Mingxing Qian

Mycobacterium tuberculosis inactivates host oxysterols to impair macrophage cholesterol homeostasis

This study identifies Mtb's enzymatic inactivation of host oxysterols as a mechanism to disrupt macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and generate treatment-responsive metabolic signatures in TB.

Regulation of the human voltage-gated proton channel by membrane sterols

This study investigates how cholesterol and its analogs regulate the hHv1 proton channel by altering S4 segment conformation, identifying key residues and mechanisms involved.

Subunit selective modulation of GABAA receptors using pharmacogenetically tethered neurosteroids

The paper develops a DART platform to selectively modulate GABAA receptor subunits using neurosteroids, identifying C11-linked compounds that enhance GABA currents in 4/{delta}-containing receptors.

A Non-Classical Neuroactive Steroid Exhibiting Potent, Efficacious GABA A Receptor Agonism and NMDA Receptor Inhibition

This paper characterizes YX84, a novel neuroactive steroid with dual GABA A receptor agonism and NMDA receptor inhibition, showing favorable behavioral tolerability.

VDAC activation inhibits hippocampal plasticity via NLRP3 inflammasome & caspase-1: modulation by allopregnanolone enantiomers

This study shows that VDAC activation by erastin inhibits hippocampal long-term potentiation and memory formation, effects that are prevented by allopregnanolone and its enantiomer.

Target validation uncouples TSPO from 19-Atriol-mediated inhibition of steroidogenesis and reveals true enzymatic targets

This study shows 19-Atriol inhibits steroidogenesis by directly targeting 3β-HSD and other enzymes, not via TSPO, resolving a long-standing mechanistic confusion.

Multifaceted Actions of Neurosteroids

The paper investigates the range of actions of neurosteroid analogues using in silico and in vitro methods, revealing unexpected modulation of multiple targets beyond GABA-A receptors.

Endogenous and fluorescent sterols reveal the molecular basis for ligand selectivity of human sterol transporters

The paper profiles fluorescent steroid probes across ten STPs to uncover selectivity differences and establishes a screening panel to identify new Aster-B inhibitors.

25-Hydroxycholesterol amplifies microglial IL-1β production in an apoE isoform-dependent manner

This study shows that 25-HC enhances IL-1β production in microglia, particularly in apoE4-expressing cells, suggesting a role in AD neuroinflammation.

Multiple Functional Neurosteroid Binding Sites on GABAA Receptors

The paper identifies three distinct neurosteroid binding sites on the human 1β3 GABAA receptor using photolabeling and computational methods, showing their functional importance in neurosteroid action.