KAZUKO SAKATA, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Pharmacology/Psychiatry

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Address

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

874 Union Ave., Room 430 Crowe Research Building

Memphis, TN 38163

Tel: (901) 448-2662; Fax: (901) 448-7206;

Education

Ph.D. Institution: Osaka University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

Postdoctoral: Neural Development and Plasticity, National Institutes of Health

Research Interests

Our current projects in my laboratory focus on studying the roles of gene regulation of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) in depression and anxiety, using genetically modified mice. We study from gene to behavior, using molecular and biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral techniques.

Recent Publications

• Sakata K, Woo NH, Martinowich K, Greene JS, Schloesser RJ, Shen L, Lu B. Critical role of promoter IV-driven BDNF transcription in GABAergic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Apr 7;106(14):5942-7. Epub 2009 Mar 17. PMID: 19293383
• Shimazu K, Zhao M, Sakata K, Akbarian S, Bates B, Jaenisch R, Lu B. NT-3 facilitates hippocampal plasticity and learning and memory by regulating neurogenesis. Learn Mem. 2006 May-Jun;13(3):307-15. Epub 2006 May 16. PMID: 16705139
• Pang PT, Teng HK, Zaitsev E, Woo NT, Sakata K, Zhen S, Teng KK, Yung WH, Hempstead BL, Lu B. Cleavage of proBDNF by tPA/plasmin is essential for long-term hippocampal plasticity. Science. 2004 Oct 15;306(5695):487-91. PMID: 15486301
• Genoud C, Knott GW, Sakata K, Lu B, Welker E. Altered synapse formation in the adult somatosensory cortex of brain-derived neurotrophic factor heterozygote mice. J Neurosci. 2004 Mar 10;24(10):2394-400. PMID: 15014114
• Zhou YX, Zhao M, Li D, Shimazu K, Sakata K, Deng CX, Lu B. Cerebellar deficits and hyperactivity in mice lacking Smad4. J Biol Chem. 2003 Oct 24;278(43):42313-20. Epub 2003 Aug 1. PMID: 12896967
• Sakata K, Yamashita T, Maeda M, Moriyama Y, Shimada S, Tohyama M. Cloning of a lymphatic peptide/histidine transporter. Biochem J. 2001 May 15;356(Pt 1):53-60. PMID: 11336635

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