Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine

Research Interests

My research interests are broadly based on the interface of synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry, and in particular on the drug discovery of bioactive molecules to probe biological systems or act as potential therapeutic agents in neuroscience, cancer/inflammation, infectious diseases, and other human conditions. With this general idea in mind, and in active collaboration with other biologists and pharmacologists, my group is dedicated to establish a strong and creative research program that applies state-of-the-art chemical approaches to biological problems impacting diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human diseases.

One of our current efforts is focused on design and synthesis of small molecules for probing function and development of pharmacological tools for understanding the workings of the brain and that of novel therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as drug abuse and addiction, depression, schizophrenia, pain, and neurodegenerative diseases. The proposed projects in this area include the identification, characterization and optimization of allosteric modulators, and bitopic ligands of 5-HT2C receptor, neuromedin U receptor 2 (NMUR2) ligands, dopamine D1 biased ligands, orphan GPCR ligands, as well as AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators for preventing neuroapoptosis. We are also working on the discovery of DeltaFosB inhibitors, neurexin modulators, and FGF14/Nav1.6 channel complex protein-protein interaction inhibitors as CNS probes and potential therapeutics.

Another line of research development centers on the establishment of novel chemical libraries aiming at mechanism-based or lead compound-based drug discovery for cancer/inflammation, particularly by targeting Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis pathways, transcription factors as well as epigenetic therapy with the aid of molecular docking and chemical synthesis. Specifically, we are developing Bax activators, BH4 domain antagonists of Bcl2, orally bioavailable STAT3 inhibitors, KLF5 inhibitors, KRAS plasma membrane localization inhibitors, Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) inhibitors, Arginase (ARG) inhibitors, NNMT inhibitors, SIRT6 modulators, BRD4 inhibitors, and relevant protein degraders as a new class of preventive/therapeutic agents for various human cancers including brain tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer, head/neck cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer as well as inflammation.

Our research efforts on developing chemical probes include design and synthesis of small molecules targeting EPAC, which are exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP including cAMP-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors. These EPAC antagonists or agonists have also demonstrated as promising therapeutics for a variety of indications including infectious diseases. Last but not least, we are also working on natural product-inspired diversity-oriented synthesis that may lead to exciting potentials for discovery of novel targets and drug candidates.

Selected Publications

1. Z. Liu, P. Wang, H. Chen, E. A. Wold, B. Tian, A. R. Brasier, J. Zhou. Drug Discovery Targeting Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4 (BRD4). J. Med. Chem., 2017, 60 (11), 4533-4558. PMCID: PMC5464988.


2. R. Li, C. Ding,  J. Zhang, M. Xie, D. Park, Y. Ding, G. Chen, T. K. Owonikoko, G. Zhang,  M. Gilbert-Ross, S. Sun,  Z. G. Chen, G. L. Sica, S. S. Ramalingam, A. T. Magis, D. M. Shin, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author),  X. Deng. Modulation of Bax and mTOR in cancer therapeutics. Cancer Res., 2017, 77 (11), 3001-3012. PMID: 28381544.


3. Z. Li, M. Brecher, J. Zhang, S. Sakamuru, B. Liu, R. Huang, C. Koetzner, S. Jones, F. Gao, N. Banavali, L. Kramer, C. Allen, N. Boles, Y. Deng, C. Qin, H.Y. Chen, J. Zhou, Q. Lin, N. Zhang, M. Tian, H. Li. Existing drugs as broad spectrum and potent inhibitors for Zika virus by targeting NS2B-NS3 interaction. Cell Res., 2017, online publication 7 July 2017; doi:10.1038/cr.2017.88.


4. Z. Chen, Q. Wu, Y. Ding, W. Zhou, R. Liu, H. Chen, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author), J. Feng*, C. Chen*. YD277 Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Partially Through Activating the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway. Theranostics, 2017; 7 (8), 2339-2349.  


5. Y. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Wu, Y. Ren, Z. Li, X. Yao, C. Zhang, N. Ye, C. Jing, J. Dong, S. Sun, M. Zhao, W. Guo, X. Qu, Y. Qiao, H. Y. Chen, L. Kong, R. Jin, X. Wang, L. Zhang, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author), Q. Shen*, X. Zhou*. Suppression of the Growth and Invasion of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas via Regulating STAT3 Signaling and miR-21/β-catenin Axis with HJC0152. Mol. Cancer Ther., 2017, 16 (4), 578-590. PMCID: PMC5380531.


6. J.C. Zhou, E.J. Yun, W. Chen, Y. Ding, K. Wu, B. Wang, C. Ding, E. Hernandez, J. Santoyo, R. Pong, H. Y. Chen, D. He, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author), J.T. Hsieh. Targeting 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 associated with drug resistant mechanism in renal cell carcinoma with new Oridonin analogues. Cell Death and Disease, 2017, 8, e2701; doi:10.1038/cddis.2017.121.


7. N. Ye, Y. Zhu, Z. Liu, F. C. Mei, H. Chen, P. Wang, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. Identification of novel 2-(benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)-2-oxo-N-phenylacetohydrazonoyl cyanide analogues as potent EPAC antagonists. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2017, 134, 62-71.  


8. P. Wang, Z. Liu, H. Chen, N. Ye, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPACs): Emerging therapeutic targets. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2017, 27 (8), 1633-1639. [Cover paper of the journal].


9. C. Wild, Y. Zhu, N. Ye, F. Mei, M. A. Ynalvez, H. Chen, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. Functionalized N,N-Biarylamines as Potent and Selective EPAC2 Inhibitors. ACS Med. Chem. Lett., 2016, 7 (5), 460-4. PMCID: PMC4867506.  


10. O. N. Lopez, F. J. Bohanon, X. Wang, T. Corsello, N. Ye, Y. Rojas-Khalil, H.J. Chen, H.Y. Chen, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author),  R. S. Radhakrishnan. STAT3 Inhibition Suppresses Hepatic Stellate Cells Fibrogenesis: HJC0123, a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Liver Fibrosis. RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 100652-100663.


11. W. Chen, J.C. Zhou, K. Wu, J. Huang, Y. Ding, E.J. Yun, B. Wang, C. Ding, E. Hernandez, J. Santoyo, H.Y. Chen, H. Lin, D. He, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author), J.T. Hsieh. Targeting new regulatory mechanism of XBP1-mediated β-catenin expression associated with bladder cancer with newly synthetic Oridonin analogues. Oncotarget, 2016, 7 (35), 56842-56854. PMID: 27472396.  


12. Y. Ding, C. Ding, N. Ye, Z. Liu, E. A. Wold, H. Chen, C. Wild, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. Discovery and Development of Natural Product Oridonin-Inspired Anticancer Agents. Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2016, 122, 102-117. PMCID: PMC5003635.


13. C. Qi, B. Li, Y. Yang, Y. Yang, J. Li, Q. Zhou, Y. Wen, C. Zeng, L. Zheng, Q. Zhang, J. Li, X. He, J. Zhou, C. Shao, L. Wang. Glipizide suppresses prostate cancer progression in the TRAMP model by inhibiting angiogenesis. Sci. Rep., 2016, 6, 27819. PMID: 27292155.


14. J. S. Rudra, Y. Ding, H. Neelakantan, C. Ding, R. Appavu, S. J. Stutz, J. D. Snook, H.Y. Chen, K. A. Cunningham, J. Zhou. Suppression of Cocaine-evoked Hyperactivity by Self-adjuvanting and Multivalent Peptide Nanofiber Vaccines. ACS Chem. Neurosci., 2016, 7 (5), 546−552. PMCID: PMC4871789.


15. J. Wu, Y. Ding, Z. Zhou, C. Ding, H.Y. Chen, J. Zhou* (Co-corresponding author), C. Chen. A New Oridonin Analogue Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells and Tumor Growth via the Induction of Death Receptor 5. Cancer Lett., 2016, 380 (2), 393–402.  


16. D. Gersztenkorn, C. Coletta, S. Zhu, Y. Ha, H. Liu, H. Tie, J. Zhou, C. Szabo, W. Zhang, M. Motamedi. Hydrogen sulfide contributes to retinal neovascularization in ischemia-induced retinopathy. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), 2016, 57 (7), 3002-3009.


17. N. Ye, H. Y. Chen, E. A. Wold, P.Y. Shi, J. Zhou. Therapeutic Potential of Spirooxindoles as Antiviral Agents. ACS Infectious Diseases, 2016, 2 (6), 382-392.


18. C. Chao, J. R. Zatarain, Y. Ding, C. Coletta, A. A. Mrazek, N., Druzhyna, P. Johnson, H.Y. Chen, J. L. Hellmich, A. Asimakopoulou, K. Yanagi, G. Olah, P. Szoleczky, G. Törö, F. J. Bohanon, M. Cheema, R. Lewis, D. Eckelbarger, A. Ahmad, K. Módis, A. Untereiner, B. Szczesny, A. Papapetropoulos, J. Zhou*(Co-Corresponding author), M. R. Hellmich, C. Szabo. Cystathionine-beta-synthase inhibition for colon cancer: Enhancement of the efficacy of aminooxyacetic acid via the prodrug approach. Mol. Med. 2016, 22, 361-379. PMID: 27257787.


19. H.J. Chen, J. Wu, Y. Gao, H.Y. Chen, J. Zhou. Scaffold Repurposing of Old Drugs Towards New Cancer Drug Discovery. Curr. Top. Med. Chem., 2016, 16 (19), 2107-2114. PMID: 26881709.


20. Z. Liu, Y. Ding, N. Ye, C. Wild, H.Y. Chen, J. Zhou. Direct Activation of Bax Protein for Cancer Therapy. Med. Res. Rev. 2016, 36 (2), 313-341. PMID: 26395559.


21. Z. Liu, C. Wild, Y. Ding, N. Ye, H.Y. Chen, E. A. Wold, J. Zhou. BH4 domain of Bcl-2 as a novel target for cancer therapy. Drug Discov. Today, 2016, 21 (6), 989-996. PMCID: PMC4882289.


22. F. J. Bohanon, X. Wang, B. M. Graham, C. Ding, Y. Ding, C. Rastellini, J. Zhou* (Co-Corresponding author), R. S. Radhakrishnan*. Enhanced Antifibrotic Effects of Novel Oridonin Derivative CYD0682 as a Potential Therapeutic for Hepatic Fibrosis. J. Surg. Res. 2015, 199 (2):441-9. PMCID: PMC4636916.


23. N. Ye, Y. Zhu, H.J. Chen, Z. Liu, F. C. Mei, C. Wild, H.Y. Chen, X. Cheng, and J. Zhou. Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Substituted 2-(Isoxazol-3-yl)-2-Oxo-N'-Phenyl-Acetohydrazonoyl Cyanide Analogues: Identification of Potent Exchange Proteins Directly Activated by cAMP (EPAC) Antagonists. J. Med. Chem., 2015, 58 (15), 6033-6047. PMID: 26151319.


24. F. J. Bohanon, X. Wang, B. M. Graham, C. Ding, Y. Ding, G. L. Radhakrishnan, C. Rastellini, J. Zhou* (Co-Corresponding author), R. S. Radhakrishnan*. Enhanced Anti-fibrogenic Effects of Novel Oridonin Derivative CYD0692 in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 2015, 410 (1), 293-300. PMID: 26346163.


25. H. Chen, X. Zhou, A. Wang, Y. Zheng, Y. Gao, J. Zhou. Evolutions in Fragment-Based Drug Design: The Deconstruction-Reconstruction Approach. Drug Discov. Today, 2015, 20 (1), 105-113. PMID: 25263697.


26. B. Han, D. Park, R. Li, M. Xie, T. Owonikoko, G. Sica, C. Ding, J. Zhou, A. Magis, S. Ramalingam, F. Khuri, W. Curran, X. Deng. Bcl2 BH4 Antagonist for Lung Cancer Therapeutics. Cancer Cell, 2015, 27 (6), 852-863. PMID: 26004684.


27. A. A. Mrazek, L. J. Porro, V. Bhatia, M. Falzon, H. Spratt, J. Zhou, C. Chao, M. R. Hellmich. Apigenin inhibits pancreatic stellate cell activity in chronic pancreatitis. J. Surg. Res. 2015, 196 (1), 8-16. PMID: 25799526.


28. Y. Zhu, H. Chen, S. Boulton, F. Mei, N. Ye, G. Melacini, J. Zhou* (Co-Corresponding author), and X. Cheng*. Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterizations of ESI-09 Based EPAC Inhibitors: Defining the ESI-09 “Therapeutic Window”. Sci. Rep. 2015, 5:9344. DOI: 10.1038/srep09344. PMID: 25791905.


29. C. Qi, B. Wei, W. Zhou, Y. Yang, B. Li, S. Guo, M. Chen, J. Li, J. Ye, J. Li, Q. Zhang, T. Lan, X. He, J. Zhou, J. Geng, L. Wang. P-selectin-mediated platelet adhesion promotes tumor growth. Oncotarget 2015, 6 (9), 6584-96. PMID: 25762641.


30. Y. Gao, Y. Ding, H.Y. Chen, H.J. Chen, J. Zhou. Targeting Krüppel-Like Factor 5 (KLF5) for Cancer Therapy. Curr. Top. Med. Chem., 2015, 15 (8), 699-713. PMID: 25732792. [Cover paper of the journal with UTMB logo].


31. J. Zhou. Medicinal Chemistry in Oncology: New Approaches and Future Trends. Curr. Top. Med. Chem., 2015, 15 (8), 698. PMID: 25781613. (Editorial)


32. H. Chen, Y. Gao, A. Wang, X. Zhou, Y. Zheng, J. Zhou. Evolution in Medicinal Chemistry of Ursolic Acid Derivatives as Anticancer Agents. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 92, 648-655. PMCID: PMC4336574.


33. M. Xin, R. Li, D. Park, M. Xie, T. K. Owonikoko, G. L. Sica, P. E. Corsino, J. Zhou, C. Ding, M. A. White, A. T. Magis, S. S. Ramalingam, W. J. Curran, F. R. Khuri, X. Deng, Small Molecule Bax Agonists for Cancer Therapy. Nature Communications, 2014, 5, 4935. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5935. PMID: 25230299.


34. C. Ding, L. Wang, H. Chen, C. Wild, N. Ye, Y. Ding, T. Wang, M. A. White, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. ent-Kaurane-Based Regio- and Stereoselective Inverse Electron Demand Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions: Synthesis of Dihydropyran-Fused Diterpenoids. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2014, 12 (42), 8442-8452. PMID: 25225052.


35. C. Qi, Q. Zhou, Y. Yang, B. Li, L. Cao, Y. Ye, J. Li, Y. Ding, H. Wang, J. Wang, X. He, Q. Zhang, T. Lan, K. Lee, W. Li, X. Song, J. Zhou, X. Yang, L. Wang. Glipizide, an Antidiabetic Drug, Suppresses Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Inhibiting Angiogenesis. Oncotarget 2014, 5 (20), 9966-79. PMID: 25294818.


36. H. Chen, G. He, C. Li, L. Dong, X. Xie, J. Wu, Y. Gao, J. Zhou. Development of a Concise Synthetic Approach to Access Oroxin A. RSC Adv. 2014, 4, 45151-45154. PMCID: PMC4242426.


37. H. Chen, Y. Gao, J. Wu, Y. Chen, B. Chen, J. Hu, J. Zhou. Exploring Therapeutic Potentials of Baicalin and Its Aglycone Baicalein for Hematological Malignancies. Cancer Lett. 2014, 354, 5-11. PMID: 25128647.


38. N. Ye, Y. Ding, C. Wild, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Activator Protein 1 (AP-1). J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57, 6930-6948. PMID: 24831826. PMCID: PMC4148154.


39. R. Natarajan, V. Singal, R. Benes, J. Gao, H. Chan, H. Chen, Y. Yu, J. Zhou, and P. Wu. STAT3 Modulation to Enhance Motor Neuron Differentiation in Human Neural Stem Cells. PLoS ONE 2014, 9 (6): e100405. PMID: 24945434.


40. H. Chen, Z. Yang, C. Ding, Y. Zhang, C. Wild, N. Ye, A. Xiong, R. M. Flores, Y. Ding, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. Discovery of Potent Anticancer Agent HJC0416, an Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule Inhibitor of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2014, 82, 195-203. PMID: 24904966. PMCID: PMC4096847.


41. H. Chen, A. A. Mrazek, X. Wang, C. Ding, Y. Ding, L. Porro, H. Liu, C. Chao, M. R. Hellmich, and J. Zhou. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Apigenin Analogues that Suppress Pancreatic Stellate Cell Proliferation in vitro and Associated Pancreatic Fibrosis in vivo. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2014, 22, 3393-3404. PMID: 24837156. PMCID: PMC4091635.


42. C. Wild, K. A. Cunningham, and J. Zhou. Allosteric Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: An Emerging Approach of Drug Discovery. Austin J. Pharmacol. Ther. (AJPT), 2014, 2 (1), 3. (Editorial)


43. A. Xiong, Z. Yang, Y. Shen, J. Zhou, Q. Shen. Transcription Factor STAT3 as a Novel Molecular Target for Cancer Prevention. Cancers, 2014, 6, 926-957. PMID: 24743778.


44. H. Chen, C. Wild, X. Zhou, N. Ye, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. Recent Advances in the Discovery of Small Molecules Targeting Exchange Proteins Directly Activated by cAMP (EPAC). J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57 (9), 3651-3665. PMID: 24256330; PMCID: PMC4016168.


45. F. J. Bohanon, X. Wang, C. Ding, Y. Ding, G. L. Radhakrishnan, C. Rastellini, J. Zhou, R. S. Radhakrishnan. Oridonin inhibits hepatic stellate cell proliferation and fibrogenesis. J. Surg. Res. 2014, 190 (1), 55-63. PMID: 24742622.


46. C. Ding, Y. Zhang, H. Chen, Z. Yang, C. Wild, C. D. Ester, A. Xiong, M. A. White, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. Oridonin Ring A-Based Diverse Constructions of Enone Functionality: Identification of Dienone Analogues Effective for Highly Aggressive Breast Cancer by Inducing Apoptosis. J. Med. Chem. 2013, 56 (21), 8814-8825. PMCID: PMC3880594.


47. H. Chen, T. Tsalkova, O. G. Chepurny, F. C. Mei, G. G. Holz, X. Cheng, J. Zhou, Identification and Characterization of Small Molecules as Potent and Specific Epac2 Antagonists, J. Med. Chem., 2013, 56 (3), 952-962. PMCID: PMC3574212.


48. C. Ding, Y. Zhang, H. Chen, C. Wild, T. Wang, M. White, Q. Shen, J. Zhou. Overcoming Synthetic Challenges of Oridonin A-Ring Structural Diversification: Regio- and Stereoselective Installation of Azides and 1,2,3-Triazoles at the C-1, C-2, or C-3 Position. Org. Lett., 2013, 15 (14), 3718-3721. PMCID: PMC3779473.


49. C. Ding, Y. Zhang, H. Chen, L. Chu, Z. Yang, C. Wild, H. Liu, Q. Shen, J.  Zhou. Novel Nitrogen-Enriched Oridonin Analogs with Thiazole-Fused A-Ring: Protecting Group-Free Synthesis, Enhanced Anticancer Profile, and Improved Aqueous Solubility. J. Med. Chem. 2013, 56 (12), 5048-5058. PMCID: PMC3712786.


50. H. Chen, Z. Yang, C. Ding, L. Chu, H. Liu, Y. Zhang, K. Terry, Q. Shen, J. Zhou, Discovery of O-Alkylamino Tethered Niclosamide Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable Anticancer Agents. ACS Med. Chem. Lett., 2013, 4, 180-185. PMCID: PMC3583367.


51. H. Chen, Z. Yang, C. Ding, Y. Zhang, L. Chu, H. Liu, Q. Shen, J. Zhou, Fragment-Based Drug Design and Identification of HJC0123, A Novel Orally Bioavailable STAT3 Inhibitor for Cancer Therapy. Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2013, 62, 498-507. PMCID: PMC3750725.


52. H. Chen, C. Ding, C. Wild, H. Liu, T. Wang, M. White, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. Efficient Synthesis of ESI-09, a Novel Non-cyclic Nucleotide EPAC Antagonist. Tetrahedron Lett., 2013, 54, 1546-1549. PMCID: PMC3580859.


53. H. Chen, C. Z. Wang, C. Ding, C. Wild, B. Copits, G. T. Swanson, K. M. Johnson, J. Zhou, A Combined Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics Approach for Developing Asymmetric Bivalent AMPA Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators as Neuroprotective Agents, ChemMedChem., 2013, 8 (2), 226-230. PMCID: PMC3733225. [Cover paper of the journal].


54. M. Almahariq, T. Tsalkova, F.C. Mei, H. Chen, J. Zhou, S.K. Sastry, F. Schwede, X. Cheng, A Novel EPAC Specific Inhibitor Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion. Mol. Pharmacol., 2013, 83, 122-128. PMCID: PMC3533471.


55. C. Ding, N. M. Bremer, T. D. Smith, P. K. Seitz, N. C. Anastasio, K. A. Cunningham, J. Zhou. Exploration of Synthetic Approaches and Pharmacological Evaluation of PNU-69176E and Its Stereoisomer as 5-HT2C Receptor Allosteric Modulators. ACS Chem. Neurosci., 2012, 3 (7), 538-545. PMCID: PMC3400380.


56. H. Chen, T. Tsalkova, F. C. Mei, Y. Hu, X. Cheng, J. Zhou. 5-Cyano-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyrimidines as Potent Antagonists Targeting Exchange Proteins Directly Activated by cAMP, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2012, 22, 4038-4043. PMCID: PMC3362663.


57. R. T. Olszewski, M. M. Wegorzewska, A. C. Monteiro, K. Krolikowski, J. Zhou, A. P. Kozikowski, K. Long, J. Mastropaolo, S. Deutsch, J. H. Neale, PCP and MK-801 Induced Positive and Negative Symptoms Reduced by NAAG Peptidase Inhibition via Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Biol. Psychiatry, 2008, 63, 86-91. PMCID: PMC2185547.


58. D.J. Maloney, N.Ghanem, J. Zhou and S.M. Hecht. Positional assignment of differentially substituted bisaminoacylated pdCpAs. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2007, 5 (19), 3135-3138. PMID: 17878972.


59. B. Wang, J. Zhou, M. Lodder, R. D. Anderson, III and S. M. Hecht, Tandemly Activated tRNAs as Participants in Protein Synthesis. J. Biol. Chem., 2006, 281, 13865-13868. PMID: 16556606.


60. J. Zhou, J. H. Neale, M. G. Pomper, A. P. Kozikowski, NAAG Peptidase Inhibitors and Their Potential for Diagnosis and Therapy. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2005, 4, 1015-1026. PMID: 16341066.


61. J. Zhou, T. Klass, K. M. Johnson, K. M. Giberson, A. P. Kozikowski, Discovery of Novel Conformationally Constrained Tropane-Based Biaryl and Arylacetylene Ligands as Potent and Selective Norepinephrine Transporter Inhibitors and Potential Antidepressants. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 2005, 15, 2461-2465. PMID: 1586329.


62. J. Zhou, Norepinephrine Transporter Inhibitors and Their Therapeutic Potential. Drugs of the Future, 2004, 29 (12), 1235-1244. PMCID: PMC1518795.


63. J. Zhou, R. He, K. M. Johnson, Y. Ye, A. P. Kozikowski, Piperidine-Based Nocaine/Modafinil Hybrid Ligands as Highly Potent Monoamine Transporter Inhibitors: Efficient Drug Discovery by Rational Lead Hybridization. J. Med. Chem., 2004, 47 (24), 5821-5824. PMCID: PMC1395211.


64. J. Zhou, A. Zhang, T. Klass, K. M. Johnson, C. Z. Wang, Y. Ye and A. P. Kozikowski, Biaryl Analogues of Conformationally Constrained Tricyclic Tropanes as Potent and Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors: Synthesis and Evaluation of Their Uptake Inhibition at Monoamine Transporter Sites, J. Med. Chem., 2003, 46, 1997-2007. PMID: 12723962.


65. R. D. Anderson, III, J. Zhou, S. M. Hecht, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer between Unnatural Amino Acids in a Structurally Modified Dihydrofolate Reductase, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 9674-9675. PMID: 12175203.


66. B. Wang, M. Lodder, J. Zhou, T. T. Baird, Jr., K. C. Brown, C. S. Craik, S. M. Hecht, Chemically Mediated Site-Specific Cleavage of Proteins, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2000, 122, 7402-7403.