Ding Xiang LIU INFECTIOUS DISEASES

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	Ding Xiang LIU
	Lab Location: #5-07 email: dxliu@imcb.a-star.edu.sg tel:65869581
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	Key Publications
	D. X. Liu, Q. Yuan and Y. Liao. (2007). Coronavirus envelope protein: a small membrane protein with multiple functions (invited review). Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences* 64, 20432048. Qisheng Li, James P. Tam and D. X. Liu. (2007). Induction of p53-independent cell cycle arrest at S- and G2/M-phase in cells infected with the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus promotes viral replication. Virology* 365, 435-445. S. G. Fang, B. Chen, F. P. L. Tay, B. S. Ng and D. X. Liu. (2007). An arginine-to-proline mutation in a domain with undefined function within the RNA helicase protein (NSP13) is lethal to the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus in cultured cells. Virology* 358, 136-147. Y. W. Tan, S. G. Fang, Hui Fan, Julien Lescar and D. X. Liu. (2006). Amino acid residues critical for RNA-binding in the N-terminal domain of the nucleocapsid protein are essential determinants for the replication and infectivity of coronavirus in cultured cells. Nucleic Acids Research* 34, 4816-4825. X. Wang, S-M Wong, and D. X. Liu. (2006). Identification of hepta- and octo-uridine stretches as sole signals for programmed +1 and -1 ribosomal frameshifting during translation of SARS-CoV ORF 3a variants. Nucleic Acids Research* 34, 1250-1260. Wang, J. P. Tam, and D. X. Liu. (2006). Biochemical and functional characterization of Epstein-Barr Virus-encoded BARF1 protein: interaction with human hTid1 protein facilitates its maturation and secretion. Oncogene* 25, 4320-4331.
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			Ding Xiang LIU
			Ding Xiang Liu obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 1991. He then worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the same University for 4 years. In 1996, he joined the ex-Institute of Molecular Agrobiology as a senior scientist and principal investigator. He moved to the school of biological sciences, Nanyang Technological University as an associate professor in February 2002, and joined IMCB as a principal investigator and Associate Professor in September 2003.

			Molecular Virology and Viral Pathogenesis
			Dr Liu's research focuses on the molecular cell biology, virus-host interactions, replication mechanisms and pathogenesis of coronaviruses, dengue virus and Epstein-Barr virus. Systematic characterization of the molecular and cellular events occurring during the life cycles of these viruses and the functions of individual proteins in viral replication and pathogenesis are essential for understanding the biology of these viruses. Such understanding will ultimately lead to the development of anti-viral approaches, such as vaccines and drugs. Progress has been made in the following areas: Identification of hepta- and octo-uridine stretches as sole signals for programmed +1 and -1 ribosomal frameshifting during translation of SARS-CoV ORF 3a variants. Interaction of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded BARF1 protein with human hTid1 protein facilitates its maturation and secretion. This is the first study revealing a mitochondria-independent function of hTid1 protein. Determination of the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) nucleocapsid (N) protein and characterization of amino acid residues critical for RNA-binding in the N-terminal domain of the N protein essential for the infectivity of coronavirus in cultured cells. Biochemical, biophysical and functional characterization of the membrane association and membrane permeabilizing activity of SARS-CoV E protein. A diverse group of cytolytic animal viruses encodes small, hydrophobic proteins to modify host cell membrane permeability to ions and small molecules during their infection cycles. SARS-CoV E protein was shown to possess the membrane permeabilizing activity associated with its transmembrane domain. The protein is present on viral and cellular membrane with mixed topologies. Construction of an infectious clone system based on coronavirus IBV and study of coronavirus host cell specificity and cross-species adaptation. Biochemical and functional characterization of proteins encoded by SARS-CoV gene 8. Induction of p53-independent cell cycle arrest at S- and G2/M-phase in cells infected with IBV promotes viral replication. The group’s interests include: Characterization of host antiviral mechanisms against coronavirus and dengue virus infection, and viral modulation of host antiviral defense mechanisms; Biochemical characterization and functional analysis of coronavirus and dengue virus proteins involved in the replication and pathogenesis of these viruses; Global regulation of host cell gene expression by coronavirus and dengue virus infection; Systematic analysis of virus-host cell interactions; Intracellular trafficking of viral membrane proteins and their essential roles in viral pathogenesis and particle assembly; and Studies of translational mechanisms that control the expression of coronavirus and dengue virus mRNAs. Surface representation of the N-terminal fragment of coronavirus N protein. The electrostatic potentials are colored in blue (positive) and red (negative). The labeled residues with positive charge in the flexible hairpin loop and aromatic residues on the hydrophobic floor exposed to the solvent are identified to be essential for the RNA-binding activity of the N protein and viral infectivity in our studies.