R. Thomas Boyd, Ph.D

Associate Professor
Department of Neuroscience

Associate Director
Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (IBGP)             

Degree: University of Texas at Austin
Postdoctoral Training: University of California, San Diego, Dr. Darwin K. Berg

Phone: (614) 292-4391
Fax: (614) 292-7232
Email: boyd.16@osu.edu

Link to NLM PubMed publications list for R.Thomas Boyd (last 10 years)

Research Area:

Molecular neurobiology, regulation of genes encoding neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, characterization of nicotinic receptors on adrenal chromaffin cells.

Current Research:

Research activities in this laboratory have emphasized a molecular biological analysis of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Neuronal nAChRs mediate synaptic transmission in many parts of the vertebrate central nervous system, in autonomic ganglia, retina, and adrenal medulla. Neuronal nAChRs are pentameric membrane proteins which function as ligand-gated ion channels and are composed of multiple a and ß subunits. Neuronal nAChR a genes encode the ligand binding subunit while the ß genes encode structural subunits. Eight neuronal nAChR a subunit genes (a2-a9) and three nAChR ß subunit genes (ß2-ß4) have been identified. Different combinations of and subunits produce nAChR subtypes with different pharmacological and ion conducting properties.

Our ongoing work is in three areas. (1) Studies on transcriptional regulation of the a3 and a7 neuronal nAChR genes. We are identifying transcriptional control elements responsible for expression of these nAChR subunit gene in neurons, and characterizing transcription factors binding to the nAChR subunit promoters. We are also examining the mechanisms controlling expression of these genes during differentiation and changes in membrane potential. (2) Characterization of nAChRs expressed on adrenal chromaffin cells. In collaboration with Dr. Dennis McKay in the College of Pharmacy, we are identifying nAChR subtypes present on bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. We have found that at least two nAChR subtypes are responsible for mediating catecholamine release from chromaffin cells, and are now determining the subunit composition of these subtypes and how the expression and turnover of these nAChRs are controlled. (3) Identification of zebrafish neuronal nAChR genes. Zebrafish provide an excellent model for studying the effects of genetic mutations on nervous system development, especially at early times when mouse embryos in utero are inaccessible. Zebrafish also have potential as a system to study mechanisms underlying tolerance, sensitization and addiction to nicotine, a potent drug of abuse. The actions of nicotine are mediated by neuronal nAChRs. While a neuromuscular nAChR has been identified in zebrafish, nothing is known about zebrafish neuronal type nAChRs. We are cloning zebrafish neuronal nAChRs and determining the expression pattern of zebrafish neuronal nAChR genes during development. The information derived from these studies will be used to develop zebrafish as a model for studying the role of nAChRs in development of the nervous system and the actions of nicotine on the vertebrate nervous system.

Techniques:

Students in my laboratory learn and use the following techniques in their research studies:

Molecular: PCR, Northern and Southern blotting, genomic and cDNA cloning, DNA sequencing, DNAse I footprinting, gel-shift analysis of DNA-protein interactions, transinfection.