PHARMACOLOGY FACULTY
Selected Publications
  • Wang C, Liu M, Riojas RJ, Xin X, Gao Z, Zeng R, Wu J, Dong LQ, and Liu F. (2008) PKCtheta-dependent phosphorylation of PDK1 at Ser504 and Ser532 contributes to palmitate-induced insulin resistance. J Biol Chem (in press).
  • Liu M, Zhou LJ, Xu A, Lam KSL, Wetzel MD, Xiang X, Zhang JJ, Xin X, Dong LQ, and Liu F. (2008) A disulfide-bond-A oxidoreductase-like protein (DsbA-L) regulates adiponectin multimerization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105, 18302-18307.
Feng Liu
 

Feng Liu

Professor of Pharmacology
Ph.D., Iowa State University

Office: 210-567-3097
Email: liuf@uthscsa.edu

 

View video introduction to Dr. Liu's lab

 

Keywords

adiponectin, insulin, obesity, diabetes, glucose, glycogen synthesis, insulin signal transduction, insulin resistance, aging, neuronal insulin signaling

 

Research Summary

Our primary interest lies in studying the insulin signal transduction pathway, which is activated when the hormone insulin binds to its cell surface receptors, resulting in a cascade of biochemical reactions that culminates in regulation of metabolic processes such as glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis. Defects in any of the steps along this signaling cascade can result in insulin resistance, one of the primary contributors to developing Type 2 diabetes. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism of insulin signal transduction and insulin resistance, we are using molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology approaches as well as animal models to identify and characterize signaling components involved in insulin receptor signaling processes. It is our hope that better understanding of the signaling components involved in mediating insulin signal transduction will generate information that may be contributed to the development of new therapeutic drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

 

We are also interested in investigating the link between insulin signaling and aging. Recent studies from invertebrates suggested that reducing insulin/IGF-1 signaling in the neurons can extend the life-span of these organisms. Whether reducing neuronal insulin/IGF-1 signaling in mammals extends their life-span remains to be established. We are currently developing animal models in order to determine whether neuronal insulin signaling plays a role in regulating mammalian longevity and aging.


• Lab Personnel •

Dr. Meilian Liu - Assistant Professor/Research

Dr. Juli Bai - Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Chuntao Zhang - Postdoctoral Fellow

Derong Hu - Senior Research Associate

Hongzhi Chen - Graduate Student