Xiaoxi Zhuang, PhD

We investigate the molecular machinery underlying synaptic plasticity and information processing in the brain. We are especially interested in synaptic mechanisms supporting reinforcement learning and motor control. Our main approaches include mouse genetics, fly genetics, optogenetics, animal learning paradigms, electrophysiology, molecular biology and RNA-seq.

m6A RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function.
m6A RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function. Hum Mol Genet. 2024 Mar 14.
PMID: 38483349

FMRP phosphorylation modulates neuronal translation through YTHDF1.
FMRP phosphorylation modulates neuronal translation through YTHDF1. Mol Cell. 2023 Dec 07; 83(23):4304-4317.e8.
PMID: 37949069

Trapping of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands Assayed by In Vitro Cellular Studies and In Vivo PET Imaging.
Trapping of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands Assayed by In Vitro Cellular Studies and In Vivo PET Imaging. J Neurosci. 2023 01 04; 43(1):2-13.
PMID: 36028313

Drosophila carrying epilepsy-associated variants in the vitamin B6 metabolism gene PNPO display allele- and diet-dependent phenotypes.
Drosophila carrying epilepsy-associated variants in the vitamin B6 metabolism gene PNPO display allele- and diet-dependent phenotypes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 03 01; 119(9).
PMID: 35217610

RNA-binding protein syncrip regulates starvation-induced hyperactivity in adult Drosophila.
RNA-binding protein syncrip regulates starvation-induced hyperactivity in adult Drosophila. PLoS Genet. 2021 02; 17(2):e1009396.
PMID: 33617535

Pyridox (am) ine 5'-phosphate oxidase deficiency induces seizures in Drosophila melanogaster.
Chi W, Iyengar ASR, Albersen M, Bosma M, Verhoeven-Duif NM, Wu CF, Zhuang X. Pyridox (am) ine 5'-phosphate oxidase deficiency induces seizures in Drosophila melanogaster. Hum Mol Genet. 2019 09 15; 28(18):3126-3136.
PMID: 31261385

Mettl14 Is Essential for Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Striatal Function and Learning.
Mettl14 Is Essential for Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Striatal Function and Learning. Neuron. 2018 07 25; 99(2):283-292.e5.
PMID: 30056831

Dopamine oxidation mediates mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Burbulla LF, Song P, Mazzulli JR, Zampese E, Wong YC, Jeon S, Santos DP, Blanz J, Obermaier CD, Strojny C, Savas JN, Kiskinis E, Zhuang X, Krüger R, Surmeier DJ, Krainc D. Dopamine oxidation mediates mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Science. 2017 09 22; 357(6357):1255-1261.
PMID: 28882997

Chronic Nicotine Mitigates Aberrant Inhibitory Motor Learning Induced by Motor Experience under Dopamine Deficiency.
Chronic Nicotine Mitigates Aberrant Inhibitory Motor Learning Induced by Motor Experience under Dopamine Deficiency. J Neurosci. 2016 05 11; 36(19):5228-40.
PMID: 27170121

Low Dopamine D2 Receptor Increases Vulnerability to Obesity Via Reduced Physical Activity, Not Increased Appetitive Motivation.
Low Dopamine D2 Receptor Increases Vulnerability to Obesity Via Reduced Physical Activity, Not Increased Appetitive Motivation. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 06 01; 79(11):887-97.
PMID: 26281715

View All Publications