Michael Nitabach, PhD, JD
Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, of Genetics and of Neuroscience
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Our laboratory applies cellular, molecular, genetic, and physiological approaches to the question of how neuronal circuits perform computations underlying behavioral decision making. We take an interdisciplinary approach to these questions. We manipulate the physiological properties of neurons in directed ways by genetically targeted cell-specific expression of engineered proteins in transgenic animals. These engineered proteins include ion channel subunits, optogenetic effectors, intracellular ionic buffers, signaling enzymes, membrane-tethered neuropeptides, and membrane-tethered peptide neurotoxins that target specific ion channel subtypes. Subsequently, we measure the effects of these manipulations on the whole-animal behavior of intact Drosophila flies or C. elegans worms, as well as on various physiological parameters of the manipulated neurons using cell biological, neurophysiological, functional imaging, and genomics/systems biology techniques. As model systems for addressing these issues, we study the neural circuits that control sexual courtship behavior, sleep, energy metabolism, and decision making in Drosophila melanogaster flies and Caenorhabditis elegans worms.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Behavior, Animal; Decision Making; Genetics; Ion Channels; Neuropeptides; Neurophysiology; Neurotoxins; Physiology
Selected Publications
- An incentive circuit for memory dynamics in the mushroom body of Drosophila melanogasterGkanias E, McCurdy LY, Nitabach MN, Webb B. An incentive circuit for memory dynamics in the mushroom body of Drosophila melanogaster. ELife 2022, 11: e75611. PMID: 35363138, PMCID: PMC8975552, DOI: 10.7554/elife.75611.
- A neuronal ensemble encoding adaptive choice during sensory conflict in DrosophilaSareen PF, McCurdy LY, Nitabach MN. A neuronal ensemble encoding adaptive choice during sensory conflict in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 4131. PMID: 34226544, PMCID: PMC8257655, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24423-y.
- Food odors decrease longevity via a brain–gut axisPrice K, Nitabach M. Food odors decrease longevity via a brain–gut axis. Nature Aging 2021, 1: 237-238. PMID: 37118407, DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00047-1.
- C. elegans discriminates colors to guide foragingGhosh DD, Lee D, Jin X, Horvitz HR, Nitabach MN. C. elegans discriminates colors to guide foraging. Science 2021, 371: 1059-1063. PMID: 33674494, PMCID: PMC8554940, DOI: 10.1126/science.abd3010.
- Dopaminergic mechanism underlying reward-encoding of punishment omission during reversal learning in DrosophilaMcCurdy LY, Sareen P, Davoudian PA, Nitabach MN. Dopaminergic mechanism underlying reward-encoding of punishment omission during reversal learning in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 1115. PMID: 33602917, PMCID: PMC7893153, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21388-w.
- Parvalbumin expression affects synaptic development and physiology at the Drosophila larval NMJHe T, Nitabach MN, Lnenicka GA. Parvalbumin expression affects synaptic development and physiology at the Drosophila larval NMJ. Journal Of Neurogenetics 2018, 32: 209-220. PMID: 30175644, DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1498496.
- Peptide-Mediated Neurotransmission Takes Center StageGonzalez-Suarez AD, Nitabach MN. Peptide-Mediated Neurotransmission Takes Center Stage. Trends In Neurosciences 2018, 41: 325-327. PMID: 29801523, PMCID: PMC5975383, DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.03.013.
- Daily oscillations in expression and responsiveness of Toll-like receptors in splenic immune cellsSilver AC, Buckley SM, Hughes ME, Hastings AK, Nitabach MN, Fikrig E. Daily oscillations in expression and responsiveness of Toll-like receptors in splenic immune cells. Heliyon 2018, 4: e00579. PMID: 29862343, PMCID: PMC5968137, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00579.
- Guidelines for Genome-Scale Analysis of Biological RhythmsHughes ME, Abruzzi KC, Allada R, Anafi R, Arpat AB, Asher G, Baldi P, de Bekker C, Bell-Pedersen D, Blau J, Brown S, Ceriani MF, Chen Z, Chiu JC, Cox J, Crowell AM, DeBruyne JP, Dijk DJ, DiTacchio L, Doyle FJ, Duffield GE, Dunlap JC, Eckel-Mahan K, Esser KA, FitzGerald GA, Forger DB, Francey LJ, Fu YH, Gachon F, Gatfield D, de Goede P, Golden SS, Green C, Harer J, Harmer S, Haspel J, Hastings MH, Herzel H, Herzog ED, Hoffmann C, Hong C, Hughey JJ, Hurley JM, de la Iglesia HO, Johnson C, Kay SA, Koike N, Kornacker K, Kramer A, Lamia K, Leise T, Lewis SA, Li J, Li X, Liu AC, Loros JJ, Martino TA, Menet JS, Merrow M, Millar AJ, Mockler T, Naef F, Nagoshi E, Nitabach MN, Olmedo M, Nusinow DA, Ptáček LJ, Rand D, Reddy AB, Robles MS, Roenneberg T, Rosbash M, Ruben MD, Rund SSC, Sancar A, Sassone-Corsi P, Sehgal A, Sherrill-Mix S, Skene DJ, Storch KF, Takahashi JS, Ueda HR, Wang H, Weitz C, Westermark PO, Wijnen H, Xu Y, Wu G, Yoo SH, Young M, Zhang EE, Zielinski T, Hogenesch JB. Guidelines for Genome-Scale Analysis of Biological Rhythms. Journal Of Biological Rhythms 2017, 32: 380-393. PMID: 29098954, PMCID: PMC5692188, DOI: 10.1177/0748730417728663.
- Genetic and neuronal mechanisms governing the sex-specific interaction between sleep and sexual behaviors in DrosophilaChen D, Sitaraman D, Chen N, Jin X, Han C, Chen J, Sun M, Baker BS, Nitabach MN, Pan Y. Genetic and neuronal mechanisms governing the sex-specific interaction between sleep and sexual behaviors in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 154. PMID: 28754889, PMCID: PMC5533705, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00087-5.
- A Peptidergic Circuit Links the Circadian Clock to Locomotor ActivityKing AN, Barber AF, Smith AE, Dreyer AP, Sitaraman D, Nitabach MN, Cavanaugh DJ, Sehgal A. A Peptidergic Circuit Links the Circadian Clock to Locomotor Activity. Current Biology 2017, 27: 1915-1927.e5. PMID: 28669757, PMCID: PMC5698909, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.05.089.
- Multisensory integration in C. elegansGhosh DD, Nitabach MN, Zhang Y, Harris G. Multisensory integration in C. elegans. Current Opinion In Neurobiology 2017, 43: 110-118. PMID: 28273525, PMCID: PMC5501174, DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.01.005.
- Membrane Currents, Gene Expression, and Circadian ClocksAllen CN, Nitabach MN, Colwell CS. Membrane Currents, Gene Expression, and Circadian Clocks. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives In Biology 2017, 9: a027714. PMID: 28246182, PMCID: PMC5411696, DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a027714.
- Neural Architecture of Hunger-Dependent Multisensory Decision Making in C. elegansGhosh DD, Sanders T, Hong S, McCurdy LY, Chase DL, Cohen N, Koelle MR, Nitabach MN. Neural Architecture of Hunger-Dependent Multisensory Decision Making in C. elegans. Neuron 2016, 92: 1049-1062. PMID: 27866800, PMCID: PMC5147516, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.10.030.
- Drosophila DH31 Neuropeptide and PDF Receptor Regulate Night-Onset Temperature PreferenceGoda T, Tang X, Umezaki Y, Chu ML, Kunst M, Nitabach MNN, Hamada FN. Drosophila DH31 Neuropeptide and PDF Receptor Regulate Night-Onset Temperature Preference. Journal Of Neuroscience 2016, 36: 11739-11754. PMID: 27852781, PMCID: PMC5125228, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0964-16.2016.
- Goggatomy: A Method for Opening Small Cuticular Compartments in Arthropods for Physiological ExperimentsKay AR, Raccuglia D, Scholte J, Sivan-Loukianova E, Barwacz CA, Armstrong SR, Guymon CA, Nitabach MN, Eberl DF. Goggatomy: A Method for Opening Small Cuticular Compartments in Arthropods for Physiological Experiments. Frontiers In Physiology 2016, 7: 398. PMID: 27695420, PMCID: PMC5025716, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00398.
- Presynaptic GABA Receptors Mediate Temporal Contrast Enhancement in Drosophila Olfactory Sensory Neurons and Modulate Odor-Driven Behavioral KineticsRaccuglia D, McCurdy LY, Demir M, Gorur-Shandilya S, Kunst M, Emonet T, Nitabach MN. Presynaptic GABA Receptors Mediate Temporal Contrast Enhancement in Drosophila Olfactory Sensory Neurons and Modulate Odor-Driven Behavioral Kinetics. ENeuro 2016, 3: eneuro.0080-16.2016. PMID: 27588305, PMCID: PMC4994068, DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0080-16.2016.
- Corrigendum: Control of Sleep by Dopaminergic Inputs to the Drosophila Mushroom BodySitaraman D, Aso Y, Rubin GM, Nitabach MN. Corrigendum: Control of Sleep by Dopaminergic Inputs to the Drosophila Mushroom Body. Frontiers In Neural Circuits 2015, 9: 84. PMID: 26733821, PMCID: PMC4686686, DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2015.00084.
- Control of Sleep by Dopaminergic Inputs to the Drosophila Mushroom BodySitaraman D, Aso Y, Rubin GM, Nitabach MN. Control of Sleep by Dopaminergic Inputs to the Drosophila Mushroom Body. Frontiers In Neural Circuits 2015, 9: 73. PMID: 26617493, PMCID: PMC4637407, DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2015.00073.
- Propagation of Homeostatic Sleep Signals by Segregated Synaptic Microcircuits of the Drosophila Mushroom BodySitaraman D, Aso Y, Jin X, Chen N, Felix M, Rubin GM, Nitabach MN. Propagation of Homeostatic Sleep Signals by Segregated Synaptic Microcircuits of the Drosophila Mushroom Body. Current Biology 2015, 25: 2915-2927. PMID: 26455303, PMCID: PMC4654684, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.017.
- Exploring the Biology of G Protein–Coupled Receptors from In Vitro to In VivoBohn LM, Lohse MJ, Nitabach MN, Taghert PH, Smit MJ. Exploring the Biology of G Protein–Coupled Receptors from In Vitro to In Vivo. Molecular Pharmacology 2015, 88: 534-535. PMID: 26162863, DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.100750.
- Sensory determinants of behavioral dynamics in Drosophila thermotaxisKlein M, Afonso B, Vonner AJ, Hernandez-Nunez L, Berck M, Tabone CJ, Kane EA, Pieribone VA, Nitabach MN, Cardona A, Zlatic M, Sprecher SG, Gershow M, Garrity PA, Samuel AD. Sensory determinants of behavioral dynamics in Drosophila thermotaxis. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2014, 112: e220-e229. PMID: 25550513, PMCID: PMC4299240, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1416212112.
- Rhythmic control of activity and sleep by class B1 GPCRsKunst M, Tso MC, Ghosh DD, Herzog ED, Nitabach MN. Rhythmic control of activity and sleep by class B1 GPCRs. Critical Reviews In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology 2014, 50: 18-30. PMID: 25410535, PMCID: PMC4648372, DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2014.985815.
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Neurons Mediate Sleep-Specific Circadian Output in DrosophilaKunst M, Hughes ME, Raccuglia D, Felix M, Li M, Barnett G, Duah J, Nitabach MN. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Neurons Mediate Sleep-Specific Circadian Output in Drosophila. Current Biology 2014, 24: 2652-2664. PMID: 25455031, PMCID: PMC4255360, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.09.077.
- Miniature Neurotransmission Regulates Drosophila Synaptic Structural MaturationChoi BJ, Imlach WL, Jiao W, Wolfram V, Wu Y, Grbic M, Cela C, Baines RA, Nitabach MN, McCabe BD. Miniature Neurotransmission Regulates Drosophila Synaptic Structural Maturation. Neuron 2014, 82: 618-634. PMID: 24811381, PMCID: PMC4022839, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.03.012.
- Michael NitabachNitabach M. Michael Nitabach. Current Biology 2014, 24: r181-r182. PMID: 24749156, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.01.012.
- A Tarantula-Venom Peptide Antagonizes the TRPA1 Nociceptor Ion Channel by Binding to the S1–S4 Gating DomainGui J, Liu B, Cao G, Lipchik AM, Perez M, Dekan Z, Mobli M, Daly NL, Alewood PF, Parker LL, King GF, Zhou Y, Jordt SE, Nitabach MN. A Tarantula-Venom Peptide Antagonizes the TRPA1 Nociceptor Ion Channel by Binding to the S1–S4 Gating Domain. Current Biology 2014, 24: 473-483. PMID: 24530065, PMCID: PMC3949122, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.01.013.
- Mushroom body output neurons encode valence and guide memory-based action selection in DrosophilaAso Y, Sitaraman D, Ichinose T, Kaun KR, Vogt K, Belliart-Guérin G, Plaçais PY, Robie AA, Yamagata N, Schnaitmann C, Rowell WJ, Johnston RM, Ngo TT, Chen N, Korff W, Nitabach MN, Heberlein U, Preat T, Branson KM, Tanimoto H, Rubin GM. Mushroom body output neurons encode valence and guide memory-based action selection in Drosophila. ELife 2014, 3: e04580. PMID: 25535794, PMCID: PMC4273436, DOI: 10.7554/elife.04580.
- Genetically Targeted Optical Electrophysiology in Intact Neural CircuitsCao G, Platisa J, Pieribone VA, Raccuglia D, Kunst M, Nitabach MN. Genetically Targeted Optical Electrophysiology in Intact Neural Circuits. Cell 2013, 154: 904-913. PMID: 23932121, PMCID: PMC3874294, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.07.027.
- Pigment-Dispersing Factor Modulates Pheromone Production in Clock Cells that Influence Mating in DrosophilaKrupp JJ, Billeter JC, Wong A, Choi C, Nitabach MN, Levine JD. Pigment-Dispersing Factor Modulates Pheromone Production in Clock Cells that Influence Mating in Drosophila. Neuron 2013, 79: 54-68. PMID: 23849197, PMCID: PMC3955580, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.05.019.
- Membrane-Tethered Ligands: Tools for Cell-Autonomous Pharmacological Manipulation of Biological CircuitsChoi C, Nitabach MN. Membrane-Tethered Ligands: Tools for Cell-Autonomous Pharmacological Manipulation of Biological Circuits. Physiology 2013, 28: 164-171. PMID: 23636262, PMCID: PMC4073904, DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00056.2012.
- A biogenic amine and a neuropeptide act identically: tyramine signals through calcium in Drosophila tubule stellate cellsCabrero P, Richmond L, Nitabach M, Davies SA, Dow JA. A biogenic amine and a neuropeptide act identically: tyramine signals through calcium in Drosophila tubule stellate cells. Proceedings Of The Royal Society B 2013, 280: 20122943. PMID: 23446525, PMCID: PMC3619477, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2943.
- O-GlcNAc Signaling Entrains the Circadian Clock by Inhibiting BMAL1/CLOCK UbiquitinationLi MD, Ruan HB, Hughes ME, Lee JS, Singh JP, Jones SP, Nitabach MN, Yang X. O-GlcNAc Signaling Entrains the Circadian Clock by Inhibiting BMAL1/CLOCK Ubiquitination. Cell Metabolism 2013, 17: 303-310. PMID: 23395176, PMCID: PMC3647362, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.12.015.
- Peptide Neuromodulation in Invertebrate Model SystemsTaghert PH, Nitabach MN. Peptide Neuromodulation in Invertebrate Model Systems. Neuron 2012, 76: 82-97. PMID: 23040808, PMCID: PMC3466441, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.035.
- Autoreceptor Control of Peptide/Neurotransmitter Corelease from PDF Neurons Determines Allocation of Circadian Activity in DrosophilaChoi C, Cao G, Tanenhaus AK, McCarthy EV, Jung M, Schleyer W, Shang Y, Rosbash M, Yin JC, Nitabach MN. Autoreceptor Control of Peptide/Neurotransmitter Corelease from PDF Neurons Determines Allocation of Circadian Activity in Drosophila. Cell Reports 2012, 2: 332-344. PMID: 22938867, PMCID: PMC3432947, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.06.021.
- Deep sequencing the circadian and diurnal transcriptome of Drosophila brainHughes ME, Grant GR, Paquin C, Qian J, Nitabach MN. Deep sequencing the circadian and diurnal transcriptome of Drosophila brain. Genome Research 2012, 22: 1266-1281. PMID: 22472103, PMCID: PMC3396368, DOI: 10.1101/gr.128876.111.
- Tethering toxins and peptide ligands for modulation of neuronal functionIbañez-Tallon I, Nitabach MN. Tethering toxins and peptide ligands for modulation of neuronal function. Current Opinion In Neurobiology 2011, 22: 72-78. PMID: 22119144, PMCID: PMC3294089, DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2011.11.003.
- Circadian expression of clock genes in mouse macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cellsSilver AC, Arjona A, Hughes ME, Nitabach MN, Fikrig E. Circadian expression of clock genes in mouse macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. Brain Behavior And Immunity 2011, 26: 407-413. PMID: 22019350, PMCID: PMC3336152, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.10.001.
- Insect circadian clock outputsHelfrich-Förster C, Nitabach MN, Holmes TC. Insect circadian clock outputs. Essays In Biochemistry 2011, 49: 87-101. PMID: 21819386, DOI: 10.1042/bse0490087.
- Synchronized Bilateral Synaptic Inputs to Drosophila melanogaster Neuropeptidergic Rest/Arousal NeuronsMcCarthy EV, Wu Y, deCarvalho T, Brandt C, Cao G, Nitabach MN. Synchronized Bilateral Synaptic Inputs to Drosophila melanogaster Neuropeptidergic Rest/Arousal Neurons. Journal Of Neuroscience 2011, 31: 8181-8193. PMID: 21632940, PMCID: PMC3125135, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2017-10.2011.
- The medial amygdala is part of a mineralocorticoid-sensitive circuit controlling NaCl intake in the ratNitabach M, Schulkin J, Epstein A. The medial amygdala is part of a mineralocorticoid-sensitive circuit controlling NaCl intake in the rat. Behavioural Brain Research 1989, 35: 127-134. PMID: 2818832, DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4328(89)80113-5.
- Chorda tympani afferent input mediates detection and recognition of sodium in the ratSchwartz G, Spector A, Nitabach M, Grill H. Chorda tympani afferent input mediates detection and recognition of sodium in the rat. Appetite 1989, 12: 79. DOI: 10.1016/0195-6663(89)90091-3.