Jae Park, Ph.D.
Research Statement
My research focuses on the biological functions of various neuropeptide-encoding genes and their neurons in the central nervous system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. In particular, we are interested in neuronal architecture and functions in the regulation of biological rhythms, feeding and metabolism. Other areas of research involve molecular mechanisms of neuropeptide gene regulation, and genetic and molecular basis of neuronal apoptosis during metamorphic changes of central nervous system. Technically, we routinely carry out molecular cloning works, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, transformation, conventional fly genetics, and behavior assays. My research program has been supported by NSF and NIH.
Selected Publications
Lee G, Bahn JH and Park JH (2006) Sex- and clock-controlled expression of the neuropeptide F gene in Drosophila. PNAS 103 (33): 12580-12585.
Choi Y-J, Lee G and Park JH (2006) Programmed cell death mechanisms of identifiable peptidergic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster. Development 133: 2223-2232.
Choi YJ, Lee G, Hall JC and Park JH (2005) Comparative analysis of Corazonin-encoding genes (Crz's) in Drosophila species and functional insight into Corazonin-expressing neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 482: 372-385.
Johnson EC, Shafer OT, Trigg JS, Park J, Schooley DA, Dow JA and Taghert PH (2005) A novel diuretic hormone receptor in Drosophila: evidence for conservation of CGRP signaling. J. Exp. Biol. 208:1239-1246.
Lee G and Park JH (2004) Hemolymph sugar homeostasis and starvation-induced hyperactivity affected by genetic manipulations of the Adipokinetic hormone-encoding gene in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 167: 311-323.
Wu Q, Wen T, Lee G, Park JH, Cai HN and Shen P (2003) Developmental control of foraging and social behavior by the Drosophila neuropeptide Y-like system. Neuron 39: 147-161.
Park JH*, Schroeder AJ*, Helfrich-Förster C, Jackson FR and Ewer J (2003) Targeted ablation of CCAP neuropeptide-containing neurons of Drosophila causes specific defects in execution and circadian timing of ecdysis behavior. Development 130: 2645-2656. (*co-first author)
Lee G, Hall JC and Park JH (2002) Doublesex gene expression in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. J. Neurogenetics 16: 229-248.
Park JH (2002) Downloading central clock information in Drosophila. Mol. Neurobiol. 26: 217-233.
Taghert P, Hewes RS, Park JH, O'Brien MA, Han M and Peck ME (2001) Multiple amidated neuropeptides are required for normal circadian locomotor rhythms in Drosophila. J. Neurosci. 21: 6673-6686.
Park JH, Helfrich-Förster C, Lee G-H, Li L, Rosbash M, and Hall JC (2000) Differential regulation of circadian pacemaker output by separate clock genes in Drosophila. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97: 3608-3613.
Helfrich-Förster C, Täuber M, Park JH, Mühlig-Versen M, Schneuwly S, and Hofbauer A (2000) Ectopic expression of the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) alters behavioral rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster. J. Neurosci. 20: 3339-3353.
Kaneko M, Park JH, Chen Y, Hardin P and Hall JC (2000) Disruption of synaptic transmission or clock-gene-product oscillations in circadian pacemaker cells of Drosophila cause abnormal behavioral rhythms. J. Neurobiol. 43: 207-233.
Renn SCP*, Park JH*, Rosbash M, Hall JC and Taghert PH (1999) A pdf neuropeptide gene mutation and ablation of PDF neurons each cause severe abnormalities of behavioral circadian rhythms in Drosophila. Cell 99: 791-802. (*co-first author).
Park JH and Hall JC (1998) Isolation and chronobiological analysis of a neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor gene in Drosophila melanogaster. J. Biol. Rhythms 13: 219-228.
Contact Information
Office:
Room F-217
Walters Life Sciences
Phone: (865) 974-3035
Lab:
Room B-204
Walters Life Sciences
Phone: (865) 974-3820
Email: jhpark@utk.edu