Neuroscience  http://www.gbs.uab.edu  http://www.uab.edu/graduate  Back to Main

Faculty Detail    
Name JIANHUA ZHANG
 
Campus Address BMR2 534 Zip 2186
Phone  (205) 996-5153
E-mail
Other websites googlescholar
     

Education
Undergraduate  University of Science and Technology of China     1985  BS 
Graduate  UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas    1991  PhD 


Faculty Appointment(s)
Appointment Type Department Division Rank
Primary  Joint Pathology  Molecular & Cellular Pathology Professor
Secondary  Cell, Developmntl, & Integrative Biology  Cell, Developmntl, & Integrative Biology Professor
Secondary  Dept of Biomedical Engineering  Dept of Biomedical Engineering Professor
Secondary  Neurobiology  Neurobiology Professor
Center  Alzheimer's Disease Center  Alzheimer's Disease Center Professor
Center  Civitan International Research Center  Civitan International Research Center Professor
Center  Comprehensive Cancer Center  Comprehensive Cancer Center Professor
Center  Comprehensive Neuroscience Center  Comprehensive Neuroscience Center Professor
Center  Ctr for Clinical & Translational Sci  Ctr for Clinical & Translational Sci Professor
Center  Ctr for Free Radical Bio  Ctr for Free Radical Bio Professor
Center  Ctr Neurodegeneration & Exp Ther (CNET)  Ctr Neurodegeneration & Exp Ther (CNET) Professor
Center  GL Ctr for Craniofacial, Oral, & Dental Disorders  GL Ctr for Craniofacial, Oral, & Dental Disorders Professor
Center  Integrative Center for Aging Research  Integrative Center for Aging Research Professor
Center  Nutrition Sciences Research  Nutrition Obesity Res Ctr (NORC) Professor
Center  UAB Immunology Institute  UAB Immunology Institute Professor
Center  UWIRC Microbiome Center  UWIRC Microbiome Center Professor

Graduate Biomedical Sciences Affiliations
Cell, Molecular, & Developmental Biology 
Cellular and Molecular Biology Program 
Integrative Genetics Graduate Program 
Medical Scientist Training Program 
Molecular and Cellular Pathology Program 
Neuroscience 
Neuroscience Graduate Program 
Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine 

Biographical Sketch 
Dr. Zhang graduated from University of Science and Technology of China. She received her PhD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She then worked as a postdoctoral associate in the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, and as a Research Assistant Professor in University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She joined UAB in 2005, and promoted to professor in 2019.

Society Memberships
Organization Name Position Held Org Link
Association for Neuron and Disease (AND)  member   
Birmingham Chinese Professor Association (BCPA)  member   
Chinese Biologic Investigator Society (Ray Wu society)  member   
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM)  VP  sfrbm.org 
Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA)  member   
Women in Autophagy  member  womeninautophagy.com 



Research/Clinical Interest
Title
Mechanisms and regulation of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in health and diseases
Description
We focus on the integrated mechanisms regulating metabolism, redox signaling and cell death. We use genetic models and system biology tools to identify novel approaches to promote healthy aging, and to attenuate cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. We have positions open for a postdoc and a graduate student. Highly motivated, rigorous and talented individuals are encouraged to apply.

Selected Publications 
Publication PUBMEDID
New Insights into the Biology of Protein O-GlcNAcylation: Approaches and Observations
T Mueller, X Ouyang, MS Johnson, WEIJUN QIAN, JC Chatham, ...2021
Frontiers in Aging 1, 5 
 
The Promise of a Golden Era for Exploring the Frontiers of Aging, Metabolism and Redox Biology
J Zhang 2020
Frontiers in Aging 1, 4 
 
Pik3c3 deficiency in myeloid cells imparts partial resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis associated with reduced IL-1β production
G Yang, W Song, J Xu, JL Postoak, F Cheng, J Martinez, J Zhang, L Wu, ...2020
Cellular & molecular immunology, 1-16 
33235386 
Role of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification of proteins in diabetic cardiovascular complications
J Chatham, M Young, J Zhang 2020
Current Opinion in Pharmacology 57, 1-12 
32937226  
Nuclear receptor binding factor 2 (NRBF2) is required for learning and memory
X Ouyang, I Ahmad, MS Johnson, M Redmann, J Craver, WY Wani, ...2020
Laboratory Investigation 100 (9), 1238-1251 
32350405 
Role of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification in cellular (patho) physiology
JC Chatham, J Zhang, AR Wende 2020
Physiological Reviews 
32730113 
Mitochondrial damage and senescence phenotype of cells derived from a novel frataxin G127V point mutation mouse model of Friedreich's ataxia
D Fil, BK Chacko, R Conley, X Ouyang, J Zhang, VM Darley-Usmar, ...2020
Disease models & mechanisms 13 (7) 
32586831 
Restoration of CTSD (cathepsin D) and lysosomal function in stroke is neuroprotective
MI Hossain, JM Marcus, JH Lee, PL Garcia, VK Singh, JJ Shacka, J Zhang, ...2020
Autophagy, 1-19 
32450052 
Differential Effects of REV-ERBa/b Agonism on Cardiac Gene Expression, Metabolism, and Contractile Function in a Mouse Model of Circadian Disruption.
S Mia, MS Kane, MN Latimer, CJ Reitz, R Sonkar, GA Benavides, ...2020
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology 
32357113 
Autophagy-related protein PIK3C3/VPS34 controls T cell metabolism and function: PIK3C3/VPS34 in T cell metabolism and function
G Yang, W Song, JL Postoak, J Chen, J Martinez, J Zhang, L Wu, ...2020
Autophagy, 1-12 
32268825 
MitoQ regulates redox-related non-coding RNAs to preserve mitochondrial network integrity in pressure overload heart failure
S Kim, J Song, P Ernst, MN Latimer, CM Ha, KY Goh, W Ma, ...2020
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 318 (3), H682-H695 
32004065 
Role and Mechanisms of Mitophagy in Liver Diseases
X Ma, T McKeen, J Zhang, WX Ding 2020
Cells 
32244304 
Acute increases in O-GlcNAc indirectly impair mitochondrial bioenergetics through dysregulation of LonP1-mediated mitochondrial protein complex turnover
JLN Wright, GA Benavides, MS Johnson, W Wani, X Ouyang, L Zou, ...2019
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 316 (6), C862-C875 
30865517 
Circadian Regulation of Cardiac Physiology: Rhythms That Keep the Heart Beating
J Zhang, J Chatham, ME Young 2020
Annual review of physiology 82 
31589825 
Bioenergetics and translational metabolism: implications for genetics, physiology and precision medicine
BG Hill, S Shiva, S Ballinger, J Zhang, V Darley-Usmar 2019
Biological Chemistry 
31815377 
Methods for assessing mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and cellular consequences in cell culture
Matthew Redmann, Gloria A. Benavides, Willayat Yousuf Wani, Taylor F ...2018
Redox Biology 17, 59-69 
29677567 
Hough KP, Trevor JL, Strenkowski JG, Wang Y, Chacko BK, Tousif S, Chanda D, Steele C, Antony VB, Dokeland T, Ouyang X, Zhang J, Duncan SR, Thannickal VK, Darley-Usmar VM, Deshane JS (2018) Exosomal Transfer of Mitochondria from Airway Myeloid-Derived Regulatory Cells to T cells. Redox Biology. Vol 18, pages 54-64  29986209 
Libby CJ, Zhang S, Benavides GA, Scott SE, Li Y, Redmann M, Tran AN, Otamias A, Darley-Usmar V, Napieralo M, Zhang J, Augelli-Szafran CE, Zhang W, Hjelmeland A (2017) Identification of Compounds That Decrease Glioblastoma Growth and Glucose Uptake in Vitro. ACS Chemical Biology 13 (8), 2048-2057  29905460 
Brewer RA, Collins HE, Berry RD, Brahma MK, Tirado B, Stanley HL, Wende AR, Taegtmeyer H, Rajasekaran NS, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J, Frank SJ, Chatham JC, Young ME (2018) Temporal partitioning of adaptive responses of the murine heart to fasting: a guide for experimental design. Life Sciences 197:30-39  29410090 
Zhang J, Culp ML, Craver JG, Darley-Usmar V (2017) Mitochondrial function and autophagy: integrating proteotoxic, redox, and metabolic stress in Parkinson’s disease. J Neurochem in press  29341130  
Glutaminolysis is required for TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation and activation.
Bernard K, Logsdon NJ, Benavides GA, Sanders Y, Zhang J, Darley-Usmar VM, Thannickal VJ.
J Biol Chem. 2017 Dec 8. pii: jbc.RA117.000444. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA117.000444. [Epub ahead of print]
 
29222329 
Neurobiol Dis. 2017 Dec 2;110:68-81. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.11.006. [Epub ahead of print]
The lysosomal enzyme alpha-Galactosidase A is deficient in Parkinson's disease brain in association with the pathologic accumulation of alpha-synuclein.

Nelson MP1, Boutin M2, Tse TE3, Lu H1, Haley ED3, Ouyang X1, Zhang J4, Auray-Blais C2, Shacka JJ5. 
29196214  
O-GlcNAc regulation of autophagy and α-synuclein homeostasis; implications for Parkinson's disease.
Wani WY, Ouyang X, Benavides GA, Redmann M, Cofield SS, Shacka JJ, Chatham JC, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J.
Mol Brain. 2017 Jul 19;10(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13041-017-0311-1.
 
28724388  
Regulation of autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and cellular bioenergetics by 4-hydroxynonenal in primary neurons.
Dodson M, Wani WY, Redmann M, Benavides GA, Johnson MS, Ouyang X, Cofield SS, Mitra K, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J.
Autophagy. 2017 Aug 24:1-13. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2017.1356948. [Epub ahead of print]
 
28837411 
Bernard K, Logsdon NJ, Herranz VM, Benavides GA, Zhang J, Darley-Usmar VM, Thannickal VJ (2017) NADPH Oxidase 4 (Nox4) Suppresses Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Lung Fibroblasts via a Nuclear Factor Erythroid- Derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2)-Dependent Pathway. J Biol Chem In press  28049732 
Redmann M, Wani W, Volpicelli-Daley L, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J (2017) Trehalose does not improve neuronal survival on exposure to alpha-synuclein pre-formed fibrils. Redox Biology 11:429-437  28068606 
Redmann M, Benavides GA, Berryhill TF, Wani WY, Ouyang X, Johnson MS, Ravi S, Barnes S, Darley-Usmar VM, Zhang J (2017) Inhibition of autophagy with bafilomycin and chloroquine decreases mitochondrial quality and bioenergetic function in primary neurons. Redox Biology 11:73-81 PMCID:PMC5124357  27889640 
Redmann M, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J (2016) The role of autophagy, mitophagy and lysosomal functions in modulating cellular bioenergetics and survival in the context of redox and proteotoxic damage: implications for age dependent neurodegenerative diseases. Aging and Disease 7:150-162 PMCID:PMC4809607  27114848 
Wani W, Chatham J, Darley-Usmar V, McMahon L, Zhang J (2017) O-GlcNAcylation and neurodegeneration. BRB in press  27497832  
Wende AR, Young M, Chatham J, Zhang J, Rajasekaran NS, Darley-Usmar VM (2017) Free Radical Biology and Medicine In press  27242268  
Radhakrishnan RK, Narasimhan M, Shanmugam G, Devarajan A, Palaniappan S, Zhang J, Halade G, Darley-Usmar VM, Hoidal JR, Rajasekaran NS (2016) Abrogation of Nrf2 impairs antioxidant signaling and promotes atrial hypertrophy in response to high-intensity exercise stress. J Transl Med. 14 (1), 86  27048381 
A Hjelmeland, J Zhang (2016) Metabolic, autophagic, and mitophagic activities in cancer initiation and progression
biomedical journal 
27372165  
E Hervouet, J · Zhang, M · Boyer-Guittaut (2016) ROS and Epigenetics. In book: Reactive Oxygen Species in Biology and Human Health, pp.519-533   
Aggarwal S, Mannam P, Zhang J. (2017) Differential Regulation of Autophagy and Mitophagy in Pulmonary Diseases.Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol.  27402690  
Zhang J (2015) Teaching the basics of autophagy and mitophagy to redox biologists--mechanisms and experimental approaches.Redox Biol. 2015;4:242-59. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2015.01.003. Epub 2015 Jan 13.  25618581 
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition).
Klionsky et al Autophagy. 2016 Jan 2;12(1):1-222. 
26799652 
Matthew Dodson, Matthew Redmann, Namakkal S Rajasekaran, Victor Darley-Usmar, Jianhua Zhang (2015)KEAP1-NRF2 signalling and autophagy in protection against oxidative and reductive proteotoxicity. Biochemical Journal 469:347-55  26205490  
Sheshadri N, Catanzaro J, Bott A, Sun Y, Ullman E, Chen E, Pan J-A, Wu S, Crawford H, Zhang J, Zong WX (2014) SCCA1/SerpinB3 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and oncogenic transformation via unfolded protein response and IL-6 signaling. Cancer Research 74(21):6318-29  25213322 
Wani W, Boyer-Guittaut M, Dodson M, Chatham J, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J (2015) Regulation of autophagy by protein post-translational modification. Laboratory Investigation 95(1):14-25.  25365205  
Jurkuvenaite A, Benavides GA, Komarova S, Doran SF, Johnson M, Aggarwal S, Zhang J, Darley-Usmar VM, Matalon S (2015) Upregulation of autophagy decreases chlorine gas-induced mitochondrial injury and lung inflammation. Free radical biology and medicine 85:83-94  25881550 
Giordano S, Dodson M, Ravi S, Redmann M, Ouyang X, Darley Usmar VM, Zhang J. (2014) Bioenergetic adaptation in response to autophagy regulators during rotenone exposure. J Neurochem. Jul 31. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12844. [Epub ahead of print]  25081478 
AL Levonen, BG Hill, E Kansanen, J Zhang, VM Darley-Usmar (2014) Redox regulation of antioxidants, autophagy, and the response to stress: Implications for electrophile therapeutics. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 71, 196-207  24681256 
Chacko B, Kramer P, Ravi S, Benavides G, Mitchell T, Dranka BP, Ferrick D, Singal A, Ballinger S, Bailey SM, Hardy R, Zhang J, Zhi D, Darley-Usmar VM (2014) The Bioenergetic Health Index: A new concept in translational research. Clinical Science   24895057 
Redmann M, Dodson M, Boyer-Guittaut M, Darley-Usmar VM, Zhang J (2014) Mitophagy mechanisms and role in human diseases. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell biology 53:127-33  24842106 
Michaël Boyer-Guittaut, Laura Poillet, Qiuli Liang, Elodie Bôle-Richard, Xiaosen Ouyang, Gloria A Benavides, Fatima-Zahra Chakrama, Annick Fraichard, Victor M Darley-Usmar, Gilles Despouy, Michèle Jouvenot, Régis Delage-Mourroux, Jianhua Zhang (2014). The role of GABARAPL1 (GEC1) in autophagic flux and mitochondrial quality control in MDA-MB-436 breast cancer cells. Autophagy 10 (6), 986-1003  24879149 
Giordano S, Darley-Usmar V, Zhang J. (2013) Autophagy as an essential cellular antioxidant pathway in neurodegenerative disease. 2: 82–90.   24494187 
Hengartner CJ, Thompson CM, Zhang J, Chao DM, Liao SM, Koleske AJ, Okamura S, Young RA.Association of an activator with an RNA polymerase II holoenzyme.Genes Dev. 1995 Apr 15;9(8):897-910.  7774808 
Zhang, J., Liao, S.-M., Jeffrey, D.A., Koleske, A.J., Thompson, C.M., Chao, D.M., Viljoen, M., van Vuuren, H.J.J. & Young, R.A. (1995). A kinase-cyclin pair in the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme. Nature 374:193-196 (co-first author)  7877695 
Zhang, J., Liu, X., Scherer, D.C., Van Kaer, L., Wang, X. & Xu, M. (1998). Resistance to DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in mice lacking the DNA fragmentation factor 45. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 12480-12485 with commentary by Susan Cory: “Cell death throes”  9770511  
Zhang, J., Wang, X., Bove, K. & Xu, M. (1999). DNA fragmentation factor 45 deficient cells are more resistant to apoptosis and exhibit different dying morphology than wild-type control cells. J. Biol. Chem. 274:37450-37454  10601318  

Keywords
Autophagy, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, lysosomes, mitochondria, redox signaling