Lü Laboratory
Overview
The laboratory of Dr. Wei Lü utilizes single-particle electron cryo-microscopy and other biophysical/biochemical methods to study the structure and function of membrane proteins.
Visit the Du and Lü labs’ joint website here.
Featured News
Learn More
Van Andel Institute, University of Freiburg study reveals insights into enzyme that combats a common greenhouse gas
A ‘tasty’ protein may lead to new ways to treat metabolic and immune diseases
Near-atomic blueprint reveals inner workings of drug target for cancer, other diseases
Our Impact
We’re raising thousands to save millions.
We’re turning hope into action for the millions of people around the world affected by diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. Find out how you can help us make a difference.
- 171 studies published from Nov. 1, 2020 to Oct. 1, 2021
- 68 studies in high-impact journals from Nov. 1, 2020-Oct. 1, 2021
- 41 clinical trials launched
Wei Lü, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Structural Biology
Areas of Expertise
Cryo-EM
Biography
Dr. Wei Lü received his diploma in biology from the University of Göttingen, and his Ph.D. from the University of Freiburg, in the laboratory of Dr. Oliver Einsle. He then joined the laboratory of Dr. Eric Gouaux (HHMI/Vollum Institute) as a postdoctoral fellow. In 2017, he became an assistant professor in Van Andel Institute’s Center for Cancer and Cell Biology. He is now an associate professor in VAI’s Department of Structural Biology.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
* co-first author
# co-corresponding author
Müller C*, Zhang L*, Zipfel S, Topitsch A, Lutz M, Eckert J, Prasser B, Chami M, Lü W, Du J#, Einsle O#. 2022. Molecular interplay of an assembly machinery for nitrous oxide reductase. Nature.
Ruan Z*, Haley E*, Orozco I*, Sabat M, Myers R, Roth R, Du J#, Lü W#. 2021. Structures of the TRPM5 channel elucidate mechanisms of activation and inhibition. Nat Struct Mol Biol.
Yu J*, Zhu HT*, Lape R, Greiner T, Du J, Lü W, Sivilotti L#, Gouaux E#. 2021. Mechanism of gating and partial agonist action in the glycine receptor. Cell.
Ruan Z*, Osei-Owusu J*, Du J, Qiu Z#, Lü W#. 2020. Structures and pH-sensing mechanism of the proton-activated chloride channel. Nature.
Ruan Z, Orozco IJ, Du J#, Lü W#. 2020. Structures of human Pannexin 1 reveal ion pathways and mechanism of gating. Nature.
Huang Y, Fliegert R, Guse AH, Lü W#, Du J#. 2019. A structural overview of the ion channels of the TRPM family. Cell Calcium.
Choi W*, Clemente N*, Sun W, Du J#, Lü W#. 2019. The structures and gating mechanism of human calcium homeostasis modulator 2. Nature.
Haung Y, Roth B, Lü W#, Du J#. 2019. Ligand recognition and gating mechanism through three ligand-binding sites of human TRPM2 channel. eLife.
Haley E, Choi W, Fan C, Sun W, Du J, Lü W. 2019. Expression and purification of the human lipid-sensitive cation channel TRPC3 for structural determination by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. J Vis Exp (143):e58754, doi:10.3791/58754.
Huang Y, Winkler PA, Sun W, Lü W#, Du J#. 2018. Architecture of the TRPM2 channel and its activation mechanism by ADP-ribose and calcium. Nature.
Fan C*, Choi W*, Sun W, Du J#, Lü W#. 2018. Structure of the human lipid-gated cation channel TRPC3. eLife:e36852.
Winkler PA*, Huang Y*, Sun W*, Du J, Lü W. 2017. Electron cryo-microscopy structure of a human TRPM4 channel. Nature.
Lü W*, Du J*, Goehring A, Gouaux E. 2017. Cryo-EM structure of the triherteromeric NMDA receptor and its allosteric modulation. Science 355(6331):eaal3729.
Mansoor SE, Lü W, Oosterheert W, Shekhar M, Tajkhorshid E, Gouaux E. 2016. X-ray structures define human P2X(3) receptor gating cycle and antagonist action. Nature 538(7623):66–71.
Du J*, Lü W*, Wu S, Cheng Y, Gouaux E. 2015. Glycine receptor mechanism elucidated by electron cryo-microscopy. Nature 526 (7572):224–229.
Rycovska-Blume A, Lü W, Andrade S, Fendler K, Einsle O. 2015. Structural and functional studies of NirC from Salmonella typhimurium. Methods Enzymol556:475–497.
Lee CH*, Lü W*, Michel JC, Goehring A, Du J, Song X, Gouaux E. 2014. NMDA receptor structures reveal subunit arrangement and pore architecture. Nature 511(7508):191–197.
Lü W, Du J, Schwarzer NJ, Wacker T, Andrade SL, Einsle O. 2013. The formate/nitrite transporter family of anion channels. Biol Chem 394(6):715–727.
Lü W, Schwarzer NJ, Du J, Gerbig-Smentek E, Andrade SL, Einsle O. 2012. Structural and functional characterization of the nitrite channel NirC from Salmonella typhimurium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 109(45):18395–18400.
Lü W, Du J, Schwarzer NJ, Gerbig-Smentek E, Einsle O, Andrade SL. 2012. The formate channel FocA exports the products of mixed-acid fermentation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109(33):13245–13259.
Guttenberg G, Hornei S, Jank T, Schwan C, Lü W, Einsle O, Papatheodorou P, Aktories K. 2012. Molecular characteristics of Clostridium perfringens TpeL toxin and consequences of mono-O-GlcNAcylation of Ras in living cells. J Biol Chem 287(30):24929–24940.
Du J*, Say RF*, Lü W, Fuchs G, Einsle O. 2011. Active-site remodeling in the bifunctional fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase/phosophotase. Nature 478(7370):534–537.
Guttenberg G, Papatheodorou P, Genisyuerek S, Lü W, Jank T, Einsle O, Aktories K. 2011. Inositol hexakisphosphate-dependent processing of Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin and Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin. J Biol Chem 286(17):14779–14789.
Lü W, Du J, Wacker T, Gerbig-Smentek E, Andrade SL, Einsle O. 2011. pH-dependent gating in a FocA formate channel. Science 332(6027):352–354.
Maier S, Schleberger P, Lü W, Wacker T, Pflüger T, Litz C, Andrade SL. 2011. Mechanism of disruption of the Amt-GInK complex by P(II)-mediated sensing of 2-oxoglutarate. PLoS One 6(10):e26327.
Helfmann S, Lü W, Litz C, Andrade SL. 2010. Cooperative binding of MgATP and MgADP in the trimeric P(II) protein GInK2 from Archaeoglobus fulgidus. J Mol Biol 402(1):165–177.
Lü W, Du J, Stahl M, Tzivelekidis T, Belyi Y, Gerhardt S, Aktories K, Einsle O. 2010. Structural basis of the action of glucosyltransferase Lgt1 from Legionella pneumonphila. J Mol Biol 396(2):321–331.
Gabrielle Hainley
Senior Administrative Assistant
Ian Orozco, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Tao Wan, Ph.D.
Research Scientist