Zhangmeijia

2002-09-2005-06, China Agricultural University, Physiology, Doctor

1994-09-1997-06, Northwest Agricultural University, Veterinary Obstetrics, Master's Degree

1989-08-1994-06, Northwest Agricultural University, Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor's Degree

Since November 2019, South China University of Technology, Reproductive Physiology and Development

July 2009 - September 2010, Jackson Laboratory, USA, oocyte meiosis arrest

July 20, 2005, 19-10, China Agricultural University, Reproductive Biology Research

October 2000 - June 2001, Kyushu University, Japan, Oocyte cryopreservation research

July 20, 1997, 02-08, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Research on Giant Panda breeding

Associate Editor of Journal of Ovarian Research

Associate Editor of Animal Models and Experimental Medicine

Director of the Reproductive Biology Branch of the Zoological Society of China

Mainly engaged in research related to reproductive physiology and development. Relying on the scientific research platform of the Innovation Center for Basic Research on Development and Disease Medicine of the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Reproductive Center of the affiliated clinical hospital, a series of scientific studies have been carried out using the conditional gene knockout mouse model, mainly including:

1) The molecular mechanism of primordial follicle activation

2) Molecular regulation of follicular development and maturation

3) The important role of histone modification in maintaining the gonads of adult mammals;

4) The role of palmitoylation modification in sperm maturation.

These research works will lay the foundation for clinical applications such as in vivo fertility protection for patients with early-onset ovarian insufficiency (POI) and chemotherapy patients in clinical practice.

Undergraduate course: Physiology

Master's Degree program: Advances in Physiology and Medicine

Doctoral Program: Advances in Physiology and Pathology Research

1. Research on the Initiation Regulatory Factors of Primordial Follicle Activation and the Screening and clinical Application of Targeted Oral Drugs, Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Regional Innovation Development Joint Fund, 2025-2028, Project Leader;

2. The Role and Mechanism of Myelocytoma Virus Oncogene MYC in Follicular Development and Maturation, National Natural Science Foundation of China General Program, 2023-2026, Project Leader;

3. Research on Key Mechanisms of Freezing and thawing of Germ Cells and gonadal Tissues and Development and application of New Functional Repair Technologies, Key Special Project of Reproductive Health and Women and Children's Health Security of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Sub-project leader, 2022-2025

4. The Role and Molecular Mechanism of CXXC zinc Finger Protein 1 (CFP1) in Follicular Development in Granulosa Cells, National Natural Science Foundation of China General Program, 2020-2023, Project Leader;

5. Research on the Role and Mechanism of Follicular Microenvironment and Ovarian Lesions in Affecting Oocyte Development and Maturation, Key Special Project of the Key Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, 2018-2021, Project Leader;

6. Oocyte Meiosis, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 2015-2019, Project Leader;

7. Molecular Mechanism of Elevated Calcium Ion Levels in Cumulus Cells by LH-EGFR Signaling, General Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2018-2021, Project Leader;

8. Research on the Mechanism of Human Fertility Decline and New Strategies for Protection and Preservation, Key Research and Development Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, 2017-2020, Sub-project Leader;

9. Molecular Mechanisms Determining Oocyte Quality, National Major Scientific Research Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, 2014-2018, Sub-Project Leader;

10. Molecular Mechanism of Gonadotropin Regulation of C-type Natriuretic Peptide and Its Receptor Expression, General Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2013-2016, Project Leader;

11. Molecular Basis of Meiosis in Female Germ Cells, National Key Basic Research Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, 2012-2016, Project Leader;

12. Expression Regulation Mechanism of NPR2 receptor, Ministry of Education's New Century Excellent Talent Support Program, 2011-2013, Project Leader;

13. Expression Changes of cardiac natriuretic peptide in Fallopian tubes and Its role and mechanism in fertilization, National Natural Science Foundation of China General Project, 2007-2009, Project Leader;

Yu Fu, Manjin Zhang, Bingdong Sui, FeiFei Yuan, Wenbo Zhang, Yashuang Weng, Lei Xiang, Can Li, Longquan Shao, Yong You, Xueli Mao, Haitao Zeng, Di Chen, Meijia Zhang, Songtao Shi, Xuefeng Hu. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived apoptotic vesicles ameliorate impaired ovarian folliculogenesis in polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian aging by targeting WNT signaling. Theranostics, 2024 May 27;14(8):3385-3403.

Liu S, Wang W, Liu H, Wei H, Weng Y, Zhou W, Zhang X, He S, Chen Y, Wang Y, Zhang M, Chen X. Berberine promotes primordial follicle activation and increases ovulated oocyte quantity in aged mice. Mol Med 2024; 30:251.

Zhang W, Gao L, Zhang X, Weng Y, Du Y, Sun YL, Wei H, Hao T, Chen Y, Liang X, Zhang M. Theophylline derivatives promote primordial follicle activation via cAMP-PI3K/Akt pathway and ameliorate fertility deficits in naturally aged mice. Int J Biol Sci. 2024 Sep 30;20(13):5312-5329.

Weiyong Wang, Huiyu Liu, Shuang Liu, Tiantian Hao, Ying Wei, Hongwei Wei, Wenjun Zhou, Xiaodan Zhang, Xiaoqiong Hao, Meijia Zhang. Oocyte-specific deletion of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 causes apoptosis of mouse oocytes within the early-growing follicles by mitochondrial fission defect-reactive oxygen species-DNA damage. Clin Transl Med 2024; Aug;14(8):e1791.

Wenjun Zhou, Biao Li, Zhijuan Wang, Shuang Liu, Weiyong Wang, Sihui He, Ye Chen, Xiaodan Zhang, Meijia Zhang. Premeiotic deletion of Eif2s2 causes oocyte arrest at the early diplotene stage and apoptosis in mice. Cell Prolif 2024 Jul 24:e13718.

Hongwei Wei, Zhijuan Wang, Yating Huang, Longwei Gao, Weiyong Wang, Shuang Liu, Yan-Li Sun, Huiyu Liu , Yashuang Weng, Heng-Yu Fan, Meijia Zhang. DCAF2 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of mouse progenitor spermatogonia by targeting p21 and thymine DNA glycosylase. Cell Prolif 2024; Jun 4:e13676.

Han L, Huang Y, Li B, Wang W, Sun Y, Zhang X, Zhang W, Liu S, Zhou W, Xia W, Zhang M. The metallic compound promotes primordial follicle activation and ameliorates fertility deficits in aged mice. Theranostics 2023; 13(10):3131-3148.

Zheng N, Zhang W, Zhang X, Li B, Wu Z, Weng Y, Wang W, Miao J, Yang J, Zhang M, Xia W. RA-RAR signaling promotes mouse vaginal opening through increasing β-catenin expression and vaginal epithelial cell apoptosis. Reprod Biol Endocrin 2023, 21:36.

Wu Z, Li B, Yu K, Zheng N, Yuan F, Miao J, Zhang M, Wang Z. The mature COC promotes the ampullary NPPC required for sperm release from porcine oviduct cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023, 24:3118.

Wang Z, Wei H, Wu Z, Zhang X, Sun Y, Gao L, Zhang W, Su Y, Zhang M. The oocyte cumulus complex regulates mouse sperm migration in the oviduct. Commun Biol 2022, 5:1327.

Yuan F, Hao X, Cui Y, Huang F, Zhang X, Sun Y, Hao T, Wang Z, Xia W, Su Y, Zhang M. SphK-produced S1P in somatic cells is indispensable for LH-EGFR signaling-induced mouse oocyte maturation. Cell Death Dis 2022, 13:963.

Hao X, Yuan F, Cui Y, Zhang M. Oocyte-secreted factor TGFB2 enables mouse cumulus cell expansion in vitro. Mol Reprod Dev 2022, 89:554-562.

Li B, Wang W, Liu J, Huang Y, Han L, Li J, Zheng N, Wu Z, Zhang X, Li X, Deng L, Lin M, Chen X, Zhang M. Lithium promotes the activation of primordial follicles through the PI3K/Akt signaling. Biol Reprod 2022, 107:1059-1071.

Zhang X, Zhang W, Wang Z, Zheng N, Yuan F, Li B, Li X, Deng L, Lin M, Chen X, Zhang M. Enhanced glycolysis in granulosa cells promotes the activation of primordial follicles through mTOR signaling. Cell Death Dis 2022, 13:87.

Yuan F, Wang Z, Sun Y, Wei H, Cui Y, Wu Z, Zhang C, Xie K, Wang F, Zhang M. Sgpl1 deletion elevates S1P levels, contributing to NPR2 inactivity and p21 expression that block germ cell development. Cell Death Dis 2021, 12:574.

Xi G, An L, Wang W, Hao J, Yang Q, Ma L, Lu J, Wang Y, Wang W, Zhao W, Liu J, Yang M, Wang X, Zhang Z, Zhang C, Chu M, Yue Y, Yao F, Zhang M, Tian J. The mRNA-destabilizing protein Tristetraprolin targets meiosis arrester Nppc mRNA in mammalian preovulatory follicles. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2021 1;118(22):e2018345118.

Li J, Zhang Y, Zheng N, Li B, Yang J, Zhang C, Xia G, Zhang M. CREB activity is required for mTORC1 signaling-induced primordial follicle activation in mice. Histochem Cell Biol 2020, 154:287-299.

Jing Yang, Yu Zhang, Xiaoting Xu, Jia Li, Feifei Yuan, Shumin Bo, Jie Qiao, Guoliang Xia, Youqiang Su, Meijia Zhang. Transforming growth factor-β is involved in maintaining oocyte meiotic arrest by promoting natriuretic peptide type C expression in mouse granulosa cells. Cell Death & Disease 2019, 10:558.

Zhang Y, Yang J, Yang J, Li J, Zhang M. CREB activity is required for epidermal growth factor‐induced mouse cumulus expansion. Mol Reprod Dev. 2019, 86:1887-1900.

Yu Zhao, Yu Zhang, Jia Li, Nana Zheng, Xiaoting Xu, Jing Yang , Guoliang Xia and Meijia Zhang. MAPK3/1 participates in the activation of primordial follicles through mTORC1-KITL signaling. J Cell Physiol 2018 Jan;233(1):226-237.

Nana Kong, Xiaoting Xu, Yu Zhang, Yakun Wang, Xiaoqiong Hao, Yu Zhao, Jie Qiao, Guoliang Xia, Meijia Zhang. Natriuretic peptide type C induces sperm attraction for fertilization in mouse. Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 5;7:39711.

Hao X., Wang Y., Kong N., Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Xia G., Zhang M*. Epidermal growth factor-mobilized intracellular calcium of cumulus cells decreases natriuretic peptide receptor 2 affinity for natriuretic peptide type C and induces oocyte meiotic resumption in the mouse. Biol Reprod. 2016 Aug; 95(2): 45.

Yakun Wang, Xiaoqiong Hao, Jing Yang, Jia Li, Meijia Zhang*. CREB activity is required for luteinizing hormone-induced the expression of EGF-like factors. Mol Reprod Dev. 2016 Dec;83(12):1116-1127.

Zhang W, Yang Y, Liu W, Chen Q, Wang H, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Xia G. Brain natriuretic peptide and C-type natriuretic peptide maintain porcine oocyte meiotic arrest. J Cell Physiol. 2015 Jan;230(1):71-81.

Zhang W, Chen Q, Yang Y, Liu W, Zhang M, Xia G, Wang C. Epidermal growth factor-network signaling mediates luteinizing hormone regulation of BNP and CNP and their receptor NPR2 during porcine oocyte meiotic resumption. Mol Reprod Dev. 2014 Nov;81(11):1030-41.

Zhang Y, Hao X, Xiang X, Wei K, Xia G, Zhang M*. Porcine natriuretic peptide type B (pNPPB) maintains mouse oocyte meiotic arrest via natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) in cumulus cells. Mol Reprod Dev. 2014 81(5):462-469.

Wang Y#, Kong N#, Li N, Hao X, Wei K, Xiang X, Xia G, Zhang M*. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling-dependent Calcium Elevation in Cumulus Cells Is Required for NPR2 Inhibition and Meiotic Resumption in Mouse Oocytes. Endocrinology 2013. 154:3401-3409.

Liu L, Kong N, Xia G, Zhang M*. Molecular control of oocyte meiotic arrest and resumption. Reprod Fertil Dev 2013, 25:463-471.

Lee KB, Zhang M, Sugiura K, Wigglesworth K, Uliasz T, Jaffe LA, Eppig JJ. Hormonal coordination of natriuretic peptide type C and natriuretic peptide receptor 3 expression in mouse granulosa cells. Biol Reprod. 2013, 88:42.

Zhang Meijia*, Guoliang Xia*. Hormonal control of mammalian oocyte meiosis at diplotene stage. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012, 69:1279-1288.

Bian F, Mao G, Guo M, Wang J, Li J, Han Y, Chen X, Zhang M*, Xia G. Gradients of natriuretic peptide precursor A (NPPA) in oviduct and of natriuretic peptide receptor 1 (NPR1) in spermatozoon are involved in mouse sperm chemotaxis and fertilization. J Cell Physiol 2012, 227: 2230-2239.

Wang J, Chen Q, Zhou J, Wen J, Bian F, Li G, Mu X, Han Y, Xia G, Zhang M*. Specific protein kinase C isoforms α and βI are involved in follicle-stimulating hormone-induced mouse follicle-enclosed oocytes meiotic resumption. PLoS One 2012, 7:e45043.

Meng Guo, Hua Zhang, Fenghua Bian, Ge Li, Xinyi Mu, Jing Wen, Guankun Mao, Zhen Teng, Guoliang Xia, Meijia Zhang^*. Progesterone down-regulates jagged2 and notch1 expression involved in primordial follicle formation in the mouse ovary. Front Biosci 2012, 4:2731-2744.

Robinson JW#, Zhang M#, Shuhaibar LC, Norris RP, Geerts A, Wunder F, Eppig JJ, Potter LR, Jaffe LA. Luteinizing hormone reduces the activity of the NPR2 guanylyl cyclase in mouse ovarian follicles, contributing to the cyclic GMP decrease that promotes resumption of meiosis in oocytes. Dev Biol 2012, 366:308-316.

Zhang M, Su YQ, Sugiura K, Wigglesworth K, Xia G, Eppig JJ. Estradiol promotes and maintains promotes cumulus cell expression of natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) and meiotic arrest in mouse oocytes in vitro. Endocrinology 2011, 152:4377-4385.

Meijia Zhang, You-Qiang Su, Koji Sugiura, Guoliang Xia, John J. Eppig. Granulosa cell ligand NPPC and its receptor NPR2 maintain meiotic arrest in mouse oocytes. Science 2010, 330:366-369. 

1. Participated in the compilation of Development of in Vitro Maturation for Human Oocytes: Natural and Mild Approaches to Clinical Infertility Treatment, Springer International Publishing AG, 2017 (Contributed to Chapter 3 of it: A new mechanism of oocyte meiosis arrest and recovery.

2. Participated in The compilation of The Encyclopedia of Reproduction, Elsevier Inc., 2024, 3nd Edition (Special topic on Oocyte Meiosis Arrest in the English encyclopedia).

1. Application of Small Molecule Compounds in the Preparation of Drugs for Activating Primordial Follicles, Chinese Invention Patent, Zhang Meijia; Han Lincheng Huang Yingying Li Biao Fan Yijie CN 114344331 B

2. Application of Aminophylline in the Preparation of Drugs for Activating Primordial Follicles, Chinese Invention Patent, Zhang Meijia; Zhang Wenbo Zhang Xiaodan Weng Yasuang Wang Zhijuan CN 115624553B.

The mechanism of gonadotropin regulating oocyte maturation and the application potential of related key target molecules, Second Prize of Natural Science Award of the Ministry of Education.