Huanghe Yang

Education

• Ph.D. Washington University in St. Louis, 2008

Positions

• Associate Professor of Biochemistry
• Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
• Associate Professor in Neurobiology
• Associate Professor in Medicine
• Assistant Professor of Cell Biology
• Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

• NIH Director's New Innovator Award. NIH. 2017
• Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00). NINDS. 2014

Courses Taught

• BIOCHEM 593: Research Independent Study
• BIOCHEM 393: Research Independent Study

Publications

• Liang P, Wan Y-CS, Shan KZ, Chou R, Zhang Y, Delahunty M, et al. Targeting PIEZO1-TMEM16F Coupling to Mitigate Sickle Cell Disease Complications. Am J Hematol. 2025 Dec;100(12):2261u201375.
• Zheng W, Lowry AJ, Smith HE, Xie J, Rawson S, Wang C, et al. Structural and functional basis of mechanosensitive TMEM63 channelopathies. Neuron. 2025 Aug 6;113(15):2474-2489.e5.
• Zhang Y, Shan KZ, Liang P, Lowry AJ, Feng L, Yang H. PIEZO1 drives trophoblast fusion and placental development. Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 26;16(1):6895.
• Liang P, Wan Y-CS, Shan KZ, Chou R, Zhang Y, Delahunty M, et al. Targeting PIEZO1-TMEM16F Coupling to Mitigate Sickle Cell Disease Complications. bioRxiv. 2025 May 31;
• Zhang Y, Shan KZ, Liang P, Lowry AJ, Feng L, Yang H. PIEZO1 Drives Trophoblast Fusion and Placental Development. bioRxiv. 2025 Mar 26;
• Kawai T, Dong P, Bakhurin K, Yin HH, Yang H. Calcium-activated ion channels drive atypical inhibition in medial habenula neurons. Sci Adv. 2025 Mar 21;11(12):eadq2629.
• Lowry AJ, Liang P, Song M, Wan Y, Pei Z-M, Yang H, et al. TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids. eLife. 2024 Nov 4;13.
• Lowry AJ, Liang P, Song M, Wan Y, Pei Z-M, Yang H, et al. TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids. 2024.
• Lowry AJ, Liang P, Song M, Wan YCS, Pei Z-M, Yang H, et al. TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids. eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. 2024.
• Lowry AJ, Liang P, Song M, Serena Wan YC, Pei Z-M, Yang H, et al. TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids. 2024.
• Francis S, Khandelwal S, Straight R, Welton L, Liang P, Yang H, et al. Platelet and red cell responses to three North American pit vipers. Toxicon. 2024 Aug 28;247:107798.
• Zhang G, Yang H, Wang Y, Liang H, Shi J, Cui J. Redox-dependent Cd2+ inhibition of BK-type Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Biophys J. 2024 Jul 16;123(14):2076u201384.
• Shan KZ, Le T, Liang P, Dong P, Lowry AJ, Kremmyda P, et al. TMEM16F scramblase regulates angiogenesis via endothelial intracellular signaling. J Cell Sci. 2024 Jul 15;137(14).
• Dong P, Bakhurin K, Li Y, Mikati MA, Cui J, Grill WM, et al. Attenuating midline thalamus bursting to mitigate absence epilepsy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Jul 9;121(28):e2403763121.
• Liang P, Wan YCS, Yu K, Hartzell HC, Yang H. Niclosamide potentiates TMEM16A and induces vasoconstriction. J Gen Physiol. 2024 Jul 1;156(7).
• Pei S, Tao Q, Li W, Qi G, Wang B, Wang Y, et al. Osmosensor-mediated control of Ca2+ spiking in pollen germination. Nature. 2024 May;629(8014):1118u201325.
• Lowry AJ, Liang P, Serena Wan YC, Pei Z-M, Yang H, Zhang Y. TMEM16 and TMEM63/OSCA proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids. eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. 2024.
• Yang L, Liang P, Yang H, Coyne CB. Trophoblast organoids with physiological polarity model placental structure and function. J Cell Sci. 2024 Mar 1;137(5).
• Liang P, Zhang Y, Wan YCS, Ma S, Dong P, Lowry AJ, et al. Deciphering and disrupting PIEZO1-TMEM16F interplay in hereditary xerocytosis. Blood. 2024 Jan 25;143(4):357u201369.
• Zhang Y, Yang H. Quantification of Trophoblast Syncytialization by Fluorescent Membrane Labeling. Methods Mol Biol. 2024;2728:99u2013104.
• Liang P, Zhang Y, Wan YCS, Ma S, Dong P, Lowry AJ, et al. Deciphering and disrupting PIEZO1-TMEM16F interplay in hereditary xerocytosis. BLOOD. 2024;143(4):357u201369.
• Liang P, Zhang Y, Wan YCS, Ma S, Dong P, Lowry A, et al. PIEZO1-TMEM16F Interplay in Hereditary Xerocytosis. In: Blood. American Society of Hematology; 2023. p. 3818u20133818.
• Shan KZ, Liang P, Zhang Y, Yang H. Transducing Force into Procoagulation: PIEZO1-TMEM16F Functional Coupling in Blood Lining Cells. In: Blood. American Society of Hematology; 2023. p. 3941u20133941.
• Shan KZ, Le T, Liang P, Dong P, Yang H. Endothelial TMEM16F lipid scramblase regulates angiogenesis. 2023.
• Liang P, Wan YCS, Yu K, Hartzell HC, Yang H. Niclosamide potentiates TMEM16A and induces vasoconstriction. 2023.
• Yang L, Liang P, Yang H, Coyne CB. Trophoblast organoids with physiological polarity model placental structure and function. 2023.
• Zhang Y, Liang P, Yang L, Shan KZ, Feng L, Chen Y, et al. Functional coupling between TRPV4 channel and TMEM16F modulates human trophoblast fusion. Elife. 2022 Jun 7;11.
• Dong P, Zhang Y, Hunanyan AS, Mikati MA, Cui J, Yang H. Neuronal mechanism of a BK channelopathy in absence epilepsy and dyskinesia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Mar 22;119(12):e2200140119.
• Chen Y, Wang Z-L, Yeo M, Zhang Q-J, Lu00f3pez-Romero AE, Ding H-P, et al. Epithelia-Sensory Neuron Cross Talk Underlies Cholestatic Itch Induced by Lysophosphatidylcholine. Gastroenterology. 2021 Jul;161(1):301-317.e16.
• Liang P, Yang H. Molecular underpinning of intracellular pH regulation on TMEM16F. J Gen Physiol. 2021 Feb 1;153(2).
• Le SC, Yang H. Structure-Function of TMEM16 Ion Channels and Lipid Scramblases. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1349:87u2013109.
• Le SC, Liang P, Lowry AJ, Yang H. Gating and Regulatory Mechanisms of TMEM16 Ion Channels and Scramblases. Front Physiol. 2021;12:787773.
• Le SC, Yang H. An Additional Ca2+ Binding Site Allosterically Controls TMEM16A Activation. Cell Rep. 2020 Dec 29;33(13):108570.
• Liao C, Zhang Y, Fan C, Herring LE, Liu J, Locasale JW, et al. Identification of BBOX1 as a Therapeutic Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Discov. 2020 Nov;10(11):1706u201321.
• Zhang G, Gibson RA, McDonald M, Liang P, Kang PW, Shi J, et al. A Gain-of-Function Mutation in KCNMA1 Causes Dystonia Spells Controlled With Stimulant Therapy. Mov Disord. 2020 Oct;35(10):1868u201373.
• Le T, Le SC, Zhang Y, Liang P, Yang H. Evidence that polyphenols do not inhibit the phospholipid scramblase TMEM16F. J Biol Chem. 2020 Aug 28;295(35):12537u201344.
• Zhang Y, Le T, Grabau R, Mohseni Z, Kim H, Natale DR, et al. TMEM16F phospholipid scramblase mediates trophoblast fusion and placental development. Sci Adv. 2020 May;6(19):eaba0310.
• Le SC, Jia Z, Chen J, Yang H. Molecular basis of PIP2-dependent regulation of the Ca2+-activated chloride channel TMEM16A. Nat Commun. 2019 Aug 21;10(1):3769.
• Zhang Y, Yang H. Corrigendum to "A simple and robust fluorescent labeling method to quantify trophoblast fusion" [Placenta 77 (2019) 16-18]. Placenta. 2019 Jul;82:57.
• Le T, Jia Z, Le SC, Zhang Y, Chen J, Yang H. An inner activation gate controls TMEM16F phospholipid scrambling. Nat Commun. 2019 Apr 23;10(1):1846.
• Le T, Le SC, Yang H. Drosophila Subdued is a moonlighting transmembrane protein 16 (TMEM16) that transports ions and phospholipids. J Biol Chem. 2019 Mar 22;294(12):4529u201337.
• Yin Y, Le SC, Hsu AL, Borgnia MJ, Yang H, Lee S-Y. Structural basis of cooling agent and lipid sensing by the cold-activated TRPM8 channel. Science. 2019 Mar 1;363(6430).
• Zhang Y, Yang H. A simple and robust fluorescent labeling method to quantify trophoblast fusion. Placenta. 2019 Feb;77:16u20138.
• Zhang Y, Le T, Grabau R, Mohseni Z, Kim H, Natale D, et al. TMEM16F phospholipid scramblase mediates trophoblast fusion and placental development. 2019;
• Le SC, Jia Z, Chen J, Yang H. A Phosphoinositide Binding Module Controls TMEM16A Desensitization. 2018 Nov 20;
• Zubcevic L, Le S, Yang H, Lee S-Y. Conformational plasticity in the selectivity filter of the TRPV2 ion channel. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2018 May;25(5):405u201315.
• Zhou Y, Yang H, Cui J, Lingle CJ. Threading the biophysics of mammalian Slo1 channels onto structures of an invertebrate Slo1 channel. J Gen Physiol. 2017 Nov 6;149(11):985u20131007.
• Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Xiao S, Tien J, Le S, Le T, et al. Inferior Olivary TMEM16B Mediates Cerebellar Motor Learning. Neuron. 2017 Aug 30;95(5):1103-1111.e4.
• Yang H, Jan LY. TMEM16 Membrane Proteins in Health and Disease. In: Ion Channels in Health and Disease. 2016. p. 165u201397.
• Huang X, He Y, Dubuc AM, Hashizume R, Zhang W, Reimand J, et al. EAG2 potassium channel with evolutionarily conserved function as a brain tumor target. Nat Neurosci. 2015 Sep;18(9):1236u201346.
• Yang H, Cui J. BK channels. In: Handbook of Ion Channels. 2015. p. 227u201339.
• Yang H, Zhang G, Cui J. BK channels: multiple sensors, one activation gate. Front Physiol. 2015;6:29.
• Zhang G, Yang H, Liang H, Yang J, Shi J, McFarland K, et al. A charged residue in S4 regulates coupling among the activation gate, voltage, and Ca2+ sensors in BK channels. J Neurosci. 2014 Sep 10;34(37):12280u20138.
• Tien J, Peters CJ, Wong XM, Cheng T, Jan YN, Jan LY, et al. A comprehensive search for calcium binding sites critical for TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel activity. Elife. 2014 Jun 30;3.
• Tien J, Peters CJ, Wong XM, Cheng T, Jan YN, Jan LY, et al. A comprehensive search for calcium binding sites critical for TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel activity. Elife. 2014 Jun 30;2014(3).
• Hong T, Yang H, Zhang S-S, Cho HC, Kalashnikova M, Sun B, et al. Cardiac BIN1 folds T-tubule membrane, controlling ion flux and limiting arrhythmia. Nat Med. 2014 Jun;20(6):624u201332.
• Sun X, Shi J, Delaloye K, Yang X, Yang H, Zhang G, et al. The interface between membrane-spanning and cytosolic domains in Cau00b2+-dependent K+ channels is involved in u03b2 subunit modulation of gating. J Neurosci. 2013 Jul 3;33(27):11253u201361.
• Yang J, Yang H, Sun X, Delaloye K, Yang X, Moller A, et al. Interaction between residues in the Mg2+-binding site regulates BK channel activation. J Gen Physiol. 2013 Feb;141(2):217u201328.
• Huang F, Zhang H, Wu M, Yang H, Kudo M, Peters CJ, et al. Calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A modulates mucin secretion and airway smooth muscle contraction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 2;109(40):16354u20139.
• Yang H, Kim A, David T, Palmer D, Jin T, Tien J, et al. TMEM16F forms a Ca2+-activated cation channel required for lipid scrambling in platelets during blood coagulation. Cell. 2012 Sep 28;151(1):111u201322.
• Berg J, Yang H, Jan LY. Ca2+-activated Cl- channels at a glance. J Cell Sci. 2012 Mar 15;125(Pt 6):1367u201371.
• Yang J, Krishnamoorthy G, Saxena A, Zhang G, Shi J, Yang H, et al. An epilepsy/dyskinesia-associated mutation enhances BK channel activation by potentiating Ca2+ sensing. Neuron. 2010 Jun 24;66(6):871u201383.
• Cui J, Yang H, Lee US. Molecular mechanisms of BK channel activation. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2009 Mar;66(5):852u201375.
• Yang H, Shi J, Zhang G, Yang J, Delaloye K, Cui J. Activation of Slo1 BK channels by Mg2+ coordinated between the voltage sensor and RCK1 domains. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2008 Nov;15(11):1152u20139.
• Yang H, Zhang G, Shi J, Lee US, Delaloye K, Cui J. Subunit-specific effect of the voltage sensor domain on Ca2+ sensitivity of BK channels. Biophys J. 2008 Jun;94(12):4678u201387.
• Yang H, Hu L, Shi J, Delaloye K, Horrigan FT, Cui J. Mg2+ mediates interaction between the voltage sensor and cytosolic domain to activate BK channels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Nov 13;104(46):18270u20135.
• Yang H, Hu L, Shi J, Cui J. Tuning magnesium sensitivity of BK channels by mutations. Biophys J. 2006 Oct 15;91(8):2892u2013900.
• Hu L, Yang H, Shi J, Cui J. Effects of multiple metal binding sites on calcium and magnesium-dependent activation of BK channels. J Gen Physiol. 2006 Jan;127(1):35u201349.
• Du W, Bautista JF, Yang H, Diez-Sampedro A, You S-A, Wang L, et al. Calcium-sensitive potassium channelopathy in human epilepsy and paroxysmal movement disorder. Nat Genet. 2005 Jul;37(7):733u20138.
• Tang JW, Yang HH, Ren LL, Wang AQ, Ma L, Zhang T, et al. The Decomposition of NO in Microwave Discharge. Kao Teng Hsueh Hsiao Hua Heush Hsueh Pao Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities. 2002 Apr 1;23(4):635.
• Tang J, Zhang T, Liang D, Yang H, Li N, Lin L. Direct decomposition of NO by microwave heating over Fe/NaZSM-5. Applied Catalysis B Environmental. 2002 Feb 8;36(1):1u20137.
• Tang JW, Yang HH, Ren LL, Wang AQ, Ma L, Zhang T, et al. The decomposition of NO in microwave discharge. CHEMICAL JOURNAL OF CHINESE UNIVERSITIES-CHINESE. 2002;23(4):632u20135.
• Yang H, Zhang T, Tian H, Tang J, Xu D, Ren L, et al. Perovskite Type Oxides: A Novel Type of Catalysts Suitable for Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition. In: European Space Agency Special Publication ESA SP. 2001. p. 197u2013200.
• Yang H, Zhang T, Tian H, Tang J, Xu D, Yang W, et al. Effect of Sr substitution on catalytic activity of La1-xSrxMnO3 (0u2264xu22640.8) perovskite-type oxides for catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters. 2001 Dec 1;73(2):311u20136.
• Yang H, Zhang T, Tian H, Dezhu XU, Junwang T, Liwu L. Decomposition of high concentration hydrogen peroxide over alumina-supported La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 perovskite catalyst. Chinese Journal of Catalysis. 2001 Dec 1;22(3):225u20136.
• Tang J, Zhang T, Wang A, Ren L, Yang H, Ma L, et al. Removal of NO by microwave discharge with the addition of CH4. Chemistry Letters. 2001 Jan 1;(2):140u20131.
• Tian H, Zhang T, Yang H, Sun X, Liang D, Lin L. Manganese-lead mixed oxide catalysts for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Chinese Journal of Catalysis. 2000 Nov 1;21(6):602.

In The News

• Two Duke Faculty Win NIH New Innovator Awards (Oct 5, 2017 | )