Malaria Functional Genomics Section
Xin-zhuan Su, Ph.D.
Chief, Malaria Functional Genomics Section
Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.
Major Areas of Research
- Plasmodium genetics and genomics
- Host-parasite interaction and molecular signaling
- Antimalarial drug development and mechanisms of drug resistance
Program Description
Our laboratory develops and uses genetic and genomic approaches to study host-malaria parasite interaction and molecular mechanisms of the interaction using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii as a model. We have characterized large numbers of microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from several P. yoelii parasites and performed various genetic crosses to identify parasite genes linked to parasite development, virulence, and drug resistance. We are studying host immune signaling pathways in response to parasite infections, focusing on innate signaling and regulation of type I interferon production and inflammatory responses after malaria infection.
We are also interested in screening and development of new antimalarial drugs, particularly compounds that can block malaria transmission.
Biography
Education
Ph.D., 1990, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Dr. Su received his Ph.D. in parasitology from the University of Georgia in 1990. He joined the NIAID Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases in 1992 and became an investigator in the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research in 2001 and a senior investigator in 2006.
Selected Publications
He X, Ashbrook AW, Du Y, Wu J, Hoffmann HH, Zhang C, Xia L, Peng YC, Tumas KC, Singh BK, Qi CF, Myers TG, Long CA, Liu C, Wang R, Rice CM, Su XZ. RTP4 inhibits IFN-I response and enhances experimental cerebral malaria and neuropathology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Aug 11;117(32):19465-19474.
Wu J, Xia L, Yao X, Yu X, Tumas KC, Sun W, Cheng Y, He X, Peng YC, Singh BK, Zhang C, Qi CF, Bolland S, Best SM, Gowda C, Huang R, Myers TG, Long CA, Wang RF, Su XZ. The E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH1 regulates antimalaria immunity through interferon signaling and T cell activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jul 14;117(28):16567-16578.
Peng YC, Qi Y, Zhang C, Yao X, Wu J, Pattaradilokrat S, Xia L, Tumas KC, He X, Ishizaki T, Qi CF, Holder AA, Myers TG, Long CA, Kaneko O, Li J, Su XZ. Plasmodium yoelii Erythrocyte-Binding-like Protein Modulates Host Cell Membrane Structure, Immunity, and Disease Severity. mBio. 2020 Jan 7;11(1):e02995-19.
Nair SC, Xu R, Pattaradilokrat S, Wu J, Qi Y, Zilversmit M, Ganesan S, Nagarajan V, Eastman RT, Orandle MS, Tan JC, Myers TG, Liu S, Long CA, Li J, Su XZ. A Plasmodium yoelii HECT-like E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates parasite growth and virulence. Nat Commun. 2017 Aug 9;8(1):223.
Wu J, Cai B, Sun W, Huang R, Liu X, Lin M, Pattaradilokrat S, Martin S, Qi Y, Nair SC, Bolland S, Cohen JI, Austin CP, Long CA, Myers TG, Wang RF, Su XZ. Genome-wide analysis of host-Plasmodium yoelii interactions reveals regulators of the type I interferon response (link is external). Cell Rep. 2015 Jul 15;12:661-72.
Yuan J, Cheng KC, Johnson RL, Huang R, Pattaradilokrat S, Liu A, Guha R, Fidock DA, Inglese J, Wellems TE, Austin CP, Su XZ. Chemical genomic profiling for antimalarial therapies, response signatures, and molecular targets (link is external). Science. 2011;333(6043):724-9.
Research Group
The Malaria Functional Genomics Section develops and uses genetic and genomic approaches to study host-malaria parasite interaction and molecular mechanisms of the interaction using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii as a model.
