Donghun Shin, Ph.D.

  • Professor
  • Department of Developmental Biology

Education & Training

  • Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 2005
  • M.S. from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 1997
  • B.A. from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 1995

Research Interest Summary

We study liver development and regeneration using zebrafish as a model organism.

Research Categories

Research Interests

During regeneration, hepatocytes can be derived from either preexisting hepatocytes or biliary epithelial cells (BECs). When hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration is compromised, which is the case in chronic liver diseases, BEC-driven liver regeneration takes place. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of this BEC-driven liver regeneration should provide significant insights into how to promote innate liver regeneration in patients with severe liver diseases as therapeutics. We have established several innovative zebrafish liver regeneration models in which BECs extensively give rise to hepatocytes. Using these models, we have taken several approaches to better understand the mechanisms of BEC-driven liver regeneration, including chemical screening and RNAseq analyses. Currently, we investigate how (1) epigenetic factors, (2) metabolism, (3) FGFR signaling, and (4) Sall4 regulate BEC-driven liver regeneration. Upon severe biliary damage, hepatocytes transdifferentiate into BECs, similar to BEC conversion to hepatocytes in the settings of severe hepatocyte damage. We recently developed two zebrafish models for hepatocyte-to-BEC transdifferentiation. Using these models, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this plasticity.

Representative Publications

Lee SH, So J, Shin D (2023), Hepatocyte-to-cholangiocyte conversion occurs through transdifferentiation independently of proliferation in zebrafish. Hepatology, Jan 3. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000016

Jung K, Kim M, So J, Lee SH, Ko S, Shin D (2021), Farnesoid X receptor activation impairs liver progenitor cell-mediated liver regeneration via the PTEN-PI3K-AKT-mTOR axis in zebrafish. Hepatology, 74(1):397-410. 

So J, Kim M, Lee SH, Ko S, Lee DA, Park H, Azuma M, Parsons MJ, Prober D, Shin D (2021), Attenuating the EGFR-ERK-SOX9 axis promotes liver progenitor cell-mediated liver regeneration in zebrafish. Hepatology, 73(4):1494-1508.

So J, Kim A, Lee SH, Shin D (2020), Liver progenitor cell-driven liver regeneration. Exp Mol Med, 52(8):1230-1238

Ko S, Russell JO, Tian J, Gao C, Kobayashi M, Feng R, Yuan X, Shao C, Ding H, Poddar M, Singh S, Locker J, Weng HL, Monga SP, Shin D (2019), Hdac1 regulates differentiation of bipotent liver progenitor cells during regeneration via Sox9b and Cdk8. Gastroenterology, 156(1):187-202

So J, Khaliq M, Evason K, Ninov N, Martin BL, Stainier DY, Shin D (2018), Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls intrahepatic biliary network formation in zebrafish by regulating Notch activity. Hepatology, 67:2352-2366.

Choi TY, Khaliq M, Tsurusaki S, Ninov N, Stainier DY, Tanaka M, Shin D (2017), Bmp signaling governs biliary-driven liver regeneration in zebrafish via Tbx2b and Id2a. Hepatology, 66:1616-1630.

Ko S, Choi TY, Russell JO, So J, Monga SP, Shin D (2016) Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins regulate biliary-driven liver regeneration, J Hepatology, 64:316-25.

Choi TY, Ninov N, Stainier DY, Shin D (2014), Extensive conversion of hepatic biliary epithelial cells to hepatocytes after near total loss of hepatocytes in zebrafish. Gastroenterology, 146(3):776-788.

Shin D, Lee Y, Poss KD, Stainier DY (2011), Restriction of hepatic competence by Fgf signaling. Development, 138:1339-48.

Full List of Publications