Publications
52. Nuo Jia*, Dhasarathan Ganesan*, Hongyuan Guan, Yu Young Jeong, Sinsuk Han, Marialaina Nissenbaum, Alexander W. Kusnecov, and Qian Cai. (2025) Mitochondrial bioenergetics stimulates autophagy for pathological MAPT/Tau clearance in tauopathy neurons. Autophagy, 21: 54-79.
51. Chen X et al., (2024) International consensus guidelines for the definition, detection, and interpretation of autophagy-dependent ferroptosis. Autophagy, 20: 1213-1246.
50. Sierra Swords S, Nuo Jia, Anne Norris, Jil Modi, Qian Cai, Barth Grant. (2024) A conserved requirement for RME-8/DNAJC13 in neuronal autolysosome reformation. Autophagy, 20: 792-808.
49. Qian Cai and Dhasarathan Ganesan. (2022) Regulation of neuronal autophagy and the implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiology of Disease, 162: 105582.
48. Yu Young Jeong, Nuo Jia, Dhasarathan Ganesan, and Qian Cai. (2022) Broad activation of the PRKN pathway triggers synaptic failure by disrupting synaptic mitochondrial supply in early tauopathy. Autophagy, 18: 1472-1474.
47. Yu Young Jeong, Sinsuk Han*, Nuo Jia*, Mingyang Zhang, Preethi Sheshadri, Prasad Tammineni, Jasmine Cheung, Marialaina Nissenbaum, Sindhuja S. Baskar, Kelvin Kwan, David J. Margolis, Peng Jiang, Alexander Kusnecov, Qian Cai. (2022) Broad activation of the Parkin pathway induces synaptic mitochondrial deficits in early tauopathy. Brain, 145: 305-323.
Featured in Brain as an Editor’s Choice article
46. Klionsky DJ et al., (2021) Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy, 17: 1-382.
45. Dhasarathan Ganesan, Qian Cai. (2021) Understanding amphisomes. Biochem J. 478: 1959-1976.
44. Sinsuk Han, Mingyang Zhang, Yu Young Jeong, David J Margolis, Qian Cai. (2021) The role of mitophagy in the regulation of mitochondrial energetic status in neurons. Autophagy, 17: 4182-4201.
43. Sinsuk Han*, Yu Young Jeong*, Preethi Sheshadri, Xiao Su, Qian Cai. (2020) Mitophagy regulates integrity of mitochondria at synapses and is critical for synaptic maintenance. EMBO Reports, 21: e49801
42. Sinsuk Han*, Yu Young Jeong*, Preethi Sheshadri, Qian Cai. (2020) Mitophagy coordination with retrograde transport ensures the integrity of synaptic mitochondria. Autophagy, 16: 1925-1927.
41. Qian Cai, Yu Young Jeong. (2020) Mitophagy in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells, 9: 150.
40. Bettina Winckler, Victor Faundez, Sandra Maday, Qian Cai, Claudia Guimas Almeida, Huaye Zhang. (2018) The Endolysosomal System and Proteostasis: From Development to Degeneration. Journal of Neuroscience, 38: 9364-9374.
39. Huaye Zhang, Bettina Winckler, Qian Cai. (2018) Introduction to the special issue on membrane trafficking in neurons. Developmental Neurology, 78: 167-169.
38. Mei-Yao Lin, Xiu-Tang Cheng, Yu-Xiang Xie, Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2017) Removing Dysfunctional Mitochondria from Axons Independent of Mitophagy under Pathophysiological Conditions. Autophagy, 13:1792-1794.
37. Mei-Yao Lin, Xiu-Tang Cheng, Prasad Tammineni, Yu-Xiang Xie, Bing Zhou, Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2017) Releasing Syntaphilin removes stressed mitochondria from axons independent of mitophagy under pathophysiological conditions. Neuron, 94: 595-610.
Featured in Neuron with a video abstract; Recommended by Faculty 1000
36. Prasad Tammineni*, Yu Young Jeong*, Tuancheng Feng, Daniyal Aikal, Qian Cai. (2017) Impaired axonal retrograde trafficking of the retromer complex augments lysosomal deficits in Alzheimer’s disease neurons. Human Molecular Genetics, 26: 4352-4366.
Featured in Human Molecular Genetics cover article
35. Prasad Tammineni and Qian Cai. (2017) Defective retrograde transport impairs autophagic clearance in Alzheimer disease neurons. Autophagy, 13: 982-984.
34. Qian Cai and Prasad Tammineni. (2017) Mitochondrial aspects of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 57: 1087-1103.
33. Xuan Ye, Tuancheng Feng, Prasad Tammineni, Chang Qing, Yu Young Jeong, David Margolis, Huaibin Cai, Alexander Kusnecov, Qian Cai. (2017) Regulation of synaptic amyloid-β generation through BACE1 retrograde transport in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Neuroscience, 37: 2639-2655.
Featured in Alzforum “Transport Breakdown Maroons BACE1 in Synapses, Boosts Ab”; Featured in Journal of Neuroscience with a Journal Club Article
32. Tuancheng Feng*, Prasad Tammineni*, Chanchal Agrawal, Yu Young Jeong, Qian Cai. (2017) Autophagy-mediated regulation of BACE1 protein trafficking and degradation. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 292: 1679-1690.
Featured in “The Year in JBC: 2017”; Featured in Journal of Biological Chemistry cover article
31. Prasad Tammineni*, Xuan Ye*, Tuancheng Feng, Daniyal Aikal, Qian Cai. (2017) Impaired retrograde transport of axonal autophagosomes contributes to autophagic stress in Alzheimer’s disease neurons. eLife, 6: e21776.
30. Anne Norris, Prasad Tammineni, Simon Wang, Julianna Gerdes, Alexandra Murr, Klevin Kwan, Qian Cai, Barth Grant. (2017) SNX-1 and RME-8 oppose the assembly of HGRS-1/ESCRT-0 degradative microdomains on endosomes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114: E307-E316.
Recommended by Faculty 1000
29. Qian Cai and Prasad Tammineni. (2016) Alterations in Mitochondrial Quality Control in Alzheimer’s Disease. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 10: 24.
28. Klionsky DJ et al., (2016) Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition). Autophagy, 12: 1-222.
27. Xiu-Tang Cheng, Bing Zhou, Mei-Yao Lin, Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2015) Axonal autophagosomes recruit dynein for retrograde transport through fusion with late endosomes. Journal of Cell Biology, 209: 377-386.
Featured in Journal of Cell Biology cover article and highlights; Recommended by Faculty 1000
26. Xiu-Tang Cheng, Bing Zhou, Mei-Yao Lin, Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2015) Axonal autophagosomes use the ride-on service for retrograde transport toward the soma. Autophagy, 11:1434-1436.
25. Xuan Ye, Xiaqin Sun, Valentin Starovoytov, and Qian Cai. (2015) Parkin-mediated Mitophagy in Mutant hAPP Neurons and Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Brains. Human Molecular Genetics, 24: 2938-2951.
24. Xuan Ye, Qian Cai. (2014) Snapin-mediated BACE1 retrograde transport is essential for its degradation in lysosomes and regulation of APP processing in neurons. Cell Reports, 6: 24-31.
Recommended by Faculty 1000
23. Bing Zhou, Qian Cai, Yuxiang Xie, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2012) Snapin recruits dynein motors to BDNF-TrkB signaling endosomes for retrograde axonal transport and is essential for dendrite growth of cortical neurons. Cell Reports, 2: 42-51.
22. Qian Cai* (*co-corresponding author), Hesham Mostafa Zakaria, Zu-Hang Sheng*. (2012) Long Time-Lapse Imaging Reveals Unique Features of PARK2/Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy in Mature Cortical Neurons. Autophagy, 8: 976-978.
21. Zu-Hang Sheng, Qian Cai. (2012) Mitochondrial Transport in Neurons: Impact on Synaptic Homeostasis and Neurodegeneration. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13: 77-93.
20. Klionsky DJ et al., (2012) Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy. Autophagy, 8: 445-544.
19. Qian Cai* (*co-corresponding author), Hesham Mostafa Zakaria, Anthony Simone, Zu-Hang Sheng*. (2012) Spatial Parkin Translocation and Degradation of Damaged Mitochondria via Mitophagy in Live Cortical Neurons. Current Biology, 22: 545-552.
Recommended by Faculty 1000
18. Qian Cai and Zu-Hang Sheng. (2011) Mitochondrial Dynamics and Axonal Transport. Mitochondrial Dynamics and Neurodegeneration, Springer (Book Chapter)
17. Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2011) Uncovering the role of Snapin in regulating autophagy-lysosomal function. Autophagy, 7: 445-447.
16. Qian Cai, Matthew Davis, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2011) Regulation of axonal mitochondrial transport and its impact on synaptic transmission. Neuroscience Research, 70: 9-15.
15. Bing Zhou, Yi-Bing Zhu, Lin Lin, Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2011) Snapin deficiency is associated with developmental defects of the central nervous system. Bioscience Report, 31: 151-158.
14. Qian Cai* (*co-corresponding author), Li Lu, Jin-Hua Tian, Yin-Bing Zhu, Haifa Qiao, Zu-Hang Sheng*. (2010) Snapin-regulated late endosomal transport is critical for efficient autophagy-lysosomal function in neurons. Neuron, 68: 73-86 (With Preview). PMCID: PMC2953270
Featured in Neuron by a Preview Article “Snapin snaps into the dynein complex for late endosome-lysosome trafficking and autophagy; Recommended by Faculty 1000
13. Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2009) Mitochondrial Transport and Docking in Axons. Experimental Neurology, 218: 257-267.
12. Qian Cai, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2009) Molecular Motors and Synaptic Assembly. Neuroscientist, 15: 78-89.
11. Qian Cai, Zu-hang Sheng. (2009) Moving or Stopping Mitochondria: Miro as a Traffic Cop by Sensing Calcium. Neuron, 61: 493-496.
10. Huan Ma, Qian Cai, Wenbo Lu, Zu-Hang Sheng, and Sumiko Mochida. (2009) KIF5 motor adaptor syntabulin maintains synaptic transmission in sympathetic neurons. Journal of Neuroscience, 29: 13019-13029.
9. Li Lu, Qian Cai, Jin-Hua Tian, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2009) Snapin associates with late endocytic compartments and interacts with late endosomal SNAREs. Bioscience Report, 29: 261-269.
8. Qian Cai, Ping-Yue Pan, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2007) Syntabulin-KIF5-mediated axonal transport contributes to activity-dependent presynaptic Assembly. Journal of Neuroscience. 27: 7284-7296.
A cover article; Highlighted by Editorial News in Nature Reviews Neuroscience; Recommended by Faculty 1000
7. Jin-Hua Tian, Zheng-Xing Wu, Michael Unzicker, Li Lu, Qian Cai, Cuiling Li, Claudia Schirra, Ulf Matti, David Stevens, Chuxia Deng, Jens Rettig, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2005) The role of snapin in neurosecretion: snapin knockout mice exhibit impaired calcium-dependent exocytosis of large-dense core vesicles in chromaffin cells. Journal of Neuroscience. 25: 10546-10555. PMCID: PMC1803083
Featured in Journal of Neuroscience by an Editorial News Article
6. Qian Cai, Claudia Gerwin, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2005) Syntabulin-mediated anterograde trafficking of mitochondria along neuronal processes. Journal of Cell Biology. 170: 959-969. PMCID: PMC1804288
5. Xiao-Ke Chen, Lie-Cheng Wang, Yang Zhou, Qian Cai, Murali Prakriya, Kai-Lai Duan, Zu-Hang Sheng, Christopher Lingle, Zhuan Zhou. (2005) Activation of GPCRs modulates quantal size in chromaffin cells through G(betagamma) and PKC. Nature Neuroscience, 8: 1160-1168.
4. Ping-Yue Pan, Qian Cai, Lin Lin, Pei-Hua Lu, Shu-Min Duan, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2005) SNAP29-mediated modulation of synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280: 25769-25779. PMCID: PMC1864940
3. Qingning Su**, Qian Cai** Claudia Gerwin, Carolyn Smith, Zu-Hang Sheng. (2004) Syntabulin is a microtubule-associated protein implicated in syntaxin transport in neurons. Nature Cell Biology, 6: 941-953. (** Equal contribution)
A Nature Cell Biology Cover Article; Featured in Nature Cell Biology by a News & Views article: “Hauling t-SNAREs on the microtubule highway”
2. XinXin Zhang, Qiang Deng, Shen-Ying Zhang, Jing Liu, Qian Cai, Zhi-Meng Lu, Yuan Wang. (2003) Broadly cross-reactive mimotope of hypervariable region 1 of hepatitis C virus derived from DNA shuffling and screened by phage display library. Journal of Medical Virology, 71: 511-517.
1. Qian Cai, XinXin Zhang, Lifeng Tian, Ming Yuan, Gendi Jin, Zhi-Meng Lu. (2002) Variant Analysis and Immunogenicity Prediction of Envelope Gene of HCV Strains from China. Journal of Medical Virology, 67: 490-500.