主要研究方向：
结构生物学，生物大分子动力学的核磁共振研究，生物核磁共振方法学。
Our research mainly focuses on studies of the structures, dynamics and biological functions of proteins, especially enzymes. In particular, we are interested in the correlation between protein dynamics (structural fluctuations over time) and their functional mechanisms. We employ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique to determine the solution structures and probe the dynamic properties of bio-macromolecules. We also use biochemical methods to characterize the activity and functions of proteins both in vitro and in vivo. Our main goal is to elucidate the structural and dynamic basis of protein functions.
Protein structures and dynamics
To provide structural basis for their biological functions, we use NMR technique to determine the solution structures of proteins and protein complexes. However, protein functions essentially depend on their motions, and static structures alone cannot fully explain their functions. NMR is a powerful tool to probe the motional properties of proteins. Therefore, we use relaxation phenomena, as well as newly developed NMR methods such as PRE and RDC to investigate protein dynamics and their correlation to functions.
Protein interactions
Protein functions through interactions with other molecules (proteins, ligands, or nucleic acids). We use NMR methods to characterize protein interactions. In particular, we are interested in studying (1) interactions between enzymes and substrates during catalysis, (2) interactions between receptors and ligands in signal transduction pathways, (3) protein-protein interactions in the regulation of proteasome.
Membrane proteins
Membrane proteins play essential roles in cells. Recent advances in biochemical and NMR techniques have made it possible to use solution NMR method to study the structures and dynamics of membrane proteins. We are interested in studying the structures of protein cross-membrane translocation machineries, and to elucidate the molecular mechanism or the translocation processes.
代表性论文
1. Yunfei Hu, Xinxin Zhang, Yunming Shi, Yanfeng Zhou, Wei Zhang, Xiao-Dong Su, Bin Xia, Jindong Zhao* and Changwen Jin* , Structures of Anabaena calcium-binding protein CcbP: insight into Ca2+ signaling during heterocyst differentiation , J. Biol. Chem. , 2011 , 286, 12381
2. Yunfei Hu, Enwei Zhao, Hongwei Li, Bin Xia and W. J. Zhu and Changwen Jin* , Solution NMR structure of the TatA component of the twin-arginine protein transport system from Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis , J. Am. Chem. Soc , 2010 , 132, 15942
3. Ewen Lescop, Zhenwei Lu, Qin Liu, Huimin Xu, Guangyu Li, Bin Xia, Honggao Yan and Changwen Jin* , Dynamics of the conformational transitions in the assembling of the Michaelis complex of a bisubstrate enzyme: a 15N relaxation study of Escherichia coli 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase , Biochemistry 48 , 2009 , 302
4. Hongwei Li, Fan Yang, Xue Kang, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Solution structures and backbone dynamics of Escherichia coli rhodanese PspE in its sulfur-free and persulfide-intermediate forms: implications for the catalytic mechanism of rhodanese, , Biochemistry 47 , 2008 , 4377
5. Fan Yang, Wei Hu, Huimin Xu, Congmin Li, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Solution structure and backbone dynamics of an endopeptidase HycI from Escherichia coli: implications for mechanism of the [NiFe] hydrogenase maturation , J. Biol. Chem. , 2007 , 282, 3856
6. You Li, Yunfei Hu, Xinxin Zhang, Huimin Xu, Ewen Lescop, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Conformational fluctuations coupled to the thiol-disulfide transfer between thioredoxin and arsenate reductase in Bacillus subtilis , J. Biol. Chem. , 2007 , 282, 11078
7. Xinxin Zhang, Yunfei Hu, Xianrong Guo, Ewen Lescop, You Li, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , The Bacillus subtilis YKUV is a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase revealed by its redox structures and activity , J. Biol. Chem. , 2006 , 281, 8296
8. Xue Kang, Yunfei Hu, You Li, Xianrong Guo, Xiaolu Jiang, Luhua Lai, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Structural, biochemical and dynamic characterizations of the hRPB8 subunit of human RNA polymerases , J. Biol. Chem. , 2006 , 281, 18216
9. Yunfei Hu, You Li, Xinxin Zhang, Xianrong Guo, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Solution structures and backbone dynamics of a flavodoxin MioC from Escherichia coli in both apo- and holo-forms: implications for cofactor binding and electron transfer , J. Biol. Chem. , 2006 , 281, 35454
10. Xianrong Guo, You Li, Kuan Peng, Yunfei Hu,Congmin Li, Bin Xia and Changwen Jin* , Solution structures and backbone dynamics of arsenate reductase from Bacillus subtilis: reversible conformational switch associated with arsenate reduction , J. Biol. Chem , 2005 , 280, 39601
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