Lu-Ping Lu

Dr. Lu-Ping Lu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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12 April 2024 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LLLu-Ping Lu
Lu-Ping Lu
WCWei-Hua Chang
Wei-Hua Chang
YMYi-Wen Mao
Yi-Wen Mao
MCMin-Chi Cheng
Min-Chi Cheng
XZXiao-Yi Zhuang
Xiao-Yi Zhuang
GTGuochuan E. Tsai
Guochuan E. Tsai
It is crucial to regulate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) function bivalently depending on the central nervous system (CNS) conditions. CNS disorders with NMDA hyperfunction are involved in the pathogenesis of neurotoxic and/or neurodegenerative disorders with elevated D-serine, one of the NMDA receptor co-agonists. On the contrary, NMDA-enhancing agents have been demonstrated to improve psychotic symptoms and cognition in CNS disorders with NMDA hypofunction. Serine racemase (SR), the enzyme regulating both D- and L-serine levels through both racemization (catalysis from L-serine to D-serine) and β-elimination (degradation of both D- and L-serine), emerges as a promising target for bidirectional regulation of NMDA function. In this study, we explored using dimethyl malonate (DMM), a pro-drug of the SR inhibitor malonate, to modulate NMDA activity in C57BL/6J male mice via intravenous administration. Unexpectedly, 400 mg/kg DMM significantly elevated, rather than decreased (as a racemization inhibitor), D-serine levels in the cerebral cortex and plasma. This outcome prompted us to investigate the regulatory effects of dodecagalloyl-α-D-xylose (α12G), a synthesized tannic acid analog, on SR activity. Our findings showed that α12G enhanced the racemization activity of human SR by about 8-fold. The simulated and fluorescent assay of binding affinity suggested a noncooperative binding close to the catalytic residues, Lys56 and Ser84. Moreover, α12G treatment can improve behaviors associated with major CNS disorders with NMDA hypofunction including hyperactivity, prepulse inhibition deficit, and memory impairment in animal models of positive symptoms and cognitive impairment of psychosis. In sum, our findings suggested α12G is a potential therapeutic for treating CNS disorders with NMDA hypofunction.

12 June 2024 in Future Virology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
TSTsai-Miao Shih
Tsai-Miao Shih
HHHan-Yi Hsieh
Han-Yi Hsieh
JHJhe-Wei Hu
Jhe-Wei Hu
YWYu-Jung Wu
Yu-Jung Wu
CKChi-Sheng Kuo
Chi-Sheng Kuo
GTGuochuan E. Tsai
Guochuan E. Tsai