Rui Lu
Papers
1
Total Citations
62
H-Index
1
About
Rui Lu is a researcher whose work has made notable contributions to the field of structural and molecular biology of the skin, with a particular focus on cytoskeletal and epithelial proteins. Lu's most recognized contribution centers on the characterization of epiplakin, a novel member of the plakin protein family — a group of large cytoskeletal linker proteins critical to maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial tissues. In a landmark 2001 study that has accumulated 62 citations, Lu and colleagues performed molecular cloning of a 450-kDa human epidermal autoantigen originally identified through its reactivity with serum from a patient suffering from a subepidermal blistering disease. The work revealed that this protein, epiplakin, is far larger than initially estimated, comprising 5,065 amino acids with a true molecular mass of 552 kDa, establishing it as a unique and significant member of the plakin superfamily. This discovery provided important insights into the molecular basis of autoimmune blistering skin disorders and expanded scientific understanding of how plakin proteins contribute to epidermal architecture and disease pathology, offering a valuable foundation for subsequent research into skin biology and dermatological conditions.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1