The six-layer structure of the cerebral cortex (neocortex) of the brain is amazingly complex. We explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the precise generation of cellular components of the neocortex by neural progenitor cells, with emphasis on roles of histone modifications, long non-coding RNAs and cis-regulatory elements in transcriptional regulation. Our findings have implications in understanding pathogenesis of neurological disorders including autism, intellectual disability, neural degeneration and glioma.
Education
1991-1997 Bachelor of Medicine, Tongji Medical University, China
1997-2000 PhD, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, China
2000-2002 MD, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, China
Academic Experience
2002-2007 Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University, USA
2007-2011 Associate Research Scientist, Yale University, USA
2011-2017 Luojia Professor, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, China
2015-2017 Chair, Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, China
2017- Professor, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, China
2019-2024 Executive Director, Medical Research Institute/Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, China
Awards & Honors
Social Service
Vice Dean, Wuhan University School of Medicine (2023-)
Associate Editor, Molecular Medicine (2023-)
Editorial Board Member, Cell Insight (2021-)
Representative Publications
1. Zhou, Y., Atkins, J., Rompani, S., Bancescu, D., Tang, H., Petersen, P., Zou, K., Stewart, S., Zhong, W. (2007) The mammalian Golgi regulates Numb signaling in asymmetric cell division by releasing ACBD3 during mitosis. Cell 129 (1): 163-78 (Highlighted by F 1000)
2. Li W#, Shen W#, Zhang B, Tian K, Li Y, Mu L, Luo Z, Zhong X, Wu X, Liu Y*, Zhou Y* (2019) Long non-coding RNA LncKdm2b regulates cortical neuronal differentiation by cis-activating Kdm2b, Protein & Cell, 11(3):161-186 (cover story)
3. Xu L, Zheng Y, Li X, Wang A, Huo D, Li Q, Wang S, Luo Z, Liu Y, Xu F, Wu X, Wu M*, Zhou Y* (2021) Abnormal neocortex arealization and Sotos-like syndrome-associated behavior and in Setd2 mutant mice, Science Advances, 7(1):eaba1180
4. Wang A#, Wang J#, Tian K, Huo D, Ye H, Li S, Zhao C, Zhang B, Zheng Y, Xu L, Hua X, Wang K, Wu Q, Wu X, Zeng T, Liu Y*, and Zhou Y* (2021) An epigenetic circuit controls neurogenic programs during neocortex development, Development, 148 (22): dev199772
5. Wang J#, Wang A#, Tian K, Hua X, Zhang B, Zheng Y, Kong X, Li W, Xu L, Wang J, Li Z, Liu Y*, Zhou Y* (2022) A Ctnnb1 enhancer regulates neocortical neurogenesis by controlling the abundance of intermediate progenitors. Cell Discovery 8(1):74
6. Wang F#, Liu X#, Li S, Zhao C, Sun Y, Tian K, Wang J, Li W, Xu L, Jing J, Wang J, Evans SM, Li Z*, Liu Y*, Zhou Y* (2023) Resolving the lineage relationship between malignant cells and vascular cells in glioblastomas, Protein & Cell, 14(2):105-122 (cover story)
7. Zhang B, Zhao C, Shen W, Li W, Zheng Y, Kong X, Wang J, Wu X, Zeng T*, Liu Y*, Zhou Y* (2023) KDM2B regulates hippocampal morphogenesis by transcriptionally silencing Wnt signaling in neural progenitors, Nature Communications, 14(1):6489
8. Zheng Y, Zhao C, Song Q, Xu L, Zhang B, Hu G, Kong X, Li S, Li X, Shen Y, Zhuang L, Wu M*, Liu Y*, Zhou Y* (2023) Histone methylation mediated by NSD1 is required for the establishment and maintenance of neuronal identities, Cell Reports, 42(12):113496
