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Associate Professor of Zoology and Chair of Zoology
Phone: (405)325-6200
Lab: (405)325-2540
Fax: (405)325-3442RM/Lab:SRTC 2021/2150
Hewes Lab Web Page
Current Research Interests and Subject Areas Available for Graduate Research
The research in my lab is focused on regulation of nervous system development and function by hormones. Specifically, we are interested in remodeling (plasticity) of nerve cells in the developing adult nervous system, the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing differential responses of cells and tissues to repeated exposure to the same hormones, and integration of convergent hormonal signals.
In this work, we focus on a subclass of neurons that are devoted to the secretion of neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are small polypeptides or proteins that are released by nerve cells to affect the development or activity of other cells. Acting as neuromodulators and hormones, neuropeptides are central regulators of diverse processes, including growth, reproduction, stress, energy balance, and sleep.The current research projects in my lab examine: 1) the roles of steroids, insulin signaling, and cellular regulators on nerve cell plasticity during metamorphosis of the insect nervous system, 2) cellular factors controlling the secretion of insulin and other neuropeptide hormones, and 3) molecular mechanisms underlying steroid-dependent regulation of peptide hormone gene expression and peptide hormone secretion in endocrine cells. The broader goals of our work are to define basic molecular mechanisms mediating hormonal actions, and to identify evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanisms relevant to human aging, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disease.
This research is performed primarily using molecular genetic and fluorescence imaging approaches in a genetic model system, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). We use fruit flies in order to isolate and study novel features of molecular signaling pathways and to take advantage of a powerful and unparalleled set of methods and gene mutations available in this species for the analysis of peptidergic cells. For example, we can monitor movements of fluorescent neuropeptides in living tissue, we can target genetic mutations to small groups of peptidergic cells, we can perform these cell-specific genetic manipulations at specific times in the life cycle of the animal, and we can easily detect external defects that result from disruptions in the development or function of peptidergic cells and in the behaviors that they control, even days after the behaviors normally occur.
To learn more about this research, visit the Hewes lab web page.
B.A.., Carleton College
2007 Kinney-Sugg Outstanding Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
Member, Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience
Faculty In Residence, Walker Hall (2003-2006)
Recent publications:
- Shakiryanova, D., Zettel, G., Gu, T., Hewes, R.S., & Levitan, E.S. (2011). Synaptic neuropeptide release induced by octopamine without Ca2+ entry into the nerve terminal. PNAS 108(11):4477-4481. (pdfs)
- Hewes, R.S. (2008). The buzz on fly neuronal remodeling. TRENDS in Endocrinology and Metabolism 19(9):317-323. (pdfs)
- Zhao, T., Gu, T., Rice, H.C., McAdams, K.L., Roark, K.M., Lawson, K., Gauthier, S.A., Reagan, K.L., and Hewes, R.S. (2008). A Drosophila gain-of-function screen for candidate genes controlling steroid-dependent neuroendocrine cell remodeling. Genetics 178(2):883-901. (pdfs)
- Shakiryanova, D., Klose, M., Zhou, Y., Gu, T., Deitcher, D.L., Atwood, H.L., Hewes, R.S. and Levitan, E.S. (2007). Presynaptic ryanodine receptor-activated calmodulin kinase II increases vesicle mobility and potentiates neuropeptide release. Journal of Neuroscience 27(29):7799-7806. (pdfs)
- Hewes, R.S., Gu, T., Brewster, J.A., Qu, C. & Zhao, T. (2006). Regulation of secretory protein expression in mature cells by DIMM, a bHLH neuroendocrine differentiation factor. Journal of Neuroscience 26(30):7860-7869. (pdfs)
- Gauthier, S.A., and Hewes, R.S. (2006). Transcriptional regulation of neuropeptide and peptide hormone expression by the Drosophila dimmed and cryptocephal genes. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(10):1803-1815 (and cover photo). Featured in the column, Inside JEB [K Phillips (2006). DIMM Regulates Neuropeptide Levels. J. Exp. Biol. 209(10):i-a]. (pdfs)
- Shakiryanova, D., Tully, A., Hewes, R.S., Deitcher, D.L. & Levitan, E.S. (2005). Activity-dependent liberation of synaptic neuropeptide vesicles. Nature Neuroscience 8(2):173-178. (pdfs). Faculty of 1000 rating: 3.0.
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