Gong Chen
Associate Professor of BiologyOffice: 224 Life Sciences
Phone: 865-2488
Lab Address: 226 Life Sciences
Lab Phone: 863-2992
Contact: Gong Chen
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Education
- Ph. D., Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1993
Postdoc Training
- Stanford University
- Yale University
Honors and Awards
- National Research Service Award from NIH at Stanford University 1999-2001
- Ohse Award at Yale University 1995
Research Interests
1. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain development
One major research direction focuses on GABA, the predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA signaling emerges very early during embryonic brain development. Deficits in early GABAergic functions may result in serious neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and mental retardation. Imbalance between GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation may lead to epilepsy, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, studies of GABAergic synapse formation and functional modulation is fundamentally important for better understanding how brain circuits are established and how to treat neurological disorders. We have recently established a molecularly defined model system to study functional assembly of GABAergic synapses. This makes it possible to study the precise function of each postsynaptic component in a tightly controlled synaptic system.
2. Synaptic plasticity
Synapse formation and synaptic plasticity are two fundamental features of learning and memory. We have demonstrated that many presynaptic nerve terminals are functionally silent during the initial synapse formation period, and repetitive neuronal activity and actin polymerization can activate presynaptic silent synapses. Current research is investigating functional roles of actin and microtubule dynamics during synaptic maturation and plasticity.3. Neuron-glial interaction
Neuron-glial interaction is critical for normal brain function. We have discovered a novel endocytic pathway in cortical astrocytes, which may play a potential role in certain brain disorders.My lab employs multi-disciplinary approaches, including molecular biology, fluorescence imaging, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopy. Our research is supported by National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and American Heart Association.
Recruiting
We are currently recruiting highly motivated graduate and undergraduate students. For graduate students, interest and motivation are two key elements in recruiting. For undergraduate students, prefer those who have already taken Biol 469 Neurobiology course and very interested in molecular and cellular neuroscience research.
Selected Publications
Deng, L., Yao, J., Fang, C., Dong, N., Luscher, B., and Chen, G. (2007). Sequential postsynaptic maturation governs the temporal order of GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptogenesis in rat embryonic cultures. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(40):10860-10869.
Dong, N., Qi, J., Chen, G. (2007). Molecular reconstitution of functional GABAergic synapses with expression of neuroligin-2 and GABAA receptors. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 35: 14 - 23.
Wendou Yu, Min Jiang, Celia P. Miralles, Gong Chen and Angel L. de Blas. (2007). Gephyrin clustering is required for the stability of GABAergic synapses. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 36(4):484-500.
Fang, C., Deng, L., Keller, C., Fukata, M., Fukata, Y., Chen, G., and Luscher, B. (2006). GODZ-mediated palmitoylation of GABAA receptors is required for normal assembly and function of GABAergic inhibitory synapses. Journal of Neuroscience 26(49): 12758-12768 .
Qi, J. S., Yao, J., Fang, C., Luscher, B., and Chen, G. (2006). Downregulation of tonic GABA currents following epileptogenic stimulation of rat hippocampal cultures. Journal of Physiology 577(2): 579-590.
Yao, J., Qi, J. S., and Chen, G. (2006). Actin-dependent activation of presynaptic silent synapses contributes to long-term synaptic plasticity in developing hippocampal neurons. Journal of Neuroscience, 26 (31): 8137 - 8147.
Jiang, M. and Chen, G. (2006). High Ca2+-phosphate transfection efficiency in low-density neuronal cultures. Nature Protocols, Vol. 1. (No. 2) 695 - 700. (Invited article)
Qi, J.S., Wang, Y., Jiang M., Warren, W., and Chen, G. (2006). Cyclothiazide induces robust epileptiform activity in rat hippocampal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Physiology 571(3): 605-618.
Zhou, J., Pfaff, D. W., and Chen, G. (2005). Sex differences in estrogenic regulation of neuronal activity in neonatal cultures of ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. PNAS 102: 14907-14912.
Alldred, M.J., Mulder-Rosi, J., Lingenfelter, S. E., Chen, G., and Lüscher, B. (2005) Distinct 2 Subunit Domains Mediate Clustering and Synaptic Function of Postsynaptic GABAA Receptors and Gephyrin. Journal of Neuroscience 25(3): 594-603.
Jiang, M., Deng, L.B., and Chen, G. (2004). High Ca2+-phosphate transfection efficiency enables single neuron gene analysis. Gene Therapy 11:1303-1311.
Cao, Y-Q., Piedras-Renteria, E., Smith, G. B., Chen, G., Harata, N. C., Tsien, R. W. (2004). Presynaptic Ca2+ channels compete for channel type-preferring slots in altered neurotransmission arising from Ca2+ channelopathy. Neuron 43: 387-400.
Chen, G., Harata, N. and Tsien, R. W. (2004). Paired-pulse depression of unitary quantal amplitude at single hippocampal synapses. PNAS 101: 1063-1068.
Deng, L. B., and Chen, G. (2003). Cyclothiazide potently inhibits -aminobutyric acid type A receptors in addition to enhancing glutamate responses. PNAS 100 (22): 13025-13029.
Chen, Y., Deng, L. B., Maeno-Hikichi, Y., Lai, M. Z., Chang, S. H., Chen, G., and Zhang, J. F. (2003). Formation of an endophilin-Ca2+ channel complex is critical for clathrin-mediated synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Cell 115: 37-48.
Chen, G., and van den Pol, A. N. (1998). Presynaptic GABA-B autoreceptor modulation of P/Q-type calcium channels and GABA release in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Journal of Neuroscience 18:1913-1922.
Chen, G., and van den Pol, A. N. (1998). Coexpression of multiple metabotropic glutamate receptors in axon terminals of single suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology 80:1932-1938.
Gao, X. B., Chen, G., and van den Pol, A. N. (1998). GABA-dependent firing of glutamate-evoked action potentials at AMPA/kainate receptors in developing hypothalamic neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology 79: 716-726.
Chen, G., and van den Pol, A. N. (1997). Adenosine modulation of calcium currents and presynaptic inhibition of GABA release in suprachiasmatic and arcuate nucleus neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology 77: 3035-3047.
Chen, G., and van den Pol, A. N. (1996). Multiple NPY receptors coexist in pre- and postsynaptic sites: inhibition of GABA release in isolated self-innervating SCN neurons. Journal of Neuroscience 16: 7711-7724.
Chen, G., Trombley, P. Q., and van den Pol, A. N. (1996). Excitatory actions of GABA in developing hypothalamic neurons. Journal of Physiology 494: 451-464.
van den Pol, A. N, Obrietan, K., and Chen, G. (1996). Excitatory actions of GABA after neuronal trauma. Journal of Neuroscience 16: 4283-4292.
van den Pol, A. N., Obrietan, K., Chen, G., and Belousov, A. (1996). Neuropeptide Y-mediated long-term depression of excitatory activity in suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Journal of Neuroscience 16: 5883-5895.
Chen, G., Trombley, P. Q., and van den Pol, A. N. (1995). GABA receptors precede glutamate receptors in hypothalamic development; differential regulation by astrocytes. Journal of Neurophysiology 74: 1473-1484.