Original papers as corresponding author: 43 papers

1. Du, S., Long Q., Zhou, Y.,…Liu, X.(2026). Transplantation of encapsulated mitochondria alleviates dysfunction in mitochondrial and Parkinson's disease models. Cell, Mar 18:S0092-8674(26)00230-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.02.023. (Xinhua News Agency release, IF= 48.9)
2. Hu, Z., Yang, L., Zhang, M.,…Liu, X*. (2024). A novel protein CYTB-187AA encoded by the mitochondrial gene CYTB modulates mammalian early development. Cell Metabolism, 36(7):1586-1597.e7. (Commentary in the same issue of Cell Metabolism, IF= 33.4)
3. Ying, Z., Xiang G., Zheng, L., …Liu, X*. (2018). Short-term mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening modulates histone lysine methylation at the early phase of somatic cell reprogramming. Cell Metabolism, 28(6):935-945. (IF= 33.4)
4. Ying, Z., Chen K., Zheng, L., …Liu, X*. (2016). Transient activation of mitoflashes modulates Nanog at the early phase of somatic cell reprogramming. Cell Metabolism, 23(1):220-226. (IF= 33.4)
5. Li, L., Chen, K., Wang, T., …Liu, X*. (2020). Glis1 facilitates induction of pluripotency via an epigenome-metabolome-epigenome signaling cascade. Nature Metabolism, 2(9):882-892. (ESI Highly Cited Paper, Top 1% in Biology & Biochemistry, IF= 23.2)
6. Ying, Z., Xin, Y., Liu, Z.,……Liu, X. (2025). The mitochondrial unfolded protein response inhibits pluripotency acquisition and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in somatic cell reprogramming. Nature Metabolism, 7(5):940-951. (Commentary in the same issue of Nature Metabolism, Nature Collection "A year of stem cell and developmental biology", IF= 23.2)
7. Long, Q., Zhou, Y., Wu, H., …Liu, X*. (2021). Phase separation drives the self-assembly of mitochondrial nucleoids for transcriptional modulation. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 28(11):900-908. (IF= 12.1)
8. Li, W., Long, Q., Wu, H., …Liu, X*. (2022). Nuclear localization of mitochondrial TCA cycle enzymes modulates pluripotency via histone acetylation. Nature Communications, 13(1):7414. (IF= 17.2) (Editors’ Highlights)
9. Yang, L., Ruan, Z., Lin, X., …Liu, X*. (2024). NAD+ dependent UPRmt activation underlies intestinal aging caused by mitochondrial DNA mutations. Nature Communications, 15: 546 (IF= 17.2)
10. Hao, Z., Wu, Y., Huang, Y., …Liu, X*. (2025). Microprotein PLUM encoded by Lin28b uORF is a cytoplasmic determinant of pluripotency and embryonic development. Nature Communications, 16(1):10324. (IF= 17.2)
11. Bao, F., Zhou, L., Zhou, R., …Tian, M&Liu, X. (2022). Mitolysosome exocytosis, a mitophagy-independent mitochondrial quality control in flunarizine-induced parkinsonism-like symptoms. Science Advances, 8(15):eabk2376 (IF= 14.1)
12. Wu, Y., Chen, K., Xing, G., …Liu, X*. (2019). Phospholipid remodeling is critical for stem cell pluripotency via facilitating mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. Science Advances, 5(11):eaax7525 (IF= 14.1)
13. Guo, J., Duan, L., He, X., …Liu, X*. (2021). A combined model of human iPSC-derived liver organoids and hepatocytes reveals ferroptosis in DGUOK mutant mtDNA depletion syndrome. Advanced Science, 8(10):2004680. (IF= 15.6, Cover)
14. Li, S., Guo, J., Ying, Z., ... Liu, X*. (2015). Valproic acid‐induced hepatotoxicity in Alpers syndrome is associated with mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening‐dependent apoptotic sensitivity in an induced pluripotent stem cell model. Hepatology, 61(5):1730-1739. (IF= 14.5)
15. Zhou, L., Bao, F., Zheng, J…Chen, G&Liu, X. (2025). Glucose restriction induces degeneration of neurons with mitochondrial DNA depletion by altering ER-mitochondria calcium transfer. Molecular Psychiatry, 30(10):4749-4763. (IF=11.8)
16. Chen, K., Long, Q., Xing, G., …Pei, D& Liu, X. (2020). Heterochromatin loosening by the Oct4 linker region facilitates Klf4 binding and iPSC reprogramming. EMBO Journal, 39(1):e99165 (IF= 10.6, Recommended by F1000)
17. Liao, R., Wu, Y., Le, Q., … Liu, X* & Li, P*. (2023). BCL11B and the NuRD complex cooperatively guard T-cell fate and inhibit OPA1-mediated mitochondrial fusion in T cells. EMBO Journal, 42(21):e113448. (IF= 10.6)
18. Xiang, G., Yang, L., Long, Q., …Liu, X*. (2017). BNIP3L-dependent mitophagy accounts for mitochondrial clearance during 3 factors-induced somatic cell reprogramming. Autophagy, 13(9):1543-1555. (IF= 17.1)
19. Zhou, Y., Long, Q., Wu, H., …Liu, X*. (2020). Topology-dependent, bifurcated mitochondrial quality control under starvation. Autophagy, 16(3):562-574. (IF= 17.1, Cover)
20. Wu, Y., Liu, Y., Huang, Y., …Liu, X. (2025). Post-transcriptional control of endogenous retroviruses by L1td1 suppresses totipotency acquisition in pluripotent stem cells, Cell Discovery, 2026 Jan 20;12(1):7. doi: 10.1038/s41421-025-00864-3. (IF= 14.3)
21. Wu, Y., Chen, K., Li L., …Liu, X*. (2022). Plin2-mediated lipid droplet mobilization accelerates exit from pluripotency by lipidomic remodeling and histone acetylation. Cell Death & Differentiation, 29(11):2316-2331. (IF= 13.7, CDDpress: Readers’ Choice)
22. Xing, G., Liu, Z., Huang L., …Pei, D* Liu, X* & Chen, K*. (2022). MAP2K6 remodels chromatin and facilitates reprogramming by activating Gatad2b-phosphorylation dependent heterochromatin loosening. Cell Death & Differentiation, 29(5):1042-1054. (IF= 13.7)
23. Lin, Y., Li, B.,…Liu, X, Yan, C, Ji, K*. (2025). Lactate-driven histone lactylation enhances GDF15 secretion in skeletal muscle under mtDNA mutation-induced mitochondrial stress. Science Bulletin, 71(5):998-1002. (IF= 17.6)
24. Xing, G., Huang Y., Liu, W…Dong, M, Liang, W, Liu, X, Chen K. (2026) MAP2K6 directly phosphorylates Bcl2l13 to mediate mitophagy for suppressing tumorigenicity. Cell Reports, Mar 24;45(4):117177. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117177. (IF= 8.1, Lead Contact)
25. Yao, D., Li, Y., Zeng, S., …Liu, X*. (2022). Short-form OPA1 is a molecular chaperon in mitochondrial intermembrane space. Science China-Life Sciences, 65(2):227-235. (IF= 8.1, Cover)
26. Wang, R., Bao, F., Lu, M., …Zhang, Q., Liu, X. (2024). MSC-mediated mitochondrial transfer restores mitochondrial DNA and function in neural progenitor cells of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Science China-Life Sciences, 67(11):2511-2519. (IF= 8.1)
27. Wu, H., Li, W., Zhou Y., …Liu, X, Long, Q. (2026) A new role of Iridium(III) Complexes in regulating pluripotency acquisition via mitochondrial remodulation. Science China-Life Sciences, 2026. Apr 3 online, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-025-3300-x. (IF= 8.1)
28. Bao, F., Shi, H., Gao, M.,…Liu, X*. (2018). Polybrene induces neural degeneration by bidirectional Ca2+ influx dependent mitochondrial and ER-mitochondrial dynamics. Cell Death & Disease, 9(10):966. (IF=9.8)
29. Li, L., Chen, K., Wu Y.,...Liu, X*. (2017). Gadd45a opens up the promoter regions of miR-295 facilitating pluripotency induction. Cell Death & Disease, 8(10):e3107. (IF= 9.8)
30. Lin, Y., Xiao, M., Chen, H., Meng, Y., Zhao, N., Yang, L., Tang, H., Wang, J., Liu, X, Zhu, Y., Zhuang, S.*. (2019). A novel mitochondrial micropeptide MPM enhances mitochondrial respiratory activity and promotes myogenic differentiation. Cell Death & Disease, 10(7):528 (IF= 9.8)
31. Yang, L., Long, Q., Liu, J., ... Liu, X*. (2015). Mitochondrial fusion provides an ‘initial metabolic complementation’ controlled by mtDNA. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 72(13):2585-2598. (IF= 7.7)
32. Yang, L., Lin, X., Tang, H.,....Liu, X*. (2020). Mitochondrial DNA mutation exacerbates female reproductive aging via impairment of the NADH/NAD+ redox. Aging Cell, 19(9):e13206. (IF= 8.9)
33. Chen, K., Long, Q., Wang, T., … Liu, X* & Pei, D*. (2016). Gadd45a is a heterochromatin relaxer that enhances iPS cell generation. EMBO Reports, 17(11): 1641-1656. (IF= 7.5)
34. Liu, X., Wang, D., Jia, L.,…Liu, X* & Liang, X*. (2026). Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mitochondrial Transplantation in Recurrent Assisted Reproductive Technology Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, in press, (IF=7.9)
35. Xiang, G., Liu, Z., Yuan, Z…. Liu, X* (2025). Perinuclear mitochondrial clustering for mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in pluripotency induction. Stem Cell Reports, 20(5):102474. (IF=5.8)
36. Bao, F., Shi, H., Long, Q., …Liu, X*. (2016). Mitochondrial membrane potential-dependent endoplasmic reticulum fragmentation is an important step in neuritic degeneration. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 22(8):648-660. (IF= 5.8, Cover)
37. Yang, L., Tang, H., Lin, X....Liu, X*. (2020). OPA1-Exon4b binds to mtDNA D-loop for transcriptional and metabolic modulation, independent of mitochondrial fusion. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8: 180. (IF= 5.2)
38. Wu, Y., Chen, K., Liu, X., ... Liu, X*. (2015). Srebp‐1 Interacts with c‐Myc to Enhance Somatic Cell Reprogramming. Stem Cells, 34(1): 83-92. (IF= 4.4)
39. Long, Q., Zhao, D., Fan, W., ... Wang X* & Liu, X*. (2015). Modeling of mitochondrial donut formation. Biophysical Journal, 109(5):892-899. (IF= 3.1)
40. Liu, W., Long, Q., Chen, K., ... Liu, X*. (2013). Mitochondrial metabolism transition cooperates with nuclear reprogramming during induced pluripotent stem cell generation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 431(4), 767-771. (IF= 2.5)
41. Wu, Y., Liu, Y., Hao, Z., Liu, X*. (2022). NAD+ is critical for maintaining acetyl-CoA and H3K27ac in embryonic stem cells by Sirt1-dependent deacetylation of AceCS1. Life Medicine, 1(3), 401-405. (IF= 6) (Most Picked Paper Award)
42. Tang, H., Hu, Z., Yang, L., ... Liu, X*. (2022). OPA1-Exon4b modulates the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by ATP regulation. Mitochondrial Communications, 1, 16-22
43. Qi, J., Long, Q., Yuan Y.,…&Liu, X*. (2023). Mitochondrial DNA mutation affects the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells through modulating metabolism, Genome Instability & Disease, 4(1), 12–20.

Invited reviews, perspectives, and methods as corresponding author:

1. Li, J., Jiang, M., Wang, Q……Liu, X…Liu, GH.(2025) The X-Age Project to construct a Chinese aging clock. Nature Aging, 5(9):1669-1685. (IF= 21.9, Cover)
2. Li, L., Sun, S., Wu, Y.,…Liu, X*. (2023) Lactate and protein lactylation: the ugly duckling of energy as the sculpture artist of proteins. Science Bulletin, 68(21): 2510-2514. (IF= 17.6, Cover)
3. Liu, Z., Huang, Y., Liu, X*. (2024) Lactylation regulated DNA damage repair and cancer cell chemosensitivity. Science Bulletin, 69(9):1185-1187. (IF= 17.6)
4. Yang, L., Huang, Y., Ding, Y.,…Su, YH* & Liu, X*. (2024) Impact of mtDNA-encoded proteins arising from cytosolic translation (mPACT). Science Bulletin, 69(23):3648-3651. (IF= 17.6, Cover)
5. Bao, F., Zeng, D., Xiao, J……Liu, X. (2025) β-hydroxybutyrate enhances mitochondrial function via mitochondrial-derived vesicles, Science Bulletin, 70(19):3100-3102. (IF= 17.6)
6. Fan, W., Lv, B., Sun, H., Chen, K,Liu, X, Li, L* (2025) The role of protein post-translational modifications and their crosstalk in determining pluripotent stem cell fate, Science Bulletin, 70(21):3453-3456. (IF= 17.6, Cover)
7. Du, C., Xie, Y., Ding, H., E, T., Li, L& Liu, X (2026) The naked mole-rat cGAS promotes homologous recombination repair and delays aging, Science Bulletin, Mar 07 online, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2026.03.017 (IF= 17.6)
8. Chen, Q., An, S., Wang, C., …Liu, X& Ren, W.(2025) Phase separation in mitochondrial fate and mitochondrial diseases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 122 (21) e2422255122. (IF= 10.6)
9. Yang, L., Mei, T., Tang, H., …Liu, X*. (2016). Current approaches to reduce or eliminate mitochondrial DNA mutations. Science China-Life Sciences, 59(5):532-535. (IF= 8.1)
10. Aging Biomarker Consortium, Bao, H., Cao, J.,…Liu, X…Liu, GH. (2024) Biomarkers of Aging. Science China-Life Sciences, 66(5):893-1066. (ESI Highly Cited Paper, Top 1% in Biology & Biochemistry, IF= 8.1, Cover)
11. Ruan, K., Bai, G., Fang, Y.,…Liu, X…Zhang, H*. (2024) Biomolecular condensates and disease pathogenesis. Science China-Life Sciences, 67(9):1792-1832 (IF= 8.1)
12. Liu, Y.,Ruan, Z., Liu, Z., …Liu, X*. (2021). Organelle remodeling in somatic cell reprogramming. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, 12(10):747-751. (IF= 6.7, Cover)
13. Long, Q., Zhou, Y., Wu, H., …Liu, X*. (2020). A new sight: topology-dependent mitophagy. Cell Biology and Toxicology, 36(3):199-204. (IF= 6.1)
14. Li, L., Chen, K., Wu, Y., ……Liu, X*. (2021). Epigenome-Metabolome-Epigenome signaling cascade in cell biological processes. Journal of Genetics and Genomics, 49(4):279-286. (IF= 6.4)
15. Bao, F., Zhou, L., Xiao, J.,……Liu, X*. (2022) Mitolysosome exocytosis: a novel mitochondrial quality control pathway linked with parkinsonism-like symptoms. Biochemical Society Transactions, 50(6): 1773-1783. (IF=4.4)
16. Guo, J., Zhou, Y., Liu,D., ……Liu, X*. (2022). Mitochondria as multifaceted regulators of ferroptosis. Life Metabolism, 1(2)：134-148 (IF=3.4)
17. Liu, X, Yang, L., Long, Q., …Hajnoczky, G. (2017). Choosing proper fluorescent dyes, proteins, and imaging techniques to study mitochondrial dynamics in mammalian cells. Biophysics Reports, 3(4):64-72.
18. Long, Q., Zhou, Y., Guo, J.,…Liu, X*. (2023). Multi-phase separation in mitochondrial nucleoids and eukaryotic nuclei. Biophysics Reports, 9(1)：15-21. (Cover)
19. Ying, Z., Liu, Z., Xiang, G…Liu, X*. (2021). Protocols for analysis of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in mouse somatic cell reprogramming. STAR Protocols, 2(2):100568. (IF=1.7)
20. Long, Q., Qi, J., Li, W…Liu, X*. (2021). Protocol for detecting chromatin dynamics and screening chromatin relaxer by FRAP assay. STAR Protocols, 2(3):100706. (IF=1.7)
21. Du, C., Chen, B., Huang, Y., Liang, W., Su Y.H., Liu, X. (2025). Roads Diverged in a Wood: Proteins and RNAs encoded by cytochrome b (CYTB) Gene in Health and Disease, Clinical and Translational Discovery, 5:e70026.
22. Bao, F., Xiao, J., Zhou, L…Liu, X*. (2022). Autophagy-independent mitochondrial quality control: mechanisms and disease associations. MedComm - Future Medicine, e25.
23. Chen, B., Du, C., Wang, M.,, Guo, J., Liu, X*. (2024). Organoids as preclinical models of human disease: Progress and Applications. Medical Review, 4(2): 129–153.
24. Li, W., Su, Y., Guo, J., Wang, M., Liu, X*. (2023). Generation of Organoids and Analysis of Ferroptosis in Organoids. Methods Mol Biol, 2712:117-133.
25. Wu Y., Chen K., Xiang G., Ying Z., Liu X*. (2020). Organelle remodeling during the acquisition and loss of pluripotency. Science Foundation in China, 2020(01). (Cover)
26. Du C., Chen B., Wang M., Guo J., Liu X*. (2024) Mitochondria and cell fate regulation. Chinese Journal of Cell Biology, 46(1). (Original title translated)
27. Hong X., Fu J., Lin D., Zhang Y., Ding H., Tan T., Li Q., Li A., Liu X*. (2024) Functional and regulatory roles of calcium ions and reactive oxygen species in pluripotent stem cells. Scientia Sinica Vitae, 54(8): 1373-1385.

First-author papers: 10 papers

1. Liu, X., Weaver, D., Shirihai, O., & Hajnóczky, G. (2009). Mitochondrial ‘kiss‐and‐run’: interplay between mitochondrial motility and fusion–fission dynamics. EMBO Journal, 28(20), 3074-3089. (IF= 10.6, Recommended by F1000, >400 citations)
2. Liu, X., & Hajnoczky, G. (2011). Altered fusion dynamics underlie unique morphological changes in mitochondria during hypoxia–reoxygenation stress. Cell Death & Differentiation, 18(10), 1561-1572. (IF= 13.7, Recommended by F1000, >300 citations)
3. Weaver, D., Eisner, V., Liu, X., … & Hajnóczky, G. (2014). Distribution and apoptotic function of outer membrane proteins depend on mitochondrial fusion. Molecular Cell, 54(5), 870-878. (co-first author) (IF= 17.7)
4. Liu, X., Hajnoczky G*. (2009). Ca2+-dependent regulation of mitochondrial dynamics by the Miro-Milton complex. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 41, 1972-1976. (IF= 3.8)
5. Twig G, Liu, X., Liesa M, Wikstrom JD, Molina AJ, Las G, Yaniv G, Hajnóczky G, Shirihai OS*. (2010). Biophysical properties of mitochondrial fusion events in pancreatic beta-cells and cardiac cells unravel potential control mechanisms of its selectivity. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 299, C477-487. (Co-first author) (IF= 5.4)
6. Liu, X., Huang, W., Li, M., Wu, Q.*. (2005). Purification and characterization of two small heat shock proteins from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. IUBMB Life, 57(6):449-54. (IF= 4.1)
7. Liu, X., Zhao, J., Wu, Q.*. (2005). Oxidative stress and metal ions effects on the cores of phycobilisomes in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. FEBS Letters, 579(21):4571-6. (IF=3.3)
8. Liu, X., Huang, W., Wu, Q.*. (2006). Two-Component Signal Transduction Systems in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Tsinghua Science and Technology, 11(4):379-390. (IF=3.7)
9. Liu, X., Zhao, J., Wu, Q.*. (2006). Biogenesis of chlorophyll-binding proteins under iron stress in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Biochemistry-Moscow, 71 Suppl 1:S101-4. (IF= 2.4)
10. Liu, X., Zhao, J., Wu, Q.*. (2007). Sorbitol regulates energy transfer from allophycocyanin to the terminal emitter within phycobilisomes in Synechocystis sp. Biotechnology Letters, 29(2):253-9. (IF=2.5)

Attending  Domestic and national conferences for many tmes.