Associate Professor Zhitao Hu
Principal Research Fellow - Group L
Queensland Brain Institute
+61 7 334 66395
Dr Zhitao Hu: Neurotransmitter release
The Hu group focusses on candidate genes to understand their functional importance in synapses.
Researcher biography
I have a broad background in electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and cellular neurobiology. My research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and the function of neural circuits. My lab is currently supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grant, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project grant, NARSAD young investigator grant, and NIH R21 grant. The long-term goal of our research is to understand how synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity are regulated by the synaptic release machinery. In addition, we are interested how scaffolding proteins and cell adhesion molecules are involved in the modulation of synaptic function and neurological disorders, such as autism and epilepsy. We utilize behavioral, genetic, biochemical, imaging, and electrophysiological techniques to study signaling in the brain of the worm C. elegans. Our current research lines focus on: (1) balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter release in the nervous system. (2) protein code for release kinetics of synaptic transmission; (3) molecular mechanism for synaptic release probability and short-term plasticity; (4) regulation of behavioral plasticity at molecular and circuit levels; (5) Functional analysis of autism candidate genes in regulating synaptic function.
Book Chapter
Gao, Shangbang and Hu, Zhitao (2018). In vivo recordings at the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction. Extracellular Recording Approaches. (pp. 143-156) edited by Sillitoe, R. . New York, NY United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7549-5_8
Journal Articles
Zeng, Wan-Xin, Liu, Haowen, Hao, Yue, Qian, Kang-Ying, Tian, Fu-Min, Li, Lei, Yu, Bin, Zeng, Xian-Ting, Gao, Shangbang, Hu, Zhitao and Tong, Xia-Jing (2023). CaMKII mediates sexually dimorphic synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions in C. elegans. Journal of Cell Biology, 222 (11). doi: 10.1083/jcb.202301117
Hao, Yue, Liu, Haowen, Zeng, Xian-Ting, Wang, Ya, Zeng, Wan-Xin, Qian, Kang-Ying, Li, Lei, Chi, Ming-Xuan, Gao, Shangbang, Hu, Zhitao and Tong, Xia-Jing (2023). UNC-43/CaMKII-triggered anterograde signals recruit GABAARs to mediate inhibitory synaptic transmission and plasticity at C. elegans NMJs. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 1436, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37137-0
Zhang, Li, Li, Lei, Wei, Ziqing, Zhou, Hao, Liu, Haowen, Wang, Shen, Ren, Yijing, Dai, Tiankai, Wang, Jiafan, Hu, Zhitao and Ma, Cong (2023). The C2 and PH domains of CAPS constitute an effective PI(4,5)P2-binding unit essential for Ca2+-regulated exocytosis. Structure, 31 (4), 424-434.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2023.02.004
Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Qian, Kang-Ying, Nurrish, Stephen, Zeng, Xian-Ting, Zeng, Wan-Xin, Wang, Jiafan, Kaplan, Joshua M., Tong, Xia-Jing and Hu, Zhitao (2022). CASK and FARP localize two classes of post-synaptic ACh receptors thereby promoting cholinergic transmission. PLoS Genetics, 18 (10) e1010211. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010211
Shao, Zhiyong, Yang, Yang and Hu, Zhitao (2022). Editorial: regulation of synaptic structure and function. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 15 1060367, 1-4. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1060367
Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Krout, Mia, Sheoran, Seema, Zhao, Qihong, Chen, Jingyi, Liu, Huisheng, Richmond, Janet E. and Hu, Zhitao (2021). Protocols for electrophysiological recordings and electron microscopy at C. elegans neuromuscular junction. STAR Protocols, 2 (3) 100749, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100749
Xue, Renhao, Meng, Hao, Yin, Jiaxiang, Xia, Jingyao, Hu, Zhitao and Liu, Huisheng (2021). The Role of Calmodulin vs. Synaptotagmin in Exocytosis. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 14 691363, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.691363
Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Sheoran, Seema, Yu, Yi, Richmond, Janet E., Xia, Jingyao, Tang, Jing, Liu, Jie and Hu, Zhitao (2021). The M domain in UNC-13 regulates the probability of neurotransmitter release. Cell Reports, 34 (10) 108828. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108828
Padmanarayana, Murugesh, Liu, Haowen, Michelassi, Francesco, Li, Lei, Betensky, Daniel, Dominguez, Matthew J., Sutton, R. Bryan, Hu, Zhitao and Dittman, Jeremy S. (2021). A unique C2 domain at the C terminus of Munc13 promotes synaptic vesicle priming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118 (11) e2016276118, e2016276118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2016276118
Qian, Kang-Ying, Zeng, Wan-Xin, Hao, Yue, Zeng, Xian-Ting, Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Chen, Lili, Tian, Fu-min, Chang, Cindy, Hall, Qi, Song, Chun-Xue, Gao, Shangbang, Hu, Zhi-Tao, Kaplan, Joshua M., Li, Qian and Tong, Xia-Jing (2021). Male pheromones modulate synaptic transmission at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction in a sexually dimorphic manner. eLife, 10 e67170, 1-29. doi: 10.7554/eLife.67170
Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Krout, Mia, Richmond, Janet E., Wang, Yu, Bai, Jihong, Weeratunga, Saroja, Collins, Brett M., Ventimiglia, Donovan, Yu, Yi, Xia, Jingyao, Tang, Jing, Liu, Jie and Hu, Zhitao (2021). A novel dual Ca2+ sensor system regulates Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release. Journal of Cell Biology, 220 (4) e202008121, 1-24. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202008121
Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Hall, Qi, Wang, Wei, Yu, Yi, Kaplan, Joshua M. and Hu, Zhitao (2019). A hyperactive form of unc-13 enhances Ca2+ sensitivity and synaptic vesicle release probability in C. elegans. Cell Reports, 28 (11), 2979-2995.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.018
Snieckute, Goda, Baltaci, Oguzhan, Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Hu, Zhitao and Pocock, Roger (2019). mir-234 controls neuropeptide release at the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 98, 70-81. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.06.001
Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Nedelcu, Daniel, Hall, Qi, Zhou, Lijun, Wang, Wei, Yu, Yi, Kaplan, Joshua M. and Hu, Zhitao (2019). Heterodimerization of UNC-13/RIM regulates synaptic vesicle release probability but not priming in C. elegans. eLife, 8 e40585. doi: 10.7554/eLife.40585
Sharma, Pallavi, Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Tikiyani, Vina, Hu, Zhitao and Babu, Kavita (2018). The Claudin-like protein HPO-30 is required to maintain LAChRs at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction. The Journal of Neuroscience, 38 (32), 7072-7087. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3487-17.2018
Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Wang, Wei, Chandra, Mintu, Collins, Brett M. and Hu, Zhitao (2018). SNT-1 functions as the Ca2+ sensor for tonic and evoked neurotransmitter release in Caenorhabditis Elegans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 38 (23), 5313-5324. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3097-17.2018
Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Wang, Wei, Gong, Jihong, Yang, Xiaofei and Hu, Zhitao (2018). Spontaneous vesicle fusion is differentially regulated at cholinergic and GABAergic synapses. Cell reports, 22 (9), 2334-2345. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.023
Tikiyani, Vina, Li, Lei, Sharma, Pallavi, Liu, Haowen, Hu, Zhitao and Babu, Kavita (2018). Wnt secretion is regulated by the tetraspan protein HIC-1 through its interaction with Neurabin/NAB-1. Cell Reports, 25 (7), 1856-1871.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.053
Michelassi, Francesco, Liu, Haowen , Hu, Zhitao and Dittman, Jeremy S. (2017). A C1-C2 module in Munc13 inhibits calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release. Neuron, 95 (3), 577-590. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.07.015
Tong, Xia-Jing, Lopez-Soto, Eduardo Javier, Li, Lei, Liu, Haowen, Nedelcu, Daniel, Lipscombe, Diane, Hu, Zhitao and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2017). Retrograde synaptic inhibition is mediated by α-neurexin binding to the α2δ subunits of n-type calcium channels. Neuron, 95 (2), 326-+. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.06.018
Du, Hao, Zhang, Meng, Yao, Kejun and Hu, Zhitao (2017). Protective effect of Aster tataricus extract on retinal damage on the virtue of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in diabetic rat. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 89, 617-622. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.179
Tong, Xia-Jing, Hu, Zhitao, Liu, Yu, Anderson, Dorian and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2015). A network of autism linked genes stabilizes two pools of synaptic GABAA receptors. eLife, 4 (e09648) e09648. doi: 10.7554/eLife.09648
Choi, Seungwon, Taylor, Kelsey P., Chatzigeorgiou, Marios, Hu, Zhitao, Schafer, William R. and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2015). Sensory neurons arouse C. elegans locomotion via both glutamate and neuropeptide release. PloS Genetics, 11 (7), e1005359. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005359
Hu, Zhitao, Vashlishan-Murray, Amy B. and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2015). NLP-12 engages different UNC-13 proteins to potentiate tonic and evoked release. Journal of Neuroscience, 35 (3), 1038-1042. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2825-14.2015
Hu, Zhitao, Tong, Xia-Jing and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2013). UNC-13L, UNC-13S, and Tomosyn form a protein code for fast and slow neurotransmitter release in Caenorhabditis elegans. eLife, 2013 (2) e00967. doi: 10.7554/eLife.00967
Sun, Yu, Hu, Zhitao, Goeb, Yannick and Dreier, Lars (2013). The F-Box Protein MEC-15 (FBXW9) Promotes Synaptic Transmission in GABAergic Motor Neurons in C. elegans. PloS One, 8 (3), e59132. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059132
Hu, Zhitao, Hom, Sabrina, Kudze, Tambudzai, Tong, Xia-Jing, Choi, Seungwon, Aramuni, Gayane, Zhang, Weiqi and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2012). Neurexin and neuroligin mediate retrograde synaptic inhibition in C. elegans. Science, 337 (6097), 980-984. doi: 10.1126/science.1224896
Chan, Jason P., Hu, Zhitao and Sieburth, Derek (2012). Recruitment of sphingosine kinase to presynaptic terminals by a conserved muscarinic signaling pathway promotes neurotransmitter release. Genes & Development, 26 (10), 1070-1085. doi: 10.1101/gad.188003.112
Thompson-Peer, Katherine L., Bai, Jihong, Hu, Zhitao and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2012). HBL-1 patterns synaptic remodeling in C. elegans. Neuron, 73 (3), 453-465. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.11.025
Hao, Yingsong, Hu, Zhitao, Sieburth, Derek and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2012). RIC-7 promotes neuropeptide secretion. PloS Genetics, 8 (1) e1002464, e1002464. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002464
Babu, Kavita, Hu, Zhitao, Chien, Shih-Chieh, Garriga, Gian and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2011). The immunoglobulin super family protein RIG-3 prevents synaptic potentiation and regulates Wnt signaling. Neuron, 71 (1), 103-116. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.05.034
Hu, Zhitao, Pym, Edward C. G., Babu, Kavita, Murray, Amy B. Vashlishan and Kaplan, Joshua M. (2011). A neuropeptide-mediated stretch response links muscle contraction to changes in neurotransmitter release. Neuron, 71 (1), 92-102. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.04.021
Martin, Jesse A., Hu, Zhitao, Fenz, Katherine M., Fernandez, Joel and Dittman, Jeremy S. (2011). Complexin has opposite effects on two modes of synaptic vesicle fusion. Current Biology, 21 (2), 97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.12.014
Conference Papers
Narayanappa, Murugesh, Liu, Haowen, Li, Lei, Michelassi, Francesco, Hu, Zhitao and Dittman, Jeremy (2020). The C2C-MCT Domain of Munc13 is Essential for Priming Synaptic Vesicles. 64th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical-Society, San Diego Ca, Feb 15-19, 2020. CAMBRIDGE: CELL PRESS.
Dittman, Jeremy, Michelassi, Francesco, Liu, Haowen and Hu, Zhitao (2017). A C1-C2 Module in MUNC13 Inhibits Calcium-Dependent Neurotransmitter Release. 58th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical-Society, San Francisco, CA, United States, Feb 15-19, 2014. St. Louis, MO, United States: Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.11.2145