefumi, Ogura Kohei, Lien Evan C., Guo Ailan, Nihira Naoe Taira, Zhang Jinfang, North Brian J., Watahiki Asami, Nagashima Katsuyuki, Nakagawa Tadashi, Hoshikawa Seira, Okabe Koji, Yamada Aya, Toker Alex, Asara John M., The SCFβ-TRCP E3 ubiquitin ligase complex targets Lipin1 for ubiquitination and degradation to promote hepatic lipogenesis
    10:460 2017
  • Oncotarget
    Tan Yuyong, Ci Yanpeng, Dai Xiangpeng, Wu Fei, Guo Jianping, Liu Deliang, North Brian J., Huo Jirong, Zhang Jinfang, Cullin 3SPOP ubiquitin E3 ligase promotes the poly-ubiquitination and degradation of HDAC6
    8:29, p. 47890 - 47901 2017
  • Oncotarget
    Li Xiaoning, Dai Xiangpeng, Wan Lixin, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Sun Liankun, North Brian J., Smurf1 regulation of DAB2IP controls cell proliferation and migration
    7:18, p. 26057 - 26069 2016
  • Nature Communications
    Rumpf Tobias, Gajer Markus, Pannek Martin, Steegborn Clemens, Sinclair David A., Gerhardt Stefan, Ovádi Judit, Schutkowski Mike, Schiedel Matthias, Karaman Berin, Roessler Claudia, North Brian J., Sippl Wolfgang, Einsle Oliver, Jung Manfred, Schmidtkunz Karin, Lehotzky Attila, Oláh Judit, Ladwein Kathrin I., Selective Sirt2 inhibition by ligand-induced rearrangement of the active site
    6 2015
  • EMBO Journal
    North Brian J., Rosenberg Michael A., Jeganathan Karthik B., Hafner Angela V., Michan Shaday, Dai Jing, Baker Darren J., Cen Yana, Rosenzweig Anthony, Wu Lindsay E., Sauve Anthony A., Van Deursen Jan M., Sinclair David A., SIRT2 induces the checkpoint kinase BubR1 to increase lifespan
    33:13, p. 1438 - 1453 2014
  • Oncotarget
    Wu Xiaomian, Fukushima Hidefumi, North Brian J., Nagaoka Yoshiyuki, Nagashima Katsuyuki, Deng Feng, Okabe Koji, Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Wei Wenyi, SCFβ-TRCP regulates osteoclastogenesis via promoting CYLD ubiquitination
    5:12, p. 4211 - 4221 2014
  • Oncotarget
    Dai Xiangping, North Brian J., Inuzuka Hiroyuki, Negative regulation of DAB2IP by Akt and SCFFbw7 pathways
    5:10, p. 3307 - 3315 2014
  • Neoplasia
    Bonezzi Katiuscia, Belotti Dorina, North Brian J., Ghilardi Carmen, Borsotti Patrizia, Resovi Andrea, Ubezio Paolo, Riva Antonella, Giavazzi Raffaella, Verdin Eric, Taraboletti Giulia, Inhibition of SIRT2 potentiates the anti-motility activity of taxanes
    14:9, p. 846 - 854 2012
  • Cell Metabolism
    Price Nathan L., Gomes Ana P., Ling Alvin J.Y., Duarte Filipe V., Martin-Montalvo Alejandro, North Brian J., Agarwal Beamon, Ye Lan, Ramadori Giorgio, Teodoro Joao S., Hubbard Basil P., Varela Ana T., Davis James G., Varamini Behzad, Moaddel Ruin, Rolo Anabela P., Coppari Roberto, Palmeira Carlos M., De Cabo Rafael, Baur Joseph A., Sinclair David A., Hafner Angela, SIRT1 is required for AMPK activation and the beneficial effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial function
    15:5, p. 675 - 690 2012
  • Circulation Research
    North Brian J., Sinclair David A., The intersection between aging and cardiovascular disease
    110:8, p. 1097 - 1108 2012
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    Beirowski Bogdan, Auwerx Johan, Milbrandt Jeffrey, Viader Andreu, North Brian J., Schmidt Robert E., Michán Shaday, Baloh Robert H., Golden Judy P., Sinclair David A., Armour Sean M., Yamamoto Hiroyasu, Gustin Jason, Sir-two-homolog 2 (Sirt2) modulates peripheral myelination through polarity protein Par-3/atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) signaling
    108:43, p. E952 - E961 2011
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry
    Ahuja Nidhi, Schwer Bjoern, Carobbio Stefania, Waltregny David, North Brian J., Castronovo Vincenzo, Maechler Pierre, Verdin Eric, Regulation of insulin secretion by SIRT4, a mitochondrial ADP-ribosyltransferase
    282:46, p. 33583 - 33592 2007
  • PloS one
    North Brian J., Verdin Eric, Interphase nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling and localization of SIRT2 during mitosis
    2:8 2007
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry
    North Brian J., Verdin Eric, Mitotic regulation of SIRT2 by cyclin-dependent kinase 1-dependent phosphorylation
    282:27, p. 19546 - 19555 2007
  • Trends in Biochemical Sciences
    North Brian J., Sinclair David A., Sirtuins
    32:1, p. 1 - 4 2007
  • Methods
    North Brian J., Schwer Bjoern, Ahuja Nidhi, Marshall Brett, Verdin Eric, Preparation of enzymatically active recombinant class III protein deacetylases
    36:4, p. 338 - 345 2005
  • FASEB Journal
    Waltregny David, Glénisson Wendy, Tran Siv Ly, North Brian J., Verdin Eric, Colige Alain, Castronovo Vincent, Histone deacetylase HDAC8 associates with smooth muscle α-actin and is essential for smooth muscle cell contractility
    19:8, p. 966 - 968 2005
  • PLoS Biology
    Pagans Sara, Pedal Angelika, North Brian J., Kaehlcke Katrin, Marshall Brett L., Dorr Alexander, Frye Roy, McBurney Michael W., Ott Melanie, Hetzer-Egger Claudia, Henklein Peter, Hruby Henning, Jung Manfred, Verdin Eric, SIRT1 regulates HIV transcription via Tat deacetylation
    3:2, p. 210 - 220 2005
  • American Journal of Pathology
    Waltregny David, Weidle Ulrich, Verdin Eric, Castronovo Vincent, Bellahcène Akeila, De Leval Laurence, Glénisson Wendy, Tran Siv Ly, North Brian J., Expression of histone deacetylase 8, a class I histone deacetylase, is restricted to cells showing smooth muscle differentiation in normal human tissues
    165:2, p. 553 - 564 2004
  • European Journal of Histochemistry
    Waltregny D., North B., Van Mellaert F., De Leval J., Verdin E., Castronovo V., Screening of histone deacetylases (HDAC) expression in human prostate cancer reveals distinct class I HDAC profiles between epithelial and stromal cells
    48:3, p. 273 - 290 2004
  • Genome Biology
    North Brian J., Verdin Eric, Sirtuins
    5:5 2004
  • Molecular Cell
    North Brian J., Marshall Brett L., Borra Margie T., Denu John M., Verdin Eric, The human Sir2 ortholog, SIRT2, is an NAD+-dependent tubulin deacetylase
    11:2, p. 437 - 444 2003
  • Methods in Enzymology
    Verdin Eric, Dequiedt Franck, Fischle Wolfgang, Frye Roy, Marshall Brett, North Brian, Measurement of Mammalian Histone Deacetylase Activity
    377, p. 180 - 196 2003
  • Journal of Cell Biology
    Schwer Björn, North Brian J., Frye Roy A., Ott Melanie, Verdin Eric, The human silent information regulator (Sir)2 homologue hSIRT3 is a mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase
    158:4, p. 647 - 657 2002
  • Developmental Biology
    Verzi Michael P., Anderson Joshua P., Dodou Evdokia, Kelly Kathleen K., Greene Stephanie B., North Brian J., Cripps Richard M., Black Brian L., N-twist, an evolutionarily conserved bHLH protein expressed in the developing CNS, functions as a transcriptional inhibitor
    249:1, p. 174 - 190 2002

Awards

  • National Institutes of Health K01 Career Development Award
    National Institutes of Health K01 Career Development Award (NIH/NIA AG052627)
  • Gustavus Adolphus College Decade Award
    Gustavus Adolphus College Decade Award
  • BIDMC/National Institutes of Aging T32 Translational Research in Aging Award
    BIDMC/National Institutes of Aging T32 Translational Research in Aging Award