Chen Yan, Ph.D.: Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling and Cardiovascular Disease: Function, Regulation and Therapeutic Prospects

My research interests are in the field of cyclic nucleotide signaling and cardiovascular biology, with a particular focus on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that catalyze the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotide second messengers (cAMP and cGMP). The versatility and specificity of cyclic nucleotide signaling is achieved through specific compartmentalization of different cyclic nucleotide pools that are controlled by distinct PDE isoforms.

Our research program has been among the pioneers in elucidating the roles and underlying mechanisms of PDE activation or inhibition in cardiovascular diseases, particularly from the perspective of revealing new molecular targets for pharmacologic modulation of cyclic nucleotide signaling in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. PDEs have been proved to be important modulators of cyclic nucleotide signaling and a highly promising class of therapeutic targets for drug development.