The Levitan lab studies biochemical and electrical signaling that controls neuronal and cardiac function with live cell imaging, electrophysiology and molecular biology.  Current projects include in vivo imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP) constructs in transgenic Drosophila nerve cells and serotonin in mammalian brain slices to determine how patterned electrical activity and synapses control transmitter release.  We are also studying remodeling of rhythmic electrical activity in the heart and midbrain dopamine neurons by therapeutically important hormones and drugs.

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Important Publications

Zhou C, SL Cavolo and ES Levitan.  Delayed endosome-dependent CamKII and p38 kinase signaling in cardiomyocytes destabilizes Kv4.3 mRNA.  JMCC 52:971-977, 2012.

Wong MY, C Zhou, D Shakiryanova, TE Lloyd, DL Deitcher and ES Levitan.  Neuropeptide delivery to synapses by long-range vesicle circulation and sporadic capture.  Cell 148:1029-1038, 2012.

Shakiryanova D, T Morimoto, C Zhou, AK Chouhan, SJ Sigrist, A Nose, GT Macleod, DL Deitcher and ES Levitan.  Differential control of presynaptic CaMKII activation and translocation to active zones.  J Neurosci 31:9093-9100, 2011.

Shakiryaova D, GM Zettel, T Gu, RS Hewes and ES Levitan. Synaptic neuropeptide release induced by octopamine without Ca2+ entry into the nerve terminal.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:4477-4481, 2011.