Organelles within a cell communicate with each other to exchange information and maintain cellular homeostasis. Indeed, various diseases such as obesity and type-2 diabetes are linked to dysregulation of organelle communication. Membrane contact sites mediate organelle communication and are key to organelle homeostasis and organismal health. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs), characterized by intimate contact between the ER and mitochondria, are indispensable for mitochondrial DNA synthesis and fission, as well as calcium exchange and lipid biosynthesis. Using high-throughput screening, proteomics and 3D reconstruction, our lab will investigate the molecular mechanisms of ER-mitochondria communication and its physiological role in health and diseases, and provide new potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

2009-2015: Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS, Shanghai, China

2004-2008: B.S., Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China

   

2016-2021: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

2015-2016: Assistant Research Fellow，Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

1.     Yoshida, S., X. Wei, G. Zhang, C. L. O'Connor, M. Torres, Z. Zhou, L. Lin, R. Menon, X. Xu, W. Zheng, Y. Xiong, E. Otto, C. A. Tang, R. Hua, R. Verma, H. Mori, Y. Zhang, C. A. Hu, M. Liu, P. Garg, J. B. Hodgin, S. Sun, M. Bitzer & L. Qi* (2021) Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation is required for nephrin maturation and kidney glomerular filtration function. J Clin Invest, 131.

2.     Zhou, Z. ^#, M. Torres^#, H. Sha, C. J. Halbrook, F. Van den Bergh, R. B. Reinert, T. Yamada, S. Wang, Y. Luo, A. H. Hunter, C. Wang, T. H. Sanderson, M. Liu, A. Taylor, H. Sesaki, C. A. Lyssiotis, J. Wu, S. Kersten, D. A. Beard & L. Qi* (2020a) Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation regulates mitochondrial dynamics in brown adipocytes. Science, 368, 54-60.

3.     Zhou, Z. S. ^#, M. X. Li^#, J. Liu^#, H. Jiao, J. M. Xia, X. J. Shi, H. Zhao, L. Chu, W. Qi, J. Luo & B. L. Song*(2020b) Competitive oxidation and ubiquitylation on the evolutionarily conserved cysteine confer tissue-specific stabilization of Insig-2. Nat Commun, 11, 379.

4.     Li, N., Z. S. Zhou, Y. Shen, J. Xu, H. H. Miao, Y. Xiong, F. Xu, B. L. Li, J. Luo & B. L. Song* (2017) Inhibition of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein pathway suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing inflammation in mice. Hepatology, 65, 1936-1947.

5.     Xie, C. ^#, Z. S. Zhou^#, N. Li, Y. Bian, Y. J. Wang, L. J. Wang, B. L. Li* & B. L. Song* (2012) Ezetimibe blocks the internalization of NPC1L1 and cholesterol in mouse small intestine. J Lipid Res, 53, 2092-101.