1992 - 1997  Ph. D., University of Rochester, USA

1998 - 2002  Postdoctoral fellow, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & University of California at Los Angeles

2002 - 2004  Assistant Researcher & Assistant Professor, University of California at Los Angeles

2004 -           Professor (Principle Investigator), Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Dr. Deng’s long-term research interests are to investigate the replication mechanisms of viruses and virus-host interactions, so as to gain insights into viral pathogenesis and to develop better therapeutics and diagnosis. Her team currently focuses on the following research directions:

1. to study the mechanisms governing viral replication, especially virion morphogenesis and egress of enveloped viruses (such herpesviruses and coronaviruses).

2. to investigate the interactions between viruses and the host innate and adaptive immune systems, both in vitro and in vivo.

3. to develop novel vaccine platforms and build vaccine candidates targeting herpesviruses or coronaviruses.

1. Tian H, Yu K, He L, Xu H, Han C, Zhang X, Wang X, Zhang X, Zhang L, Gao G, Deng H*. RNF213 modulates γ-herpesvirus infection and reactivation via targeting the viral Replication and Transcription Activator. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Mar 21;120(12):e2218825120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2218825120.

2. Ji M^#, Li M^#, Sun L^#, Deng H*, Zhao YG*. DMV biogenesis during β-coronavirus infection requires autophagy proteins VMP1 and TMEM41B. Autophagy. 2023 Feb;19(2):737-738. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2103783.

3. Zhou S, Fu Z, Zhang Z, Jia X, Xu G, Sun L, Sun F, Gao P, Xu P, Deng H*. Liquid-liquid phase separation mediates the formation of herpesvirus assembly compartments. J Cell Biol. 2023 Jan 2;222(1):e202201088. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202201088. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

4. Jia X^#, Sun L^#, Shen S, Zhang Z, Lyu Y, Guo H, Deng H*. The Interaction between Tegument Proteins ORF33 and ORF45 Plays an Essential Role in Cytoplasmic Virion Maturation of a Gammaherpesvirus. J Virol. 2022 Nov 23;96(22):e0107322. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01073-22. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

5. Gao X^#, Tian H^#, Zhu K^#, Li Q, Hao W, Wang L, Qin B, Deng H*, Cui, S*. Structural basis for Sarbecovirus ORF6 mediated blockage of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Nat Commun. 2022 Aug 15;13(1):4782. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-32489-5.

6. Ji M^#, Li M^#, Sun L^#, Zhao H, Li Y, Zhou L, Yang Z, Zhao X, Qu W, Xue H, Zheng Z, Li Y, Deng H*, Zhao YG*. VMP1 and TMEM41B are essential for DMV formation during β-coronavirus infection. J Cell Biol. 2022 Jun 6;221(6):e202112081. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202112081.

7. Guo C^#, Peng Y^#, Lin L^#, Pan X^#, Fang M^#, Zhao Y, Bao K, Li R, Han J, Chen J, Song TZ, Feng XL, Zhou Y, Zhao G, Zhang L, Zheng Y, Zhu P, Hang H, Zhang L, Hua Z*, Deng H*, Hou B*. A pathogen-like antigen-based vaccine confers immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates. Cell Rep Med. 2021 Nov 16;2(11):100448.

8. Xu G^#, Liu C^#, Zhou S^#, Li Q, Feng Y, Sun P, Feng H, Gao Y, Zhu J, Luo X, Zhan Q, Liu S, Zhu S, Deng H*, Li D*, Gao P*. Viral tegument proteins restrict cGAS-DNA phase separation to mediate immune evasion. Mol Cell. 2021 Jul 1;81(13):2823-2837.e9.

9. Yu K, Tian H, Deng H*. PPM1G restricts innate immune signaling mediated by STING and MAVS and is hijacked by KSHV for immune evasion. Sci Adv. 2020 Nov 20;6(47):eabd0276.

10. Feng H^#, Tian H^#, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Lin N, Liu S, Yu Y, Deng H*, Gao P*. Molecular mechanism underlying selective inhibition of mRNA nuclear export by herpesvirus protein ORF10. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020 Oct 27;117(43):26719-26727.

11. Lv Y^#, Shen S^#, Xiang L, Jia X, Hou Y, Wang D, Deng H*. Functional Identification and Characterization of the Nuclear Egress Complex of a Gammaherpesvirus. J Virol. 2019 Nov 26;93(24):e01422-19.

12. Lv Y, Zhou S, Gao S, Deng H*. Remodeling of host membranes during herpesvirus assembly and egress. Protein Cell. 2019 May;10(5):315-326.

13. Gong D, Dai X, Xiao Y, Du Y, Chapa TJ, Johnson JR, Li X, Krogan NJ, Deng H, Wu TT, Sun R*. Virus-Like Vesicles of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Activate Lytic Replication by Triggering Differentiation Signaling. J Virol. 2017 Jul 12;91(15). e00362-17.

14. Jia X^#, Shen S^#, Lv Y, Zhang Z, Guo H, Deng H*. Tegument Protein ORF45 Plays an Essential Role in Virion Morphogenesis of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68. J Virol. 2016 Jul 27;90(16):7587-92.

15. Chen Y, He L, Shi X, Chen J, Zhong J, Chen X, Cheng G*, Deng H*. The hepatitis C virus protein NS3 suppresses TNF-a-stimulated activation of NF-kB by targeting LUBAC. Sci Signal. 2015 Nov 17;8(403): ra118.

16. Qi J^#, Han C^#, Gong D^#, Liu P, Zhou S, and Deng H*. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 ORF48 is an RTA responsive gene product and functions in both viral lytic replication and latency during in vivo infection. J Virol. 2015 Jun 1;89(11):5788-800.

17. Shen S, Jia X, Guo H, and Deng H*. Gammaherpesvirus Tegument Protein ORF33 Is Associated with Intranuclear Capsids at an Early Stage of the Tegumentation Process. J Virol. 2015 May;89(10):5288-97.

18. Chen Y, Wang S, Yi Z, Tian H, Aliyari S, Li Y, Chen G, Liu P, Zhong J, Chen X, Du P, Su L, Qin FX, Deng H*, Cheng G*. Interferon-Inducible Cholesterol-25-Hydroxylase Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Replication via Distinct Mechanisms. Sci Rep. 2014 Dec 3; 4:7242.

19. Shen S, Guo H, and Deng H*. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 ORF38 encodes a tegument protein and is packaged into virions during secondary envelopment. Protein Cell. 2014 Feb;5(2):141-50.

20. Xuan Y, Gong D, Qi J, Han C, Deng H*, Gao G*. ZAP inhibits murine gammaherpesvirus 68 ORF64 expression and is antagonized by RTA. J Virol. 2013 Mar;87(5):2735-43.

21. Xuan Y, Liu L, Shen S, Deng H*, Gao G*. Zinc-finger antiviral protein inhibits murine gammaherpesvirus-68 M2 expression and regulates viral latency in cultured cells. J Virol. 2012 Nov;86(22):12431-4.

22. Wang L, Guo H, Reyes N, Lee S, Bortz E, Guo F, Sun R, Tong L, Deng H*. Distinct Domains in ORF52 Tegument Protein Mediate Essential Functions in Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Virion Tegumentation and Secondary Envelopment. J Virol. 2012 Feb;86(3):1348-57.

23. Hong Y^#, Qi J^#, Gong D, Han C, Deng H*. Replication and Transcription Activator (RTA) of Murine Gammaherpesvirus-68 Binds to An RTA-responsive Element and Activates the Expression of ORF18. J Virol. 2011 Nov;85(21):11338-50.

24. Lee S^#, Salwinski L^#, Zhang C, Chu D, Sampankanpanich C, Reyes NA, Vangeloff A, Xing F, Li X, Wu T, Sahasrabudhe S, Deng H, LaCount DJ*, Sun R*. An Integrated Approach to Elucidate the Intra-Viral and Viral-Cellular Protein Interaction Networks of a Gamma-Herpesvirus. PLoS Pathog. 2011 Oct; 7(10):e1002297.

25. Qi J, Gong D, and Deng H*. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins play a role in oriLyt dependent genome replication during MHV-68 de novo infection. Protein Cell. 2011 Jun; 2(6):463-9.

26. Ding X^#, Yang W^#, Shi X, Du P, Su L, Qin Z*, Chen J*, and Deng H*. TNF Receptor 1 Mediates Dendritic Cell Maturation and CD8 T Cell Response through Two Distinct Mechanisms. J Immunol. 2011 Aug 1;187(3):1184-91.

27. Hong Y, Qi J, Gong D, Deng J, Deng H*. Identification of an RTA Responsive Element in Murine Gammaherpesvirus-68 Genome. Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2011;38(10):936-944.

28. Yang W^#, Ding X^#, Deng J^#, Lu Y, Matsuda Z, Thiel A, Chen J, Deng H*, Qin Z*. Interferon-gamma negatively regulates Th17-mediated immunopathology during mouse hepatitis virus infection. J Mol Med. 2011 Apr;89(4):399-409.

29. Guo H, Shen S, Wang L, Deng H*. Role of tegument proteins in herpesvirus assembly and egress. Protein Cell. 2010 Nov;1(11):987-98. (Invited review).

30. Guo H, Wang LL, Peng L, Zhou ZH, and Deng H*. Open reading frame 33 of a gammaherpesvirus encodes a tegument protein essential for virion morphogenesis and egress. J Virol. 2009 Oct;83(20):10582-95.

31. Liao HI^#, Olson CA^#, Hwang S, Deng H, Wong E, Baric RS, Roberts RW, Sun R*. mRNA display design of fibronectin-based intrabodies that detect and inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein. J Biol Chem. 2009 Jun 26;284(26):17512-20.

32. Gong D, Qi J, Arumugaswami V, Sun R, Deng H*. Identification and functional characterization of the left origin of lytic replication of murine gammaherpesvirus-68. Virology. 2009 May 10; 387(2):285-95.

33. Yang Z, Tang H, Huang H, Deng H*. RTA promoter demethylation and histone acetylation regulation of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 reactivation. PloS One. 2009 4(2):e4556. 

Before 2009

1. Lee S, Deng H*, Yu F, Melega WP, Damoiseaux R, Bradley KA, Sun R*. Regulation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus Reactivation by Dopamine Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2008 Aug 15;48(5):531-40.

2. Benach J, Wang L, Chen Y, Ho CK, Lee S, Seetharaman J, Xiao R, Acton TB, Montelione GT, Deng H, Sun R*, Tong L*. Structural and functional studies of the abundant tegument protein ORF52 from murine gammaherpesvirus-68. J Biol Chem. 2007 Oct 26;282(43):31534-41. Epub 2007 Aug 15.

3. Bortz E, Wang L, Jia Q, Wu TT, Whitelegge JP, Deng H, Zhou ZH, Sun R*. Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 ORF52 Encodes a Tegument Protein Required for Virion Morphogenesis in the Cytoplasm. J Virol. 2007 Sep;81(18):10137-50.

4. Deng H, Liang Y, Sun R. Regulation of KSHV lytic gene expression. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2007;312:157-83. (Invited review).

5. Deng H*, Chu JT, Park NH, Sun R. Identification of cis-sequences required for lytic DNA replication and packaging of murine gammaherpesvirus 68. J Virol. 2004 Sep;78(17):9123-31.

6. Zhu J, Trang P, Kim K, Zhou T, Deng H, Liu F*. Effective inhibition of Rta expression and lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by human RNase P. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004 Jun 15;101(24):9073-8. Epub 2004 Jun 7.

7. Deng H, Song MJ, Chu JT, Sun R*.Transcriptional regulation of the interleukin-6 gene of human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). J Virol. 2002 Aug;76(16):8252-64.

8. Deng H, Chu JT, Rettig MB, Martinez-Maza O, Sun R*. Rta of the human herpesvirus 8/Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus up-regulates human interleukin-6 gene expression. Blood. 2002 Sep 1;100(5):1919-21.

9. Varthakavi V, Smith RM, Deng H, Sun R, Spearman P*. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Activates Lytic Cycle Replication of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus through Induction of KSHV Rta. Virology. 2002 Jun 5;297(2):270-80.

10. Deng H, Young A, Sun R*. Auto-activation of the rta gene of human herpesvirus 8/Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. J Gen Virol. 2000 Dec;81(Pt 12):3043-8.

11. Greenberg RA, O'Hagan RC, Deng H, Xiao Q, Hann SR, Adams RR, Lichtsteiner S, Chin L, Morin GB, DePinho RA*. Telomerase reverse transcriptase is a direct target of c-Myc but is not functionally equivalent in cellular transformation. Oncogene. 1999 Feb 4;18(5): 1219-26.

12. Deng H, Dewhurst S*. Functional identification and analysis of cis-acting sequences which mediate genome cleavage and packaging in human herpesvirus 6. J Virol. 1998 Jan;72(1):320-9.

13. Secchiero P, Nicholas J, Deng H, Xiaopeng T, van Loon N, Ruvolo VR, Berneman ZN, Reitz MS Jr, Dewhurst S*. Identification of human telomeric repeat motifs at the genome termini of human herpesvirus 7: structural analysis and heterogeneity. J Virol. 1995 Dec;69(12):8041-5.

(From Hongyu Deng, August 4, 2023)