A5041500615- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Retinoids in leukemia and cellular processes
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Gene expression and cancer classification
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- RNA regulation and disease
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
University of Massachusetts Boston
2021-2024
Boston University
2023
New York University
2010-2015
University of Würzburg
2006-2008
Vertebrate synapsins are abundant synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins that have been proposed to fine-regulate neurotransmitter release by phosphorylation-dependent control of motility. However, the consequences a total lack all synapsin isoforms due knock-out three mouse genes not yet investigated. In Drosophila single gene encodes several and is expressed in most terminals. Thus targeted deletion eliminates possibility functional complementation other isoforms. Unexpectedly, null mutant flies...
Signaling pathways are reused for multiple purposes in plant and animal development. The Hippo pathway mammals Drosophila coordinates proliferation apoptosis via the coactivator oncoprotein YAP/Yorkie (Yki), which is homeostatically regulated through negative feedback. In eye, cross-repression between kinase LATS/Warts (Wts) growth regulator Melted generates mutually exclusive photoreceptor subtypes. Here, we show that this all-or-nothing neuronal differentiation results from positive...
Histamine (HA) is the photoreceptor neurotransmitter in arthropods, directly gating chloride channels on large monopolar cells (LMCs), postsynaptic to photoreceptors lamina. Two histamine-gated channel genes that could contribute this Drosophila are hclA (also known as ort ) and hclB hisCl1 ), both encoding novel members of Cys-loop receptor superfamily. S2 transfected with these expressed homomeric heteromeric channels. The electrophysiological properties were compared those from isolated...
The final identity and functional properties of a neuron are specified by terminal differentiation genes, which controlled specific motifs in compact regulatory regions. To determine how these sequences integrate inputs from transcription factors that specify cell types, we compared the mechanism Drosophila Rhodopsin genes expressed subsets photoreceptors to phototransduction broadly, all photoreceptors. Both sets share an 11-base pair (bp) activator motif. Broadly contain palindromic...
The GAL4/UAS gene expression system in Drosophila has been crucial revealing the behavioral significance of neural circuits. Transgene products that block neurotransmitter release and induce cell death have proved to inhibit function powerfully. Here we compare action five effector genes shibirets1, Tetanus toxin light chain (TNT), reaper, Diphtheria A-chain (DTA), inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir2.1) show differences their efficiency depending on target cells timing induction....
The compound eye of Drosophila melanogaster consists about 750 ommatidia (unit eyes). Each ommatidium is composed 20 cells, including lens-secreting cone pigment a bristle cell and eight photoreceptors (PRs) R1-R8 2. PRs have specialized microvillar structures, the rhabdomeres, which contain light-sensitive pigments, Rhodopsins (Rhs). rhabdomeres six (R1-R6) form trapezoid Rh1 3 4. R7 R8 are positioned in tandem center share same path light. stochastically express different combinations Rhs...
The functionality of sensory neurons is defined by the expression specific receptor genes. During development Drosophila larval eye, photoreceptor (PRs) make a binary choice to express either blue-sensitive Rhodopsin 5 (Rh5) or green-sensitive 6 (Rh6). Later during metamorphosis, ecdysone signaling induces cell fate and switch: Rh5-PRs are re-programmed Rh6 become eyelet, small group extraretinal PRs involved in circadian entrainment. However, genetic molecular mechanisms how decisions made...
The requirement of vitamin A for the synthesis visual chromophore and light-sensing pigments has been studied in vertebrate invertebrate model organisms. To identify molecular mechanisms that orchestrate ocular response to deprivation, we took advantage fact Drosophila melanogaster predominantly requires vision, but not development or survival. We analyzed impacts deficiency on morphology, lipidome, proteome eye. found chronic deprivation damaged compartments caused a dramatic loss pigments,...
Neuronal synaptobrevin (n-Syb, alias VAMP2), a synaptic vesicle membrane protein with central role in neurotransmission, is specifically cleaved by the light chain of tetanus neurotoxin (TNT) that known to reliably block neuroexocytosis. Here, we study fly photoreceptors transmitting continuous, graded signals first order interneurons lamina, and report consequences targeted expression TNT these cells using UAS/GAL4 driver/effector system. Expressing toxin throughout photoreceptor...
Organisms respond to dietary and environmental challenges by altering the molecular composition of their glycerolipids glycerophospholipids (GPLs), which may favorably adjust physicochemical properties lipid membranes. However, how lipidome changes affect membrane proteome and, eventually, physiology specific organs is an open question. We addressed this issue in Drosophila melanogaster, not able synthesize sterols polyunsaturated fatty acids but can acquire them from food. developed a...
Abstract Insufficient dietary intake of vitamin A causes various human diseases. For instance, chronic deprivation blindness, slow growth, impaired immunity, and an increased risk mortality in children. In contrast to these diverse effects deficiency (VAD) mammals, VAD flies neither obvious developmental defects nor lethality. As severely affects the visual system: it impairs synthesis retinal chromophore, disrupts formation pigments (Rhodopsins), damages photoreceptors. However, molecular...
Color vision in Drosophila melanogaster is based on the expression of five different color-sensing Rhodopsin proteins distinct subtypes photoreceptor neurons. Promoter regions less than 300 base pairs are sufficient to reproduce unique, subtype-specific rhodopsin patterns. The underlying cis -regulatory logic remains poorly understood, but it has been proposed that promoters have a bipartite structure: distal promoter region directs highly restricted specific subtype, while proximal core...
During terminal differentiation of the mammalian retina, transcription factors control binary cell fate decisions that generate functionally distinct subtypes photoreceptor neurons. For instance, Otx2 and RORβ activate expression transcriptional repressor Blimp-1/PRDM1 represses bipolar interneuron promotes rod fate. Moreover, Crx promote nuclear receptor Nrl cone Mutations in these four cause severe eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Here, we show a post-mitotic decision Drosophila...
Abstract Drosophila melanogaster is a popular model organism to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie structure and function of eye as well causes retinopathies, aging, light‐induced damage, or dietary deficiencies. Large‐scale screens have isolated genes whose mutation morphological functional ocular defects, which led discovery key components phototransduction cascade. However, proteome poorly characterized. Here, we used GeLC‐MS/MS quantify 3516 proteins, including absolute...
Abstract The Drosophila melanogaster eye is a popular model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie structure and function of as well causes retinopathies. For instance, has been used investigate impacts ageing environmental stresses such light-induced damage or dietary deficiencies. Moreover, large-scale screens have isolated genes whose mutation morphological functional ocular defects, which includes key components phototransduction cascade. However, proteome poorly...
While the proteome of an organism is largely determined by genome, lipidome shaped a poorly understood interplay environmental factors and metabolic processes. To gain insights into underlying mechanisms, we analyzed impacts dietary lipid manipulations on ocular