3. 膜蛋白构象动态与跨膜转运调控机制
课题组围绕膜蛋白与底物、小分子配体及磷脂的相互作用，研究构象动态与跨膜转运功能之间的联系。结合顺磁弛豫增强核磁共振、脂质体功能实验及分子动力学模拟，建立了从分子相互作用、构象变化到转运功能的综合研究体系。以线粒体解偶联蛋白（UCP1）和ATP/ADP转运蛋白（AAC）为代表，阐明其底物结合与配体调控机制，为理解线粒体载体蛋白的转运功能及膜蛋白的动态调控提供了机制依据与研究方法（Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2018；Structure, 2017；Protein & Cell, 2016）。
代表性论文列表：
1. Xu, X.#, Wang, Y.#, Wu, Y., Cai, Z., Zhu, J., Wu, H., ... & Zhao, L.* (2026). Membrane engagement by the HLA-A cytoplasmic tail regulates endocytosis and surface retention. Cell Reports, 45(9).
2. Zhu, J.#, Xu, X.#, Liu, P., Wu, H., Wang, Y., Xu, B., ... & Zhao, L.* (2026). A conserved basic motif mediates membrane anchoring and TRAF2 recruitment across costimulatory TNFRs. The EMBO Journal, 1-24.
3. Liu, P.#, Zhao, Y.#, Cai, Z., Wu, H., Wang, S., Jiang, L., ... & Zhao, L.* (2026). A humanized anti-TNFR1 nanobody antagonist targeting the CRD3 region suppresses inflammation and necroptosis in vitro. Communications Biology.
4. Wu, Y., Hu, W., Zhao, L.* (2026). From Prediction to Design: A Paradigm Shift in AI-Driven Protein–Protein Interaction Research. Health and Metabolism.
5. Zhu, J.#, Chen, Z.#, Xu, X., Wang, Y., Liu, P., Wen, M., ... & Zhao, L.* (2025). Structure guided analysis of KRAS G12 mutants in HLA-A* 11: 01 reveals a length encoded immunogenic advantage in G12D. Communications Biology, 9(1), 26.
6. Ahmad, S.#, Zou, T.#, Hwang, J.#, Zhao, L.#, Wang, X., Davydenko, A., ... & Hur, S.* (2025). PACT prevents aberrant activation of PKR by endogenous dsRNA without sequestration. Nature Communications, 16(1), 3325.
7. Du, G.#, Zhao, L.#, Zheng, Y., Belfetmi, A., Cai, T., Xu, B., ... & Chou, J. J.* (2023). Autoinhibitory structure of preligand association state implicates a new strategy to attain effective DR5 receptor activation. Cell Research, 33(2), 131-146.
8. Zhao L, Fu Q, Pan L, Piai A, Chou JJ.* (2020). The diversity and similarity of transmembrane trimerization of TNF receptors. Frontier Cell Dev Biol, 8, 1096.
9. Pan, L.#, Fu, T. M.#, Zhao, W.#, Zhao, L.#, Chen, W., Qiu, C., ... & Chen, S.* (2019). Higher-order clustering of the transmembrane anchor of DR5 drives signaling. Cell, 176(6), 1477-1489.
10. Fu, T., Pan, L., Zhao, L., Wu, H., & Chou, J.* (2019). Higher‐Order Clustering of the Transmembrane Anchor of DR5 Drives Signaling. The FASEB Journal, 33(S1), 792-3.
11. Yang, Q., Brüschweiler, S., Zhao, L., & Chou, J. J.* (2018). Reply to ‘Concerns with yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier’s integrity in DPC’and ‘Dynamics and interactions of AAC3 in DPC are not functionally relevant’. Nature structural & molecular biology, 25(9), 749-750.
12. Zhao, L., Wang, S., Zhu, Q., Wu, B., Liu, Z., OuYang, B., & Chou, J. J.* (2017). Specific interaction of the human mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 with free long-chain fatty acid. Structure, 25(9), 1371-1379.
13. Zhao, L.#, Wang, S.#, Run, C., OuYang, B., & Chou, J. J.* (2016). Specific lipid binding of membrane proteins in detergent micelles characterized by NMR and molecular dynamics. Biochemistry, 55(38), 5317-5320.
14. Zhao, L., Wang, S., Du, L., Dev, J., Zhou, L., Liu, Z., ... & OuYang, B.* (2016). Structural basis of interaction between the hepatitis C virus p7 channel and its blocker hexamethylene amiloride. Protein & cell, 7(4), 300-304.