Zhi Luo

a man in a gray shirt sits in front of a while wall
Zhi Luo, Tang Scholar, Professor, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.

Professor, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.

Summary of my work

My research interests focus on nutritional physiology and feed formulation of economic aquatic animals, mainly freshwater fish. My research consists of three aspects. The first one is identification and functional analysis of the genes involved in nutritional metabolism. Compared to mammals counterparts, additional paralogs of functional genes have been found from teleost-specific whole genome duplication. These paralogous genes show distinct difference in structure and expression profiles. My research mainly focuses on the structure, function and regulation of the metabolic genes. The second aspect is lipid deposition, metabolism, and fatty liver occurrence and control in fish. Although many studies have been done on effects of dietary nutrients on lipid deposition and metabolism in fish, their molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We study the mechanism and regulatory networks of lipid deposition and metabolism, using molecular biology and modern ‘omics’ approaches, aiming to find pathways to reduce fatty liver occurrence of fish in aquaculture. The third one is development of environmentally friendly feed formulation in fishery. It is inevitably essential to reduce waste (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) release into water in modern and sustainable aquaculture, which requires improvement of feed formulation.  

Impacts in China

China was the earliest country for aquaculture and has a long history of aquaculture back to 3000 years ago. At present, China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of fish, contributing more than 60% of global aquaculture production. With the increasing production in aquaculture, there occur new problems. The first one is the affects on fish health. Under intensive aquaculture, fish tend to deposit excessive fat in liver and adipose tissue, which in turn greatly affects fish health. To reduce fat deposition and improve lipid utilization is a challenging research area. The second one is water pollution in aquaculture. With unbalanced feed formulation, fish excrete excessive nitrogen and phosphorus waste into water, which are major sources for eutrophication. We focus our research on feed formulations to improve nitrogen and phosphorus utilization in aquaculture and to develop means to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus release in aquaculture.

Publications with the recent three years (“*” means corresponding author):

  1. Wu K, Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Chen QL, Zhu QL, Hu W, 2016. Carnitine palmitoyltransferases I gene in Synechogobius hasta: cloning, mRNA expression and transcriptional regulation by insulin in vitro. Gene, 576, 429-440.
  2. Song YF, Luo Z*, Zhang LH, Hogstrand C, Pan YX, 2016. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and disturbed calcium homeostasis are involved in copper-induced alteration in hepatic lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Chemosphere, 144, 2443-2453.
  3. Pan YX, Luo Z*, Wu K, Zhang LH, Xu YH, Chen QL, 2016. Cloning, mRNA expression and transcriptional regulation of five retinoid X receptor subtypes in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco by insuin. Gen Comp Endocrinol, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.10.010.
  4. Huang C, Luo Z*, Hogstrand C, Chen F, Shi X, Chen QL, Song YF, Pan YX, 2016. Effect and mechanism of waterborne prolonged Zn exposure influencing hepatic lipid metabolism in javelin goby Synechogobius hasta. J Appl Toxicol, doi: 10.1002/jat.3261.
  5. Pan YX, Luo Z*, Zhuo MQ, Hu W, Wu K, Shi X, Xu YH, 2016. Liver X receptor (LXR) in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, mRNA tissue expression and transcriptional regulation by insulin in vivo and in vitro. Comp Biochem Physiol, 191B, 13-19.
  6. Song YF, Luo Z*, Huang C, Chen QL, Pan YX, Xu YH, 2015. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, tissue expression and expression responses to dietary copper deficiency and excess. Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 5, 2091-2104.
  7. Zhuo MQ, Luo Z*, Pan YX, Wu K, Fan YF, Zhang LH, Song YF, 2015. Effect and the related signaling pathways of insulin influencing lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. J Exp Biol, 218, 3083-3090.
  8. Hu W, Luo Z*, Mai KS, Liu CX, Zheng JL, 2015. Ontogeny and kinetics of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in hepatopancreas and skeletal muscle of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish Physiol Biochem, 41, 1393-1401.
  9. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Liu CX, Zheng JL, Zhu QL, Hu W, Zhuo MQ, 2015. Effects of waterborne copper exposure on carnitine composition, kinetics of carnitine palmitoyltransferases I (CPT I) and mRNA levels of CPT I isoforms in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Chemosphere, 139, 349-357.
  10. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Liu CX, Zheng JL, 2015. Differential effects of dietary Cu deficiency and excess on carnitine status, kinetics and expression of CPT I in liver and muscle of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Comp Biochem Physiol, PartB, 188, 24-30.
  11. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Shi X, Zhuo MQ, Song YF, Hu W, 2015. Dietary methimazole-induced hypothyroidism reduces hepatic lipid deposition by down-regulating lipogenesis and up-regulating lipolysis in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Gen Comp Endocrinol, 217-218, 28-36.
  12. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Wu K, Huang C, Zhuo MQ, Song YF, Hu W, 2015. Differential effects of dietary copper deficiency and excess on lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Comp Biochem Physiol, 184B, 19-28.
  13. Zheng JL, Zhuo MQ, Luo Z*, Song YF, Pan YX, Huang C, Hu W, Chen QL, 2015. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha1 in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, mRNA tissue expression and transcriptional regulation by insulin in vivo and in vitro. Comp Biochem Physiol, 183B, 58-66
  14. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Hu W, Pan YX, Zhuo MQ, 2015. Dietary fenofibrate reduces hepatic lipid deposition by regulating lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco exposed to waterborne Zn. Lipids, 50, 417-426.
  15. Zheng JL, Zhuo MQ, Luo Z*, Pan YX, Song YF, Huang C, Zhu QL, Hu W, Chen QL, 2015. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, mRNA expression and transcriptional regulation by insulin in vivo and in vitro. Gen Comp Endocrinol, 212, 51-62.
  16. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Zhu QL, Hu W, Zhuo MQ, Pan YX, Song YF, Chen QL, 2015. Different effect of dietborne and waterborne Zn exposure on lipid deposition and metabolism in juvenile yellow catfish. Aquat. Toxicol. 159, 90-98.
  17. Song YF, Luo Z*, Pan YX, Zhang LH, Chen QL, Zheng JL, 2015. Three unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis-related genes in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, tissue expression and transcriptional regulation by leptin. Gene, 563, 1-9.
  18. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Hu W, Liu CX, Chen QL, Zhu QL, Gong Y, 2015. Different effects of dietary Zn deficiency and excess on lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Aquaculture, 435, 10-17.
  19. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Huang C, Zheng JL, Pan YX, Song YF, Hu W, 2015. Molecular cloning and tissue mRNA levels of 15 genes involved in lipid metabolism in Synechogobius hasta. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol, 117, 471-482.
  20. Zhuo MQ, Luo Z*, Wu K, Zhu QL, Zheng JL, Zhang LH, Chen QL, 2014. Regulation of insulin on lipid metabolism in freshly isolated hepatocytes from yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Comp Biochem Physiol, 177-178B, 21-28.
  21. Huang C, Chen QL, Luo Z*, Shi X, Pan YX, Song YF, Zhuo MQ, Wu K, 2014. Time-course effects and mechanism of waterborne copper exposure influencing hepatic lipid deposition and metabolism in javelin goby Synechogobius hasta. Aquat Toxicol, 155, 291-300.
  22. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Song YF, Wu K, Huang C, Pan YX, Zhu QL, 2014. Hormone sensitive lipase in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: molecular characterization, mRNA tissue expression and transcriptional regulation by leptin in vivo and in vitro. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 206, 130-138.
  23. Zheng JL, LuoZ*, Zhuo MQ, Pan YX, Song YF, Hu W, Chen QL, 2014. Dietary L-canitine supplements increase lipid deposition in liver and muscle of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco through changes in lipid metabolism. Br J Nutr, 112, 698-708.
  24. Zhu QL, Luo Z*, Zhuo MQ, Tan XY, Zheng JL, Chen QL, Hu W, 2014. In vitro effects of selenium on copper-induced changes in lipid metabolisms of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) hepatocytes. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 67, 252-260.
  25. Tan XY, Luo Z*, Zhao YH, Liu CX, Liu X, 2014. Conjugated linoleic acid affects growth performance, hepatic fatty acid profile and lipid metabolism in juvenile Synechogobius hasta. Aquacult Nutr, 20, 143-152.
  26. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Zhu QL, Chen QL, Hu W, 2014. Differential effects of acute and chronic zinc exposure on lipid metabolism in three extrahepatic tissues of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Fish Physiol Biochem, 40, 1349-1359.
  27. Song YF, Luo Z*, Pan YX, Liu X, Huang C, Chen QL, 2014. Effects of copper and cadmium on lipogenic metabolism and metal element composition in the javelin goby (Synechogobius hasta) after single and combined exposure. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 67, 167-180
  28. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Tan XY*, Pan YX, Zheng JL, Zou M, 2014. Molecular cloning and mRNA expression of thyroid hormone receptors in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and Javelin goby Synechogobius hasta. Gene, 536, 232-237.
  29. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Hu W, Liu CX, Chen QL, Zhu QL, Gong Y, 2014. Differential effects of dietary zinc deficiency and excess on carnitine status, kinetics and expression of CPT I in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Aquaculture, 420-421, 10-17.
  30. Liu CX, Luo Z*, Hu W, Tan XY, Zheng JL, Chen QL, Zhu QL, 2014. Kinetics of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) in Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) change with its development. Lipids, 49, 173-181.
  31. Sun LD, Luo Z*, Hu W, Zhuo MQ, Zheng JL, Chen QL. Purification and characterization of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) hepatopancreas. Ind J Biochem Biophys, 2013, 50, 554-561.
  32. Chen QL, Gong Y, Luo Z*, Zheng JL, Zhu QL, 2013. Differential effect of waterborne cadmium exposure on lipid metabolism in liver and muscle of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Aquat Toxicol, 142-143, 380-386.
  33. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Liu CX, Chen QL, Tan XY, Zhu QL, Gong Y, 2013. Differential effects of acute and chronic zinc (Zn) exposure on hepatic lipid deposition and metabolism in yellow catfish. Aquat Toxicol, 132-133, 173-181.
  34. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Liu CX, Chen QL, Zhu QL, Hu W, Gong Y, 2013. Differential effects of the chornic and acute zinc exposure on carnitine composition, kinetics of CPT I and mRNA levels of CPT I isoforms in yellow catfish. Chemosphere, 92, 616-625.
  35. Zheng JL, Luo Z*, Zhu QL, Chen QL, Gong Y, 2013. Molecular characterization, tissue distribution and kinetic analysis of CPT I in juvenile yellow catfish. Genomics, 101, 195-203.
  36. Zheng JL, Hu W, Luo Z*, et al., 2013. Comparative study on the kinetic behavior of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I between javelin goby and grass carp. Aquacult Nutr, 19, 665-676.
  37. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Pan YX, Zheng JL, Zhu QL, Sun LD, Zhuo MQ, Hu W, 2013. Differential induction of enzymes and genes involved in lipid metabolism in liver and visceral adipose tissue of juvenile yellow catfish exposed to copper. Aquat Toxicol, 136-137, 72-78.
  38. Chen QL, Luo Z*, Liu X, Song YF, Liu CX, Zheng JL, Zhao YH, 2013. Effects of waterborne chronic copper exposure on hepatic lipid metabolism and metal-element composition in Synechogobius hasta. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 64, 301-315.
  39. Song YF, Luo Z*, Huang C, Liu X, Pan YX, Chen QL, 2013. Effects of calcium and copper exposure on lipogenic metabolism, metal element composition and histology in Synechogobius hasta. Fish Physiol Biochem, 39, 1641-1656
  40. Song YF, Luo Z*, Chen QL, Liu X, Liu CX, Zheng JL, 2013. Protective effects of calcium pre-exposure against waterborne cadmium toxicity in Synechogbius hasta. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 65, 105-121.
  41. Hu W, Luo Z*, Zhuo MQ, Zhu QL, Zheng JL, Chen QL, Gong Y, Liu CX, 2013. Purification and characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and inhibition effects of several metal ions on G6PD activity in vitro. Fish Physiol Biochem, 39, 637-647.
  42. Liu CX, Luo Z*, Tan XY, Gong SY, 2013. Ontogenetic development of the digestive system in agastric Chinese sucker, Myxocyprinus asiaticus, larvae. J World Aquacult Soc, 44, 350-362.
  43. Tan XY, Luo Z*, Zeng Q, Zhao YH, Liu X, 2013. Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid improved growth performance, reduced lipid deposition, influenced CPT I kinetic constants of juvenile S. hasta. Lipids, 48, 505-512.
  44. Liu XJ, Luo Z*, Zheng JL, Xiong BX, 2013. Effects of waterborne acephate exposure on antioxidant responses and acetylcholinesterase activities in Synechogobius hasta. Environ Toxicol, 28, 42-50.

Publications and projects

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