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Derek S. Sieburth, PhD

Associate Professor of Physiology & Neuroscience

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Phone +1 323 442 2013
Email [email protected]
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Overview

The Sieburth lab studies signaling pathways that regulate neuronal function, with the goal of understanding how these pathways contribute to the function of neuronal circuits controlling behavioral programs in the nervous system. My laboratory uses C. elegans as a model organism for studying neuronal function, because of its simple neuronal circuitry, the ability to visualize synapses and neurotransmitters by fluorescent imaging in live animals, and its powerful genetics. We combine state of-the-art behavioral, genetic, cell biological, and in vivo neuronal imaging techniques in to study the cellular molecular mechanisms underlying secretion of synaptic vesicles and dense core vesicles. The lab is interested in three major areas: 1) What are the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of neuropeptide storage and secretion from dense core vesicles? 2) What are the mechanisms by which oxidative stress regulates neurotransmitter secretion and stress responses, and 3) How does sphingolipid signaling control mitochondrial homeostasis in response to neuronal stress? Many of the genes we study are conserved in mammals, so our studies provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which neurotransmitter secretion may be regulated in humans.
To visit the Sieburth lab website go here: https://sites.usc.edu/sieburthlab/

Research Funding

  • Sphingolipid signaling in mitochondrial surveillance
    NIH · R01NS110730 · Sep 15, 2019 – Aug 31, 2024 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Stress regulation of neurotransmission
    NIH · R01NS099414 · Apr 1, 2017 – Jan 31, 2028 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Stress Regulation of Synaptic Transmission
    NIH · R56NS071085 · Jul 1, 2010 – Mar 31, 2018 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Stress Regulation of Synaptic Transmission
    NIH · R01NS071085 · Jul 1, 2010 – Jun 30, 2016 · Role: Principal Investigator

Research Keywords

  • C. elegans
  • synapse
  • neuropeptide
  • dense core vesicle
  • reactive oxygen species

Publications

  • Endogenous hydrogen peroxide positively regulates secretion of a gut-derived peptide in neuroendocrine potentiation of the oxidative stress response in Caenorhabditis elegans. Elife. 2024 Dec 05; 13.. View in PubMed
  • Endogenous hydrogen peroxide positively regulates secretion of a gut-derived peptide in neuroendocrine potentiation of the oxidative stress response in C. elegans. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 22.. View in PubMed
  • The head mesodermal cell couples FMRFamide neuropeptide signaling with rhythmic muscle contraction in C. elegans. Nat Commun. 2023 07 14; 14(1):4218.. View in PubMed
  • Presynaptic coupling by electrical synapses coordinates a rhythmic behavior by synchronizing the activities of a neuron pair. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 05 18; 118(20).. View in PubMed
  • Mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide positively regulates neuropeptide secretion during diet-induced activation of the oxidative stress response. Nat Commun. 2021 04 16; 12(1):2304.. View in PubMed
  • FSHR-1/GPCR Regulates the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics. 2020 02; 214(2):409-418.. View in PubMed
  • A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Network Regulates Neuromuscular Function in Response to Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics. 2019 04; 211(4):1283-1295.. View in PubMed
  • Sphingosine Kinase Activates the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response and Is Targeted to Mitochondria by Stress. Cell Rep. 2018 09 11; 24(11):2932-2945.e4.. View in PubMed
  • Sphingosine Kinase Regulates Neuropeptide Secretion During the Oxidative Stress-Response Through Intertissue Signaling. J Neurosci. 2018 09 19; 38(38):8160-8176.. View in PubMed
  • nu444 is a novel allele of pkc-1 in C. elegans. MicroPubl Biol. 2017 May 18; 2017.. View in PubMed

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