Biography
Prof. Yalin Zhang
Prof. Yalin Zhang
Xiamen University, China
Title: Astrocytic plasticity in central control of metabolic balance
Abstract: 
Central regulation of metabolic physiology is mediatedcritically through neuronal functions; however, whether astrocytes are alsoessential remains unclear.Here we show that the high-order processes of astrocytes in the mediobasal hypothalamus displayed shortening in fasting and elongation in fed status. Chronic overnutrition and astrocytic IKKβ/NF-κB up regulation similarly impaired astrocytic plasticity, leading to sustained shortening of high-order processes. In physiology, astrocytic IKKβ/NF-κB up regulation resulted in early-onset effects, includingglucose intolerance and blood pressure rise, andlate-onset effects, including body weight and fatgain. Appropriate inhibition in astrocytic IKKβ/NF-κB protected against chronic overnutrition impairing astrocyticplasticity and these physiological functions.Mechanistically, astrocytic regulationof hypothalamicextracellular GABA level and therefore BDNF expression were found partly accountable. Hence, astrocytic process plasticity and IKKβ/NF-κB play significant roles in central control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and body weight as well as the central inductionof these physiological disorders leading to disease.
Biography: 
Research Experiences
Studies of metabolism and aging in hypothalamus
Demonstrated that astrocytic process plasticity and IKKβ/NF-κB play significant roles in central control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and body weight as well as the central induction of these physiological disorders leading to disease, through modulating extracellular neurotransmitter bioavailability.
Identified a distinct population of hypothalamic stem cells and exosomal miRNA release from these cells as a contributor to systemic aging in mice.
Regulation of AMPK signaling pathway
Discovered a scaffold protein AXIN plays an essential role for AMPK activation by orchestrating AMPK and its activator LKB1, and AMP exerts an initiating role for the assembly of the AMPK activating complex, by increasing the affinity of AMPK for AXIN that simultaneously binds LKB1.