Ji Lab Organelle Biology · HUST

Publications

Peer-reviewed work from the lab.

This list highlights published work relevant to organelle contact sites, lipid transfer proteins, and disease cell biology. Work not yet published is not listed.

2026

Curr Biol

BLTP2 bridges the ER and MVB for exosome biogenesis at SCAMP3-dependent ER contacts

Jingru Wang#, Dongchen Li#, Yazhou Liu, Tiantian Zhou, Lin Deng, and Wei-Ke Ji*.

Current Biology · 36(17):4468–4484.e9 · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2026.07.066 · #Equal contribution; *Corresponding author

BLTP2 transfers phosphatidylglycerol from the ER to multivesicular bodies at SCAMP3-dependent contacts to support BMP synthesis, intraluminal vesicle formation, and exosome biogenesis
Model: SCAMP3 recruits BLTP2 to Rab5-dependent ER–MVB contacts. BLTP2 transfers phosphatidylglycerol to MVBs for BMP/LBPA synthesis, supporting intraluminal vesicle formation and exosome biogenesis; NEDD4-mediated SCAMP3 ubiquitination limits BLTP2 recruitment.
J Cell Biol

MOSPD3 mediates the ER recruitment of ATG2A to promote autophagy

Yuanjiao Du#, Tiantian Zhou#, Yazhou Liu#, Nanxin Ye, Bing Zou, Weiping Chang, Lin Deng, and Wei-Ke Ji*.

MOSPD3 and MOSPD1 support ATG2 recruitment at ER-phagophore contacts together with an unidentified ATG2B-associated factor
Model: ER–phagophore recruitment of ATG2A and ATG2B through MOSPD3, MOSPD1, and an unidentified factor, distinguishing FFNT–MSP and FFNT–MSP-independent interactions.

2025

Nat Commun

Sec14L6 is a phosphoinositide transporter that regulates phosphoinositide homeostasis and biogenesis of lipid droplets

Tiantian Zhou, Juan Xiong, Xuewen Hu, Yuanjiao Du, Anbing Shi, Weiping Chang, Jichao Qin, Lin Deng, and Wei-Ke Ji.

Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-025-65540-2

Sec14L6 shuttles PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 between lipid droplet and ER, with PGRMC1 and ACSL3 as adapters
Model: PGRMC1 (ER) and ACSL3 (LD) hand Sec14L6 to either surface; Sec14L6 transfers PI4P and PI(4,5)P₂ to balance LD–ER phosphoinositide pools and promote lipid droplet biogenesis — a large-mammal pathway absent from common rodent models.

2024

J Cell Biol

Sec23IP recruits VPS13B/COH1 to ER exit site-Golgi interface for tubular ERGIC formation

Yuanjiao Du, Xinyu Fan, Chunyu Song, Weiping Chang, Juan Xiong, Lin Deng, and Wei-Ke Ji.

Journal of Cell Biology · 223(12):e202402083 · doi:10.1083/jcb.202402083

VPS13B AlphaFold model bridging ERES and Golgi, recruited by PI4P and Sec23IP, driving tubular ERGIC formation
Model: PI4P- and Sec23IP-dependent recruitment of VPS13B (AlphaFold model; rainbow N→C) drives tubular ERGIC growth at the ERES–Golgi interface for collagen secretion. Cohen syndrome mutations disrupt the VPS13B–Sec23IP interface.

2023

J Cell Biol

Tex2 is required for lysosomal functions at TMEM55-dependent ER membrane contact sites

Yuanjiao Du, Weiping Chang, Lei Gao, Lin Deng, and Wei-Ke Ji.

Journal of Cell Biology · 222(4):e202205133 · doi:10.1083/jcb.202205133

Tex2 tethers ER to TMEM55 on the lysosomal membrane and transfers phospholipids and ceramide through its SMP domain
Model: Tex2 anchors the ER via its tandem transmembrane segments and binds TMEM55 on the lysosomal membrane; its SMP domain delivers phospholipids and ceramide required for lysosomal membrane integrity and autophagy.
Contact

A possible role of VPS13B in the formation of Golgi–lipid droplet contacts associating with the ER

With colleagues. Co-corresponding author.

2022

2021