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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

  • Aging and SKN-1-dependent Loss of 20S Proteasome Adaptation to Oxidative Stress in C. elegans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017 02; 72(2):143-151.. View in PubMed
  • Coupling between endocytosis and sphingosine kinase 1 recruitment. Nat Cell Biol. 2014 Jul; 16(7):652-62.. View in PubMed
  • Regulation of synaptic nlg-1/neuroligin abundance by the skn-1/Nrf stress response pathway protects against oxidative stress. PLoS Genet. 2014 Jan; 10(1):e1004100.. View in PubMed
  • PKA controls calcium influx into motor neurons during a rhythmic behavior. PLoS Genet. 2013; 9(9):e1003831.. View in PubMed
  • Extrasynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on neuronal cell bodies regulate presynaptic function in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurosci. 2013 Aug 28; 33(35):14146-59.. View in PubMed
  • Neuropeptide secreted from a pacemaker activates neurons to control a rhythmic behavior. Curr Biol. 2013 May 06; 23(9):746-54.. View in PubMed
  • The conserved SKN-1/Nrf2 stress response pathway regulates synaptic function in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet. 2013 Mar; 9(3):e1003354.. View in PubMed
  • Localized sphingolipid signaling at presynaptic terminals is regulated by calcium influx and promotes recruitment of priming factors. J Neurosci. 2012 Dec 05; 32(49):17909-20.. View in PubMed
  • A conserved role for the 20S proteasome and Nrf2 transcription factor in oxidative stress adaptation in mammals, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. J Exp Biol. 2013 Feb 15; 216(Pt 4):543-53.. View in PubMed
  • Recruitment of sphingosine kinase to presynaptic terminals by a conserved muscarinic signaling pathway promotes neurotransmitter release. Genes Dev. 2012 May 15; 26(10):1070-85.. View in PubMed

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