Hongli Liu

Dr. Hongli Liu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

20Years (2007-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 December 2022 in Phytochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MCMohan Chen
Mohan Chen
ZLZheng Li
Zheng Li
GSGang Sun
Gang Sun
SJShuang Jin
Shuang Jin
XHXiyue Hao
Xiyue Hao
YXYunsheng Xue
Yunsheng Xue

1 January 2007 in Journal of Luminescence
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FSFang Shen
Fang Shen
DHDawei He
Dawei He
HLHongli Liu
Hongli Liu
JXJianhua Xu
Jianhua Xu

4 November 2025 in Nature Communications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TZTianwei Zhang
Tianwei Zhang
HLHongli Liu
Hongli Liu
CYChongzhao You
Chongzhao You
YZYixiao Zhang
Yixiao Zhang
YXYouwei Xu
Youwei Xu
YJYi Jiang
Yi Jiang
The vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R), a class A G protein-coupled receptor, is essential for regulating body water homeostasis. V2R antagonists have emerged as promising treatments for hyponatremia; however, the absence of structural information for antagonist-bound V2R hampers our understanding of antagonist recognition and the targeted design of V2R antagonists. In this study, we present two cryo-electron microscopy structures of inactive V2R bound to the clinically approved antagonists tolvaptan and conivaptan. Combined with functional analyses and molecular dynamic simulations, these structures reveal distinct binding poses: tolvaptan is deeply inserted within the binding pocket, whereas conivaptan is positioned at a shallower depth. Integrated analyses further define critical pharmacophoric features governing antagonist activity and unveil a TM7 helical conformation-dependent antagonism mechanism that is distinct from classical GPCR inactivation modes. Our findings deepen understanding of antagonist recognition and antagonism of V2R, providing a foundation for the development of V2R-targeted therapies.

30 July 2021 in Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HLHongli Liu
Hongli Liu
HZHaiyang Zhong
Haiyang Zhong
HLHuanxiang Liu
Huanxiang Liu
XYXiaojun Yao
Xiaojun Yao

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HZHaiyang Zhong
Haiyang Zhong
ZZZhengshuo Zhang
Zhengshuo Zhang
MCMengdan Chen
Mengdan Chen
YCYue Chen
Yue Chen
CYCan Yang
Can Yang
HLHongli Liu
Hongli Liu
C-Src is involved in multiple signaling pathways and serves as a critical target in various cancers. Growing evidence suggests that prolonging a drug’s residence time (RT) can enhance its efficacy and selectivity. Thus, the development of c-Src antagonists with longer residence time could potentially improve therapeutic outcomes. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to explore the binding modes and dissociation processes of c-Src with antagonists characterized by either long or short RTs. Our results reveal that the long RT compound DAS-DFGO-I (DFGO) occupies an allosteric site, forming hydrogen bonds with residues E310 and D404 and engaging in hydrophobic interactions with residues such as L322 and V377. These interactions significantly contribute to the long RT of DFGO. However, the hydrogen bonds between the amide group of DFGO and residues E310 and D404 are unstable. Substituting the amide group with a sulfonamide yielded a new compound, DFOGS, which exhibited more stable hydrogen bonds with E310 and D404, thereby increasing its binding stability with c-Src. These results provide theoretical guidance for the rational design of long residence time c-Src inhibitors to improve selectivity and efficacy.

23 March 2026 in Nature Communications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
TZTianwei Zhang
Tianwei Zhang
HLHongli Liu
Hongli Liu
CYChongzhao You
Chongzhao You
YZYixiao Zhang
Yixiao Zhang
YXYouwei Xu
Youwei Xu
YJYi Jiang
Yi Jiang