Zhaofei Wu, PhD

Staff Scientist

Education

BS: Shandong Normal University
MS: Dalian Medical University
PhD: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

My PhD study focused on mitochondrial pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. We found one mechanism through which superoxide anion can regulate mitochondrial Ca2+, which is a key factor in the mitochondrial pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. We also found that Aβ has toxic effects on the Mitofusins’ expression, which is important in the dynamic function of the mitochondria.

My previous postdoctoral fellow study was in the hypothalamic regulation of the energy balance. We dissected a new GABAergic neural circuit which plays a vital role in promoting feeding behavior. Furthermore, we discovered that hypothalamic pdx1 GABAergic neurons are required for postweaning feeding. It advanced our knowledge about GABAergic neurons in feeding regulation.

My current study is focused on the role of the Type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase(D3) in energy metabolism and body weight regulation. Our major interest is to explore the metabolic effects (including energy expenditure, food intake and body weight et al.) of thyroid hormone overexposure caused by hypothalamic D3 deletion in AGRP and POMC neurons, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Wu Z, M. Elena Martinez, Donald L. St. Germain, Arturo Hernandez. Leanness Despite Hypothyroidism Due to Increased Central Action of Thyroid Hormone and Hyperactivity; Endocrinology 158:419–430, 2017.

Hypothalamic Non-AgRP, Non-POMC GABAergic Neurons Are Required for Postweaning Feeding and NPY HyperphagiaEun Ran Kim*, Zhaofei Wu*, Hao Sun, Yuanzhong Xu, Leandra R Mangieri, Yong Xu, Qingchun Tong. The Journal of Neuroscience : The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience 07/2015; 35(29):10440-50. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1110-15.2015 · 6.75. Impact Factor *Co-first author

GABAergic Projections from Lateral Hypothalamus to Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus Promote Feeding, Zhaofei Wu, Eun Ran Kim, Hao Sun, Yuanzhong Xu, Leandra R. Mangieri, De-Pei Li, Hui-Lin Pan, Yong Xu, Benjamin R. Arenkiel, Qingchun Tong, The Journal of Neuroscience : The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience 02/2015; 35(8). DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3720-14.2015 · 6.75  Impact Factor.

Mitochondrial Toxic Effects of Aβ Through Mitofusins in the Early Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, Zhaofei Wu, Yushan Zhu, Xingshui Cao, Shufeng Sun, Baolu Zha, Molecular Neurobiology 04/2014; 50(3). DOI:10.1007/s12035-014-8675-z · 5.29. Impact Factor.

Glutamate mediates the function of melanocortin receptor 4 on Sim1 neurons in body weight regulation, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhaofei Wu, Hao Sun, Yaming Zhu, Eun Ran Kim, Bradford B Lowell, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Yong Xu, Qingchun Tong, Cell metabolism 12/2013; 18(6):860-70. DOI:10.1016/j.cmet.2013.11.003 · 16.75 Impact Factor

An Obligate Role of Oxytocin Neurons in Diet Induced Energy Expenditure, Zhaofei Wu, Yuanzhong Xu, Yaming Zhu, Amy K Sutton, Rongjie Zhao, Bradford B Lowell, David P Olson, Qingchun Ton, PLoS ONE 09/2012; 7(9):e45167. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0045167 · 3.53 Impact Factor

Superoxide Anion, Uncoupling Proteins and Alzheimer’s Disease, Zhaofei Wu, Yan Zhao, Baolu Zhao, Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 05/2010; 46(3):187-94. DOI:10.3164/jcbn.09-104-2 · 2.29 Impact Factor

Superoxide Anion Regulates the Mitochondrial Free Ca 2+ Through Uncoupling Protein, Zhaofei Wu, Jie Zhang, Baolu Zhao, Antioxidants & Redox Signaling 05/2009; 11(8):1805-18. DOI:10.1089/ARS.2009.2427 · 7.67 Impact Factor