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Rong Zhai

TitleProfessor
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentNeurology
AddressChicago IL 60637
ORCID ORCID Icon0000-0002-7599-1430 Additional info
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ALPhDNeurobiology
    Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TXpostdoctoral FellowNeurogenetics

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    RF1NS109640     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Sep 14, 2023 - Aug 31, 2026
    NIH
    Neurotoxicity of Spermine Synthase-deficiency and Polyamine Imbalance
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R33AT010408     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Aug 16, 2019 - Jun 30, 2025
    NIH
    microRNA regulation of NMNAT-mediated Neuroprotection against Peripheral Neuropathy and Chronic Pain
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R61AT010408     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Aug 16, 2019 - Jul 31, 2021
    NIH
    microRNA regulation of NMNAT-mediated Neuroprotection against Peripheral Neuropathy and Chronic Pain
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01NS109640     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Sep 30, 2018 - Jun 30, 2023
    NIH
    Neurotoxicity of Spermine Synthase-deficiency and Polyamine Imbalance
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R56NS095893     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Sep 25, 2017 - Sep 29, 2019
    NIH
    Enhance Neuroprotection through post-transcriptional regulations
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R21GM119018     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)May 6, 2016 - Apr 30, 2021
    NIH
    Functional Interaction of GBAS and SLC41A2 in Drosophila models for UDP_755
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01NS064269     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Jul 15, 2009 - Jun 30, 2015
    NIH
    Mechanisms of Neuronal Maintenance and Protection.
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R56NS064269     (ZHAI, RONG GRACE)Dec 1, 2008 - Dec 31, 2016
    NIH
    Mechanisms of Neuronal Maintenance and Protection
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Ortiz-Vega N, Lobato AG, Canic T, Zhu Y, Lazopulo S, Syed S, Zhai RG. Regulation of proteostasis by sleep through autophagy in Drosophila models of Alzheimer's disease. Life Sci Alliance. 2024 Nov; 7(11). PMID: 39237365; PMCID: PMC11377308.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    2. Lobato AG, Ortiz-Vega N, Canic T, Tao X, Bucan N, Ruan K, Rebelo AP, Schule R, Zuchner S, Syed S, Zhai RG. Loss of Fic causes progressive neurodegeneration in a Drosophila model of hereditary spastic paraplegia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2024 10; 1870(7):167348. PMID: 38986817; PMCID: PMC11549967.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    3. Ellwanger K, Brill JA, de Boer E, Efthymiou S, Elgersma Y, Icmat M, Lecoquierre F, Lobato AG, Morleo M, Ori M, Schaffer AE, Vitobello A, Wells S, Yalcin B, Zhai RG, Sturm M, Zurek B, Graessner H, Bermejo-Sánchez E, Evangelista T, Hoogerbrugge N, Nigro V, Schüle R, Verloes A, Brunner H, Campeau PM, Lasko P, Riess O. Model matchmaking via the Solve-RD Rare Disease Models & Mechanisms Network (RDMM-Europe). Lab Anim (NY). 2024 Jul; 53(7):161-165. PMID: 38914824; PMCID: PMC11216991.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    4. Canic T, Lopez J, Ortiz-Vega N, Zhai RG, Syed S. High-resolution, high-throughput analysis of Drosophila geotactic behavior. bioRxiv. 2024 Jun 08. PMID: 38895419; PMCID: PMC11185704.
      Citations:    
    5. Tao X, Liu J, Diaz-Perez Z, Foley JR, Nwafor A, Stewart TM, Casero RA, Zhai RG. Reduction of spermine synthase enhances autophagy to suppress Tau accumulation. Cell Death Dis. 2024 May 13; 15(5):333. PMID: 38740758; PMCID: PMC11091227.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Lobato AG, Ortiz-Vega N, Zhu Y, Neupane D, Meier KK, Zhai RG. Copper enhances aggregational toxicity of mutant huntingtin in a Drosophila model of Huntington's Disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2024 Jan; 1870(1):166928. PMID: 38660915; PMCID: PMC11046041.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    7. Stewart TM, Foley JR, Holbert CE, Khomutov M, Rastkari N, Tao X, Khomutov AR, Zhai RG, Casero RA. Difluoromethylornithine rebalances aberrant polyamine ratios in Snyder-Robinson syndrome. EMBO Mol Med. 2023 11 08; 15(11):e17833. PMID: 37702369; PMCID: PMC10630878.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Ruan K, Perez GF, Liu J, Kubat M, Hofacker I, Wuchty S, Zhai RG. MicroRNA-Mediated Obstruction of Stem-loop Alternative Splicing (MIMOSAS): a global mechanism for the regulation of alternative splicing. bioRxiv. 2023 Jun 28. PMID: 37425843; PMCID: PMC10327045.
      Citations:    
    9. Zhu Y, Lobato AG, Rebelo AP, Canic T, Ortiz-Vega N, Tao X, Syed S, Yanick C, Saporta M, Shy M, Perfetti R, Shendelman S, Züchner S, Zhai RG. Sorbitol reduction via govorestat ameliorates synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in sorbitol dehydrogenase deficiency. JCI Insight. 2023 05 22; 8(10). PMID: 37014713; PMCID: PMC10322690.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Stewart TRM, Foley JR, Holbert CE, Khomutov MA, Rastkari N, Tao X, Khomutov AR, Zhai RG, Casero RA. Difluoromethylornithine rebalances aberrant polyamine ratios in Snyder-Robinson syndrome: mechanism of action and therapeutic potential. bioRxiv. 2023 Apr 10. PMID: 37034775; PMCID: PMC10081208.
      Citations:    
    11. Tao X, Liu J, Diaz-Perez Z, Foley JR, Stewart TM, Casero RA, Zhai RG. Reduction of Spermine Synthase Suppresses Tau Accumulation Through Autophagy Modulation in Tauopathy. bioRxiv. 2023 Mar 18. PMID: 36993333; PMCID: PMC10055309.
      Citations:    
    12. Jin Y, Zhai RG. Presynaptic Cytomatrix Proteins. Adv Neurobiol. 2023; 33:23-42. PMID: 37615862.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    13. Zhai RG. The Architecture of the Presynaptic Release Site. Adv Neurobiol. 2023; 33:1-21. PMID: 37615861.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    14. Zhang S, Zhu Y, Lu J, Liu Z, Lobato AG, Zeng W, Liu J, Qiang J, Zeng S, Zhang Y, Liu C, Liu J, He Z, Zhai RG, Li D. Specific binding of Hsp27 and phosphorylated Tau mitigates abnormal Tau aggregation-induced pathology. Elife. 2022 Sep 01; 11. PMID: 36048712; PMCID: PMC9436411.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    15. Tao X, Zhu Y, Diaz-Perez Z, Yu SH, Foley JR, Stewart TM, Casero RA, Steet R, Zhai RG. Phenylbutyrate modulates polyamine acetylase and ameliorates Snyder-Robinson syndrome in a Drosophila model and patient cells. JCI Insight. 2022 07 08; 7(13). PMID: 35801587; PMCID: PMC9310527.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    16. Zhu Y, Lobato AG, Zhai RG, Pinto M. Human Nmnat1 Promotes Autophagic Clearance of Amyloid Plaques in a Drosophila Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022; 14:852972. PMID: 35401143; PMCID: PMC8988035.
      Citations: 3     
    17. Liu J, Tao X, Zhu Y, Li C, Ruan K, Diaz-Perez Z, Rai P, Wang H, Zhai RG. NMNAT promotes glioma growth through regulating post-translational modifications of P53 to inhibit apoptosis. Elife. 2021 12 17; 10. PMID: 34919052; PMCID: PMC8683086.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    18. Tantak MP, Sekhar V, Tao X, Zhai RG, Phanstiel O. Development of a Redox-Sensitive Spermine Prodrug for the Potential Treatment of Snyder Robinson Syndrome. J Med Chem. 2021 11 11; 64(21):15593-15607. PMID: 34695351; PMCID: PMC9115777.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    19. Hu J, Liu J, Zhu Y, Diaz-Perez Z, Sheridan M, Royer H, Leibensperger R, Maizel D, Brand L, Popendorf KJ, Gaston CJ, Zhai RG. Exposure to Aerosolized Algal Toxins in South Florida Increases Short- and Long-Term Health Risk in Drosophila Model of Aging. Toxins (Basel). 2020 Dec 11; 12(12). PMID: 33322328; PMCID: PMC7763642.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsPHPublic Health
    20. Cortese A, Zhu Y, Rebelo AP, Negri S, Courel S, Abreu L, Bacon CJ, Bai Y, Bis-Brewer DM, Bugiardini E, Buglo E, Danzi MC, Feely SME, Athanasiou-Fragkouli A, Haridy NA, Inherited Neuropathy Consortium, Isasi R, Khan A, Laurà M, Magri S, Pipis M, Pisciotta C, Powell E, Rossor AM, Saveri P, Sowden JE, Tozza S, Vandrovcova J, Dallman J, Grignani E, Marchioni E, Scherer SS, Tang B, Lin Z, Al-Ajmi A, Schüle R, Synofzik M, Maisonobe T, Stojkovic T, Auer-Grumbach M, Abdelhamed MA, Hamed SA, Zhang R, Manganelli F, Santoro L, Taroni F, Pareyson D, Houlden H, Herrmann DN, Reilly MM, Shy ME, Zhai RG, Zuchner S. Author Correction: Biallelic mutations in SORD cause a common and potentially treatable hereditary neuropathy with implications for diabetes. Nat Genet. 2020 Jun; 52(6):640. PMID: 32457452.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    
    21. Cortese A, Zhu Y, Rebelo AP, Negri S, Courel S, Abreu L, Bacon CJ, Bai Y, Bis-Brewer DM, Bugiardini E, Buglo E, Danzi MC, Feely SME, Athanasiou-Fragkouli A, Haridy NA, Inherited Neuropathy Consortium, Isasi R, Khan A, Laurà M, Magri S, Pipis M, Pisciotta C, Powell E, Rossor AM, Saveri P, Sowden JE, Tozza S, Vandrovcova J, Dallman J, Grignani E, Marchioni E, Scherer SS, Tang B, Lin Z, Al-Ajmi A, Schüle R, Synofzik M, Maisonobe T, Stojkovic T, Auer-Grumbach M, Abdelhamed MA, Hamed SA, Zhang R, Manganelli F, Santoro L, Taroni F, Pareyson D, Houlden H, Herrmann DN, Reilly MM, Shy ME, Zhai RG, Zuchner S. Biallelic mutations in SORD cause a common and potentially treatable hereditary neuropathy with implications for diabetes. Nat Genet. 2020 May; 52(5):473-481. PMID: 32367058; PMCID: PMC8353599.
      Citations: 54     Fields:    
    22. Ma X, Zhu Y, Lu J, Xie J, Li C, Shin WS, Qiang J, Liu J, Dou S, Xiao Y, Wang C, Jia C, Long H, Yang J, Fang Y, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Zhai RG, Liu C, Li D. Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase uses its NAD+ substrate-binding site to chaperone phosphorylated Tau. Elife. 2020 Apr 06; 9. PMID: 32250733; PMCID: PMC7136026.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    23. Feng H, Park JS, Zhai RG, Wilson ACC. microRNA-92a regulates the expression of aphid bacteriocyte-specific secreted protein 1. BMC Res Notes. 2019 Sep 30; 12(1):638. PMID: 31564246; PMCID: PMC6767646.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    24. Zhu Y, Li C, Tao X, Brazill JM, Park J, Diaz-Perez Z, Zhai RG. Nmnat restores neuronal integrity by neutralizing mutant Huntingtin aggregate-induced progressive toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 09 17; 116(38):19165-19175. PMID: 31484760; PMCID: PMC6754563.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    25. Park J, Zhu Y, Tao X, Brazill JM, Li C, Wuchty S, Zhai RG. MicroRNA miR-1002 Enhances NMNAT-Mediated Stress Response by Modulating Alternative Splicing. iScience. 2019 Sep 27; 19:1048-1064. PMID: 31522116; PMCID: PMC6745518.
      Citations: 1     
    26. Lukacs M, Gilley J, Zhu Y, Orsomando G, Angeletti C, Liu J, Yang X, Park J, Hopkin RJ, Coleman MP, Zhai RG, Stottmann RW. Severe biallelic loss-of-function mutations in nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) in two fetuses with fetal akinesia deformation sequence. Exp Neurol. 2019 Oct; 320:112961. PMID: 31136762; PMCID: PMC6708453.
      Citations: 25     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    27. Zhu Y, Liu J, Park J, Rai P, Zhai RG. Subcellular compartmentalization of NAD+ and its role in cancer: A sereNADe of metabolic melodies. Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Aug; 200:27-41. PMID: 30974124; PMCID: PMC7010080.
      Citations: 34     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    28. Li C, Bademci G, Subasioglu A, Diaz-Horta O, Zhu Y, Liu J, Mitchell TG, Abad C, Seyhan S, Duman D, Cengiz FB, Tokgoz-Yilmaz S, Blanton SH, Farooq A, Walz K, Zhai RG, Tekin M. Dysfunction of GRAP, encoding the GRB2-related adaptor protein, is linked to sensorineural hearing loss. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Jan 22; 116(4):1347-1352. PMID: 30610177; PMCID: PMC6347722.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    29. Brazill JM, Zhu Y, Li C, Zhai RG. Quantitative Cell Biology of Neurodegeneration in Drosophila Through Unbiased Analysis of Fluorescently Tagged Proteins Using ImageJ. J Vis Exp. 2018 Aug 03; (138). PMID: 30124668; PMCID: PMC6126610.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    30. Brazill JM, Cruz B, Zhu Y, Zhai RG. Nmnat mitigates sensory dysfunction in a Drosophila model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dis Model Mech. 2018 Jun 12; 11(6). PMID: 29716954; PMCID: PMC6031360.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    31. Li C, Brazill JM, Liu S, Bello C, Zhu Y, Morimoto M, Cascio L, Pauly R, Diaz-Perez Z, Malicdan MCV, Wang H, Boccuto L, Schwartz CE, Gahl WA, Boerkoel CF, Zhai RG. Publisher Correction: Spermine synthase deficiency causes lysosomal dysfunction and oxidative stress in models of Snyder-Robinson syndrome. Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 18; 9(1):337. PMID: 29348635; PMCID: PMC5773542.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    32. Li C, Brazill JM, Liu S, Bello C, Zhu Y, Morimoto M, Cascio L, Pauly R, Diaz-Perez Z, Malicdan MCV, Wang H, Boccuto L, Schwartz CE, Gahl WA, Boerkoel CF, Zhai RG. Spermine synthase deficiency causes lysosomal dysfunction and oxidative stress in models of Snyder-Robinson syndrome. Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 02; 8(1):1257. PMID: 29097652; PMCID: PMC5668419.
      Citations: 39     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    33. Wei B, Han L, Abbink TE, Groppelli E, Lim D, Thaker YR, Gao W, Zhai R, Wang J, Lever A, Jolly C, Wang H, Rudd CE. Immune adaptor ADAP in T cells regulates HIV-1 transcription and cell-cell viral spread via different co-receptors. Retrovirology. 2013 Sep 18; 10:101. PMID: 24047317; PMCID: PMC3851709.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    34. Zhai RG, Rizzi M, Garavaglia S. Nicotinamide/nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase, new insights into an ancient enzyme. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2009 Sep; 66(17):2805-18. PMID: 19448972; PMCID: PMC11115848.
      Citations: 41     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
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