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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

  • RIC-7 promotes neuropeptide secretion. PLoS Genet. 2012 Jan; 8(1):e1002464.. View in PubMed
  • Annexin A5 directly interacts with amyloidogenic proteins and reduces their toxicity. Biochemistry. 2009 Nov 10; 48(44):10568-76.. View in PubMed
  • Profiling synaptic proteins identifies regulators of insulin secretion and lifespan. PLoS Genet. 2008 Nov; 4(11):e1000283.. View in PubMed
  • An RNAi screen identifies genes that regulate GABA synapses. Neuron. 2008 May 08; 58(3):346-61.. View in PubMed
  • PKC-1 regulates secretion of neuropeptides. Nat Neurosci. 2007 Jan; 10(1):49-57.. View in PubMed
  • Systematic analysis of genes required for synapse structure and function. Nature. 2005 Jul 28; 436(7050):510-7.. View in PubMed
  • A PP2A regulatory subunit positively regulates Ras-mediated signaling during Caenorhabditis elegans vulval induction. Genes Dev. 1999 Oct 01; 13(19):2562-9.. View in PubMed
  • SUR-8, a conserved Ras-binding protein with leucine-rich repeats, positively regulates Ras-mediated signaling in C. elegans. Cell. 1998 Jul 10; 94(1):119-30.. View in PubMed
  • Interleukin-12 production by human monocytes infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: role of phagocytosis. Infect Immun. 1996 Jul; 64(7):2523-31.. View in PubMed
  • Resolution of cutaneous leishmaniasis: interleukin 12 initiates a protective T helper type 1 immune response. J Exp Med. 1993 Jun 01; 177(6):1797-802.. View in PubMed

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