Danxia Liu, Ph.D. Professor of Neurology

 

Education:

Undergraduate education in Biology and Physics, 1963

Graduate education in Biophysics and Biochemistry, MS (1966)

Graduate education in Biochemistry, Ph.D. (1982)

Beijing (Peking) University, Beijing, China

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurochemistry in Department of Neurology, Stout Neuroscience Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Tennessee at Memphis, College of Medicine, 1986-1987.  Sponsor: Dr. D. M. Desiderio.

Area of Research:

To identify substances that contribute to secondary cell death and to explore the molecular mechanisms of neuron degeneration and death caused by these substances in order to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent such death following central nervous system injury and neurological disorders.  The currently research project is to investigate the roles and pathways by which reactive species cause cell death, particularly apoptosis, after spinal cord injury and to explore the therapeutic potential of a metalloporphyrin - a superoxide dismutase mimetic and a broad spectrum scavenger of reactive species - in spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders.

To identify the proteins most susceptible to oxidative damage and the proteins important in apoptotic cell death pathways following central nervous system injury and neurological disorders by utilizing proteomic technology.  This will offer accurate targets for therapeutic intervention.

Research Support:  The research projects have been continuously supported by the PI's grants from NIH (NINDS, RO1s) and other agencies.

Teaching Responsibility:  Lectures in graduate and medical school courses and directs a course "Proteomics in Neuroscience” in the graduate school. 

Service:

Grant Reviewer for the NIH (study section:  Special Emphasis Panel for RFA in 2000), Paralyzed Veterans of America, Spinal Cord Research Foundation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Western Research & Development Center

Journal Reviewer For Annuals of Neurology, the Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neurochemistry, Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology, Brain Research, Neuroscience Letters, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Neurochemistry International, Anesthesiology, Anesthesia & Analgesia

Selected Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals:

1. Liu, D., Bao, F., Wen, J., and Liu, J. Mutation of Superoxide Dismutase Elevates Reactive Species: Comparison of Nitration and Oxidation of Proteins in Different Brain Regions of Transgenic Mice with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neuroscience, 146: 255-264, 2007 

2. Ling, X., and Liu, D. The temporal and spatial profile of cell loss after spinal cord injury: Reduction by a metalloporphyrin. J. Neurosci. Res. 85: 2175-2185, 2007. 

3. Hachmeister, J. E., Valluru, L., Bao, F., and Liu, D. Mn (III) Tetrakis (4-Benzoic Acid) Porphyrin Administered into the Intrathecal Space Reduces Oxidative Damage and Neuron Death after Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparison with Methylprednisolone. J. Neurotrauma, 23: 1766-1778, 2006.

4.  Liu, D., Bao, F., Prough, D. S., and Dewitt, D. S. Peroxynitrite generated at the level produced by spinal cord injury induces peroxidation of membrane phospholipids in normal rat cord:  Reduction by a metalloporphyrin. J. Neurotrauma, 22: 1123-1133, 2005.

5.  Bao, F., and Liu, D., Hydroxyl radicals generated in the rat spinal cord at the level produced by impact injury induce cell death by necrosis and apoptosis:  Protection by a metalloporphyrin.  Neuroscience, 126: 285-295, 2004.

6.  Liu, D., Liu, J., sun, D., and Wen, J. The time course of hydroxyl radical formation following spinal cord injury:  the possible role of the iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction.  J. Neurotrauma, 21: 805-816, 2004.

7.  Bao, F., and Liu, D., Peroxynitrite generated in the rat spinal cord induces apoptotic cell death and activates caspase-3.  Neuroscience, 116: 59-70, 2003.

8.  Bao, F., Dewitt, d. S., Prough, D. S., and Liu, D., Peroxynitrite generated in the rat spinal cord induces oxidation and nitration of proteins:  Reduction by Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benxoic acid) porphyrin.  J. Neurosci. Res., 71: 220-227, 2003.

9.  Liu, D., Liu, J., Sun, D., Alcock, N. W., and Wen, J. Spinal injury increases iron:  Catalytic production of hydroxyl radicals.  Free Rad. Biol. Med., 34: 64-71, 2003.

10.  Bao, F., and Liu, D., Peroxynitrite generated in the rat spinal cord induces neuron death and neurological deficits.  Neuroscience, 115: 839-849, 2002.

11.  Liu, D., Li, L., and Augustus, L.  Prostaglandin release by impact injury mediates hydroxyl radical and malondialdehyde production and cell death:  A site of the neuroprotective action of methylprednisolone.  J. Neurochem.  77: 1036-1047, 2001.

12.  Leski, M. L., Bao, F., Wu, L., Qian, H., Sun, D., and Liu, D., Protein and DNA oxidation in spinal injury:  Neurofilaments - an oxidation target.  Free Rad. Biol. Med., 30: 613-624, 2001.

13.  Liu, D., Ling, X., Wen, J., and Liu, J.  The role of reactive nitrogen species in secondary spinal cord injury:  Formation of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and nitrated protein.  J. Neurochem.  75: 2144-2154, 2000.

14.  Liu, D., Wen, J., Liu, J., and Li, L.  The roles of free radicals in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:  Reactive oxygen species and elevated oxidation of protein, DNA and membrane phospholipids.  FASEB Journal, 13: 2318-2328, 1999. (Accepted without revision)

15.  Liu, D., Liu, J., and Wen, J. Elevation of hydrogen peroxide after spinal cord injury detected by using the Fenton reaction.  Free Rad. Biol. Med. 27:  478-482, 1999.

16. Liu, D., Xu, G., Pan, E., and McAdoo, D.J. Neurotoxicity of glutamate at the concentration released upon spinal cord injury. Neuroscience. 93: 1383-1389, 1999.

17.  Liu, D., Sybert, T. E., Qian, H., and Liu, J. Superoxide production after spinal injury detected by microperfusion of cytochrome c. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 25: 298-304, 1998.

18.  Qian, H., and Liu, D., The time course of malondialdehyde production following impact injury to rat spinal cord as measured by microdialysis and high pressure liquid chromatography.  Neurochem.  Res.  22: 1231-1236, 1997.

19. Liu, D., Yang, J., Li, L., and McAdoo, D.J. Paraquat - a superoxide generator - kills neurons in rat spinal cord. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 18: 861-867, 1995. 

20. Liu, D., and Li, L. Prostaglandin F_2α rises in extracellular fluid in response to hydroxyl radical generated in vivo in rat spinal cord. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 18: 571-576, 1995.

21. Liu, D., Yang, R., Yan, X., and McAdoo, D.J. Hydroxyl radical generated in vivo kills neurons in spinal cord: electrophysiological, histological, and neurochemical results. J. Neurochem. 62: 37-44, 1994.  (Accepted without revision)