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Claudio Pikielny, Ph.D.
Title(s):
Associate Professor of Genetics
Department(s):
Genetics
Education:
Ph.D. 1986 - Brandeis University
Programs:
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Programs
Contact Information:
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Department of Genetics 7400 Remsen Dartmouth Medical School Hanover NH 03755 |
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Office: 604 Vail Phone: 603-650-1046 Fax: 603-650-1188 Email: Claudio.Pikielny@Dartmouth.edu |
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Selected Publications: |
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Park, S.-K., Shanbag, S., Wang, Q., Yu, P., Hasan, G., Steinbrecht, A., and Pikielny, C.W. Inactivation of olfactory sensilla of a single morphological type differentially affects the response of Drosophila to odors. J Neurobiology 51:248-60. (view details on MedLine) Xu A, Park SK, D'Mello S, Kim E, Wang Q, Pikielny CW. Novel genes expressed in subsets of chemosensory sensilla on the front legs of male Drosophila melanogaster. Cell Tissue Res. 2002 Mar;307(3):381-92. (view details on MedLine) Lin H, Mann KJ, Starostina E, Kinser RD, Pikielny CW. Free in PMC A Drosophila DEG/ENaC channel subunit is required for male response to female pheromones. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep 6;102(36):12831-6 (view details on MedLine) Park SK, Mann KJ, Lin H, Starostina E, Kolski-Andreaco A, Pikielny CW. Abstract A Drosophila protein specific to pheromone-sensing gustatory hairs delays males' copulation attempts. Curr Biol. 2006 Jun 6;16(11):1154-9. (view details on MedLine) Elena Starostina, Aiguo Xu, Heping Lin, and Claudio W. Pikielny A Drosophila protein family implicated in pheromone perception is related to Tay-Sachs GM2-activator protein. BC Papers in Press published on October 24, 2008 as doi:10.1074/jbc.M806474200 |
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Professional Interests:
What is the biological basis for complex behaviors?
We study the response of Drosophila to pheromones and take advantage of the many molecular genetic tools available in this model system. Currently, our lab is focusing on two very different types of genes that play a role in this response.
CheBs are novel genes that play an important role in modulating gustatory response to pheromones (2,4).
We have discovered a family of twelve Drosophila genes, the CheBs, several of which are only expressed in a few taste hairs of males, suggesting that they may play a role in gustatory response to female pheromones. Expression of CheB42a in particular, is restricted to the sheath cells that surround a set of gustatory neurons known to be involved in response to pheromones. Indeed, we have now shown that males with mutations in the CheB42a gene have a very specific defect in their response to hydrocarbon pheromones emitted by females: they attempt to copulate earlier and more frequently than normal males. Circumstantial evidence suggests that CheB42a and other CheBs may act by binding to pheromone molecules and modulating their interactions with transmembrane receptors. We are currently testing this hypothesis.
A Drosophila DEG/ENaC Sodium Channel subunit is specifically required for male response to female pheromones (3).
We have recently found that ppk25, a gene coding for a sodium channel subunit of the DEG/ENaC family is preferentially expressed in appendages involved in olfaction and taste, and is specifically required for males to detect female pheromones. While other DEG/ENaC channels are involved in a variety of biological processes, from mechanosensation to control of blood pressure and even stroke, this is the first instance where a channel in this family has been implicated in a G-protein coupled chemosensory transduction pathway. We are currently examining the mechanistic basis for ppk25's specific function in pheromone response.
Courses Taught:
Bio79/Genetics142: Genetics and Physiology of Behavior
Genetics 102: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology II
Grant Information:
NIDCD
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