Dr Sean Wyatt
Senior Lecturer
School of Biosciences
Overview
Research overview
I investigate the roles of secreted proteins in regulating the differentiation, survival and phenotype of developing vertebrate neurons. In particular, I am interested in the roles of these proteins in modulating the growth of axons and dendrites which establishes neural connectivity in the developing vertebrate nervous system. More recently, I have become engaged in research aiming to identify the mechanisms that underlie the degeneration of Substantia Nigra dopaminergic neuron axon terminals in the striatum, a process that precedes the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Publication
2022
- Ateaque, S. et al. 2022. Selective activation and down-regulation of Trk receptors by neurotrophins in human neurons co-expressing TrkB and TrkC. Journal of Neurochemistry 161(6), pp. 463-477. (10.1111/jnc.15617)
2021
- Mazzocchi, M., Goulding, S. R., Wyatt, S. L., Collins, L. M., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2021. LMK235, a small molecule inhibitor of HDAC4/5, protects dopaminergic neurons against neurotoxin- and α-synuclein-induced degeneration in cellular models of Parkinson's disease. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 115, article number: 103642. (10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103642)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2021. Neuregulin-4 contributes to the establishment of cutaneous sensory innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 81(2), pp. 139-148. (10.1002/dneu.22803)
- Goulding, S. R. et al. 2021. Growth differentiation factor 5 exerts neuroprotection in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Brain 144(2), article number: e14. (10.1093/brain/awaa367)
2020
- Anantha, J., Goulding, S. R., Wyatt, S. L., Concannon, R. M., Collins, L. M., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2020. STRAP and NME1 mediate the neurite growth-promoting effects of the neurotrophic factor GDF5. iScience 23(9), article number: 101457. (10.1016/j.isci.2020.101457)
- Carriba, P., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2020. CD40L Reverse signaling influences dendrite spine morphology and expression of PSD-95 and Rho small GTPases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 8, article number: 254. (10.3389/fcell.2020.00254)
- O'Keeffe, G., Sullivan, A., Hegarty, S., Collins, L., McCarthy, E., Wyatt, S. and Alshangiti, A. 2020. Association of distinct type 1 bone morphogenetic protein receptors with different molecular pathways and survival outcomes in neuroblastoma. Neuronal Signaling 4(1), article number: NS20200006. (10.1042/NS20200006)
2019
- Calhan, O. Y., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40L reverse signaling suppresses prevertebral sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(11-12), pp. 949-962. (10.1002/dneu.22735)
- Howard, L., McWilliams, T. G., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40 forward signalling is a physiological regulator of early sensory axon growth. Development 146(18), article number: dev176495. (10.1242/dev.176495)
- Mazzocchi, M. et al. 2019. Gene co-expression analysis identifies histone deacetylase 5 and 9 expression in midbrain dopamine neurons and as regulators of neurite growth via bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 7, article number: 191. (10.3389/fcell.2019.00191)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Neuregulin-4 is required for the growth and elaboration of striatal medium spiny neuron dendrites. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 78(8), pp. 725-734. (10.1093/jnen/nlz046)
- Erice, C., Calhan, O. Y., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Regional differences in the contributions of TNF reverse and forward signaling to the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(4), pp. 317-334. (10.1002/dneu.22680)
2018
- Howard, L., Wosnitzka, E., Okakpu, D., White, M. A., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2018. TWE-PRIL reverse signaling suppresses sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Development 145(22), article number: dev165936. (10.1242/dev.165936)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. 2018. An essential role for neuregulin-4 in the growth and elaboration of developing neocortical pyramidal dendrites. Experimental Neurology 302, pp. 85-92. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.01.002)
2017
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2017. TNF superfamily member APRIL enhances midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and contributes to the nigrostriatal projection in vivo. Experimental Neurology 298, pp. 97-103. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.09.007)
- Kisiswa, L., Erice Jurecky, C., Ferron, L., Wyatt, S., Osório, C., Dolphin, A. C. and Davies, A. M. 2017. T-type Ca 2+ channels are required for enhanced sympathetic axon growth by TNFα reverse signalling. Open Biology 7(1), article number: 160288. (10.1098/rsob.160288)
- Hegarty, S. V., Wyatt, S., Howard, L., Stappers, E., Huylebroeck, D., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2017. Zeb2 is a negative regulator of midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 8568. (10.1038/s41598-017-08900-3)
2016
- Harvey, A. K. et al. 2016. Novel application of behavioral assays allows dissociation of joint pathology from systemic extra-articular alterations induced by inflammatory arthritis. Journal of Rheumatic Diseases and Treatment 2(2), article number: 33. (10.23937/2469-5726/1510033)
- O'Keeffe, G. et al. 2016. Region-specific role of growth differentiation factor-5 in the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Neural Development 11, article number: 4. (10.1186/s13064-016-0060-3)
2015
- Vizard, T. N., Newton, M., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2015. ERK signaling mediates CaSR-promoted axon growth. Neuroscience Letters 603, pp. 77-83. (10.1016/j.neulet.2015.07.019)
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2015. Regulation of autocrine signaling in subsets of sympathetic neurons has regional effects on tissue innervation. Cell Reports 10(9), pp. 1443-1449. (10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.016)
- Walsh, S. et al. 2015. Knockdown of interleukin-1 receptor 1 is not neuroprotective in the 6-hydroxydopamine striatal lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Neuroscience 125(1), pp. 70-77. (10.3109/00207454.2014.904304)
2014
- Nolan, A. M., Collins, L. M., Wyatt, S. L., Gutierrez, H. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2014. The neurite growth inhibitory effects of soluble TNFα on developing sympathetic neurons are dependent on developmental age. Differentiation 88(4-5), pp. 124-130. (10.1016/j.diff.2014.12.006)
- Hegarty, S. V., Collins, L. M., Gavin, A. M., Roche, S. L., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2014. Canonical BMP–Smad signalling promotes neurite growth in rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons. NeuroMolecular Medicine 16(2), pp. 473-489., article number: 10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5. (10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5)
- Collins, L. M. et al. 2014. Expression of endogenous Mkp1 in 6-OHDA rat models of Parkinson's disease. SpringerPlus 3(1), article number: 205. (10.1186/2193-1801-3-205)
- Osório, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P. J., White, M., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. L., Rodríguez-Tébar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2014. Selective regulation of axonal growth from developing hippocampal neurons by tumor necrosis factor superfamily member APRIL. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 59, pp. 24-36. (10.1016/j.mcn.2014.01.002)
- Gavin, A. M., Walsh, S., Wyatt, S. L., O'Keeffe, G. W. and Sullivan, A. M. 2014. 6-Hydroxydopamine induces distinct alterations in GDF5 and GDNF mRNA expression in the rat nigrostriatal system in vivo. Neuroscience Letters 561, pp. 176-181. (10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.046)
2013
- Osorio, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P., Kisiswa, L., White, M., Wyatt, S. L., Rodriguez-Tebar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Growth differentiation factor 5 is a key physiological regulator of dendrite growth during development. Development 140(23), pp. 4751-4762. (10.1242/dev.101378)
- Kisiswa, L., Osório, C. R., Erice Jurecky, C., Vizard, T. N., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. TNFα reverse signaling promotes sympathetic axon growth and target innervation. Nature Neuroscience 16(7), pp. 865-873. (10.1038/nn.3430)
- Collins, L. M., O'Keeffe, G. W., Long-Smith, C. M., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M., Toulouse, A. and Nolan, Y. M. 2013. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 as a neuroprotective agent: promotion of the morphological development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Neuromolecular Medicine 15(2), pp. 435-446. (10.1007/s12017-013-8230-5)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. L., Nagappan, G. and Davies, A. M. 2013. ProNGF promotes neurite growth from a subset of NGF-dependent neurons by a p75(NTR)-dependent mechanism. Development 140(10), pp. 2108-2117. (10.1242/dev.085266)
- Gutierrez, H., Kisiswa, L., O'Keeffe, G. W., Smithen, M. J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Regulation of neurite growth by tumour necrosis superfamily member RANKL. Open Biology 3(1), article number: 120150. (10.1098/rsob.120150)
2011
- Wyatt, S. L., Spori, B., Vizard, T. N. and Davies, A. M. 2011. Selective regulation of nerve growth factor expression in developing cutaneous tissue by early sensory innervation. Neural Development 6, article number: 18. (10.1186/1749-8104-6-18)
2009
- Franklin, S. L., Davies, A. M. and Wyatt, S. L. 2009. Macrophage stimulating protein is a neurotrophic factor for a sub-population of adult nociceptive sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 41(2), pp. 175-185. (10.1016/j.mcn.2009.02.009)
2008
- Andres, R., Herraez-Baranda, L. A., Thompson, J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2008. Regulation of sympathetic neuron differentiation by endogenous nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3. Neuroscience Letters 431(3), pp. 241-246. (10.1016/j.neulet.2007.11.045)
- Andres, R., Herraez-Baranda, L. A., Thompson, J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2008. Regulation of developing sympathetic neuron phenotype by endogenous NGF and NT3. Neuroscience Letters 431(3), pp. 241-246. (10.1016/j.neulet.2007.11.045)
2006
- Hefti, F. F., Rosenthal, A., Walicke, P. A., Wyatt, S. L., Vergara, G., Shelton, S. and Davies, A. M. 2006. Novel class of pain drugs based on antagonism of NGF. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 27(2), pp. 85-91. (10.1016/j.tips.2005.12.001)
2003
- Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Correll, P. H. and Davies, A. M. 2003. Macrophage stimulating protein is a target-derived neurotrophic factor for developing sensory and sympathetic neurons. Development 130(5), pp. 995-1002. (10.1242/dev.00329)
- Cowen, T. et al. 2003. Reduced age-related plasticity of neurotrophin receptor expression in selected sympathetic neurons of the rat. Aging Cell 2(1), pp. 59-70. (10.1046/j.1474-9728.2003.00035.x)
2001
- Andres, R., Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Chen, Q., de Sauvage, F. J. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Multiple effects of artemin on sympathetic neurone generation, survival and growth. Development 128(19), pp. 3685-3695.
- Middleton, G., Wyatt, S. L., Ninkina, N. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Reciprocal developmental changes in the roles of Bcl-w and Bcl-x(L) in regulating sensory neuron survival. Development 128(3), pp. 447-457.
- Alonzi, T. et al. 2001. Role of STAT3 and PI 3-Kinase/Akt in mediating the survival actions of cytokines on sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 18(3), pp. 270-282. (10.1006/mcne.2001.1018)
2000
- Middleton, G. et al. 2000. Cytokine-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation promotes the survival of developing neurons. Journal of cell biology 148(2), pp. 325-332. (10.1083/jcb.148.2.325)
- Middleton, G., Wyatt, S. L., Cox, A., Korsmeyer, S. and Davies, A. 2000. Differences in Bcl-2- and Bax-independent function in regulating apoptosis in sensory neuron populations. European Journal of Neuroscience 12(3), pp. 819-827. (10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00966.x)
- Forgie, A., Kuehnel, F., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2000. In vivo survival requirement of a subset of nodose ganglion neurons for nerve growth factor. European Journal of Neuroscience 12(2), pp. 670-676. (10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00951.x)
Articles
- Ateaque, S. et al. 2022. Selective activation and down-regulation of Trk receptors by neurotrophins in human neurons co-expressing TrkB and TrkC. Journal of Neurochemistry 161(6), pp. 463-477. (10.1111/jnc.15617)
- Mazzocchi, M., Goulding, S. R., Wyatt, S. L., Collins, L. M., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2021. LMK235, a small molecule inhibitor of HDAC4/5, protects dopaminergic neurons against neurotoxin- and α-synuclein-induced degeneration in cellular models of Parkinson's disease. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 115, article number: 103642. (10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103642)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2021. Neuregulin-4 contributes to the establishment of cutaneous sensory innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 81(2), pp. 139-148. (10.1002/dneu.22803)
- Goulding, S. R. et al. 2021. Growth differentiation factor 5 exerts neuroprotection in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Brain 144(2), article number: e14. (10.1093/brain/awaa367)
- Anantha, J., Goulding, S. R., Wyatt, S. L., Concannon, R. M., Collins, L. M., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2020. STRAP and NME1 mediate the neurite growth-promoting effects of the neurotrophic factor GDF5. iScience 23(9), article number: 101457. (10.1016/j.isci.2020.101457)
- Carriba, P., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2020. CD40L Reverse signaling influences dendrite spine morphology and expression of PSD-95 and Rho small GTPases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 8, article number: 254. (10.3389/fcell.2020.00254)
- O'Keeffe, G., Sullivan, A., Hegarty, S., Collins, L., McCarthy, E., Wyatt, S. and Alshangiti, A. 2020. Association of distinct type 1 bone morphogenetic protein receptors with different molecular pathways and survival outcomes in neuroblastoma. Neuronal Signaling 4(1), article number: NS20200006. (10.1042/NS20200006)
- Calhan, O. Y., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40L reverse signaling suppresses prevertebral sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(11-12), pp. 949-962. (10.1002/dneu.22735)
- Howard, L., McWilliams, T. G., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40 forward signalling is a physiological regulator of early sensory axon growth. Development 146(18), article number: dev176495. (10.1242/dev.176495)
- Mazzocchi, M. et al. 2019. Gene co-expression analysis identifies histone deacetylase 5 and 9 expression in midbrain dopamine neurons and as regulators of neurite growth via bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 7, article number: 191. (10.3389/fcell.2019.00191)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Neuregulin-4 is required for the growth and elaboration of striatal medium spiny neuron dendrites. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 78(8), pp. 725-734. (10.1093/jnen/nlz046)
- Erice, C., Calhan, O. Y., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Regional differences in the contributions of TNF reverse and forward signaling to the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(4), pp. 317-334. (10.1002/dneu.22680)
- Howard, L., Wosnitzka, E., Okakpu, D., White, M. A., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2018. TWE-PRIL reverse signaling suppresses sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Development 145(22), article number: dev165936. (10.1242/dev.165936)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. 2018. An essential role for neuregulin-4 in the growth and elaboration of developing neocortical pyramidal dendrites. Experimental Neurology 302, pp. 85-92. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.01.002)
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2017. TNF superfamily member APRIL enhances midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and contributes to the nigrostriatal projection in vivo. Experimental Neurology 298, pp. 97-103. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.09.007)
- Kisiswa, L., Erice Jurecky, C., Ferron, L., Wyatt, S., Osório, C., Dolphin, A. C. and Davies, A. M. 2017. T-type Ca 2+ channels are required for enhanced sympathetic axon growth by TNFα reverse signalling. Open Biology 7(1), article number: 160288. (10.1098/rsob.160288)
- Hegarty, S. V., Wyatt, S., Howard, L., Stappers, E., Huylebroeck, D., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2017. Zeb2 is a negative regulator of midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 8568. (10.1038/s41598-017-08900-3)
- Harvey, A. K. et al. 2016. Novel application of behavioral assays allows dissociation of joint pathology from systemic extra-articular alterations induced by inflammatory arthritis. Journal of Rheumatic Diseases and Treatment 2(2), article number: 33. (10.23937/2469-5726/1510033)
- O'Keeffe, G. et al. 2016. Region-specific role of growth differentiation factor-5 in the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Neural Development 11, article number: 4. (10.1186/s13064-016-0060-3)
- Vizard, T. N., Newton, M., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2015. ERK signaling mediates CaSR-promoted axon growth. Neuroscience Letters 603, pp. 77-83. (10.1016/j.neulet.2015.07.019)
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2015. Regulation of autocrine signaling in subsets of sympathetic neurons has regional effects on tissue innervation. Cell Reports 10(9), pp. 1443-1449. (10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.016)
- Walsh, S. et al. 2015. Knockdown of interleukin-1 receptor 1 is not neuroprotective in the 6-hydroxydopamine striatal lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Neuroscience 125(1), pp. 70-77. (10.3109/00207454.2014.904304)
- Nolan, A. M., Collins, L. M., Wyatt, S. L., Gutierrez, H. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2014. The neurite growth inhibitory effects of soluble TNFα on developing sympathetic neurons are dependent on developmental age. Differentiation 88(4-5), pp. 124-130. (10.1016/j.diff.2014.12.006)
- Hegarty, S. V., Collins, L. M., Gavin, A. M., Roche, S. L., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2014. Canonical BMP–Smad signalling promotes neurite growth in rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons. NeuroMolecular Medicine 16(2), pp. 473-489., article number: 10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5. (10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5)
- Collins, L. M. et al. 2014. Expression of endogenous Mkp1 in 6-OHDA rat models of Parkinson's disease. SpringerPlus 3(1), article number: 205. (10.1186/2193-1801-3-205)
- Osório, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P. J., White, M., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. L., Rodríguez-Tébar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2014. Selective regulation of axonal growth from developing hippocampal neurons by tumor necrosis factor superfamily member APRIL. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 59, pp. 24-36. (10.1016/j.mcn.2014.01.002)
- Gavin, A. M., Walsh, S., Wyatt, S. L., O'Keeffe, G. W. and Sullivan, A. M. 2014. 6-Hydroxydopamine induces distinct alterations in GDF5 and GDNF mRNA expression in the rat nigrostriatal system in vivo. Neuroscience Letters 561, pp. 176-181. (10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.046)
- Osorio, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P., Kisiswa, L., White, M., Wyatt, S. L., Rodriguez-Tebar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Growth differentiation factor 5 is a key physiological regulator of dendrite growth during development. Development 140(23), pp. 4751-4762. (10.1242/dev.101378)
- Kisiswa, L., Osório, C. R., Erice Jurecky, C., Vizard, T. N., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. TNFα reverse signaling promotes sympathetic axon growth and target innervation. Nature Neuroscience 16(7), pp. 865-873. (10.1038/nn.3430)
- Collins, L. M., O'Keeffe, G. W., Long-Smith, C. M., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M., Toulouse, A. and Nolan, Y. M. 2013. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 as a neuroprotective agent: promotion of the morphological development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Neuromolecular Medicine 15(2), pp. 435-446. (10.1007/s12017-013-8230-5)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. L., Nagappan, G. and Davies, A. M. 2013. ProNGF promotes neurite growth from a subset of NGF-dependent neurons by a p75(NTR)-dependent mechanism. Development 140(10), pp. 2108-2117. (10.1242/dev.085266)
- Gutierrez, H., Kisiswa, L., O'Keeffe, G. W., Smithen, M. J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Regulation of neurite growth by tumour necrosis superfamily member RANKL. Open Biology 3(1), article number: 120150. (10.1098/rsob.120150)
- Wyatt, S. L., Spori, B., Vizard, T. N. and Davies, A. M. 2011. Selective regulation of nerve growth factor expression in developing cutaneous tissue by early sensory innervation. Neural Development 6, article number: 18. (10.1186/1749-8104-6-18)
- Franklin, S. L., Davies, A. M. and Wyatt, S. L. 2009. Macrophage stimulating protein is a neurotrophic factor for a sub-population of adult nociceptive sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 41(2), pp. 175-185. (10.1016/j.mcn.2009.02.009)
- Andres, R., Herraez-Baranda, L. A., Thompson, J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2008. Regulation of sympathetic neuron differentiation by endogenous nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3. Neuroscience Letters 431(3), pp. 241-246. (10.1016/j.neulet.2007.11.045)
- Andres, R., Herraez-Baranda, L. A., Thompson, J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2008. Regulation of developing sympathetic neuron phenotype by endogenous NGF and NT3. Neuroscience Letters 431(3), pp. 241-246. (10.1016/j.neulet.2007.11.045)
- Hefti, F. F., Rosenthal, A., Walicke, P. A., Wyatt, S. L., Vergara, G., Shelton, S. and Davies, A. M. 2006. Novel class of pain drugs based on antagonism of NGF. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 27(2), pp. 85-91. (10.1016/j.tips.2005.12.001)
- Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Correll, P. H. and Davies, A. M. 2003. Macrophage stimulating protein is a target-derived neurotrophic factor for developing sensory and sympathetic neurons. Development 130(5), pp. 995-1002. (10.1242/dev.00329)
- Cowen, T. et al. 2003. Reduced age-related plasticity of neurotrophin receptor expression in selected sympathetic neurons of the rat. Aging Cell 2(1), pp. 59-70. (10.1046/j.1474-9728.2003.00035.x)
- Andres, R., Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Chen, Q., de Sauvage, F. J. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Multiple effects of artemin on sympathetic neurone generation, survival and growth. Development 128(19), pp. 3685-3695.
- Middleton, G., Wyatt, S. L., Ninkina, N. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Reciprocal developmental changes in the roles of Bcl-w and Bcl-x(L) in regulating sensory neuron survival. Development 128(3), pp. 447-457.
- Alonzi, T. et al. 2001. Role of STAT3 and PI 3-Kinase/Akt in mediating the survival actions of cytokines on sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 18(3), pp. 270-282. (10.1006/mcne.2001.1018)
- Middleton, G. et al. 2000. Cytokine-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation promotes the survival of developing neurons. Journal of cell biology 148(2), pp. 325-332. (10.1083/jcb.148.2.325)
- Middleton, G., Wyatt, S. L., Cox, A., Korsmeyer, S. and Davies, A. 2000. Differences in Bcl-2- and Bax-independent function in regulating apoptosis in sensory neuron populations. European Journal of Neuroscience 12(3), pp. 819-827. (10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00966.x)
- Forgie, A., Kuehnel, F., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2000. In vivo survival requirement of a subset of nodose ganglion neurons for nerve growth factor. European Journal of Neuroscience 12(2), pp. 670-676. (10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00951.x)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2021. Neuregulin-4 contributes to the establishment of cutaneous sensory innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 81(2), pp. 139-148. (10.1002/dneu.22803)
- Goulding, S. R. et al. 2021. Growth differentiation factor 5 exerts neuroprotection in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Brain 144(2), article number: e14. (10.1093/brain/awaa367)
- Anantha, J., Goulding, S. R., Wyatt, S. L., Concannon, R. M., Collins, L. M., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2020. STRAP and NME1 mediate the neurite growth-promoting effects of the neurotrophic factor GDF5. iScience 23(9), article number: 101457. (10.1016/j.isci.2020.101457)
- Carriba, P., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2020. CD40L Reverse signaling influences dendrite spine morphology and expression of PSD-95 and Rho small GTPases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 8, article number: 254. (10.3389/fcell.2020.00254)
- Calhan, O. Y., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40L reverse signaling suppresses prevertebral sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(11-12), pp. 949-962. (10.1002/dneu.22735)
- Howard, L., McWilliams, T. G., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. CD40 forward signalling is a physiological regulator of early sensory axon growth. Development 146(18), article number: dev176495. (10.1242/dev.176495)
- Mazzocchi, M. et al. 2019. Gene co-expression analysis identifies histone deacetylase 5 and 9 expression in midbrain dopamine neurons and as regulators of neurite growth via bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 7, article number: 191. (10.3389/fcell.2019.00191)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Neuregulin-4 is required for the growth and elaboration of striatal medium spiny neuron dendrites. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 78(8), pp. 725-734. (10.1093/jnen/nlz046)
- Erice, C., Calhan, O. Y., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2019. Regional differences in the contributions of TNF reverse and forward signaling to the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Developmental Neurobiology 79(4), pp. 317-334. (10.1002/dneu.22680)
- Howard, L., Wosnitzka, E., Okakpu, D., White, M. A., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2018. TWE-PRIL reverse signaling suppresses sympathetic axon growth and tissue innervation. Development 145(22), article number: dev165936. (10.1242/dev.165936)
- Paramo, B., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. 2018. An essential role for neuregulin-4 in the growth and elaboration of developing neocortical pyramidal dendrites. Experimental Neurology 302, pp. 85-92. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.01.002)
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2017. TNF superfamily member APRIL enhances midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and contributes to the nigrostriatal projection in vivo. Experimental Neurology 298, pp. 97-103. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.09.007)
- Kisiswa, L., Erice Jurecky, C., Ferron, L., Wyatt, S., Osório, C., Dolphin, A. C. and Davies, A. M. 2017. T-type Ca 2+ channels are required for enhanced sympathetic axon growth by TNFα reverse signalling. Open Biology 7(1), article number: 160288. (10.1098/rsob.160288)
- Hegarty, S. V., Wyatt, S., Howard, L., Stappers, E., Huylebroeck, D., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2017. Zeb2 is a negative regulator of midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 8568. (10.1038/s41598-017-08900-3)
- O'Keeffe, G. et al. 2016. Region-specific role of growth differentiation factor-5 in the establishment of sympathetic innervation. Neural Development 11, article number: 4. (10.1186/s13064-016-0060-3)
- McWilliams, T. G., Howard, L., Wyatt, S. and Davies, A. M. 2015. Regulation of autocrine signaling in subsets of sympathetic neurons has regional effects on tissue innervation. Cell Reports 10(9), pp. 1443-1449. (10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.016)
- Hegarty, S. V., Collins, L. M., Gavin, A. M., Roche, S. L., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M. and O'Keeffe, G. W. 2014. Canonical BMP–Smad signalling promotes neurite growth in rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons. NeuroMolecular Medicine 16(2), pp. 473-489., article number: 10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5. (10.1007/s12017-014-8299-5)
- Osório, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P. J., White, M., Kisiswa, L., Wyatt, S. L., Rodríguez-Tébar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2014. Selective regulation of axonal growth from developing hippocampal neurons by tumor necrosis factor superfamily member APRIL. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 59, pp. 24-36. (10.1016/j.mcn.2014.01.002)
- Osorio, C. R., Chacon Fernandez, P., Kisiswa, L., White, M., Wyatt, S. L., Rodriguez-Tebar, A. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Growth differentiation factor 5 is a key physiological regulator of dendrite growth during development. Development 140(23), pp. 4751-4762. (10.1242/dev.101378)
- Kisiswa, L., Osório, C. R., Erice Jurecky, C., Vizard, T. N., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. TNFα reverse signaling promotes sympathetic axon growth and target innervation. Nature Neuroscience 16(7), pp. 865-873. (10.1038/nn.3430)
- Collins, L. M., O'Keeffe, G. W., Long-Smith, C. M., Wyatt, S. L., Sullivan, A. M., Toulouse, A. and Nolan, Y. M. 2013. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 as a neuroprotective agent: promotion of the morphological development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Neuromolecular Medicine 15(2), pp. 435-446. (10.1007/s12017-013-8230-5)
- Howard, L., Wyatt, S. L., Nagappan, G. and Davies, A. M. 2013. ProNGF promotes neurite growth from a subset of NGF-dependent neurons by a p75(NTR)-dependent mechanism. Development 140(10), pp. 2108-2117. (10.1242/dev.085266)
- Gutierrez, H., Kisiswa, L., O'Keeffe, G. W., Smithen, M. J., Wyatt, S. L. and Davies, A. M. 2013. Regulation of neurite growth by tumour necrosis superfamily member RANKL. Open Biology 3(1), article number: 120150. (10.1098/rsob.120150)
- Franklin, S. L., Davies, A. M. and Wyatt, S. L. 2009. Macrophage stimulating protein is a neurotrophic factor for a sub-population of adult nociceptive sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 41(2), pp. 175-185. (10.1016/j.mcn.2009.02.009)
- Hefti, F. F., Rosenthal, A., Walicke, P. A., Wyatt, S. L., Vergara, G., Shelton, S. and Davies, A. M. 2006. Novel class of pain drugs based on antagonism of NGF. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 27(2), pp. 85-91. (10.1016/j.tips.2005.12.001)
- Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Correll, P. H. and Davies, A. M. 2003. Macrophage stimulating protein is a target-derived neurotrophic factor for developing sensory and sympathetic neurons. Development 130(5), pp. 995-1002. (10.1242/dev.00329)
- Andres, R., Forgie, A., Wyatt, S. L., Chen, Q., de Sauvage, F. J. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Multiple effects of artemin on sympathetic neurone generation, survival and growth. Development 128(19), pp. 3685-3695.
- Middleton, G., Wyatt, S. L., Ninkina, N. and Davies, A. M. 2001. Reciprocal developmental changes in the roles of Bcl-w and Bcl-x(L) in regulating sensory neuron survival. Development 128(3), pp. 447-457.
- Alonzi, T. et al. 2001. Role of STAT3 and PI 3-Kinase/Akt in mediating the survival actions of cytokines on sensory neurons. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 18(3), pp. 270-282. (10.1006/mcne.2001.1018)
- Middleton, G. et al. 2000. Cytokine-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation promotes the survival of developing neurons. Journal of cell biology 148(2), pp. 325-332. (10.1083/jcb.148.2.325)
Research
Research
I investigate how secreted proteins regulate neuronal differentiation, survival and the establishment of neural connections in the developing vertebrate nervous systems. In the last decade, I have become focussed on members of the TNF and TNF receptor superfamily’s, proteins that were originally characterised as immune modulators. It is becoming increasingly clear that many members of the TNFSF and TNFRSF play crucial roles in neural development, in particular in the establishment, maintenance and remodelling of neural connections. Techniques employed in my research group include: primary cell culture; fluorescent labelling and imaging of neuronal processes and an analysis of the length and complexity of axons and dendrites in vitro and in vivo; molecular techniques to analyse gene expression and intracellular signalling in neurons exposed to secreted proteins; transgenic approaches to determine the effects that modulating the expression of secreted proteins and their receptors has on developing neurons, both in vitro and in vivo.
Ongoing collaborations
Dr Gerard O'Keeffe, University College Cork.
Identifying and characterising secreted signalling molecules and intracellular signal transduction pathways that regulate the growth of axons from developing dopaminergic neurons of the Substantia Nigra, with the aim of identifying approaches that may slow the degeneration of dopaminergic axon terminals within the striatum in Parkinson's disease.
Dr Tim Wells, Cardiff University School of Biosciences.
Investigating the mechanisms that underlie the cognitive deficits experienced by individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Teaching
Current teaching
- Year 2. Fundamental Neuroscience. Lectures on neural development (deputy module lead).
- Year 2. Dentists. Basic Sciences, Neuroscience component comprising introductory neuroanatomy and neurophysiology (module lead).
- Year 1. Medic Preclinical Sciences. Lectures on membrane transport and muscle contraction and practical on nerve conduction.
- Supervision of final year projects
Past teaching
- Year 3. Degeneration and repair in the CNS
- Year 3. Neural Development and plasticity
- Year 3. Molecular Neuroscience
Biography
I joined the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University as a Senior Lecturer in June 2004. Prior to taking up this position at Cardiff, I worked as a Senior Scientist at Rinat Neuroscience a biotech company situated in Palo Alto, California that was established in 2001, the year I joined the company. Before joining Rinat, I held a Royal Society University Fellowship and was working at the Royal Dick Vet School at Edinburgh University. The Fellowship was awarded in 1999 whilst I was a post-doc in the Department of Biology at St. Andrews University and I moved to Edinburgh in early 2000. I had arrived at St. Andrews University to take up my second post-doctoral position in 1996 after completing my first post-doc appointment in the Department of Molecular Pathology at University College, London from 1993-1996. Prior to this, I undertook a PhD in Molecular Neurobiology in the Department of Anatomy at St Georges Medical School, London between 1987 and 1992. I studied for a BSc (hons) degree in Biology at Southampton University between 1983-1986.
Contact Details
+44 29208 76153
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX