Paul H. Taghert

Paul H. Taghert (born January 13, 1953) is an American chronobiologist known for pioneering research on the roles and regulation of neuropeptide signaling in the brain using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. He is a professor of neuroscience in the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis. Two distinct regions, the small and large ventral lateral neurons (LNv), express the neuropeptide pigment dispersing factor (PDF) and contribute to circadian locomotor activity rhythms. Taghert's group has made several contributions including the identification of mutants for the PDF neuropeptide gene - this revealed a specific behavioral syndrome indicating important contributions by this neuropeptide to normal circadian control of locomotor activity.

Studies of PER and CRY in Drosophila melanogaster

The Taghert group also demonstrated that PDF signaling influences pacemaker cell synchronicity through PER regulation, identified the PDF receptor, and identified critical PDF receptor signaling components. They have shown that PDF receptor signals differently in different pacemaker groups, and that PDF receptor signaling interact with signals from Cryptochrome (CRY) to help sustain clock rhythmicity.

Studies of DIMM in Drosophila melanogaster Taghert's work on DIMM addresses the genetic programs underlying neuron diversification. Through a developmental studies approach, his work explores how peptidergic neurons in Drosophila use transcriptional control mechanisms to acquire properties like the selection of a unique neuropeptide phenotype. The bHLH protein DIMM is an example of a transcriptional control mechanism that operates in neurosecretory neurons and is responsible for the cells' ability to accumulate, process, and package large amounts of secretory peptides.

Notable publications