细胞代谢调控与代谢物感知。（1）研究不同生理及病理条件下细胞代谢途径的调控机制；（2）关键代谢物的感知机制与新功能探索。主要利用细胞、生化、分子生物学手段和小鼠模型来探索不同生理及病理条件下代谢调控的规律，揭示多种重大代谢疾病中如癌症、脂肪肝及心血管疾病等代谢紊乱的原因及其致病机制，通过研究希望能为重大代谢疾病的治疗发现新策略或新靶点。目前以通讯或第一作者在Molecular Cell (2024), Nature communications (2024), Circulation (2024), PNAS (2023), EMBO Journal (2023), Cell Reports (2023), Nature Metabolism (2022)，Nature Metabolism (2021)，EMBO Reports (2021)，Nature Communications (2018)等, 以第一或共一作者发表于Nature (2013)，Nature Cell Biology (2011和2013, 2篇) 等期刊发表学术论文20余篇。

(1) Zhang Zhenxi, Yang Yanting, Chen Yang, Su Jingyu, Du Wenjing*. Malic enzyme 2 maintains metabolic state and anti-tumor immunity of CD8+ T cells. Molecular Cell. 2024 Aug 6:S1097-2765(24)00619-1.

(2) Chen Taiqi, Xie Siyi, Cheng Jie, Zhao Qiao, Wu Hong*, Jiang Peng*, Du Wenjing*. AKT1 phosphorylation of cytoplasmic ME2 induces a metabolic switch to glycolysis for tumorigenesis. Nature Communications, 2024 Jan 23;15(1):686.

(3) Luo Ya, Qi Xianmei, Zhang Zhenxi, et al, Xing Yanjiang*, Du Wenjing*, Wang Jing*, Wang Chen. Inactivation of malic enzyme 1 in endothelial cells alleviates pulmonary hypertension. Circulation. 2024 in press

(4) Yang Yanting#, Zhang Zhenxi#, Li Wei#, Si Yufan, Li Li, Du Wenjing*. αKG-driven RNA polymerase II transcription of cyclin D1 licenses malic enzyme 2 to promote cell-cycle progression. Cell Reports. 2023 Jul 25;42(7):112770.

(5) Li Wei#, Kou Junjie#, Li Li, Zhang Zhenxi, Du Wenjing*. Cellular redox homeostasis maintained by malic enzyme 2 is essential for MYC-driven T-cell lymphomagenesis. PNAS, 2023, Jun 6;120(23):e2217869120.

(6) Yao Pengbo, Zhang Zhenxi, Liu Hongchao, Jiang Peng*, Li Wei, Du Wenjing*. p53 regulates ethanol metabolism via ALDH2 modulating the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease. EMBO Journal, 2023, Apr 17;42(8):e112304.

(7) Yao Pengbo#, Chen Taiqi#, Jiang Peng, Li Li, Du Wenjing*. Functional skewing of TRIM21-SIRT5 interplay dictates IL-1β production in DSS-induced colitis. EMBO Reports. 2022 Jun 30:e54391.

(8) Zhao Mengjia#, Yao Pengbo#, Mao Youxiang#, Wu jinjun#, Wang Weihua, Geng Chenhui, Cheng Jie, Du Wenjing*, Jiang Peng*. Malic enzyme 2 maintains protein stability of mutant p53 through 2-hydrooxyglutarate. Nature Metabolism, 2022 Feb;4(2):225-238

(9) Zhang Zhenxi, Du Wenjing*. Malic enzyme 2 as a therapeutic target for cancer: comments on 'Malic enzyme 2 maintains protein stability of mutant p53 through 2-hydroxyglutarate'. J Mol Cell Biol. 2022 Jul 27;14(4):mjac024.

(10) Li Wei#, Kou Junjie#, Qin Junying#, Li Li, Zhang Zhenxi, Pan Ying, Xue Yi*, Du Wenjing*. NADPH levels affect cellular epigenetic state by inhibiting HDAC3-Ncor complex. Nature Metabolism, 2021, 3(1):75-89

(11) Career pathways, part 6. White JP*, Du Wenjing*. Nature Metabolism. 2021 Oct;3(10):1277-1279.

(12) Sun Huishan#, Li Li#, Li Wei#, Yang Fan, Zhang Zhenxi, Liu Zizhao, Du Wenjing*. p53 transcriptionally regulates SQLE to repress cholesterol synthesis and tumor growth. EMBO reports, 2021, Oct 5;22(10):e52537.

(13) Yang Fan#; Kou Junjie#; Li Wei; Du Wenjing*; MYC Enhances Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Supports Cell Proliferation Through SQLE, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2021, 9.

(14) Zhang Zhenxi, Su Jingyu, Li Li*, Du Wenjing*. Identification of precise therapeutic targets and characteristic prognostic genes based on immune gene characteristics in uveal melanoma. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2021, doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666462

(15) Zhao Mengjia, Jiang Peng, Du Wenjing*. MYC retards cancer cell migration through suppressing fibronectin expression, Science Bulletin, 2019, 64(11): 715-717.

(16) Li Le#, Li Lijia#, Li Wei, Chen Taiqi, Bin Zou, Zhao Lina, Wang Huili, Wang Xueying, Xu Lina, Liu Xiaohui, Wang Dong, Li Bo, Mak Tak W, Du Wenjing*, Yang Xiaolu*, Jiang Peng*. TAp73-induced phosphofructokinase-1 transcription promotes the Warburg effect and enhances cell proliferation., Nature Communications, 2018, 9(1): 4683-4683.

(17) Yao Pengbo#, Sun Huishan, Xu Chang, Chen Taiqi, Zou Bing, Jiang Peng*, Du Wenjing*. Evidence for a direct cross-talk between malic enzyme and the pentose phosphate pathway via structural interactions, J Biol Chem, 2017, 292(41): 17113-17120.

(18) Du Wenjing#, Jiang Peng#, Mancuso Anthony, Stonestrom Aaron, Brewer Michael D, Minn Andy J, Mak Tak W, Wu Mian*, Yang Xiaolu*. TAp73 enhances the pentose phosphate pathway and supports cell proliferation., Nat Cell Biol, 2013, 15(8): 991-1000.

(19) Jiang Peng#, Du Wenjing#, Wang Xingwu, Mancuso Anthony, Gao Xiang, Wu Mian*, Yang Xiaolu*. p53 regulates biosynthesis through direct inactivation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase., Nat Cell Biol, 2011, 13(3): 310-316.

(20) Jiang Peng#, Du Wenjing#, Mancuso Anthony, Wellen Kathryn E, Yang Xiaolu*. Reciprocal regulation of p53 and malic enzymes modulates metabolism and senescence., Nature, 2013, 493(7434): 689-693.

(21) Du Wenjing#, Jiang Peng#, Li Nan, Mei Yide, Wang Xingwu, Wen Longping, Yang Xiaolu*, Wu Mian*. Suppression of p53 activity by Siva1., Cell Death Differ, 2009, 16(11): 1493-1504.