Professor
Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1991
Neurophysiology; Drosophila; learning and memory; neurofibromatosis; signal transduction
email zhongyi@cshl.edu, phone (516) 367-6811, fax (516) 367-8880
We are interested in the neural basis of learning and memory. Currently, our research is confined to the following two areas:
First, we are establishing Drosophila models for studying neurogenetic disorders that impair learning and memory. Drosophila shares similar molecular mechanisms of learning and memory with vertebrates; and many of the genes identified in human diseases are evolutionarily conserved. Thus, Drosophila may serve as a useful model system for revealing functions of genes implicated in disease and lead to insights into pathogenesis and treatment. Mutations at the tumor suppressor neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) gene cause neurofibromas and learning defects in patients, and mutations in the presenilin gene lead to early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Our electrophysiological, biochemical, and behavioral analyses of Drosophila NF1 mutants have revealed that the NF1 gene encodes a protein that functions as an inhibitor of Ras activity and also regulates the cAMP signal transduction pathway. This NF1-regulated cAMP pathway is crucial for learning in flies.
Second, we are using electrophysiological and optical methods for examining mechanisms of learning and memory at cellular and network levels in the Drosophila brain, which is particularly amenable to genetic manipulation. Currently, we are focusing on olfactory-related associative learning and have developed a preparation that allows us to monitor brain neural activity in response to odors and other stimuli in living flies. We are now investigating how odors are coded for and how such coding is modified during learning in a particular brain region called the “mushroom body”, known to be essential for olfactory-related learning.
Selected Publications
Zhong, Y. 1995. Mediation of PACAP-like neuropeptide transmission by coactivation of Ras/Raf and cAMP signal transduction pathways in Drosophila. Nature 375: 588–592.
Guo, H.-F., I. The, F. Hannan, A. Bernards, and Y. Zhong. 1997. Requirement of Drosophila NF1 for activation of adenylyl cyclase by PACAP38-like neuropeptides. Science 276: 795–798.
The, I., G.E. Hannigan, G.S. Cowley, S. Reginald, Y. Zhong, J.F. Gusella, I.K. Hariharan, and A. Bernards. 1997. Rescue of Drosophila NF1 mutant phenotype by protein kinase A. Science 276: 791–794.
Guo, H.-F., J. Tong, F. Hannan, L. Luo, and Y. Zhong. 2000. A neurofibromatosis-1-regulated pathway is required for learning in Drosophila. Nature 403: 895–898.
Wang, Y., N.J.D. Wright, H.-F. Guo, Z. Xie, K. Svoboda, R. Malinow, D.P. Smith, and Y. Zhong. 2001. Genetic manipulation of the odor-evoked distributed neural activity in the Drosophila mushroom body. Neuron 29: 267–276.
