Kim, Kyong Tai, Ph.D.

Professor
Department of Life Science
Division of Molecular and Life Sciences
Neurophysiology

Publications Abstract
E-mail ktk@postech.ac.kr
Phone +82-54-279-2297(office) +82-54-279-5984(lab.)
Laboratory Lab. of Molecular Neurophysiology

Profile |  Research Interests  |  Selected Publications

Profile

Research Interests

Molecular Neurophysiology
Research interests in this laboratory aim at the elucidation of the physiological and molecular regulation of neuronal signal system. The major stream of research involves the modulation of second messengers in neuronal cells, regulation of neurotransmitter secretion, and transcriptional regulation of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters. For the purpose, two major approaches are carried out; one is the cellular biological aspect and the other is themolecular biological aspect. In the field of cell biology, the characterization of receptors and ion channels, cross-talk between receptor signalings, the interaction between receptor and ion channels have been investigated. Since extracellular signals on neuronal cells eventually trigger secretion of neurotransmitters, we also study the regulatory mechanism in the exocytotic processes of neurotransmitters. Recently signalings involved in circadian rhythm, neurological disease such as manic depression and schizophrenia have risen as new research interests. With the basic knowledge of receptors, ion channels and their signalings, we are investigating drug development by screening specific antagonists against receptors and ion channels. Through a molecular biology approach, we focus on the transcriptional and translational regulations of neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes including tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase and serotonin N-acetyltransferase. Identification and cloning of regulatory factors involved in those gene expressions are proceeded. We are also searching specific genes expressed in circadian rhythm and neuronal cell differentiation. In addition, cloning of novel receptors and functional analysis is performed.

Selected Publications 

1. Park CH, Choi BH, Jeong MW, Kim S, Kim W, Song YS, and Kim KT (2011) Protein kinase Cδ regulates vaccinia related kinase 1 in DNA damage induced apoptosis. Mol. Biol. Cell.22,1398-1408
2. Woo KC, Kim TD, Lee KH, Kim DY, Kim JS, Kim S, Senju S, Nishimura Y, and Kim KT (2011) Modulation of exosome-mediated mRNA turnover by interaction of GTP binding protein 1 (GTPBP1) with its target mRNAs. FASEB J. (in press)
3. Kim DY, Woo KC, Lee KH, Kim TD, and Kim KT (2010) hnRNP Q and PTB modulate the circadian oscillation of mouse Rev-erb α via IRES-mediated translation. Nucleic Acid Res. 38(20), 7068-7078
4. Woo KC, Ha DC, Kim TD, Lee KH, Kim DY, and Kim KT (2010) Circadian amplitude of cryptochrome 1 is modulated by mRNA stability regulation via cytoplasmic hnRNP D oscillation. Mol. Cell. Biol. 30(1), 197-205.
5. Woo KC, Kim TD, Lee KH, Kim DY, and Kim KT (2009) Mouse period 2 mRNA Circadian oscillation is modulated by PTB-mediated rhythmic mRNA degradation. Nucl. Acid Res. 37(1), 26-37.
6. Kang TH, Park DY, Kim W. and Kim KT (2008) VRK1 phosphorylates CREB and mediates CCND1 expression. J. Cell Sci. 121(18), 3035-3041.
7. Kim TD, Woo KC, Cho S, Ha DC, Jang SK, and Kim KT (2007) Rhythmic control of AANAT translation by hnRNP Q in circadian melatonin production. Genes Dev. 21, 797-810.
8. Kang TH, Park DY, Choi YH, Kim KJ, Yoon HS, and Kim KT (2007) Mitotic histone H3 phosphorylation by VRK1 in mammalian cells. Mol. Cell. Biol. 27(24), 8533-8546.
9. Park YS, Hur EM, Choi BH, Kwak E, Jun DJ, Park SJ, and Kim KT (2006) Involvement of protein kinase C-epsilon in activity-dependent potentiation of large dense-core vesicle (LDCV) exocytosis in chromaffin cells. J. Neurosci. 26 (35), 8999-9005.  
10. Jun DJ, Lee JH, Choi, BH, Koh TK, Ha DC, Jeong MW, and Kim KT (2006) Sphingosine 1-phosphate modulates both lipolysis and leptin production in differentiated rat white adipocytes. Endocrinology 147(12), 5835-5844.
11. Kang TH and Kim KT (2006) Negative regulation of ERK activity by VRK3-mediated activation of VHR phosphatase.  Nat. Cell Biol. 8, 863-869.
12. Hur EM, Park YS, Huh YH, Yoo SH, Woo KC, Choi BH, and Kim KT (2005) Junctional membrane inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor complex coordinates sensitization of the silent EGF-induced Ca²⁺ signaling. J. Cell Biol. 169(4), 657-667.
13. Kim TD, Kim JS, Kim JH, Myung J, Chae HD, Woo KC, Jang SK, Koh DS, and Kim KT (2005) Rhythmic serotonin N-acetyltransferase mRNA degradation is essential for the maintenance of its circadian oscillation. Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 3232-3246.

Division of Molecular & Life Sciences| POSTECH