Metabolic homeostasis
in the secretory pathway
The Liu Lab combines ER-IP purification, genetics, and metabolomic analysis to define how secretory pathway metabolite homeostasis is established, sensed, and regulated, and how its dysregulation impacts cellular function and drives disease.
- ER metabolite homeostasis
- Secretory pathway balance
- Redox regulation
- Glutathione control
- UDP-sugar regulation
- Metabolic flux
- Protein maturation
- ER function
ER-IP platform
Rapid ER-IP enables ER metabolomics
We developed a rapid ER immunopurification method that isolates ER within 15 minutes, enabling metabolomic and proteomic analysis of the ER. This method is a key platform for the lab's studies of ER metabolism. The electron microscopy images show immunopurified ER mini-stacks retained on magnetic beads after ER-IP.
Research program
A discovery program for ER metabolite homeostasis
A central question for the lab is how ER metabolite homeostasis is maintained and regulated, and how this metabolic balance supports the many functions of the ER, including protein folding, lipid synthesis, calcium storage, and secretion. We are especially interested in how the ER coordinates protein homeostasis with metabolite homeostasis, and how disruption of this balance contributes to cellular dysfunction and disease.
SLC33A1 discovery
From ER-IP to transporters
This study provides an example of how the ER-IP platform can be combined with genetics, biochemical analysis, and cryo-EM structure determination to identify novel transporters, define their molecular mechanisms, and connect transporter activity to cellular functional outcomes.
Publications
Selected publications
Selected publications from recent work. For full publications, please visit Google Scholar.
People
People
Join us
Join Us
Our lab welcomes applications from research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, summer students, undergraduate students, and volunteers. Interested candidates should email shanshan.liu@yale.edu with a CV and a brief description of their research interests.
News
Lab updates
Contact
For applicants, collaborators and funders
For questions about research, applications, or collaboration, contact the lab directly.