Xinhong Dong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Center for Health Disparities Research-HIV
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis & Immune Response

(615) 327-6464
Meharry Medical College
Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
Nashville, TN  37208

xdong@mmc.edu

Lab URL

CV or Bio (PDF)

1992 B. S., Wuhan University
1997 Ph.D., Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The research in Dr. Dong’s laboratory is focused on the assembly of the HIV Virus particle in molecular detail. Currently, they are focusing on the functional association of cellular factors and viral components during HIV assembly. The HIV-1 Gag protein directs the highly orchestrated process of particle assembly and budding. During assembly, the uncleaved Gag polyprotein interacts with the viral RNA and the envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) to efficiently coordinate the production of infectious virions. The cellular trafficking machinery is recruited by HIV-1 Gag and participates in essential steps of particle assembly and budding. Recently, Dr. Dong’s lab has identified a novel interaction between Gag and adaptor protein complex, AP-3. This interaction directs Gag trafficking to multivesicular bodies (MVB). Disruption of the Gag-AP-3 interaction prevents Gag from reaching MVBs and inhibits particle formation. Recently, they have identified several Gag-binding proteins, and are investigating their potential roles in HIV assembly using a variety of approaches such as lentiviral mediated gene transfer, RNAi-mediated gene knockdown and site-directed mutagenesis. These studies not only have broader biological implications in understanding the association between cellular factors and viral proteins during HIV assembly, but also provide new information for the design of novel drugs to combat the HIV virus.

Dong, X. , Li, H., Derdowski, A., Ding,L., Burnett, A., Chen, X., Peters,T.R., Dermody, T.S., Woodruff, E., Wang, J.J., and Spearman,P. (2005) AP-3 directs the intracellular trafficking of HIV-1 Gag and plays a key role in particle assembly. Cell, 120: 663-674.

Latimer, A. J., Dong, X., Markov, Y., and Appel, B. (2002) Delta-Notch signaling induces hypochord development in zebrafish. Development, 129:2555-2563.

Dong, X., Ye, Y., and Wu, C. (1998) Cytological basis of polyspermic fertilization in an artificial multiple triploid carp. Developmental and Reproductive Biology, 7:41-47.

Dong, X., Liu,B., Wu,C., and Xiang, J. (2002) Cytological comparison of gametogenesis of scallops, Argopecten irradians and Chlamys farreri. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,20:244-247.