Liu, Zhi-Ren - Georgia State University

个人简介

Ph.D. Biochemistry Florida State University 1994 Cellular, Molecular Biology and Physiology Research Group Molecular Biology and Cancer Biology

研究领域

The goal of our research is to understand the molecular mechanism of cell abnormality, especially the conditions that are associated with many human diseases. We hope that our understanding will ultimately be converted to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Currently, we are focus on following two separate research projects: Function of p68 RNA helicase in cell developmental program and tumor progression We discovered that p68 helicase is phosphorylated at multiple amino acids residues. Tyrosine phosphorylation is directly associated with cell abnormal proliferation and cancer development. Interestingly, the tyrosine phosphorylated p68 mediates growth factors induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by promoting b -catenin nuclear translocation. This research project aims to understand the role(s) of phosphorylated p68 in cell developmental program and cancer progression. We are also interested in developing a diagnosis using the dysregulated p68 as a marker and exploring the potentials of using the phosphorylated p68 as a treatment target. Novel MRI contrast agents Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful, non-invasive clinical diagnostic tool with high spatial resolution without the limitation of the depth of tissues. However the application of MRI technique is limited by its lack of sensitivity and specificity. The method relies on the administration of contrast agents to amplify the contrast of tissue imaging. We have developed a new class of MRI contrast agent by de novo designing the Gd 3+ binding site(s) into a stable host protein. The designed protein contrast agent exhibit a more than 10 fold enhanced MRI relaxivity compared to that of commonly used Gd-DTPA. The objective of this research project is to develop the novel protein MRI contrast as diseases diagnosis and molecular imaging tool.

近期论文

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Rational design of a protein that binds integrin αvβ3 outside the ligand binding site. Turaga RC, Yin L, Yang JJ, Lee H, Ivanov I, Yan C, Yang H, Grossniklaus HE, Wang S, Ma C, Sun L, Liu ZR. Nat Commun. 2016 May 31;7:11675. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11675. PKM2 released by neutrophils at wound site facilitates early wound healing by promoting angiogenesis. Zhang Y, Li L, Liu Y, Liu ZR. Wound Repair Regen. 2016 Mar;24(2):328-36. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12411. Epub 2016 Mar 10. GRPR-targeted Protein Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Receptor Expression in Cancers by MRI. Pu F, Qiao J, Xue S, Yang H, Patel A, Wei L, Hekmatyar K, Salarian M, Grossniklaus HE, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 18;5:16214. doi: 10.1038/srep16214. Protein MRI contrast agent with unprecedented metal selectivity and sensitivity for liver cancer imaging. Xue S, Yang H, Qiao J, Pu F, Jiang J, Hubbard K, Hekmatyar K, Langley J, Salarian M, Long RC, Bryant RG, Hu XP, Grossniklaus HE, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 26;112(21):6607-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1423021112. Epub 2015 May 13. A Novel Anti-Cancer Agent, 1-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(6-Fluoro-2-Methoxyquinoxalin-3-yl)Aminocarbonyl] Piperazine (RX-5902), Interferes With β-Catenin Function Through Y593 Phospho-p68 RNA Helicase. Kost GC, Yang MY, Li L, Zhang Y, Liu CY, Kim DJ, Ahn CH, Lee YB, Liu ZR. J Cell Biochem. 2015 Aug;116(8):1595-601. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25113. Pyruvate kinase M2 in blood circulation facilitates tumor growth by promoting angiogenesis. Li L, Zhang Y, Qiao J, Yang JJ, Liu ZR. J Biol Chem. 2014 Sep 12;289(37):25812-21. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M114.576934. Epub 2014 Jul 28. Design of ProCAs (protein-based Gd(3+) MRI contrast agents) with high dose efficiency and capability for molecular imaging of cancer biomarkers. Xue S, Qiao J, Jiang J, Hubbard K, White N, Wei L, Li S, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. Med Res Rev. 2014 Sep;34(5):1070-99. doi: 10.1002/med.21313. Epub 2014 Mar 11. Review. Molecular imaging of EGFR/HER2 cancer biomarkers by protein MRI contrast agents. Qiao J, Xue S, Pu F, White N, Jiang J, Liu ZR, Yang JJ. J Biol Inorg Chem. 2014 Feb;19(2):259-70. doi: 10.1007/s00775-013-1076-3. Epub 2013 Dec 24. Review.