Ming-Feng Tsai

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Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics

Education

  • B.S., National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
  • Ph.D., University of Missouri

Research Disciplines

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cardiovascular Biology, Metabolism, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Physiology, Structural Biology, Translational Science

Research Interests

Membrane-transport physiology and biophysics

Research Description

Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial calcium transport and signaling. We aim to understand how these mitochondrial processes contribute to cardiovascular and neuronal physiology, as well as their involvement in related diseases. To tackle these questions, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates membrane biochemistry and biophysics, electrophysiology, cryo-electron microscopy, cell biology, and animal models. In parallel, we are actively engaged in identifying pharmacological compounds that target mitochondrial proteins, with the goal of developing novel strategies for disease treatment.

Selected Publications

He Z, Tu YC, Tsai CW, Mount J, Zhang J, Tsai MF*, & Peng Y*. Structure and function of the human MRS2 channel. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. (2025) 32: 459–468. *Co-corresponding.

Tu YC, Lee IC, Chang TW, Lee V, Chao FY, Geltser ER, & Tsai MF. Mechanisms of dual modulatory effects of spermine on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2025) 301: 108218. 

Tsai CW, Liu TY, Chao FY, Tu YC, Rodriguez MX, Van Keuren AM, Ma Z, Bankston J, & Tsai MF. Evidence supporting the MICU1 occlusion mechanism and against the potentiation model in the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2023) 120: e2217665120. 

Tsai CW, Rodriguez MX, Van Keuren AM, Phillips CP, Shushunov HM, Lee JE, Garcia AM, Ambardekar AV, Cleveland JC, Reisz JA, Proenza C, Chatfield KC, & Tsai MF. Mechanisms and significance of tissue-specific MICU regulation of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex. Molecular Cell. (2022) 82: 3661–3676.

Fan M, Zhang J, Tsai CW, Orlando BJ, Rodriguez M, Xu Y, Liao M, Tsai MF*, & Feng L. Structure and mechanism of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter holocomplex. Nature. (2020) 582: 129-133. *Co-corresponding.

Van Keuren AM, Tasi CW, Balderas E, Rodriguez MX, Chaudhuri D, & Tsai MF. Mechanisms of EMRE-dependent MCU opening in the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex. Cell Reports. (2020) 33: 108486.

Phillips CB, Tsai CW, & Tsai MF. The Conserved Aspartate Ring of MCU Mediates MICU1 Binding and Regulation in the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Complex. eLife. (2019) 8: e41112.

Tsai CW & Tsai MF. Electrical Recordings of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter in Xenopus Oocytes. Journal of General Physiology. (2018) 150: 1035-1043.

Tsai CW, Wu Y, Pao PC, Phillips CB, Williams C, Miller C, Ranaghan M, & Tsai MF. Proteolytic Control of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2017) 114: 4388-4393.

Tsai MF, Phillips CB, Ranaghan M, Tsai CW, Williams C, & Miller C. Dual Functions of a Small Regulatory Subunit in the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter. eLife. (2016) 5: e15545.

Tsai MF, & Miller C. Building a Temperature-Sensitive Ion Channel. Cell. (2015) 158: 977-979

Tsai MF, Jiang D, Zhao L, Clapham D, & Miller C. Functional Reconstitution of the Mitochondrial H+/Ca2+ Exchanger Letm1. Journal of General Physiology. (2014) 143: 67-73.

Tsai MF, McCarthy P, & Miller C. Substrate Selectivity in Glutamate-Dependent Acid Resistance in Enteric Bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2013) 110: 5898-5902.

Tsai MF & Miller C. Substrate Selectivity in Arginine-Dependent Acid Resistance in Enteric Bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2013) 110: 5893-5897.