Zi Chao Zhang, Professor
School of Life Science and Technology
Email：zhangzc@seu.edu.cn
Office:A411 Huichuan Building,
Jiangbei Campus
2 Dongda Road,
Southeast University
Education and Work Experience
1998-2002, Nanjing University, Biochemistry, B.S.
2002-2005, Nanjing University, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, M.S.
2005-2011, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (USA), Cell Regulation Program, Ph.D.
2011-2012, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (USA), Department of Pharmacology, Postdoctoral Fellow
2012-2022, Southeast University, Institute of Life Sciences, Associate Professor
2022-present, Southeast University, School of Life Science and Technology, Professor
Research Interests:
We are committed to advancing the understanding of molecular pathways that drive neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing especially on intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Central to our research is the investigation of RNA metabolism and its crucial role in brain development. Our team has pioneered the study of Renpenning syndrome, an X-linked intellectual disability linked to mutations in the PQBP1 gene.
By developing innovative animal models, we have shed light on the regulatory functions of PQBP1 and its impact on neural progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, and synaptic function. Additionally, our exploration of peptide-based therapies and nucleic acid interference offers promising avenues for precision medicine in treating these disorders. Our groundbreaking research sets the stage for future advancements in understanding and addressing neurodevelopmental challenges.
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Selected Publication:
1. Yuan L, Cheng S, Liu X, Liu W, Xie T, Xie W, Zhang, Z.C.*, Han J.* (2026) The missense mutation Y65C in PQBP1 causes microcephaly and cognitive deficits through a combination of partial loss-of-function and gain-of-function effects. Nat Commun. 17(1):1463.
2. Liu, X., Xie, H., Liu, W., Zuo, J., Li, S., ..., Zhang, Z.C.*et al. (2024). Dynamic regulation of alternative polyadenylation by PQBP1 during neurogenesis. Cell reports 43, 114525.
3. Zhang, Z., Wang, Y., Zhao, J., Han, S., Zhang, Z.C.*, and Tian, Y*. (2023). High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster. J Vis Exp. 10.3791/65787.
4. Liu, W.#, Xie, H.#, Liu, X.#, Xu, S., Cheng, S., Wang, Z., Xie, T., Zhang, Z.C*., and Han, J*. (2023). PQBP1 regulates striatum development through balancing striatal progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Cell reports 42, 112277.
5. Cheng, S., Liu, X., Yuan, L., Wang, N., Zhang, Z.C.*, and Han, J*. (2023). The role of PQBP1 in neural development and function. Biochem Soc Trans 51, 363-372.
6. Wang, J.F., Han, J.H., and Zhang, Z.C.* (2021). Behavioral analyses in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders. Yi Chuan 43, 501-519.
7. Shen, Y.#, Zhang, Z.C.#*, Cheng, S.#, Liu, A., Zuo, J., Xia, S., Liu, X., Liu, W., Jia, Z., Xie, W., and Han, J*. (2021). PQBP1 promotes translational elongation and regulates hippocampal mGluR-LTD by suppressing eEF2 phosphorylation. Mol Cell 81, 1425-1438.e1410.
8. Shen, Y., Liu, W., Zuo, J., Han, J., and Zhang, Z.C.* (2021). Protocol for visualizing newly synthesized proteins in primary mouse hepatocytes. STAR Protoc 2, 100616.
9. Shen, Y., Han, J., and Zhang, Z.C.* (2021). Novel regulation of the eEF2K/eEF2 pathway: prospects of 'PQBP1 promotes translational elongation and regulates hippocampal mGluR-LTD by suppressing eEF2 phosphorylation'. J Mol Cell Biol 13, 392-394.
10. Cheng, S., Shen, Y., Zhang, Z.C.*, and Han, J*. (2021). Protocol for interfering peptide injection into adult mouse hippocampus and spatial memory testing. STAR Protoc 2, 100679.
11. Zhang, Z.C., and Han, J*. (2020). The First National Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in China. Neurosci Bull 36, 959-960.
12. Liu, X., Dou, L.X., Han, J., and Zhang, Z.C.* (2020). The Renpenning syndrome-associated protein PQBP1 facilitates the nuclear import of splicing factor TXNL4A through the karyopherin β2 receptor. J Biol Chem 295, 4093-4100.
13. Gu, Q., Wu, J., Tian, Y., Cheng, S., Zhang, Z.C.*, and Han, J*. (2020). Gαq splice variants mediate phototransduction, rhodopsin synthesis, and retinal integrity in Drosophila. J Biol Chem 295, 5554-5563.
14. Mu, Y., Tian, Y., Zhang, Z.C.*, and Han, J*. (2019). Metallophosphoesterase regulates light-induced rhodopsin endocytosis by promoting an association between arrestin and the adaptor protein AP2. J Biol Chem 294, 12892-12900.
15. Zhang, X.Y., Qi, J., Shen, Y.Q., Liu, X., Liu, A., Zhou, Z., Han, J., and Zhang, Z.C.* (2017). Mutations of PQBP1 in Renpenning syndrome promote ubiquitin-mediated degradation of FMRP and cause synaptic dysfunction. Hum Mol Genet 26, 955-968.
16. Wan, D.#, Zhang, Z.C.#, Zhang, X., Li, Q., and Han, J*. (2015). X chromosome-linked intellectual disability protein PQBP1 associates with and regulates the translation of specific mRNAs. Hum Mol Genet 24, 4599-4614.