Li Yu 俞 立

Li Yu 俞 立

Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University. Ph.D. from Peking University, postdoctoral training at NIH. Research focuses on migrasomes, discovered by his group in 2014.

Publications


Research Articles

  1. Jiang, D*., He, J.Z., Xie, R.X., Shi, M.H., Liu, S.Y., Jia, H.H., Yang, B.J., Ruan, X.J., Tao, X.Y., Xiang, Y.H., Chen, Y. N., Jiao, L., Feng, X. Y., Yu, L*. (2026). Metastasis enables immunogenicity through migrasome-mediated antigen release. Nature Immunology, on line.

  2. Wang, D.J., Jia, X., Dharan, R., Ren, J.H., Zheng, Y., Li, X.P., Huang, M.T., Xu, K., Zhang, Q., Takami, S., Liu, S. Y., Yang, F., Zhang, Q. F. C., Sorkin, R., Liu, N.*, Wang, H.W.*, Yu, L*. (2026). Polymerization of tetraspanin 7 into helical transmembrane skeletons for tubular membrane stabilization. Vita, on line.

  3. Liu, B.Q., Jiang, Z., Song, W.H., Zhai, Z.C., Li, Y.Q., Zhang, W.Y., Meng, A.M.*, and Yu, L.* (2026). PGC-derived migrasomes couple PGC proliferation with migration. Nat Commun 17.

  4. Li, X.P., Li, Y., Xie, R.X., Jiao, H.F.*, and Yu, L.* (2026). GPI-anchored protein nanoclusters license migrasome expansion and serve as exocytic platforms for migrasome. Nat Commun 17.

  5. Zucker, B., Dharan, R., Wang, D.J., Yu, L.*, Sorkin, R.*, and Kozlov, M.M.* (2025). Migrasome formation is initiated preferentially in tubular junctions by membrane tension. Biophys J 124, 604-619.

  6. Yu, J.Q.*, Zhou, W.B., Wang, D.J., Chao, X.T., Wang, T.R., Liu, Y.H., Qu, H.Z., Liu, B.Y., Li, D., Wang, W., Wang, H. Y., Cai, H. Q., Yu, L.* (2025). Inchworm migration facilitates amoeboid cell adaptation to high-adhesion environments. Dev Cell 60, 3002-3017.

  7. Wang, D.J., Wang, H.F., Wan, W., Zhu, Z.H., Sho, T., Zheng, Y., Zhang, X., Dou, L.Y., Ding, Q., Yu, L.*, and Liu, Z.H.* (2025). Engineered migrasomes provide a robust and thermally stable vaccination platform. Elife 13.

  8. Lu, Z., Zuo, S.Q., Shi, M.H., Fan, J.Q., Xie, J.Y., Xiao, G.H., Yu, L.*, Wu, J.M.*, and Dai, Q.H.* (2025). Long-term intravital subcellular imaging with confocal scanning light-field microscopy. Nat Biotechnol 43, 569-580.

  9. Sho, T., Li, Y., Jiao, H.F.*, and Yu, L.* (2024). c. J Cell Biol 223, e202403195.

  10. Jiao, H.F., Li, X.P., Li, Y., Guo, Z.Y., Yang, Y.Z., Luo, Y.Q., Hu, X.Y., and Yu, L.(2024). Packaged release and targeted delivery of cytokines by migrasomes in circulation. Cell Discov 10, 121.

  11. Jiao, H.F.*, Li, X.P., Li, Y., Guo, Y.T., Hu, X.Y., Sho, T., Luo, Y.Q., Wang, J.Y., Cao, H.Z., Du, W.Q., Li, D., Yu, L.* (2024). Localized, highly efficient secretion of signaling proteins by migrasomes. Cell Res 34, 572-585.

  12. Jiang, D., Jiao, L., Li, Q., Xie, R.X., Jia, H.H., Wang, S.H., Chen, Y.N., Liu, S.Y., Huang, D.D., Zheng, J.J., Song, W. H., Li, Y., Chen, J. F., Li, J. S., Ying, B. W., Yu, L.(2024). Neutrophil-derived migrasomes are an essential part of the coagulation system. Nat Cell Biol 26, 1110-1123.

  13. Huang, Y.W., Yu, L.(2024). Seeing is believing: observation of migrasomes. Biophys Rep 10, 67-81.

  14. Han, Y.Y., and Yu, L.(2024). Calcium ions promote migrasome formation via Synaptotagmin-1. J Cell Biol 223, e202402060.

  15. Zhang, G.X., Li, X.P., Zhang, Y.L., Han, X.F., Li, X.Y., Yu, J.Q., Liu, B.Q., Wu, J.M.*, Yu, L.*, and Dai, Q.H.* (2023). Bio-friendly long-term subcellular dynamic recording by self-supervised image enhancement microscopy. Nat Methods 20, 1957-1970.

  16. Liang, H.S., Ma, X.Y., Zhang, Y.Y., Liu, Y.H., Liu, N., Zhang, W.Y., Chen, J.H., Liu, B.Q., Du, W.Q., Liu, X.H., and Yu, L.(2023). The formation of migrasomes is initiated by the assembly of sphingomyelin synthase 2 foci at the leading edge of migrating cells. Nat Cell Biol 25, 1173-1184.

  17. Ding, T.L., Ji, J.Y., Zhang, W.Y., Liu, Y.H., Liu, B.Q., Han, Y.Y., Chen, C.L., and Yu, L.(2023). The phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate-Rab35 axis regulates migrasome formation. Cell Res 33, 617-627.

  18. Zhang, C.F., Li, T.Q., Yin, S.Y., Gao, M.Y., He, H.L., Li, Y., Jiang, D., Shi, M.H., Wang, J.B., and Yu, L.(2022). Monocytes deposit migrasomes to promote embryonic angiogenesis. Nat Cell Biol 24, 1726-1738. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  19. Wang, Y.Z., Gao, S.X., Liu, Y.H., Wang, D.J., Liu, B.Q., Jiang, D., Wong, C.C.L., Chen, Y., and Yu, L.(2022). Retractosomes: small extracellular vesicles generated from broken-off retraction fibers. Cell Res 32, 953-956. [ PDF ]

  20. Huang, Y.W., Zhang, X., Wang, H.W., and Yu, L.(2022). Assembly of Tetraspanin-enriched macrodomains contains membrane damage to facilitate repair. Nat Cell Biol 24, 825-832. [ PDF ]

  21. Zhu, M.L., Zou, Q., Huang, R.Y., Li, Y., Xing, X.D., Fang, J.H., Ma, L., Li, L.F., Yang, X.R.*, and Yu, L.* (2021). Lateral transfer of mRNA and protein by migrasomes modifies the recipient cells. Cell Res 31, 237-240. [ PDF ]

  22. Xu, F., Du, W.Q., Zou, Q., Wang, Y.T., Zhang, X., Xing, X.D., Li, Y., Zhang, D.C., Wang, H.M., Zhang, W.H., Hu, X. Y., Liu, X., Liu, X. L., Zhang, S. J., Yu, J. Q., Fang, J. H., Li, F. J., Zhou, Y., Yue, T. Q., Mi, N., Deng, H. T., Zou, P., Chen, X. W., Yang, X. R. *, Yu, L*. (2021). COPII mitigates ER stress by promoting formation of ER whorls. Cell Res 31, 141-156. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  23. Wu, J.M., Lu, Z., Jiang, D., Guo, Y.D., Qiao, H., Zhang, Y., Zhu, T.Y., Cai, Y.Y., Zhang, X., Zhanghao, K., Xie, H., Yan, T., Zhang, G. X., Li, X. X., Jiang, Z., Lin, X., Fang, L., Zhou, B., Xi, P., Fan, J. T. *, Yu, L.*, Dai, Q. H*. (2021). Iterative tomography with digital adaptive optics permits hour-long intravital observation of 3D subcellular dynamics at millisecond scale. Cell 184, 3318-3332. [ PDF ]

  24. Jiao, H.F., Jiang, D., Hu, X.Y., Du, W.Q., Ji, L.L., Yang, Y.Z., Li, X.P., Sho, T., Wang, X., Li, Y., Wu, Y. T., Wei, Y. H.,., Hu, X., Yu, L.(2021). Mitocytosis, a migrasome-mediated mitochondrial quality-control process. Cell 184, 2896-2910. [ PDF ]

  25. Lu, P.Z., Liu, R., Lu, D., Xu, Y., Yang, X.Y., Jiang, Z., Yang, C., Yu, L.*, Lei, X.G. *, and Chen, Y.* (2020). Chemical screening identifies ROCK1 as a regulator of migrasome formation. Cell Discov 6, 51.

  26. Zhao, X.X., Lei, Y.X., Zheng, J.J., Peng, J.Y., Li, Y., Yu, L.*, and Chen, Y.* (2019). Identification of markers for migrasome detection. Cell Discov 5, 27.

  27. Jiang, D., Jiang, Z., Lu, D., Wang, X., Liang, H.S., Zhang, J.F., Meng, Y.P., Li, Y., Wu, D.N., Huang, Y.W., Chen, Y. L., Deng, H. T., Wu, Q., Xiong, J. W., Meng, A. M. *, Yu, L.* (2019). Migrasomes provide regional cues for organ morphogenesis during zebrafish gastrulation. Nat Cell Biol 21, 966-977. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  28. Huang, Y.W., Zucker, B., Zhang, S.J., Elias, S., Zhu, Y., Chen, H., Ding, T.L., Li, Y., Sun, Y.J., Lou, J.Z., Kozlov, M. M. *, Yu, L.* (2019). Migrasome formation is mediated by assembly of micron-scale tetraspanin macrodomains. Nat Cell Biol 21, 991-1002. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  29. Dai, A.B., Yu, L.*, and Wang, H.W. * (2019). WHAMM initiates autolysosome tubulation by promoting actin polymerization on autolysosomes. Nat Commun 10, 3699.

  30. Chen, L.L., Ma, L.*, and Yu, L.* (2019). WGA is a probe for migrasomes. Cell Discov 5, 13.

  31. Sun, D.X., Wu, R.B., Zheng, J.X., Li, P.L.*, and Yu, L.* (2018). Polyubiquitin chain-induced p62 phase separation drives autophagic cargo segregation. Cell Res 28, 405-415. [ PDF ]

  32. Zheng, J.X., Li, Y., Ding, Y.H., Liu, J.J., Zhang, M.J., Dong, M.Q., Wang, H.W.*, and Yu, L.* (2017). Architecture of the ATG2B-WDR45 complex and an aromatic Y/HF motif crucial for complex formation. Autophagy 13, 1870-1883.

  33. Yi, C., Tong, J.J., Lu, P.Z., Wang, Y.Z., Zhang, J.X., Sun, C., Yuan, K.N., Xue, R.Y., Zou, B., Li, N.Z., Xiao, S. H., Dai, C., Huang, Y. W., Xu, L. L., Li, L., Chen, S., Miao, D., Deng, H. T., Li, H. L., Yu, L.(2017). Formation of a Snf1-Mec1-Atg1 Module on Mitochondria Governs Energy Deprivation-Induced Autophagy by Regulating Mitochondrial Respiration. Dev Cell 41, 59-71. [ PDF ]

  34. Wu, D.N., Xu, Y., Ding, T.L., Zu, Y., Yang, C., and Yu, L.(2017). Pairing of integrins with ECM proteins determines migrasome formation. Cell Res 27, 1397-1400. [ PDF ]

  35. Ma, M.S., Liu, J.J., Li, Y., Huang, Y.W., Ta, N., Chen, Y., Fu, H., Ye, M.D., Ding, Y.H., Huang, W.J., Wang, J., Dong, M. Q., Yu, L.*, Wang, H. W.* (2017). Cryo-EM structure and biochemical analysis reveal the basis of the functional difference between human PI3KC3-C1 and-C2. Cell Res 27, 989-1001.

  36. Zhu, J., Deng, S.S., Lu, P.Z., Bu, W.T., Li, T., Yu, L.*, and Xie, Z.P.* (2016). The Ccl1-Kin28 kinase complex regulates autophagy under nitrogen starvation. J Cell Sci 129, 135-144.

  37. Du, W.Q., Su, Q.P., Chen, Y., Zhu, Y.Y., Jiang, D., Rong, Y.G., Zhang, S.Y., Zhang, Y.X., Ren, H., Zhang, C.M., Wang, X. Q., Gao, N., Wang, Y. F., Sun, L. F., Sun, Y. J.*, Yu, L.* (2016). Kinesin 1 Drives Autolysosome Tubulation. Dev Cell 37, 326-336. [ PDF ]

  38. Wang, C., Du, W.Q., Su, Q.P., Zhu, M.L., Feng, P.Y., Li, Y., Zhou, Y.C., Mi, N., Zhu, Y.Y., Jiang, D., Zhang, S. Y., Zhang, Z. R., Sun, Y. J.*, Yu, L.* (2015). Dynamic tubulation of mitochondria drives mitochondrial network formation. Cell Res 25, 1108-1120. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  39. Mi, N.*, Chen, Y., Wang, S., Chen, M.R., Zhao, M.K., Yang, G., Ma, M.S., Su, Q., Luo, S., Shi, J.W., Xu, J., Guo, Q., Gao, N., Sun, Y. J., Chen, Z. C.*, Yu, L.* (2015). CapZ regulates autophagosomal membrane shaping by promoting actin assembly inside the isolation membrane. Nat Cell Biol 17, 1112-1123. [ PDF ]

  40. Ma, L., Li, Y., Peng, J.Y., Wu, D., Zhao, X.X., Cui, Y.T., Chen, L.L., Yan, X.J., Du, Y.N., and Yu, L.(2015). Discovery of the migrasome, an organelle mediating release of cytoplasmic contents during cell migration. Cell Res 25, 24-38. [ PDF ] ( Cover Story )

  41. Peng, J.Y., Zhang, R., Cui, Y.T., Liu, H.D., Zhao, X.X., Huang, L., Hu, M.X., Yuan, X.X., Ma, B.Y., Ma, X.W., Takashi, U., Masaaki, K., Liang, X. J., Yu, L.(2014). Atg5 regulates late endosome and lysosome biogenesis. Sci China Life Sci 57, 59-68.

  42. Chen, R., Mao, D.X., Sun, D.X., Gao, G.G., Shi, J.W., Liu, X.Q., Zhu, C., Yang, M.Y., Ye, W.L., Hao, Q.Q., Li, R. Q., Yu, L.(2014). The general amino acid control pathway regulates mTOR and autophagy during serum/glutamine starvation. J Cell Biol 206, 173-182.

  43. Wu, Y.Y., Wang, X., Guo, H.J., Zhang, B., Zhang, X.B., Shi, Z.J., and Yu, L.(2013). Synthesis and screening of 3-MA derivatives for autophagy inhibitors. Autophagy 9, 595-603.

  44. Yi, C., Ma, M.S., Ran, L.L., Zheng, J.X., Tong, J.J., Zhu, J., Ma, C.Y., Sun, Y.F., Zhang, S.J., Feng, W.Z., Zhu, L. Y., Le, Y., Gong, X. Q., Yan, X. H., Hong, B., Jiang, F. J., Xie, Z. P., Miao, D., Deng, H., Yu, L.(2012). Function and Molecular Mechanism of Acetylation in Autophagy Regulation. Science 336, 474-477. [ PDF ]

  45. Rong, Y.G., Liu, M., Ma, L., Du, W.Q., Zhang, H.S., Tian, Y., Cao, Z., Li, Y., Ren, H., Zhang, C.M., Li, L., Chen, S., Xi, J. Z.*, Yu, L.* (2012). Clathrin and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate regulate autophagic lysosome reformation. Nat Cell Biol 14, 924-934. [ PDF ]

  46. Huang, W.J., Choi, W.Y., Hu, W.Q., Mi, N., Guo, Q., Ma, M.S., Liu, M., Tian, Y., Lu, P.L., Wang, F.L., Deng, H. T., Liu, L., Gao, N., Yu, L.*, Shi, Y. G.* (2012). Crystal structure and biochemical analyses reveal Beclin 1 as a novel membrane binding protein. Cell Res 22, 473-489.

  47. Rong, Y.G., McPhee, C.K., Deng, S.S., Huang, L., Chen, L.L., Liu, M., Tracy, K., Baehrecke, E.H., Yu, L., and Lenardo, M.J. (2011). Spinster is required for autophagic lysosome reformation and mTOR reactivation following starvation (vol 108, pg 7826, 2011). P Natl Acad Sci USA 108, 11297-11297.

  48. Ma, X.W., Wu, Y.Y., Jin, S.B., Tian, Y., Zhang, X.N., Zhao, Y.L., Yu, L.*, and Liang, X.J.* (2011). Gold Nanoparticles Induce Autophagosome Accumulation through Size-Dependent Nanoparticle Uptake and Lysosome Impairment. Acs Nano 5, 8629-8639.

  49. Yu, L., McPhee, C.K., Zheng, L.X., Mardones, G.A., Rong, Y.G., Peng, J.Y., Mi, N., Zhao, Y., Liu, Z.H., Wan, F.Y., Hailey, D. W., Oorschot, V., Klumperman, J., Baehrecke, E. H., Lenardo, M. J. (2010). Termination of autophagy and reformation of lysosomes regulated by mTOR. Nature 465, 942-946.

  50. Tian, Y., Li, Z.P., Hu, W.Q., Ren, H.Y., Tian, E., Zhao, Y., Lu, Q., Huang, X.X., Yang, P.G., Li, X., Wang, X. C., Kovács, A. L., Yu, L.*, Zhang, H.* (2010). C. elegans Screen Identifies Autophagy Genes Specific to Multicellular Organisms. Cell 141, 1042-1055.

  51. Freundt, E.C. #, Yu, L.#, Goldsmith, C.S., Welsh, S., Cheng, A., Yount, B., Liu, W., Frieman, M.B., Buchholz, U.J., Screaton, G.R., Lippincott-Schwartz, J., Zaki, S. R., Xu, X. N., Baric, R. S., Subbarao, K., Lenardo, M. J. (2010). The Open Reading Frame 3a Protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus Promotes Membrane Rearrangement and Cell Death. J Virol 84, 1097-1109.

  52. Li, D.M., Wang, L.L., Yu, L., Freundt, E.C., Jin, B.Q., Screaton, G.R., and Xu, X.N. (2009). Ig-Like Transcript 4 Inhibits Lipid Antigen Presentation through Direct CD1d Interaction. J Immunol 182, 1033-1040.

  53. Freundt, E.C., Yu, L., Park, E., Lenardo, M.J., and Xu, X.N. (2009). Molecular Determinants for Subcellular Localization of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Open Reading Frame 3b Protein. J Virol 83, 6631-6640.

  54. Yu, L., Wan, F.Y., Dutta, S., Welsh, S., Liu, Z.H., Freundt, E., Baehrecke, E.H., and Lenardo, M. (2006). Autophagic programmed cell death by selective catalase degradation. P Natl Acad Sci USA 103, 4952-4957.

  55. Yu, L., Alva, A., Su, H., Dutt, P., Freundt, E., Welsh, S., Baehrecke, E.H., and Lenardo, M.J. (2004). Regulation of an program of autophagic cell death by caspase-8. Science 304, 1500-1502.

  56. Yu, L., Hébert, M.C., and Zhang, Y.E. (2002). TGF-β receptor-activated p38 MAP kinase mediates smad-independent TGF-β responses. Embo J 21, 3749-3759.

Review and Perspective

  1. Jiao, H.F., and Yu, L.(2026). The Migrasomes. Curr Biol 36, R38-R40.

  2. Jiang, D., and Yu, L.(2026). The Role of Migrasomes in Health and Disease. Physiology 41, 352-363.

  3. Yu, J.Q., and Yu, L.(2025). A decade of migrasome research: biogenesis, physiological functions, and disease implications. Cell Res 35, 629-641.

  4. Jiang, D., He, J.Z., and Yu, L.(2025). The migrasome, an organelle for cell-cell communication. Trends Cell Biol 35, 205-216.

  5. Zhai, Z.C., Liu, B.Q., and Yu, L.(2024). The roles of migrasome in development. Cell Insight 3, 100142.

  6. Wang, D.J., and Yu, L.(2024). Migrasome biogenesis: when biochemistry meets biophysics on membranes. Trends Biochem Sci 49, 829-840.

  7. Jiao, H.F., and Yu, L.(2024). Migrasomes: Biogenesis, physiological roles, and therapeutic potentials. J Cell Biol 223, e202403051.

  8. Du, W.Q., and Yu, L.(2024). Advancements in migrasome biology. Chin Sci B-Chin 69, 4331-4338.

  9. Zhang, C.F., He, H.L., Yin, S.Y., Gao, M.Y., and Yu, L.(2023). Chick chorioallantoic membrane model to investigate role of migrasome in angiogenesis. Biophys Rep 9, 241-254.

  10. Liang, H.S., and Yu, L.(2023). Sphingomyelin synthase 2 foci determine sites of migrasome formation. Nat Cell Biol 25, 1087-1088.

  11. Jiang, D., Li, Y., and Yu, L.(2023). Detection, Purification, Characterization, and Manipulation of Migrasomes. Curr Protoc 3, e856.

  12. Yu, S.B., and Yu, L.(2022). Migrasome biogenesis and functions. Febs J 289, 7246-7254.

  13. Huang, Y.W., and Yu, L.(2022). Tetraspanin-enriched microdomains: The building blocks of migrasomes. Cell Insight 1, 100003.

  14. Yu, L.(2021). Migrasomes: the knowns, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns: a personal perspective (vol 64, pg 162, 2021). Sci China Life Sci 64, 494-494.

  15. Sun, D.X., Wu, R.B., Li, P.L., and Yu, L.(2020). Phase Separation in Regulation of Aggrephagy. J Mol Biol 432, 160-169.

  16. Chen, Y., Su, Q.P., and Yu, L.(2019). Studying Autophagic Lysosome Reformation in Cells and by an In Vitro Reconstitution System. Autophagy: Methods and Protocols 1880, 163-172.

  17. Yu, L., Chen, Y., and Tooze, S.A. (2018). Autophagy pathway: Cellular and molecular mechanisms. Autophagy 14, 207-215.

  18. Yi, C., Tong, J.J., and Yu, L.(2018). Mitochondria: The hub of energy deprivation-induced autophagy. Autophagy 14, 1084-1085.

  19. Chen, Y., and Yu, L.(2018). Development of Research into Autophagic Lysosome Reformation. Mol Cells 41, 45-49.

  20. Chen, Y., Su, Q.P., Sun, Y.J., and Yu, L.(2018). Visualizing Autophagic Lysosome Reformation in Cells Using In Vitro Reconstitution Systems. Curr Protoc Cell Biol 78, 11.24.11-11.24.15.

  21. Chen, Y., Li, Y., Ma, L., and Yu, L.(2018). Detection of Migrasomes. Methods Mol Biol 1749, 43-49.

  22. Chen, Y., and Yu, L.(2017). Recent progress in autophagic lysosome reformation. Traffic 18, 358-361.

  23. Chen, Y., and Yu, L.(2015). Scissors for autolysosome tubules. Embo J 34, 2217-2218.

  24. Yu, L.(2014). Recent progress in autophagy. Cell Res 24, 1-2.

  25. Chen, Y., and Yu, L.(2013). Autophagic lysosome reformation. Exp Cell Res 319, 142-146.

  26. Yi, C., and Yu, L.(2012). How does acetylation regulate autophagy? Autophagy 8, 1529-1530.

  27. Tong, J.J., Yan, X.H., and Yu, L.(2010). The late stage of autophagy: cellular events and molecular regulation. Protein Cell 1, 907-915.

  28. Lenardo, M.J., McPhee, C.K., and Yu, L.(2009). Autophagic Cell Death. Method Enzymol 453, 17-31.

  29. Yu, L., Strandberg, L., and Lenardo, M.J. (2008). The selectivity of autophagy and its role in cell death and survival. Autophagy 4, 567-573.

  30. Yu, L., Lenardo, M.J., and Baehrecke, E.H. (2004). Autophagy and caspases - A new cell death program. Cell Cycle 3, 1124-1126.