Daniel Spergel, PhD
Associate Research Scientist in Neuroscience
Research & Publications
Biography
Research Summary
Dr. Spergel uses state-of-the-art molecular, genetic, electrophysiological, and imaging approaches to better understand the activities and roles of intracardiac neurons in cardiovascular function and hypothalamic neurons in reproduction, energy homeostasis, and sleep-wake regulation, which may help in the development of novel strategies to treat various disorders and diseases.
Research Interests
Feeding and Eating Disorders; Appetite Regulation; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Electrophysiology; Heart; Hypothalamus; Infertility; Ion Channels; Mice, Transgenic; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Neuropeptides; Neurosciences; Neurosecretion; Obesity; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed; Puberty, Precocious; Reproduction; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Synapses; Viruses; Molecular Probes; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Neurotransmitter Agents; Calcium Signaling; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Optogenetics
Selected Publications
- Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin SystemSpergel D. Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin System. 2021, 12: 197-229. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-86630-3_8.
- Modulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Activity and Secretion in Mice by Non-peptide Neurotransmitters, Gasotransmitters, and GliotransmittersSpergel DJ. Modulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Activity and Secretion in Mice by Non-peptide Neurotransmitters, Gasotransmitters, and Gliotransmitters. Frontiers In Endocrinology 2019, 10: 329. PMID: 31178828, PMCID: PMC6538683, DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00329.
- Dynamic Network Activation of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in REM Sleep and Exploratory BehaviorBlanco-Centurion C, Luo S, Spergel DJ, Vidal-Ortiz A, Oprisan S, Van den Pol AN, Liu M, Shiromani PJ. Dynamic Network Activation of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in REM Sleep and Exploratory Behavior. Journal Of Neuroscience 2019, 39: 4986-4998. PMID: 31036764, PMCID: PMC6670248, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0305-19.2019.
- Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive AxisRaftogianni A, Roth LC, García-González D, Bus T, Kühne C, Monyer H, Spergel DJ, Deussing JM, Grinevich V. Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive Axis. Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience 2018, 11: 305. PMID: 30214395, PMCID: PMC6125327, DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00305.
- Neuropeptidergic modulation of GnRH neuronal activity and GnRH secretion controlling reproduction: insights from recent mouse studiesSpergel DJ. Neuropeptidergic modulation of GnRH neuronal activity and GnRH secretion controlling reproduction: insights from recent mouse studies. Cell And Tissue Research 2018, 375: 179-191. PMID: 30078104, DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2893-z.
- Effects of Leptin and Melanocortin Signaling Interactions on Pubertal Development and ReproductionIsrael DD, Sheffer-Babila S, de Luca C, Jo YH, Liu SM, Xia Q, Spergel DJ, Dun SL, Dun NJ, Chua SC. Effects of Leptin and Melanocortin Signaling Interactions on Pubertal Development and Reproduction. Endocrinology 2012, 153: 2408-2419. PMID: 22408174, PMCID: PMC3381095, DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1822.
- Kisspeptin Inhibits High-Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels in GnRH Neurons via Multiple Ca2+ Influx and Release PathwaysZhang XB, Spergel DJ. Kisspeptin Inhibits High-Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels in GnRH Neurons via Multiple Ca2+ Influx and Release Pathways. Neuroendocrinology 2012, 96: 68-80. PMID: 22343183, DOI: 10.1159/000335985.
- Innervation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons by Peptidergic Neurons Conveying Circadian or Energy Balance Information in the MouseWard DR, Dear FM, Ward IA, Anderson SI, Spergel DJ, Smith PA, Ebling FJ. Innervation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons by Peptidergic Neurons Conveying Circadian or Energy Balance Information in the Mouse. PLOS ONE 2009, 4: e5322. PMID: 19390688, PMCID: PMC2669176, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005322.
- Calcium and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons before, during, and after puberty.Spergel DJ. Calcium and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons before, during, and after puberty. Endocrinology 2007, 148: 2383-90. PMID: 17289846, PMCID: PMC3315592, DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-1693.
- Prostaglandin E2 excites preoptic area GnRH neuronsClasadonte J, Poulain P, Beauvillain J, Spergel D, Prevot V. Prostaglandin E2 excites preoptic area GnRH neurons. Frontiers In Neuroendocrinology 2006, 27: 66-67. DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2006.03.137.
- Impaired reproductive behavior by lack of GluR-B containing AMPA receptors but not of NMDA receptors in hypothalamic and septal neurons.Shimshek DR, Bus T, Grinevich V, Single FN, Mack V, Sprengel R, Spergel DJ, Seeburg PH. Impaired reproductive behavior by lack of GluR-B containing AMPA receptors but not of NMDA receptors in hypothalamic and septal neurons. Endocrinology 2005, 20: 219-31. PMID: 16099814, DOI: 10.1210/me.2005-0262.
- Neurotrophic effects of BDNF on embryonic gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronsCronin AS, Horan TL, Spergel DJ, Brooks AN, Hastings MH, Ebling FJ. Neurotrophic effects of BDNF on embryonic gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. European Journal Of Neuroscience 2004, 20: 338-344. PMID: 15233743, DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03490.x.
- A Confocal Microscopic Study of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neuron Inputs to Dopaminergic Neurons Containing Estrogen Receptor α in the Arcuate Nucleus of GnRH-Green Fluorescent Protein Transgenic MiceMitchell V, Loyens A, Spergel DJ, Flactif M, Poulain P, Tramu G, Beauvillain JC. A Confocal Microscopic Study of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neuron Inputs to Dopaminergic Neurons Containing Estrogen Receptor α in the Arcuate Nucleus of GnRH-Green Fluorescent Protein Transgenic Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2003, 77: 198-207. PMID: 12673053, DOI: 10.1159/000069511.
- Codon‐improved Cre recombinase (iCre) expression in the mouseShimshek DR, Kim J, Hübner MR, Spergel DJ, Buchholz F, Casanova E, Stewart AF, Seeburg PH, Sprengel R. Codon‐improved Cre recombinase (iCre) expression in the mouse. Genesis 2002, 32: 19-26. PMID: 11835670, DOI: 10.1002/gene.10023.
- Using reporter genes to label selected neuronal populations in transgenic mice for gene promoter, anatomical, and physiological studiesSpergel D, Krüth U, Shimshek D, Sprengel R, Seeburg P. Using reporter genes to label selected neuronal populations in transgenic mice for gene promoter, anatomical, and physiological studies. Progress In Neurobiology 2001, 63: 673-686. PMID: 11165000, DOI: 10.1016/s0301-0082(00)00038-1.
- GABA- and Glutamate-Activated Channels in Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in Transgenic MiceSpergel D, Krüth U, Hanley D, Sprengel R, Seeburg P. GABA- and Glutamate-Activated Channels in Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in Transgenic Mice. Journal Of Neuroscience 1999, 19: 2037-2050. PMID: 10066257, PMCID: PMC6782541, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-06-02037.1999.
- Immortalized GnRH Neurons Express Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium ChannelsSpergel D, Catt K, Rojas E. Immortalized GnRH Neurons Express Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels. Neuroendocrinology 1996, 63: 101-111. PMID: 9053774, DOI: 10.1159/000126946.
- Autocrine actions of endothelin-1 as a growth factor in human ovarian carcinoma cells.Bagnato A, Tecce R, Moretti C, Di Castro V, Spergel D, Catt K. Autocrine actions of endothelin-1 as a growth factor in human ovarian carcinoma cells. Clinical Cancer Research 1995, 1: 1059-66. PMID: 9816080.
- L-Type Ca2+ Channels Mediate Joint Modulation by Gamma-Amino-butyric Acid and Glutamate of [Ca2+]i and Neuropeptide Secretion in Immortalized Gonadodropin-Releasing Hormone NeuronsSpergel D, Krsmanovic L, Stojilkovic S, Catt K. L-Type Ca2+ Channels Mediate Joint Modulation by Gamma-Amino-butyric Acid and Glutamate of [Ca2+]i and Neuropeptide Secretion in Immortalized Gonadodropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons. Neuroendocrinology 1995, 61: 499-508. PMID: 7617127, DOI: 10.1159/000126873.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons Intrinsic pulsatility and receptor-mediated regulationStojilkovic S, Krsmanovic L, Spergel D, Catt K. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons Intrinsic pulsatility and receptor-mediated regulation. Trends In Endocrinology And Metabolism 1994, 5: 201-209. PMID: 18407209, DOI: 10.1016/1043-2760(94)90078-7.
- 4 Calcium Signaling and Episodic Secretory Responses of GnRH NeuronsStojilkovic S, Krsmanovic L, Spergel D, Tomic M, Catt K. 4 Calcium Signaling and Episodic Secretory Responses of GnRH Neurons. 1994, 20: 68-84. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-185289-4.50010-3.
- Glutamate Modulates [Ca2+]i and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion in Immortalized Hypothalamic GT1-7 NeuronsSpergel D, Krsmanovic L, Stojilkovic S, Catt K. Glutamate Modulates [Ca2+]i and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion in Immortalized Hypothalamic GT1-7 Neurons. Neuroendocrinology 1994, 59: 309-317. PMID: 7911229, DOI: 10.1159/000126672.
- Differential modulation by extracellular ATP of carotid chemosensory responsesSpergel D, Lahiri S. Differential modulation by extracellular ATP of carotid chemosensory responses. Journal Of Applied Physiology 1993, 74: 3052-3056. PMID: 8366007, DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1993.74.6.3052.
- Optical Measurements of Micro-Vascular Oxygen Pressure and Intracellular pH in the Cat Carotid Body: Testing Hypotheses of Oxygen ChemoreceptionRumsey WL, Iturriaga R, Spergel D, Lahiri S, Wilson DF. Optical Measurements of Micro-Vascular Oxygen Pressure and Intracellular pH in the Cat Carotid Body: Testing Hypotheses of Oxygen Chemoreception. 1993, 337: 197-203. PMID: 8109402, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-2966-8_28.
- Metabolic Substrate Dependence of Carotid Chemosensory Responses To Stop-Flow Evoked Hypoxia and to NicotineSpergel D. Metabolic Substrate Dependence of Carotid Chemosensory Responses To Stop-Flow Evoked Hypoxia and to Nicotine. 1993, 337: 221-225. PMID: 7906483, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-2966-8_31.
- Effects of Haloperidol on Cat Carotid Body Chemoreception in VitroMorelli L, Iturriaga R, Spergel D, Data P. Effects of Haloperidol on Cat Carotid Body Chemoreception in Vitro. 1993, 337: 295-299. PMID: 8109412, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-2966-8_41.
- Dependence of carotid chemosensory responses on metabolic substratesSpergel D, Lahiri S, Wilson D. Dependence of carotid chemosensory responses on metabolic substrates. Brain Research 1992, 596: 80-88. PMID: 1361420, DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(92)91535-m.
- Intracellular pH and oxygen chemoreception in the cat carotid body in vitroIturriaga R, Rumsey WL, Lahiri S, Spergel D, Wilson DF. Intracellular pH and oxygen chemoreception in the cat carotid body in vitro. Journal Of Applied Physiology 1992, 72: 2259-2266. PMID: 1629081, DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1992.72.6.2259.
- Optical Measurements of Oxygen and Electrical Measurements of Oxygen Chemoreception in the Cat Carotid BodyRumsey W, Lahiri S, Iturriaga R, Mokashi A, Spergel D, Wilson D. Optical Measurements of Oxygen and Electrical Measurements of Oxygen Chemoreception in the Cat Carotid Body. 1992, 317: 387-395. PMID: 1288149, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-3428-0_43.
- Optical measurements of the dependence of chemoreception on oxygen pressure in the cat carotid bodyRumsey WL, Iturriaga R, Spergel D, Lahiri S, Wilson DF. Optical measurements of the dependence of chemoreception on oxygen pressure in the cat carotid body. American Journal Of Physiology 1991, 261: c614-c622. PMID: 1928325, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.1991.261.4.c614.
- In vitro perfused-superfused cat carotid body for physiological and pharmacological studiesIturriaga R, Rumsey WL, Mokashi A, Spergel D, Wilson DF, Lahiri S. In vitro perfused-superfused cat carotid body for physiological and pharmacological studies. Journal Of Applied Physiology 1991, 70: 1393-1400. PMID: 1903380, DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1991.70.3.1393.
- Phosphorescence and Fluorescence Imaging: New Tools for the Study of Carotid Body FunctionRumsey W, Iturriaga R, Wilson D, Lahiri S, Spergel D. Phosphorescence and Fluorescence Imaging: New Tools for the Study of Carotid Body Function. 1990, 73-79. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4684-8938-5_10.
- Segmental differentiation in the leech nervous system: The genesis of cell number in the segmental ganglia of haemopis marmorataStewart RR, Spergel D, Macagno ER. Segmental differentiation in the leech nervous system: The genesis of cell number in the segmental ganglia of haemopis marmorata. The Journal Of Comparative Neurology 1986, 253: 253-259. PMID: 3793993, DOI: 10.1002/cne.902530211.