Neuroscience
Institute
Tel: 404-413-5364
Fax: 404-413-5301
E-mail: akira@gsu.edu
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Ph.D.,
1998 Doctoral Program in Biological
Sciences,
Thesis
title: “Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory nervous regulation in the
isopod crustacean Ligia exotica.” Advisor: Dr. H. Yamagishi
B.Sc.,
1993
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Publications (*corresponding author):
1)
Sakurai A, Newcomb JM, Lillvis JL and Katz PS* (2011) Different roles for
homologous interneurons in species exhibiting similar
thythmic behaviors. Curr Biol 21: 1036-1043. http://www.cell.com/current-biology/retrieve/pii/S0960982211004829
2)
Sakurai A* and Katz PS (2009)
Functional recovery after lesion of a central pattern generator. J Neurosci 29: 13115-13125. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/42/13115
This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology
(F1000 Factor 9.0). “Functional recovery of a structure such as the spinal cord
after a lesion of the nervous system may depend on the re-establishment of
axonal connections through regeneration/sprouting of descending pathways or
else on plastic mechanisms within the spinal cord itself. Unfortunately, the
cellular bases for the latter are lacking. This remarkable paper by Sakurai and
Katz is a clear example of how simpler animal preparations (Tritonia
diomedea) may shed light on mechanisms of the
functional recovery of the swim escape behaviour that
depends on plastic changes within such intrinsic circuitry after a central
lesion.”
by Serge Rossignol
(8 Jan 2010) http://f1000biology.com/article/id/1383968/evaluation
3)
Sakurai A* and Katz PS (2009)
State-, timing-, and pattern-dependent neuromodulation
of synaptic strength by a serotonergic interneuron. J Neusosci 29: 268-279. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/268
4)
Hill
ES, Sakurai A, and Katz PS*. (2008)
Transient enhancement of spike-evoked calcium signaling by a serotonergic interneuron. J Neurophysiol 100: 2919-2928. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/2919
5)
Clemens
S, Calin-Jageman RJ, Sakurai A, and Katz PS* (2007) Altering cAMP
levels within a central pattern generator modifies or disrupts rhythmic motor
output. J Comp Physiol
A 193: 1265-1271. http://www.springerlink.com/content/p5472p012502110p/?p=a0c09a32aa91489f85c286a1c80beff4&pi=8
6)
Sakurai A*, Calin-Jageman
R, and Katz PS (2007) Potentiation phase of spike
timing dependent neuromodulation by a serotonergic interneuron involves an increase in the
fraction of transmitter release. J Neurophysiol 98:
1975-1987. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/short/98/4/1975
This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology
(F1000 Factor 3.0). “This careful study provides evidence that the 5HT-induced potentiation phase of spike-timing-dependent neuromodulation of the synaptic output of ventral swim
interneuron B in the mollusk Tritonia diomedea is caused by an increase in the fraction of
transmitter release.” by John Hildebrand (27 Nov 2007) http://www.f1000biology.com/article/id/1096014/evaluation
7)
Sakurai A (2007) Spike timing-dependent
neuromodulation in the Tritonia swim central pattern
generator. Jpn
Soc Comp Physiol Biochem
24: 18-26.
8)
Sakurai A*, Darghouth NR., Butera RJ., and Katz PS (2006) Serotonergic enhancement of a 4-AP-sensitive current
mediates the synaptic depression phase of spike timing-dependent neuromodulation. J Neurosci 26:
2010-2021. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/26/7/2010
9)
Yamagishi H*, Miyamoto H, and Sakurai A (2004) Developmental changes in dopamine modulation of
the heart in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica:
Reversal of chronotropic effect. Zool Sci 21: .917-922. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/21/9/21_917/
10)
Katz
PS*, Sakurai A, Clemens S, and Davis
D (2004) The cycle period of a network oscillator is independent of membrane
potential and spiking activity in individual central pattern generator neurons.
J Neurophysiol
92: 1904-1917. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/92/3/1904
11)
Sakurai
A and Katz PS* (2003) Spike timing-dependent serotonergic neuromodulation of
synaptic strength intrinsic to a central pattern generator circuit. J Neurosci 23: 10745-10755.
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/34/10745
This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology
(F1000 Factor 6.0). “This paper shows that neuromodulation
can be used to shape each oscillatory cycle of a pattern-generating circuit.” by William Kristan (15
Dec 2003) http://www.f1000biology.com/article/id/1016612/evaluation
12)
Sakurai
A* and Wilkens JL (2003) Tension
sensitivity of the heart pacemaker neurons in the isopod crustacean Ligia pallasii. J Exp Biol
206: 105-115. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/206/1/105
13)
Sakurai A (2001) Neuromuscular transmission in the heart of crustacean Ligia exotica. Jpn Soc Comp Physiol Biochem
18: 36-42.
14)
Sakurai
A and Yamagishi H* (2000) Graded
neuromuscular transmission in the heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. J Exp Biol 203: 1447-1457. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/203/9/1447
15)
Sakurai
A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1999)
Acceleratory nervous regulation of juvenile myogenic
hearts in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Comp Biochem Physiol 124A:
575-580. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(99)00152-X
16)
Sakurai
A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1999) Cardioinhibitory neurons in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Zool Sci 16:
401-406. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/16/3/16_401/
17)
Sakurai A (1998)
Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory nervous regulation of the heart in
the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica.
Doctoral Thesis,
18)
Yamagishi
H*, Sakurai A, and Mori A (1998)
Isolation of neurogenic and myogenic
activities by Joro spider toxin in the adult heart of
the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Zool Sci 15:
673-676. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/15/5/15_673/
19)
Sakurai
A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1998) Glutamatergic neuromuscular transmission in the heart of
the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. J Exp Biol 201: 2833-2842. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/201/20/2833
20)
Sakurai
A and Yamagishi H* (1998) Cardioacceleratory neurons in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica: Visualization of peripheral
projection onto the heart muscle. Zool Sci 15:
19-25. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/15/1/15_19/
21)
Sakurai
A and Yamagishi H* (1998)
Identification of cardioacceleratory neurons in the
isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica and their effects on cardiac
ganglion cells. J Comp Physiol A 182:
145-152. http://www.springerlink.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0340-7594&volume=182&issue=2&spage=145
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2000 Yoshida
Prize for Young Researchers, Japanese
Society for Comparative Physiology and
Biochemistry
2003 Faculty of 1000
Biology evaluation (Sakurai and
Katz, 2003) by
William Kristan
2004 Best Poster
Award, South East
Nerve Net Meeting
2005 Society for Neuroscience Chapters Postdoctoral Travel Award
2007 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai et
al., 2007) by John Hildebrand
2009 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai and
Katz, 2009 poster at SfN meeting)
by Ronald
Calabrese
2010 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai and
Katz, 2009b) by Serge Rossignol
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Professional
Experiences:
July 2008-present
Research Scientist I, Neuroscience Institute,
June 2004-June 2008
Research Scientist I, Department of Biology,
July 2001-May 2004
Research Associate,
Department of Biology,
July 2000-May 2001
Research Assistant Professor, Section of Molecular Neurobiology,
April
2000-July 2000
Research Fellow of the
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Department
of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
May
1998-March 2000
Postdoctoral
Fellow, Department of
Biological Sciences,
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Research
Experiences:
2001-presnet Research Associate (’01-’04), Research
Scientist I (’04-present), Georgia State University.
Working
in the laboratory of Dr.
2000-2001 Research Assistant Professor,
Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
By
in vivo recording of single unit activities
in the midbrain of anesthetized guinea pigs, I found that changes in blood
sugar level affect the threshold of the central rhythm generator activity
involved in cortically-induced rhythmic jaw movements.
2000 JSPS Research Fellow,
Working
in the laboratory of Dr. K. Kuwasawa, I studied the
development of axonal projection of the cardioregulatory
neurons from the central nervous system to the heart during the embryonic
development of crustaceans using basic histological techniques combined with immunohistochemical labeling of neuronal processes.
1998-2000 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of
Calgary, Canada.
Working
in the laboratory of Dr. J. L. Wilkens, I
investigated the diversity in electrophysiological and mechanical properties of
muscle fibers in crustacean heart. I also investigated the effects of muscle
tension on heart pacemaker neurons and discovered that these neurons form
“single-neuron reflex arc” inside the heart.
1992‑1998 Undergraduate Research and Thesis Research,
University of Tsukuba, Japan.
My
doctoral thesis, entitled, “Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory
nervous regulation in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica”, was completed in the laboratory of Dr. H. Yamagishi. I
identified two pairs of the cardioacceleratory
neurons in the central nervous system of the isopod crustacean and determined
their actions onto the heart pacemaker neurons and the heart muscle. I also
found that the heart pacemaker neurons use glutamate as the neurotransmitter
and that they exhibit both spike-mediated and graded synaptic transmission to
the heart muscle.
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2000-2001 Research Fellowship of the
2001-2007 NIH/NINDS
R01-NS35371 (PI: P.S. Katz) “Intrinsic neuromodulation of a small neuronal network” Role: Research associate
2008 Brains & Behavior Seed Grant,
2008 Brains & Behavior Seed Grant,
2008-2012 NSF
IOS-0814411 (PI: P.S. Katz) “Evolution of Neural Circuits for Locomotion” Role: Research Scientist
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Membership
of Academic Societies:
Zoological
Society of
Physiological
Society of
Japanese
Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
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Invited Talks:
2000
(July) Invited
Speaker, Yoshida Prize for Young Researchers
Symposium, Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
2006
(Oct) Invited
Lecture, Hybrid Neural Microsystem, Georgia Institute of Technology
2009
(Nov) Invited
Lecture, Biology (4970)
Undergraduate Seminar, Georgia State University
2010
(Jul) Invited
Lecture, Biology (8700)
Graduate Seminar, Georgia State University
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Ad Hoc Referee:
2006, 2009 Journal
of Neurophysiology
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Services:
1996-1998 Young researcher association organizer, Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and
Physiology,
1998-2000 Young researcher association committee, Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and
Physiology
2002-2004 Councilor,
Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
2004 South East Nerve Net, Steering committee
2006 South
East Nerve Net, Steering committee
2008 South East Nerve Net, Steering committee
2010- Councilor
(elected), Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
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Presentations:
1)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2009). Synaptic
properties predict individual susceptibility to and recovery from lesion of a
central pattern generator. Soc Neurosci Abstr 35. 366.14.
This poster was reviewed by Faculty of 1000
Biology (F1000 Factor 6.0) “Animal-to-animal variability in synaptic properties within a motor
network is given a functional significance by these surprising findings in this
poster. It suggests that variation may not have functional consequences under
normal conditions but may be critical when the system is challenged by injury.”
by Ronald
Calabrese (25 Nov 2009) http://f1000biology.com/article/id/1168323/evaluation
2)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2009). Neuromodulatory
actions evoked by an identified serotonergic neuron
are timing- and state-dependent. Molluscan
Neuroscience Meeting (Feb 11-15),
3)
Jhara S, Sakurai A, Lillvis JL, Katz PS
(2008). Serotonergic innervation
of the Aplysia tail nerve. Soc Neurosci Abstr 34. 880.3.
4)
Katz PS, Sakurai A, Hill ES,
5)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2008). A serotonergic
interneuron evokes both state-dependent and state-independent neuromodulatory actions. Soc Neurosci
Abstr 34. 574.3.
6)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2008). Adaptive plasticity
underlies functional recovery following lesion of a central pattern generator.
SENN Abstr 23.
7)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2007). Adaptive plasticity
underlies functional recovery following lesion of a central pattern generator.
Soc Neurosci Abstr 33.
188.12.
8)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2007). Activity-dependent heterosynaptic
augmentation of synaptic transmission induced by a serotonergic interneuron in the Tritonia swim CPG. SENN Abstr 22.
9)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2006).
Activity-dependent heterosynaptic augmentation
of synaptic transmission caused by a serotonergic
interneuron in the Tritonia
swim CPG. Soc Neurosci Abstr 32. 350.4.
10)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2006).
Activity-dependent heterosynaptic potentiation of synaptic
transmission caused by a serotonergic interneuron in
the Tritonia
swim CPG. Proc of the 77th meeting of the Zoological Society
of Japan.
11)
Sakurai A, Calin-Jageman
RJ, Katz PS (2006). Bidirectional neuromodulation
arising from opposing actions of synaptically-released
serotonin. Neural Circuits: From Structure to Function.
12)
Sakurai A, Calin-Jageman
RJ, Katz PS (2005). Serotonergic enhancement of transmitter release mediates
the synaptic potentiation phase of spike
timing-dependent neuromodulation. Soc Neurosci Abstr 31. 177.13.
13)
Sakurai A, Darghouth
NR, Butera RJ, Katz PS (2005). Use of dynamic clamp
to explore A-current function. Georgia
Tech
Discussion on Real-Time
Methods for Cellular Electrophysiology Experiments.
14)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2004). Serotonergic enhancement of a 4-AP sensitive current causes
spike propagation failure in a Tritonia swim CPG neuron with multiple spike initiation
zones. Soc Neurosci Abstr
30. 537.1.
15)
Darghouth
NR, Sakurai A, Katz PS, Butera RJ (2004).
Computer simulations and dynamic clamp experiments support a role for a
4-AP-sensitive current in serotonin-induced spike narrowing leading to synaptic
depression. Soc Neurosci Abstr
30. 420.2.
16)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2003). 4-AP
and IBMX selectively block the depression phase of a biphasic neuromodulation of synaptic strength by serotonergic
neurons in the Tritonia
swim CPG. Soc Neurosci Abstr
29.
168.18.
17)
Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Serotonergic
interneurons in Tritonia evoke a biphasic neuromodulatory action. Soc. Neurosci.
Abstr 28, 270.13.
18)
Katz
PS, Sakurai A, Clemens S,
19)
Lynn-Bullock
CP, Clemens S, Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Functional anatomy
of the escape swim CPG in Tritonia. Soc Neurosci Abstr 28, 67.25.
20)
Clemens
S, Lynn-Bullock CP, Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Localization of function
in Central Pattern Generator. European J Neurosci 16S.
21)
Yamagishi H, Takano S, Sakurai A (2001).
Developmental changes in inhibitory nervous regulation of the heart in the
isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Comp Biochem Physiol A130, 876.
22)
Nozaki
S, Sakurai A (2001). Input-output properties of mesencephalic
reticular formation involved in the feeding control in guinea pigs. Jpn J Physiol 51, S240.
23)
Sakurai A, Wilkens JL (2000). Proprioception by pacemaker neurons in crustacean heart. Comp Biochem Physiol
127A, 381.
24)
Sakurai A (2000). Neuromuscular transmission in
crustacean heart. Comp Biochem
Physiol 127A, 381.
25)
Sakurai A, Wilkens JL (1999).
Diversity of muscle fibers in crayfish heart. Comp Biochem Physiol 124A, 131.
26)
Sakurai A, Mori A, Yamagishi H
(1998). Developmental changes in nervous regulation of the heartbeat in the
isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. International Symposium on
Cardiac Rhythms in Animals: Regulation, Development and Environmental
Influences.
27)
Sakurai A, Mori A, H Yamagishi
(1997). Glutamatergic transmission at neuromuscular junctions
in the heart of the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc
of the 68th meeting of the
28)
Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1997). Nonspiking neuromuscular transmission in the heart of the
isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 8th
meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.
29)
Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1996).
Blockage of excitatory neuromuscular transmission by Joro
spider toxin in the heart of the isopod, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 67th meeting of the
30)
Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1996).
Central and peripheral projections of two cardio-acceleratory neurons in the
isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 7th
meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.
31)
Yamagishi H, Sakurai A, Mori A (1995).
Developmental changes in the effects of dopamine on the juvenile heart of the
isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc. of the 66th
meeting of the
32)
Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1995).
Developmental changes in acceleratory nervous regulation in the heart of the
isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Physiol
Zool 68: 69.
33)
Sakurai A, Yamaigishi H (1995).
Acceleratory regulation of adult heart of the isopod Ligia exotica: Effects of two cardioacceleratory
neurons on the cardiac ganglion. Proc of the 6th meeting of Japanese
Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.
34)
Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1994).
Development of acceleratory nervous regulation of the heart of the isopod Ligia exotica. Proc of the 65th
meeting of the
35)
Yamagishi H, Mori A, Sakurai A (1994). Developmental changes in the
effects of serotonin on juvenile heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Proc of the 5th meeting of
Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.