Positions
- Assistant Professor
-
Pediatrics-Nutrition
Childrens Nutrition Research Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX US
Addresses
- Children's Nutrition Research Center (Office)
-
Houston, TX 77030
United States
Phone: (713) 798-0512
qiw@bcm.edu
Education
- BS from Nanjing University
- 06/2000 - Nanjing, China
- Biology
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship at University of Washington and HHMI
- 12/2011 - Seattle, Washington United States
- Neuroscience
- PhD from University of Georgia
- 12/2005 - Athens, Georgia United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
Professional Statement
Dr. Wu's group makes extensive use of genetic mouse models including methods for viral mediated gene and cellular ablation, cell-type specific neural circuit mapping, in combined with pharmacology and electrophysiological methods as well as behavioral and metabolic profiling, to understand fundamental mechanisms regulating feeding behavior, neuroendocrine, energy homeostasis, neuropsychiatric states, and cognitive behavior, under normal conditions and in obesity as well as neurological abnormalities. Current lab research focus primarily on areas: 1) characterize functional circuitry of metabolic-sensing PBN neurons and their roles in control of feeding and energy homeostasis, 2) identify a hindbrain neural circuit and associated signaling pathways (including GABA, glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine system) that mediate feeding and energy expenditure, as well as addictive response to food in transgenic mouse models, 3) characterize functional connectivity and relevant signaling systems of a neural circuit connecting the hypothalamic AgRP neurons and postsynaptic targets located in selective forebrain and midbrain areas (such as the BNST, PVT, MPO, and DRN) that synergistically mediate feeding, thermogenesis, mental and cognitive deficiency in obesity-associated neurological disorders, 4) develop a combinatory genetic toolbox that is suitable for neural circuit mapping and inducible, cell type-specific, gene targeting. Our lab's long-term goals are to expand fundamental knowledge of the neural and molecular basis that underlie the control of feeding behavior.Websites
Selected Publications
- Han, Y., Xia, G., Srisai, D., Meng, F., He, Y., Ran, Y., He, Y., Farias, M., Hoang, G., Tóth, I., Dietrich, M., Chen, M.H., Xu, Y., and Wu, Q. "Deciphering an AgRP-serotoninergic neural circuit in distinct control of energy metabolism from feeding.." Nat Commun. 2021;
- Han, Y., Xia, G., Meng, F., He, Y., He, Y., Farias, M., Xu, Y., and Wu, Q. "A hindbrain dopaminergic neural circuit prevents weight gain by reinforcing food satiation.." Science Advances. 2021; Pubmed PMID: 34039606
- Xia, G., Han, Y., Meng, F., He, Y., Srisai, D., Farias, M., Dang, M., Palmiter, R.D., Xu, Y., and Wu, Q. "Reciprocal control of obesity and anxiety–depressive disorder via a GABA and serotonin neural circuit.." Mol Psychiatry. 2021; Pubmed PMID: 33767348
- He, Y., Liu, H., Yin, N., Yang, Y., Wang, C., Yu, M., Liu, H., Liang, C., Wang, J., Tu, L., Zhang, N., Wang, L., He, Y., Fukuda, M., Wu, Q., Sun, Z., Tong, Q. & Xu, Y. "Barbadin potentiates long-term effects of lorcaserin on POMC neurons and weight loss.." 2021; Pubmed PMID: 34031163
- Fan, S., Xu, Y., Lu, Y., Jiang, Z., Li, H., Morrill, J.C., Cai, J., Wu, Q., Xu, Y., Xue, M., Arenkiel, B.R., Huang, C. & Tong, Q. "A neural basis for brain leptin action on reducing type 1 diabetic hyperglycemia.." Nat Commun. 2021; Pubmed PMID: 33976218
- Zhu, C., Jiang, Z., Xu, Y., Cai, Z., Jiang, Q., Xu, Y., Xue, M., Arenkiel, B., Wu, Q., Shu, G., & Tong, Q. "Profound and redundant functions of arcuate neurons in obesity development.." Nat Metab. 2020; Pubmed PMID: 32719538
- Zhou, W., He, Y., Rehman, A.U., Kong, Y., Hong, S., Ding, G., Yalamanchili, H.K., Wan, Y.W., Paul, B., Wang, C., Gong, Y., Zhou, W., Liu, H., Dean, J., Scalais, E., O'Driscoll, M., Morton, J.E.V., DDD study, Hou, X., Wu, Q., Tong, Q., Liu, Z., Liu,P.,Xu,Y "Loss of function of NCOR1 and NCOR2 impairs memory through a novel GABAergic hypothalamus-CA3 projection.." Nat Neurosci. 2019; Pubmed PMID: 31222187
- Han, Y., Xia, G. & Wu, Q. "Functional interrogation of the AgRP neural circuits in control of appetite, body weight, and cognitive behaviors.." Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018; Pubmed PMID: 30390282
- Han, Y., Tong, Q. & Wu, Q. "Current Genetic Techniques in Neural Circuit Control of Feeding and Energy Metabolism.." Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018; Pubmed PMID: 30390293
- Wang C, He Y, Xu P, Yang Y, Saito K, Xia Y, Yan X, Hinton A, Jr., Yan C, Ding H, Yu L, Shu G, Gupta R, Wu Q, Tong Q, Lagor WR, Flores ER, & Xu Y "TAp63 contributes to sexual dimorphism in POMC neuron functions and energy homeostasis.." Nat Commun. 2018; Pubmed PMID: 29670083
- Duerrschmid C, He Y, Wang C, Li C, Bournat JC, Romere C, Saha PK, Lee ME, Phillips KJ, Jain M, Jia P, Zhao Z, Farias M, Wu Q, Milewicz DM, Sutton VR, Moore DD, Butte NF, Krashes MJ, Xu Y, Chopra AR. "Asprosin is a centrally acting orexigenic hormone.." Nat Med. 2017; Pubmed PMID: 29106398
- Xu P, He Y, Cao X, Valencia-Torres L, Yan X, Saito K, Wang C, Yang Y, Hinton A, Jr., Zhu L, Shu G, Myers MG, Jr., Wu Q, Tong Q, Heisler LK, & Xu Y "Activation of Serotonin 2C Receptors in Dopamine Neurons Inhibits Binge-like Eating in Mice.." Biol Psychiatry. 2017; Pubmed PMID: 27516377
- Wang M, Zuris JA, Meng F, Rees H, Sun S, Deng P, Han Y, Gao X, Pouli D, Wu Q, Georgakoudi I, Liu DR, & Xu Q "Efficient delivery of genome-editing proteins using bioreducible lipid nanoparticles.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016; Pubmed PMID: 26929348
- Meng F, Han Y, Srisai D, Belakhov V, Farias M, Xu Y, Palmiter RD, Baasov T, & Wu Q "New inducible genetic method reveals critical roles of GABA in the control of feeding and metabolism.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016; Pubmed PMID: 26976589
- Hinton AO, Jr., He Y, Xia Y, Xu P, Yang Y, Saito K, Wang C, Yan X, Shu G, Henderson A, Clegg DJ, Khan SA, Reynolds C, Wu Q, Tong Q, & Xu Y "Estrogen Receptor-alpha in the Medial Amygdala Prevents Stress-Induced Elevations in Blood Pressure in Females.." 2016; Pubmed PMID: 27091896
- He Y, Shu G, Yang Y, Xu P, Xia Y, Wang C, Saito K, Hinton A, Jr., Yan X, Liu C, Wu Q, Tong Q, & Xu Y "A Small Potassium Current in AgRP/NPY Neurons Regulates Feeding Behavior and Energy Metabolism.." Cell Reports. 2016; Pubmed PMID: 27829152
- Zhu L, Zou F, Yang Y, Xu P, Saito K, Othrell Hinton A, Jr., Yan X, Ding H, Wu Q, Fukuda M, Sun Z, Tong Q, & Xu Y "Estrogens prevent metabolic dysfunctions induced by circadian disruptions in female mice.." Endocrinology. 2015; Pubmed PMID: 25807042
- Yan C, Yang Y, Saito K, Xu P, Wang C, Hinton AO, Jr., Yan X, Wu Q, Tong Q, Elmquist JK, Fukuda M, & Xu Y "Meta-chlorophenylpiperazine enhances leptin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice.." Br J Pharmacol. 2015; Pubmed PMID: 25817043
- Stewart A, Maity B, Wunsch AM, Meng F, Wu Q, Wemmie JA, & Fisher RA "Regulator of G-protein signaling 6 (RGS6) promotes anxiety and depression by attenuating serotonin-mediated activation of the 5-HT(1A) receptor-adenylyl cyclase axis.." FASEB J. 2014; Pubmed PMID: 24421401
- Wu Q, Zheng R, Srisai D, McKnight GS, & Palmiter RD "NR2B subunit of the NMDA glutamate receptor regulates appetite in the parabrachial nucleus.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013; Pubmed PMID: 23964123
- Briggs DI, Lockie SH, Wu Q, Lemus MB, Stark R, & Andrews ZB "Calorie-restricted weight loss reverses high-fat diet-induced ghrelin resistance, which contributes to rebound weight gain in a ghrelin-dependent manner.." Endocrinology. 2013; Pubmed PMID: 23307790
- Wu Q, Whiddon BB, & Palmiter RD "Ablation of neurons expressing agouti-related protein, but not melanin concentrating hormone, in leptin-deficient mice restores metabolic functions and fertility.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012; Pubmed PMID: 22232663
- Wu Q, Clark MS, & Palmiter RD "Deciphering a neuronal circuit that mediates appetite.." Nature. 2012; Pubmed PMID: 22419158
- Wu Q & Palmiter RD "GABAergic signaling by AgRP neurons prevents anorexia via a melanocortin-independent mechanism.." Eur J Pharmacol. 2011; Pubmed PMID: 21211531
- Wu Q, Boyle MP, & Palmiter RD "Loss of GABAergic signaling by AgRP neurons to the parabrachial nucleus leads to starvation.." Cell. 2009; Pubmed PMID: 19563755
- Wu Q, Howell MP, & Palmiter RD "Ablation of neurons expressing agouti-related protein activates fos and gliosis in postsynaptic target regions.." J Neurosci. 2008; Pubmed PMID: 18784302
- Wu Q, Howell MP, Cowley MA, & Palmiter RD "Starvation after AgRP neuron ablation is independent of melanocortin signaling.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008; Pubmed PMID: 18272480
- Wu Q & Brown MR "Signaling and function of insulin-like peptides in insects.." Annu Rev Entomol. 2006; Pubmed PMID: 16332201
- Wu Q, Zhao Z, & Shen P "Regulation of aversion to noxious food by Drosophila neuropeptide Y- and insulin-like systems.." Nat Neurosci. 2005; Pubmed PMID: 16172603
- Wu Q, Zhang Y, Xu J, & Shen P "Regulation of hunger-driven behaviors by neural ribosomal S6 kinase in Drosophila.." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005; Pubmed PMID: 16150727
- Wen T, Parrish CA, Xu D, Wu Q, & Shen P "Drosophila neuropeptide F and its receptor, NPFR1, define a signaling pathway that acutely modulates alcohol sensitivity." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005; Pubmed PMID: 15677721
- Wu Q, Zhao H, & Wen T "The conserved signaling pathways and physiological functions of insulin-like peptides in insects." J Shanghai Univ. 2004;
- Wu Q, Wen T, Lee G, Park JH, Cai HN, & Shen P "Developmental control of foraging and social behavior by the Drosophila neuropeptide Y-like system.." Neuron. 2003; Pubmed PMID: 12848939
- Wen T, Gu P, Minning TA, Wu Q, Liu M, Chen F, Liu H, & Huang H "Microarray analysis of neural stem cell differentiation in the striatum of the fetal rat.." Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2002; Pubmed PMID: 12507390
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