Dr. Jinwei Zhu received his Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from Fudan University where he studied the molecular mechanism governing the stem cell asymmetric cell division. After his postdoctoral training at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, he joined the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS, as an Associate Investigator. He is currently a Professor of Bio-X Institutes at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, focusing on biochemical and structural basis of polarized signaling transduction in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity as well as etiology of various psychiatric disorders. Since 2011, his research work has been published in several high profile journals, including Molecular Cell, Nature Communications, Science Advances, PNAS, Cell Reports, Cell Research, JBC, etc.

Our lab mainly focuses on molecular mechanisms governing neuronal development, synaptic signaling transduction, synaptic plasticity and molecular basis underlying etiology of various psychiatric diseases, through combination of biochemical, biophysical, cell biological approaches.

1. Molecular mechanism of synaptic development and signaling；

2. Structure basis of protein complexes involved in neuropsychiatric disorders

1.     Zhang M^#, Cao A^#, Lin L^#, Chen Y, Shang Y, Wang C, Zhang MJ, Zhu J*. (2023) Phosphorylation-dependent recognition of diverse protein targets by the cryptic GK domain of MAGI MAGUKs. Sci Adv. 10;9(19):eadf3295.

2.     Gu J^#, Peng R^#, Guo C^#, Zhang M, Yang J, Yan X, Zhou Q, Li H, Wang N, Zhu J*, Ouyang Q*. (2022) Construction of a synthetic methodology-based library and its application in identifying a GIT/PIX protein-protein interaction inhibitor. Nat Commun. 13(1):7176.

3.     Shi Y^#, Lin L^#, Wang C*, Zhu J*. (2022) Polarized condensates confer row identity of hair cell stereocilia. J Mol Cell Biol. 14(7):mjac045.

4.     Shi Y^#, Lin L^#, Wang C*, Zhu J*. (2022) Promotion of row 1-specific tip complex condensates by Gpsm2-Gαi provides insights into row identity of the tallest stereocilia. Sci Adv 8(23):eabn4556.

5.     Zhang H, Lin L, Liu J, Pan L, Lin Z, Zhang M, Zhang J, Cao Y, Zhu J*, Zhang R*. (2021) Phase Separation of MAGI2-Mediated Complex Underlies Formation of Slit Diaphragm Complex in Glomerular Filtration Barrier. J Am Soc Nephrol 32(8):1946-1960.

6.     Lin L^#, Shi Y^#, Wang M, Wang C, Lu Q, Zhu J*^,1, Zhang R*. (2021) Phase separation-mediated condensation of Whirlin-Myo15-Eps8 stereocilia tip complex. Cell Rep 34(8):108770. (¹Lead Contact).

7.     Zhang M^#, Lin L^#, Wang C*, Zhu J*. (2021) Double inhibition and activation mechanisms of Ephexin family RhoGEFs. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 118(8) e2024465118.

8.     Wang M^#, Lin L^#, Shi Y, He L, Wang C*, Zhu J*. (2020) Structure of the FERM domain of a neural scaffold protein FRMPD4 implicated in X-linked intellectual disability. Biochem J 477(23):4623-4634.

9.     Zhu J^#,*, Zhou Q^#, Xia Y, Lin L, Li J, Peng M, Zhang R*, Zhang M*. (2020) GIT/PIX Condensates Are Modular and Ideal for Distinct Compartmentalized Cell Signaling. Mol Cell 79(5):782-796.e6.

10.  Lin L, Shi Y, Wang M, Wang C, Zhu J*^,1, Zhang R*. (2019) Rab35/ACAP2 and Rab35/RUSC2 Complex Structures Reveal Molecular Basis for Effector Recognition by Rab35 GTPase. Structure 27(5):729-740. (¹Lead Contact).

11.  Weng Z, Situ C, Lin L, Wu Z, Zhu J*, and Zhang R* (2019) Structure of BAI1/ELMO2 complex reveals an action mechanism of adhesion GPCRs via ELMO family scaffolds. Nat Commun. 10(1):51.

12.   Weng Z, Shang Y, Ji Z, Ye F, Lin L, Zhang R* and Zhu J* (2018) Structural basis of highly specific interaction between Nephrin and MAGI1 in slit diaphragm assembly and signaling. J Am Soc Nephrol. 29(9):2362-2371.

13.   Weng Z, Shang Y, Yao D, Zhu J*, and Zhang R* (2018) Structural basis of KANK1/KIF21A complex in crosstalk between dynamic microtubule and cell cortex. J Biol Chem. 293(1):215-225. (Lead contact)

14.   Zhu J^#, Zhou Q^#, Shang Y, Peng M, Weng Z, Zhang R, Huang X, Li S, Feng G, Zhang M. (2017) Synaptic targeting and function of SAPAPs mediated by phosphorylation-dependent binding to PSD-95 MAGUKs. Cell Rep. 21(13):3781-3793.

15.   Xia Y^#, Shang Y^#, Zhang R, and Zhu J* (2017) Structure of PSD95/MAP1A complex reveals unique target recognition mode of MAGUK GK domain. Biochem J. 474(16):2817-2828.

16.   Bergstralh DT, Lovegrove HE, Kujawiak I, Dawney NS, Zhu J, Cooper S, Zhang R, St Johnston D* (2016) Pins is not required for spindle orientation in the Drosophila wing disc. Development. 143(14):2573-81.

17.   Zhu J^#*, Shang Y^#, Xia Y, Zhang R, Zhang M* (2016) An Atypical MAGUK GK Target Recognition Mode Revealed by the Interaction between DLG and KIF13B. Structure. 24(11):1876-1885.

18.   Zhu J, Shang Y, and Zhang M* (2016) Mechanistic Basis of MAGUKs-organized Complexes in Synaptic Development and Signalling. Nat. Rev. Neurosci.17(4):209-23.

19.   Zhu J^#, Shang Y^#, Wan Q, Xia Y, Chen J, Du Q, and Zhang M*. (2014) Phosphorylation-dependent interaction between tumor suppressors Dlg and Lgl. Cell Res., 24:451–463.

20.   Pan Z^#, Zhu J^#, Shang Y^#, Wei Z, Jia M, Xia C, Wen W, Wang W*, Zhang M*. (2013) An auto-inhibited conformation of LGN reveals a distinct interaction mode between the GoLoco motifs and TPR motifs. Structure 21, 1007–1017

21.   Zhu J, Shang Y, Chen J, Zhang M*. (2012) Structure and function of GK domains of MAGUK family proteins. Front. Biol. 7(5): 379–396 (invited review, cover paper)

22.   Jia M^#, Li J^#, Zhu J, Wen W, Zhang M*, Wang W*. (2012) Structure and Biochemical Characterizations of LGN GoLoco/Gαi Interaction Suggest Scaffolding and Gα Signaling Roles of LGN in Asymmetric Cell Division. J Biol Chem. 287, 36766–36776.

23.   Zhu J^#, Shang Y^#, Xia C, Wang W, Wen W*, Zhang M*. (2011) Guanylate kinase domains of the MAGUK family scaffold proteins as specific phospho-protein binding modules. EMBO J 30:4986–4997.

24.   Zhu J^#, Wen W^#, Zheng Z, Shang Y, Wei Z, Xiao Z, Pan Z, Du Q*, Wang W*, Zhang M* (2011) LGN/mInsc and LGN/NuMA complex structures suggest distinct functions in asymmetric cell division for the Par3/mInsc/LGN and Gαi/LGN/NuMA pathways. Mol Cell 43: 418–431