My laboratory studies questions in circadian neurobiology and developmental neurobiology in the model system Drosophila.
The developmental studies address the genetic basis for neuronal cell type diversification. In particular, we are trying to understand how peptidergic neurons acquire their general and specific properties. Specific properties include acquisition of a unique neuropeptide phenotype. General properties include expression of a robust secretory machinery. Our current efforts focus on the definition of a transcriptional cascade that encodes secretory components common to many peptidergic neurons. It is initiated by a dedicated pro-secretory bHLH regulator called dimmed. We would like to understand how this transcriptional program underlies the cell biology of secretory cells, and whether it displays phylogenetic conservation among vertebrate species.
The behavioral studies focus on the circadian organization of locomotion. Our approach defines transmitter phenotypes expressed by circadian pacemaker neurons. We then anaylze circadian cell interactions by pharmacology, behavoral genetics and imaging. We have shown that the neuropeptide PDF represents the principal transmitter released by a subset of the critical pacemaker neurons in the fly brain. To pursue questions regarding the peptidergic organization of behavior, we have now identified the receptor for PDF. This sets the stage for current efforts to map PDF receptor expression anatomically, to define its contributions to circadian behaviors by genetics, and to use modern imaging methods to analyze the physiology of neurons post-synaptic to the critical circadian pacemakers.
Research Photos (Click to Enlarge)
Research Publications
Shafer OT, Kim, D, Dunbar-Jaffe, R, Nicholaev V, Lohse M, Taghert PH (2008) Widespread receptivity to neuropeptide PDF throughout the neuronal circadian clock network of Drosophila revealed by real-time cAMP imaging.
Neuron 58: 223-237.
Nitabach MN, Taghert PH. (2008) Organization of the Drosophila circadian control circuit.
Curr Biol. 2008 18(2):R84-93. Full Article >
Park D, Shafer OT, Shepherd SP, Suh H, Trigg JS, Taghert PH. (2008) The Drosophila Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Protein DIMMED Directly Activates PHM, a Gene Encoding a Neuropeptide-Amidating Enzyme.
Mol Cell Biol. 28(1):410-21. Full Article >
Helfrich-Förster C, Shafer OT, Wülbeck C, Grieshaber E, Rieger D, Taghert P. (2007) Development and morphology of the clock-gene-expressing lateral neurons of Drosophila melanogaster.
J Comp Neurol. 500(1):47-70. Full Article >
Mertens I, Vandingenen A, Johnson EC, Shafer OT, Li W, Trigg JS, De Loof A, Schoofs L, Taghert PH (2005). PDF receptor signaling in Drosophila contributes to both circadian and geotactic behaviors.
Neuron. 48 (2): 213-9. Full Article >
Allan DW, Park D, St. Pierre DE, Taghert PH and Thor S. (2005). Regulators Acting in Combinatorial Codes Also Act Independently in Single Differentiating Neurons.
Neuron 45:1-12. Full Article >
Contact Info
Paul Taghert, Ph.D.
Office Location: 469 McDonnell Science Bldg.
Office Phone: 314-362-3641
Lab Phone: 362-3645
Campus Box: 8108
Fax: 362-3446
taghertp@pcg.wustl.edu
