Nikhil Ghate, Ph.D.
Cancer Epigenetics, Epigenectic Drug Targeting, Natural Product Researchnikhil@nccs.res.in
Research Areas
Biology of Cancer and chronic Diseases, Genome Architecture and Regulation
Education
Ph.D., Biochemistry, Bose Institute, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India, 2016.
M.Sc., Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune, India, 2010.
B.Sc., Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune, India, 2008.
Experience
Jan 2025 – Present Scientist-C, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
Jan 2024 – Dec 2024 Associate Editor, Springer Nature Group, Pune, India
July 2022 – May 2023 Visiting Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
April 2022 – Jan 2024 M K Bhan Young Researcher Fellow, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
Nov 2021 – Mar 2022 Research Associate Staff, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Nov 2016 – Oct 2021 Postdoctoral Scholar, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Research
My laboratory's research programs are broadly categorized into two primary areas: Cancer Epigenetics, focused on understanding gene regulation, and Natural Product Research, aimed at exploring effective treatments for diseases, particularly cancer, in humans. Although these two fields are distinct, they are often integrated in our efforts to develop epigenetic-targeting drugs using indigenous natural resources. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to combine the insights from both areas to identify novel therapeutic strategies for cancer management.
Cancer Epigenetics:
Maintenance of genome integrity is a precise but tedious and complex job for the cell. Several post-translational modifications (PTMs) play vital roles in maintaining the genome integrity. The DNA is precisely packaged by four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) and their variants to form a highly dynamic structure of chromatin in eukaryotes. The core histones are considered as a critical determinant in maintaining the chromatin structure and dynamics. The binding of chromatin structure-regulating factors is further influenced by the diverse patterns of histone PTMs. The histone PTMs act as a cognate mark to recruit proteins to perform specific downstream functions and this hypothesis is called “histone code” which extends genetic code. Histone PTMs efficiently regulate dynamic transitions between transcriptionally active/inactive chromatin states. My research program is focused on using multi-disciplinary biochemical and cellular approaches to understand fundamental concepts and mechanisms of action of epigenetic histone remodeling in various cellular events. Specifically, my laboratory employs multiple assay systems and methods to dissect molecular details of how histone modification regulate chromatin structure and control gene expression processes during tumorigenesis.
Natural product research:
This program is oriented to develop better and safer medicines using indigenous natural resources (plants, algae and lichen) against various ROS-induced degenerative diseases like cancer, while avoiding the detrimental side effects of conventional therapies involving synthetic drugs. Natural products have long been a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties. In the context of epigenetic cancer therapy, these compounds offer a promising avenue for drug development by modulating key enzymes and pathways involved in gene expression regulation. Natural products such as curcumin, resveratrol, and sulforaphane have demonstrated the ability to influence epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression, which play critical roles in cancer initiation and progression. By targeting epigenetic regulators, these compounds can reverse abnormal gene silencing or activation, restoring normal cellular functions and sensitizing cancer cells to conventional therapies. Furthermore, natural product-based epigenetic drugs may have fewer side effects compared to synthetic agents. Ongoing research focuses on identifying novel natural compounds, elucidating their mechanisms of action, and optimizing their efficacy for clinical use in cancer treatment. This approach holds great promise in developing safer and more effective anticancer therapies.
Publications and patents
Selected publications:
| 1. |
Ghate, N.B.*, Nadkarni, K.S., Barik, G.K., Tat, S.S., Sahay, O., Santra, M.K.* (2024) Histone ubiquitination: Role in genome integrity and chromatin organization. BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms, 1867(3): 195044. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195044. *corresponding author |
| 2. |
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Kim, J., Doche, M., Valena, S., Situ, A., Kim, S., Rhie, S.K., Lenz, H.J., Ulmer, T.S., Mumenthaler, S.M., An, W. (2023) Phosphorylation and stabilization of EZH2 by DCAF1/VprBP trigger aberrant gene silencing in colon cancer. Nature Communications, 14: 2140. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37883-1 |
| 3. |
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Kim, K., An, W. (2023) VprBP/DCAF1 regulates p53 function and stability through site-specific phosphorylation. Oncogene, 42: 1405–1416. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-023-02685-8 |
| 4. |
Shin, Y., Kim, S., Ghate, N.B., Rhie, S.K., An, W. (2022) MMP-9 drives the melanomagenic transcription program through histone H3 tail proteolysis. Oncogene, 41: 560-570. doi: 10.1038/s41388-021-02109-5 |
| 5. |
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Spiller, E., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Rhie, S.K., Smbatyan, G., Lenz, H.J., Mumenthaler, S.M., An, W. (2021) VprBP directs epigenetic gene silencing through histone H2A phosphorylation in colon cancer. Molecular Oncology, 15(10): 2801-2817. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.13068 |
| 6. |
Ghate, N.B., Kim, J., Shin, Y., Situ, A., Ulmer, T.S., An, W. (2019) p32 is a negative regulator of p53 tetramerization and transactivation. Molecular Oncology, 13(9): 1976-1992. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12543 |
| 7. |
Shin, Y., Ghate, N.B., Moon, B., Park, K., Lu, W., An, W. (2019) DNMT and HDAC inhibitors modulate MMP-9-dependent H3 N-terminal tail proteolysis and osteoclastogenesis. Epigenetics and Chromatin, 12:25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13072-019-0270-0 |
| 8. |
Ghate, N.B., Chaudhuri, D., Panja, S., Singh, S.S., Gupta, G., Lee, C.Y., Mandal, N. (2018) In vitro mechanistic study of the anti-inflammatory activity of a Quinoline isolated from Spondias pinnata Bark. ACS Journal of Natural Products, 81(9): 1956-1961. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00036 |
| 9. |
Ghate, N.B., Das, A., Chaudhuri, D., Panja, S., Mandal, N. (2016) Sundew plant, a potential source of anti-inflammatory agents, selectively induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through upregulation of p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Cell Death Discovery, 2: 15062. doi: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2015.62 |
| 10. |
Ghate, N.B., Chaudhuri, D., Das, A., Panja, S., Mandal, N. (2015) An antioxidant extract of the insectivorous plant Drosera burmannii Vahl. alleviates iron-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in mice. PLoS ONE, 10(5): e0128221. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128221. |
| 11. |
Ghate, N.B., Chaudhuri, D., Sarkar, R., Sajem, A.L., Panja, S., Rout, J., Mandal, N. (2013) An antioxidant extract of tropical lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. PLoS ONE, 8(12): e82293. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082293. |
Chapter in book:
1. Das, A., Chaudhuri, D., Sarkar, R., Ghate, N.B., Panja, S., Mandal, N. (2017) Plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activity. Nutritional Antioxidant Therapies: Treatments and Perspectives, pp 27-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67625-8_2.
Complete publication list: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=LkpQROYAAAAJ&hl=en
Awards/honors/membership
- Recipient of M K Bhan Young Researcher Fellowship 2022-2024 from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (NCCS, Pune).
- Recipient of Institutional JRF and SRF 2010-2016 from Bose Institute, Kolkata.
- Act as a Chairperson at International conference titled ‘Epigenetic Therapeutic Targets’ Organised by Hanson Wade from July 13-15, 2021.
- Program Committee member in 3rd Conference, Asian Conference on Science, Technology and Medicine 2019 held at Dubai, UAE.
- Awarded Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing in year 2017, by the Journal “Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy”, Publisher: Elsevier
- Life Member of “Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences”, India
- Life Member of “Cancer Epigenetics Society”, Austria
- Life Member of “Indian Lichenological Society”, India
Current/Past Lab members
My laboratory is actively seeking qualified candidates for Ph.D. and postdoctoral positions to work on exciting projects in cancer epigenetics. Please reach out to me to learn more.
Back
Last updated On : 10 January 2025 12:49