Postgraduate
Qinghua Liu, Ph.D.
- Information
- Education
- Experience
- Research
- Publication
Qinghua Liu, Ph.D.
Investigator, NIBS, Beijing, China
Phone: 86-10-80726688Fax: 86-10-80726689E-mail: liuqinghua@nibs.ac.cn
Education
2000 Ph. D. Department of Biochemistry, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
1992 B. S. Department of Biochemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Professional Experience
2018-
Investigator,National Institute of Biological Sciences,Beijing, China
201304-202103
Professor，International Institute of Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS) University of Tsukuba, Japan
201009-201712
Tenured Associate Professor， University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
200406-201008
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
200101-200405
Postdoctoral Fellow? University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
Research Description
Sleep exists ubiquitously from invertebrates to mammals. However, the precise functions and mechanisms of sleep remain one of the biggest “black boxes” in biology. We collaborated with Dr. Masashi Yanagisawa, who has conducted a EEG/EMG-based forward-genetics “sleep” screen to identify mutant mice with strong sleep abnormalities, such as Sleepy (SIK3, an AMPK-related protein kinase) and Dreamless (NALCN, a cation channel). We performed quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic comparison of Sleepy and sleep-deprived wild-type mouse brains, and identified 80 sleep need index phosphoproteins (SNIPPs), whose phosphorylation states change in relation to sleep need. Preferential association between SLEEPY and SNIPPs suggest that they are potentially substrates of SLEEPY/SIK3 kinase and downstream effectors of homeostatic sleep regulation. The majority (~86%) of SNIPPs are annotated synaptic proteins, suggesting a mechanistic link between synaptic phosphoproteome and sleep need regulation. On the other hand, emotions define the essence of being human and are powerful drivers of animal behaviors; For example, “mouse is afraid of cat” is a form of innate fear that is genetically encoded. In collaboration with Nobel laureate Dr. Bruce Beutler, we conducted the first forward-genetics “fear” screen to isolate “fearful” and “fearless” mutant mice. Among these, we discovered TRPA1 as a novel chemosensor for predator odor-evoked innate fear (e.g., freezing) behaviors and identified a novel brain region that mediates innate fear-associated hypothermia. Finally, we have recently developed a novel adult brain chimeric (ABC)-expression/knockout system for somatic genetics analysis in adult mice, which facilitates high-throughput screening of sleep/fear regulatory genes and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of sleep and innate fear.
Representative Publications：
1. R. Zhou, C. Zhang, R. Gan, X. Yin, M.Wang, B. Shi, L. Chen, C. Wu, Q. Li, Q. Liu, Transcriptional regulation of daily sleep amount by TCF4–HDAC4–CREB complex in mice. Sleep zsae313 (2025)
2. X. Yin, Z. Zhang, R. Zhou, P. Zuo, D. Sang, S. Zhou, B. Shi, L.Chen, C. Wu, Y. Guo, F. Wang, E. Zhang, Q. Li, M. Yanagisawa, Q. Liu, Calcineurin governs baseline and homeostatic regulations of non–rapid eye movement sleep in mice. PNAS 122:e2418317122 (2025)
3. Z. Liu, Z. Guo, J. Xu, R. Zhou, B. Shi, L. Chen, C. Wu, H. Wang, X. Wang, F. Wang, Q. Li, Q. Liu, Regulation of sleep amount by CRTC1 via transcription of Crh in mice. Journal of Neuroscience 45 (2025)
4. A. Miyasaka, T. Kanda, N. Nonaka,et al., T. Sakurai,K. Sakurai, Q. Liu, Sequential transitions of male sexual behaviors driven by dual acetylcholine-dopamine dynamics. Neuron 113, 1-19 (2025)
5. R. Zhou, G. Wang, Q. Li, D. Ju, M. Liao, J. Xu, X. Gao, S. Zhou, K. Wu, Q. Sun, Y. Guo, Z. Chen, L. Chen, et al., H. Funato, M. Yanagisawa, E. Zhang, Q. Liu, A signaling pathway for transcriptional regulation of sleep amount in mice. Nature 612:519-27 (2022)
6. S.J. Kim, N. Hotta-Hirashima, F. Asano, T. Kitazono, K. Iwasaki, S. Nakata, et al., Q. Liu, C. Miyoshi, M. Yanagisawa, H. Funato, Kinase signaling pathway regulates sleep quantity and depth through a distinct population of excitatory neurons. Nature 612:512-18 (2022)
7. J. Xu, R. Zhou, G. Wang, Y. Guo, X. Gao, S. Zhou, C. Ma, L. Chen, B. Shi, H. Wang, F. Wang, Q. Liu, Regulation of sleep quantity and intensity by long and short isoforms of SLEEPY kinase. Sleep 45:zsac198 (2022)
8. G. Wang, Q. Li, J. Xu, S. Zhao, R. Zhou, Z. Chen, W. Jiang, X. Gao, S. Zhou, Z.Chen, Q. Sun, C. Ma, L. Chen, B. Shi, Y. Guo, H. Wang, X.Wang, H. Li, T. Cai, Y. Wang, Z. Chen, F. Wang, Q. Liu, Somatic genetics analysis of sleep in adult mice. Journal of Neuroscience 42:5617-40 (2022)
9. C. Liu, C.-Y. Lee, G. Asher, L. Cao, Y. Terakoshi, P. Cao, R. Kobayakawa, K. Kobayakawa, K. Sakurai, Q. Liu, Posterior subthalamic nucleus (PSTh) mediates innate fear-associated hypothermia in mice. Nature Communications 12:2648 (2021)
10. T. Matsuo, T. Isosaka, Y.Hayashi, L. Tang, A. Doi, A. Yasuda, M. Hayashi, C.Y. Lee, L. Cao, N. Kutsuna, S. Matsunaga, T. Matsuda, I. Yao, M. Setou, D. Kanagawa, K. Higasa, M. Ikawa, Q. Liu*, R. Kobayakawa*, K. Kobayakawa*, Thiazaline-related fear stimuli orchestrate hypothermia and anti-hypoxia via sensory TRPA1 activation. Nature Communications 12:2074 (2021)
11. T. Lou, Z. Wang, J. Ma, C-Y. Li, G. Asher, L. Cao, et al., K. Sakurai and Q. Liu, Hyper-activation of mPFC underlies specific traumatic stress-induced sleep-wake EEG disturbances. Frontier in Neuroscience 14:883 (2020)
12. Z. Wang, J. Ma, C. Miyoshi, Y. Li, M Sato, Y. Ogawa, T. Lou, C. Ma, X. Gao, C. Lee, T. Fujiyama, X. Yang, S. Zhou, N. Hotta-Hirashima, D. Klewe-Nebenus, A. Ikkyu, M. Kakizaki, S. Kanno, L. Cao, S. Takahashi, J. Peng, Y. Yu, H. Funato, M. Yanagisawa, Q. Liu, Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of the molecular substrates of sleep need. Nature 558:435-439 (2018)
13. Y. Wang, L. Cao, C-Y. Lee, T. Matsuo, K. Wu, G. Asher, L. Tang, T. Saitoh, J. Russell, D. Klewe-Nebenius, et al., R. Kobayakawa, K. Kobayakawa, B. Beutler, Q. Liu, Large-scale forward genetics screening identifies Trpa1 as a chemosensor for predator odor-evoked innate fear behaviors. Nature Communications 9:2041 (2018)
14. H. Funato, C. Miyoshi, T. Fujiyama, T. Kanda, M. Sato, Z. Wang, J. Ma, S. Nakane, et al., Q. Liu, K. Kume, S. Wakana, J.S. Takahashi, M. Yanagiaswa, Forward- genetics analysis of sleep in randomly mutagenized mice. Nature 539:378-383. (2016)
15. C. Liang, Y. Wang, Y. Murota, X. Liu, D. Smith, M.C. Siomi, Q. Liu, TAF11 assembles RISC loading complex to enhance RNAi efficiency. Molecular Cell 59:807-818. PMCID4560963 (2015)
16. Paroo, X. Ye, S. Chen, and Q. Liu, Phosphorylation of the human micro-RNA generating complex mediates MAPK/Erk signaling. Cell 139:112-122 (2009)
17. Y. Liu, X. Ye, F. Jiang, C. Liang, D. Chen, J. Peng, L.N. Kinch, N.V. Grishin, and Q. Liu, C3PO, an endoribonuclease that promotes RNAi by facilitating RISC activation. Science 325:750-753 (2009)
18. Q. Liu, T.A. Rand, S. Kalidas, F. Du, H. Kim, D.P. Smith, X. Wang, R2D2, a bridge between the initiation and effector steps of the Drosophila RNAi pathway. Science 301:1921-1925. (2003) (Previewed in Cell 115: 132-133).
19. Q. Liu, S. Guntuku, X. Cui, S. Matsuoka, D. Cortez, K. Tamai, G. Luo, S. Carattini-Rivera, F. DeMayo, A. Bradley, L.A. Donehower, S.J. Elledge, Chk1 is an essential kinase that is regulated by Atr and required for the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint. Genes Dev 14: 1448-1459 (2000).
20. Q. Liu, M.Z. Li, D. Liebham, D. Cortez, S.J. Elledge, The univector plasmid-fusion system, a method for rapid construction of recombinant DNA without restriction enzymes. Curr Biol 8:1300-1309 (1998). (Preview in Science 283: 349, 1999)
Other Publications:
21. F. Li, J. Xu, X. Guo, Z. Li, L.i Cao, S. Liu, Y. Guo, G. Wang, et al., F. Wang, Q. Liu, F. You, Collateral cleavage of 28s rRNA by RfxCas13d causes death of mice. Genome Biology 24:20 (2023)
22. B. He, H. Yu, S. Liu, H. Wan, S. Fu, S. Liu, J. Yang, Z. Zhang, H. Huang, Q.Li, F. Wang, Z. Jiang, Q. Liu, H. Jiang, Mitochondrial cristae architecture protects against mtDNA release and inflammation. Cell Reports 41:10 (2022)
23. S. Liu, S. Fu, G. Wang, Y. Cao, L. Li, X. Li, J. Yang, N. Li, Y. Shan, Y. Cao, Y. Ma, M. Dong, Q. Liu, H. Jiang, Glycerol-3-phosphate biosynthesis regenerates cytosolic NAD+ to alleviate mitochondria disease. Cell Metabolism 33:1974-1987 (2021)
24. K.L. Egerod, N. Petersen, P.N. Timshel, J.C. Rekling, Y. Wang, Liu Q, T.W. Schwartz, L. Gautron, Profiling of G protein-coupled receptors in vagal afferents reveals novel gut-to-brain sensing mechanisms. Molecular Metabolism 12:62-75 (2018).
25. H. Liu, C. Liang, R.K. Kollipara, M. Matsui, X. Ke, B-C. Jeong, Z. Wang, K.S. Yoo, G.P. Yadav, L.N. Kinch, N.V. Grishin, Y. Nam, D.R. Corey, R. Kittler, Q.Liu, HP1BP3, a chromatin retention factor for co-transcriptional microRNA processing. Molecular Cell 63:420-432. PMCID4975613 (2016)
26. J. Hanus, H. Zhang, DH. Chen, Q. Zhou, P. Jin, Q. Liu, S. Wang, Gossypol Acetic Acid Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Retinal Pigment Epithelial Necrosis by Regulating the FoxO3/Sestrin2 Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 35:1952-63. PMCID4420921 (2015)
27. J. Hanus, H. Zhang, Z. Wang, Q. Liu, Q. Zhou, S. Wang, Induction of necrotic cell death by oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Cell Death Disease, 36: 2217-2228 (2015)
28. Z. Wang, S. Liu, M. Kakizaki, Y. Hirose, Y. Ishikawa, H. Funato, M. Yanagisawa, Y. Yu, Q. Liu, Orexin/Hypocretin activates mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) via an Erk/Akt-independent and calciumstimulated lysosome v-ATPase pathway. J Biol Chem 289: 31950-31959. PMCID4231673 (2014)
29. M.C. Llaguno, H. Xu, L. Shi, N. Huang, H. Zhang, Q. Liu, Q-X. Jiang, Chemically functionalized carbon films for single molecule imaging. J Struc Biol 185:405-417. PMCID3990355 (2014)
30. A.L. Karamyshev , A.E. Patrick, Z.N. Karamysheva , D.S. Griesemer, H. Hudson, S. Tjon-Kon-Sang, I. Nilsson , H. Otto, Q. Liu, S. Rospert, G.V. Heijne, A.E. Johnson, P.J. Thomas, Inefficient SRP interaction with a nascent chain triggers a mRNA quality control pathway. Cell 156: 146-157 (2014)
31. J. Hanus, H. Zhang, Z. Wang, Q. Liu, S. Wang, Induction of necrotic cell death by oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelia cells. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 55 633 (2014)
32. C. Liang, K. Xiong, K.E. Szulwuch, Y. Zhang, Z. Wang, J. Peng, M. Fu, P. Jing, H.I. Suzuki, Q. Liu, Sjogren Syndrome Antigen B (SSB)/La promotes global microRNA expression by binding microRNA precursors through stem-loop recognition. J Biol Chem 288:723-36 PMCID3537071 (2013)
33. J. Hanus, W. Anderson, P. Jin, Q. Liu, S. Wang, Oxidative stress-induced necrosis in RPE cells. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 54, 5001 (2013)
34. L. Li, W. Gu, C. Liang, Q. Liu, C.C. Mello, Y. Liu, The translin-TRAX complex (C3PO) is a ribonuclease in tRNA processing. Nat Struct Mol Biol 19:824-30. PMCID3414638 (2012)
35. Y. Li, L. Lin, Z. Li, X. Ye, K. Xiong, B. Aryal, Z. Xu, Z. Paroo, Q. Liu, C. He, P. Jin, Iron Homeostasis Regulates the Activity of the MicroRNA Pathway through Poly(C)-Binding Protein 2. Cell Metabolism 15:895-904 (2012)
36. Y. Liu, H. Tan, H. Tian, C. Liang, S. Chen, Q. Liu, Autoantigen La promotes RNAi, antiviral response, and transposon silencing by facilitating multi-turnover RISC catalysis. Molecular Cell 44:502-8 (2011).
37. X. Ye, N. Huang, Y. Liu, Z. Paroo, C. Huerta, P. Li, S. Chen, Q. Liu, H. Zhang (co-corresponding authors)，Structure of C3PO and mechanism of human RISC activation. Nat Struct Mol Biol 18:650-657 (2011)
38. N. Welker, T.S. Maity, X. Ye, P.J. Aruscavage, A.A. Krauchuk, Q. Liu, and B.L. Bass，Dicer's helicase domain discriminates dsRNA termini to promote an altered reaction mode. Molecular Cell 41: 589-599 (2011).
39. K. Okamura, N. Robine, Y. Liu, Q. Liu, and E.C. Lai, R2D2 organizes small regulatory RNA pathways in Drosophila. Mol Cell Biol 31:884-896. PMCID3028645 (2011).
40. M. Yoda, T. Kawamata, Z. Paroo, X. Ye, S. Iwasaki, Q. Liu, and Y. Tomari, ATP-dependent human RISC assembly pathways. Nat Struct Mol Biol 17:17-23 PMCID2915567 (2010).
41. G. Shan, Y. Li, J. Zhang, W. Li, K.E. Szulwach, R. Duan, M.A. Faghihi, A.M. Khalil , et al., Q. Liu, C. Wahlestedt, C. He, P. Jin, A small molecule enhances RNA interference and promotes microRNA processing. Nat Biotechnol 26:933-940 (2008)
42. S. Kalidas, C. Sanders, X. Ye, T. Strauss, M. Kuhn, Q. Liu, D. Smith, Drosophila R2D2 mediates follicle formation in somatic tissues through interactions with Dicer-1. Mech Dev 125:475-85 (2008)
43. X. Liu, J. Park, F. Jiang, Y. Liu, D. McKearin, and Q. Liu, Dicer-1, but not Loquacious, is critical for assembly of miRNA-induced silencing complexes. RNA 13: 2324-2329 (2007).
44. X. Ye, Z. Paroo, and Q. Liu, The functional anatomy of Drosophila microRNA-generating enzyme. J Biol Chem 282: 28373-28378 (2007).
45. S. Choudhary, H.C.Lee, M. Maiti, P. Cheng, Q. Liu, Y. Liu, A double-stranded RNA response program important for RNAi efficiency. Mol Cell Biol 27: 3995-4005 (2007). (Cover Story).
46. K. Zaugg, Y. Su, P.T. Reilly, Y. Moolani, C.C. Cheung, R. Hakem, A. Hirao, Q. Liu, S.J. Elledge, and T.W. Mak, Cross-talk between Chk1 and Chk2 in double-mutant thymocytes. PNAS 104: 3805-3810 (2007).
47. J. Park, X. Liu, T. Strauss, D. McKearin, and Q. Liu, The miRNA pathway intrinsically controls self-renewal of Drosophila germline stem cells. Curr Biol 17: 533–538(2007). (Cover story).
48. X. Liu, F. Jiang, K. Savitha, D. Smith, Q. Liu, Dicer-2 and R2D2 coordinately bind siRNA to promote assembly of the siRISC complexes. RNA 12:1514-1520 (2006).
49. F. Jiang, X. Ye, X. Liu, L. Fincher, D. McKearin, Q. Liu, Dicer-1 and R3D1-L catalyze miRNA maturation in Drosophila. Genes Dev 19: 1674-1679 (2005).
50. M.L. Lam, Q. Liu, S.J. Elledge, J.M. Rosen, Haplo-insufficency for Chk1 results in a damage S phase and cell cycle mis-coordination during development. Cancer Cell 6:45-59 (2004).
51. Y. Sanchez, B. A. Desany, W.J. Jones, Q. Liu, B. Wang, S.J. Elledge, Regulation of RAD53 by the ATM-like kinases MEC1 and TEL1 in yeast cell cycle checkpoint pathways. Science 271: 357-360 (1996).
Invited Review and Book Chapters：
1. Q. Liu, New advances in molecular and neural mechanisms of sleep regulation. Brain Science advances 8, 163-164. (2022)
2. M. Lazarus, Y. Hayashi, S. Honjoh, K.E. Vogt, A. Eban-Rothschild, Q. Liu, T. Sakurai. The gating and maintenance of sleep and wake: new circuits and insights. Frontiers in Neuroscience 14, 773 (2022)
3. H. Zhang, Q. Liu, Translin:TRAX complex (C3PO), a novel ribonuclease for the degradation of small RNAs. Enzymes 32, 69-82 (2012).
4. Y. Liu and Q. Liu, ATM signals miRNA biogenesis through KSRP. Molecular Cell 41: 367-8 (2011)
5. Q. Liu and Z. Paroo, Dicer’s cut and switch. Science 328:314-5 (2010).
6. Q. Liu and Z. Paroo, Biochemical and regulatory mechanisms of small RNA pathways. Annual Review Biochemistry 79: 295-319 (2010)
7. X. Ye and Q. Liu, Expression, purification, and analysis of recombinant Drosophila Dicer1 and Dicer2 enzymes. Methods Molecular Biology 442:11-27 (2008).
8. Z. Paroo, Q. Liu, X. Wang, Biochemical mechanisms of the RNA-induced silencing complex. Cell Research 17: 187-194 (2007).
9. Q. Liu, M.Z. Li, D. Liu, S.J. Elledge, Rapid construction of recombinant DNA by the univector plasmid-fusion system. Methods Enzymology 328: 530-549 (2000).
