|
|
 |
Back to Previous Page
Synaptic Function Section
Zu-Hang Sheng, Ph.D., Senior Investigator
Dr. Sheng received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he worked with Roland Kallen and Robert Barchi in cloning skeletal muscle sodium channel genes and studying their regulatory expression. He did his postdoctoral research in the laboratory of William Catterall at the University of Washington studying structural and functional coupling of presynaptic calcium channels and the synaptic vesicle docking/fusion machinery. In November 1996, he joined NINDS as an investigator and in 2007 was promoted to senior investigator. Dr. Sheng's laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release and its modulation.
Staff:
- Dr. Qian Cai, M.D., Ph.D., Research Fellow, 301-451-9669 caiq@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Yanmin Chen, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow chenyan@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Ruth P Chia, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow chiarp@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Jerome Di Giovanni, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow digiovannij@ninds.nih.gov
- Ms. Claudia M Gerwin, B.S., Research Assistant, 301-435-8131 gerwinc@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Haifa Qiao, Ph.D., Research Fellow qiaoh3@ninds.nih.gov
- Mr. Anthony J Simone, B.A., Postbaccalaureate IRTA simoneaj@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Bin Zhou, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow zhoub3@ninds.nih.gov
- Dr. Yi-Bing Zhu, M.D., Graduate Student zhuyi@ninds.nih.gov
Research Interests:
The formation of new synapses or remodeling of existing synapses requires the targeted delivery of synaptic components. Presynaptic components, including active zone (AZ) precursors, mitochondria, and proteins responsible for the assembly of synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion machines, are transported to the nerve terminal by kinesin motors moving along microtubules. Upon arrival at the terminal, cargo-loaded transport vesicles undergo fusion with the plasma membrane to assemble AZs and to recruit SVs. Docked and primed SVs are then available for exocytosis in response to a rise in intracellular [Ca2+] triggered by the opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Proper synaptic function requires the tight coordination of these processes.
Our long-term research goals aim to elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying (1) the axonal transport of synaptic components and organelles essential for the assembly of synapses and activity-dependent presynaptic plasticity; and (2) the regulation of SV priming for fusion. Such mechanisms are crucial for the initial establishment of presynaptic terminals and for the modulation of synaptic function. Using a combination of state-of-the-art live cell imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and electrophysiology, we have identified three new proteins named Snapin, syntaphilin, and syntabulin. With the generation of knockout mice, the physiological roles of Snapin in priming SV for fusion and syntaphilin in controlling the motility of axonal mitochondria are being revealed. Using live cell imaging combined with multiple loss-of-function approaches we are providing a critical assessment of syntabulin’s role in the trafficking of AZ components for the assembly of presynaptic terminals and for the activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. We will continue to combine our effective approaches using multi-disciplinary systems analysis of genetically engineered mice. Our studies will yield fundamental information that may have an impact on the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders with defective trafficking processes.
| |
Selected Publications:
- Ping-Yue Pan, Jin-Hua Tian, Zu-Hang Sheng (2009) Snapin facilitates the synchronization of synaptic vesicle fusion, Neuron 61, 412-424. Full Text/Abstract
- Qian Cai and Zu-Hang Sheng (2009) Moving or Stopping Mitochondria: Miro as a Traffic Cop by Sensing Calcium (Previews), Neuron 61, 493-496. Full Text/Abstract
- Yan-Min Chen, Claudia Gerwin, and Zu-Hang Sheng (2009) Dynein Light Chain LC8 Regulates Syntaphilin-Mediated Mitochondrial Docking in Axons, Journal of Neuroscience 29, 9429-9438. Full Text/Abstract
- Huan Ma, Qian Cai, Wenbo Lu, Zu-Hang Sheng (co-corresponding author), Sumiko Mochida (2009) KIF5B Motor Adaptor Syntabulin Maintains Synaptic Transmission in Sympathetic Neurons, Journal of Neuroscience 29, 13019-13029. Full Text/Abstract
- AG Miriam Leenders, Lin Lin, Li-Dong Huang, Claudia Gerwin, Pei-Hua Lu, and Zu-Hang Sheng (2008) The Role of MAP1A Light Chain 2 in Synaptic Surface Retention of Cav2.2 Channels in Hippocampal Neurons, Journal of Neuroscience 28, 11333-11346. Full Text/Abstract
- Jian-Sheng Kang, Jin-Hua Tian*, Ping-Yue Pan*, Philip Zald, Cuiling Li, Chuxia Deng, and Zu-Hang Sheng (2008) Docking of Axonal Mitochondria by Syntaphilin Controls their Mobility and Affects Short-term Facilitation (*equal contribution), Cell 132, 137-248. Full Text/Abstract
- Qain Cai, Ping-Yue Pan, and Zu-Hang Sheng (2007) Syntabulin-kinesin-1 family 5B-mediated axonal transport contributes to activity-dependent presynaptic assembly, Journal of Neuroscience 27, 7284-7296 (With Weekly Editorial News). Full Text/Abstract
All Selected Publications
Contact Information:
Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng
Synaptic Function Section, NINDS
Porter Neuroscience Research Center
Building 35, Room 2B-215
35 Convent Drive, MSC 3706
Bethesda, MD 20892-3706
Telephone: 301-435-4596 office,
301-451-9669 laboratory,
301-480-5763 fax
Email: shengz@ninds.nih.gov
|
