Xianping Dong

Education

• BA/BSc (Anhui University)
• MA/MSc (Hefei University of Technology)
• PhD (University of Science and Technology of China)
• PDF (University of Michigan)

Research interests

Professor Dong’s research interests are endolysosomal ion channels and transporters in endolysosome physiology, calcium signaling, autophagy, and related diseases. Investigation of these lysosomal channels and transporters will facilitate our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of many lysosomal storage diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, myopathies and cancers.

Current training opportunities

My laboratory is looking for Honours, Graduate students and Postdoctoral Fellows. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their CV.
 

Selected publications

1. Xu M, Zhong XZ, Huang P, Jaślan DA, Wang P, Sun X, Weiden EA, EL Hiani Y, Grimm C, Dong XP. TRPML3/BK complex promotes autophagy and bacterial clearance by providing a positive feedback regulation of mTOR via PI3P. PNAS, 2023; 120(34):e2215777120 
2. Sun X, Yang Y, Zhong XZ, Cao Q, Zhu XH, Zhu X, Dong XP. A negative feedback regulation of mTORC1 activity by the lysosomal Ca2+ channel TRPML1 using a calmodulin-dependent mechanism. Autophagy, 2018;14(1):38-52.
3. Cao Q, Yang Y, Zhong XZ, Dong XP. The lysosomal Ca2+ release channel TRPML1 regulates lysosome size by activating calmodulin. J Biol Chem. 2017; 292(20):8424-8435.
4. Zhong XZ, Zou Y, Sun X, Dong G Sr, Cao Q, Pandey A, Rainey JK, Zhu X, Dong XP.  Inhibition of TRPML1 by lysosomal adenosine involved in severe combined immunodeficiency diseases.  J Biol Chem. 2017; 292(8):3445-3455
5. Zhong XZ, Sun X, Cao Q, Dong G, Schiffmann R, Dong XP. BK channel agonist represents a potential therapeutic approach for lysosomal storage diseases. Sci Rep. 2016; 6:33684.
6. Zhong XZ, Cao Q, Sun X, Dong XP. Activation of lysosomal P2X4 by ATP transported into lysosomes via SLC17A9 using V-ATPase generated voltage gradient as the driving force.  J Physiol. 2016; 594(15):4253-66.
7. Cao Q, Zhong XZ, Zou Y, Murrell-Lagnado R, Zhu MX, and Dong XP. Calcium release through P2X4 activates calmodulin to promote endolysosomal membrane fusion. J Cell Biol, 2015; 209(6):879-94. 
8. Cao Q, Zhong XZ, Zou Y, Zhang Z, Ligia T, Dong XP. BK Channels Alleviate Lysosomal Storage Diseases by Providing Positive Feedback Regulation of Lysosomal Ca2+ Release. Dev Cell, 2015; 33(4):427-41.
9. Cao Q, Zhao K, Zhong XZ, Zou Y, Yu H, Huang P, Xu TL, Dong XP. SLC17A9 Protein Functions as a Lysosomal ATP Transporter and Regulates Cell Viability. J Biol Chem, 2014; 289(33):23189-99.
10. Huang P, Zou Y, Zhong XZ, Cao Q, Zhao K, Zhu MX, Murrell-Lagnado R, Dong XP. P2X4 Forms Functional ATP-activated Cation Channels on Lysosomal Membranes Regulated by Luminal pH. J Biol Chem, 2014; 289(25):17658-67.
11. Dong XP*, Shen D*, Wang X*, Dawson T, Li X, Zhang Q, Cheng X, Zhang Y, Weisman L, Delling M, and Xu H. PI(3,5)P2 controls intracellular membrane traffic by direct activation of mucolipin Ca2+ release channels in the endolysosome. Nature Commun, 2010, 1: 38.
12. Dong XP, Cheng X, Mills E, Delling M, Wang F, Kurz T, Xu H.  The type IV mucolipidosis-associated protein TRPML1 is an endolysosomal iron release channel. Nature, 2008, 455: 992-997.  

Selected awards and honours

·         DMRF Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Basic Science  Research (2018)

·         CIHR New Investigator Salary Award (2012-2017)

·         Institute of Aging's Special Recognition Awards, Institute of Aging-CIHR (2012)

·         Presidential Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2002)

Techniques

Techniques used in Professor Dong’s laboratory include patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, confocal microscopy, cloning, western blotting, biochemistry, cell culture and mouse genetics.