Our main research interest is to elucidate the pathological mechanisms in the neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS. We combine multidisciplinary tools to investigate the processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases in molecular, cellular, neural circuit and animal levels.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the major cause of dementia in the world. Although several genetic alterations have been associated with AD, the vast majority of AD cases does not show strong genetic underpinnings and are thus considered a consequence of non-genetic factors. Epigenetic mechanisms allow for the integration of long-lasting non-genetic inputs on specific genetic backgrounds, and recently, a growing number of epigenetic alterations in AD have been described. Genome-wide and locus-specific epigenetic alterations have also been reported, and several epigenetically dysregulated genes validated by independent groups. Our research mainly focuses on the epigenetic changes and mechanisms (including DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA and chromatin remodeling) underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
1. Li D, Zhang J, Wang M, Li X, Gong H, Tang H, Chen L, Wan L, Liu Q*. 2018. Activity dependent LoNA Regulates Translation by Coordinating rRNA Transcription and Methylation. Nature Communications, 9（1）：1726.
2. You L, Wang J, Liu T, Zhang Y, Han X, Wang T, Guo S, Dong T, Xu J, Anderson GJ, Liu Q, Chang YZ, Lou X, Nie G. 2018.Targeted Brain Delivery of Rabies Virus Glycoprotein 29-Modified Deferoxamine-Loaded Nanoparticles Reverses Functional Deficits in Parkinsonian Mice. ACS Nano, 12(5):4123-4139.
3. Zhang J, Liu Q*.2015. Cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis in the brain. Protein Cell. 6(4):254-64.
4. Liu Q*, Zhang J. 2014. Lipid metabolism in Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Bull. 30:331-45.
5. Berg MG, Singh LN, Younis I, Liu Q, Pinto AM, Kaida D, Zhang Z, Cho S, Sherrill-Mix S, Wan L, Dreyfuss G. 2012. U1 snRNP Determines mRNA Length and Regulates Isoform Expression. Cell, 150: 53-64.
6. Jacob CO, Eisenstein M, Dinauer MC, Ming W, Liu Q, John S, Quismorio FP Jr, Reiff A, Myones BL, Kaufman KM, McCurdy D, Harley JB, Silverman E, Kimberly RP, Vyse TJ, Gaffney PM, Moser KL, Klein-Gitelman M, Wagner-Weiner L, Langefeld CD, Armstrong DL, Zidovetzki R. 2012. Lupus-associated causal mutation in neutrophil cytosolic factor 2 (NCF2) brings unique insights to the structure and function of NADPH oxidase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 109:E59-67.
7. Liu Q, Zhang J, Zerbinatti C, Zhan Y, Kolber BJ, Herz J, Muglia LJ, Bu G. 2011.Lipoprotein receptor LRP1 regulates leptin signaling and energy homeostasis in the adult central nervous system. PLoS Biology. 9(1): e1000575.
8. Kanekiyo T, Zhang J, Liu Q, Liu CC, Zhang L, Bu G. 2011. Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycan and the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 Constitute Major Pathways for Neuronal Amyloid-{beta} Uptake. J.Neurosci. 31: 1644-1651.
9. Liu Q, Zhang J, Trotter J, Cheng C, Han X, Weeber EJ, Bao J, Herz J, Bu G. 2010. Lipoprotein receptor LRP1 regulates age-dependent synaptic and neuronal degeneration by modulating brain lipid metabolism. Journal of Neuroscience. 30:17068-17078.
10. Fuentealba RA, Liu Q, Kanekiyo T, Zhang J, Bu G. 2009. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 promotes anti-apoptotic signaling in neurons by activating Akt survival pathway. J Biol Chem. 284:34045-34053.
11. Liu Q，Zhang J，Tran H，Verbeek M，Reiss K，Saftig P，Estus S，Bu G. 2008. LRP1 shedding in human brain: Roles of ADAM 10 and 17，Alzheimer's & Dementia，4：T737-T738.
12. Liu Q, Zerbinatti CV, Zhang J, Hoe HS, Wang B, Cole SL, Herz J, Muglia L, Bu G. 2007. Amyloid Precursor Protein Regulates Brain Apolipoprotein E and Cholesterol Metabolism through Lipoprotein Receptor LRP1. Neuron, 56:66-78.
13. Zhang YW, Wang R, Liu Q, Zhang H, Liao FF, Xu H. 2007. Presenilin/gamma-secretase-dependent processing of beta-amyloid precursor protein regulates EGF receptor expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 104:10613-10618.
14. Liu Q, Zhang J, Zhu H, Qin C, Chen Q, Zhao B. 2007.Dissecting the signaling pathway of nicotine-mediated neuroprotection in a mouse Alzheimer disease model. FASEB J, 21:61-73.
15. Liu Q, Zhao B. 2004.Nicotine attenuates beta-amyloid peptide-induced neurotoxicity, free radical and calcium accumulation in hippocampal neuronal cultures. Br J Pharmacol. 141:746-754.
