Swati Banerjee, Ph.D.

Research

We are currently exploring the following three research themes:

1) Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases Mitochondrial dysfunction, axonal and synapse loss are among the many hallmarks in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In these relentless and prolonged human diseases, mitochondrial structural damage and dysfunction, decrease in synapse density as well as changes in cytoskeletal dynamics are among the important correlates of disease progression. We are using a multi-system approach including Drosophila to investigate the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction that drive these age-related neurodegenerative disorders and complement our studies using postmortem human brains.

2) Trans-Synaptic Adhesion and Signaling in Synaptic Growth and Cytoarchitecture Our research interest also includes the study of synapse formation and function. Two key synaptic cell adhesion molecules, Neurexin and Neuroligin, connect the pre- and postsynaptic terminals of the synapses. In humans, mutations in Neurexin or Neuroligin genes are implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and intellectual disabilities. Our work indicates that Drosophila Neurexin/Neuroligin regulate components of the BMP signaling pathway. Using EMS mutagenesis screen, we have identified several novel interacting proteins of Neurexin, including dMegf8, that we are currently characterizing. We are interested in deciphering how Neurexin/Neuroligin and related proteins mediate the trans-synaptic signaling and shape neural networks to process and refine information.

3) Neuron-Glial Interactions and Ensheathment of Axons Molecular interactions between neurons and glial cells are vital for proper functioning of the nervous system across species. These bidirectional interactions are central in processes such as ensheathment of axons, formation of axo-glial junctions, and maintenance of functional blood-brain and blood-nerve barriers. We are investigating the molecular basis of axonal ensheathment using genetic, cell biological and biochemical approaches. We have identified several proteins that have fundamental roles in neuron-glial interactions underlying the process of ensheathment of axons both in the PNS and CNS. These studies are relevant to understanding the mechanisms regulating vertebrate myelination in health and disease.

Awards & Accomplishments

2020 Recipient of Mentored Career Development Award, Perry and Ruby Stevens Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence, UT Health San Antonio

Co-Investigator, NINDS R25 Training Grant for Summer Physiology Undergraduate Researcher Program

Research in our laboratory has been generously supported by:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
Perry and Ruby Stevens Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence
Morrison Trust
Center for Biomedical Neurosciences
UT Health San Antonio

Lab Members

Current Lab Members:

	Priscilla Robertson Research Assistant
	Natalie De La Cerda NINDS R25 SPUR student
	Karina Cantu NINDS R25 SPUR student
	Mia Michelle Zavala High School student

Publications

Chen S, Venkatesan A, Lin YQ, Xie J, Neely G, Banerjee S, and Bhat MA (2022). Drosophila Homolog of the Human Carpenter Syndrome Linked Gene, MEGF8, Is Required for Synapse Development and Function. The Journal of Neuroscience, 42(37):7016–7030.  https://www.jneurosci.org/content/42/37/7016 https://www.jneurosci.org/content/jneuro/42/37/7015.full.pdf

Xie J, Chen S, Bopassa, JC and Banerjee S. (2021). Drosophila Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein Mutants Reveal Pathological Correlates Relevant to Human Parkinson’s Disease. Scientific Reports 11:13614. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92738-3

Vargas, E. J. M, Matamoros, A. J., Qiu, J., Jan, C. H., Wang, Q., Gorczyca, D., Han, T. W., Weissman, J. S., Jan, Y. N., Banerjee, S. and Song, Y. (2020). The microtubule regulator ringer functions downstream from the RNA repair/splicing pathway to promote axon regeneration. Genes and Dev. 34: 1-15. doi:10.1101/gad.331330.119

Shi, Q., Lin, Y. Q., Saliba, A., Xie, J., Neely, G. G. and Banerjee, S. (2019). Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein, Ringmaker, and MAP1B Homolog Futsch Coordinate Microtubule Organization and Synaptic Growth. Frontiers in Cell Neurosci. 13:192. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00192 .

Banerjee, S. and Riordan, M. (2018). Coordinated Regulation of Axonal Microtubule Organization and Transport by Drosophila Neurexin and BMP Pathway. Scientific Reports, 8(1):17337 .

Banerjee, S., Mino, R., Fisher, E. and Bhat, M.A. (2017). A Versatile Genetic Tool to Study Midline Glia Function in the Drosophila CNS. Developmental Biology, 429(1):35-43.

Banerjee, S., Venkatesan, A. and Bhat, M.A. (2017) Neurexin, Neuroligin and Wishful Thinking Coordinate Synaptic Cytoarchitecture and Growth at Neuromuscular Junctions. Mol. Cell. Neurosci.78, 9-24. (Featured on the Cover).

Mino, R.E., Rogers, S.L., Risinger, A.L., Rohena, C., Banerjee, S. and Bhat, M.A. (2016). Drosophila Ringmaker Regulates Microtubule Stabilization and Axonal Extension During Embryonic Development. J. Cell Sci. 129, 3282-3294.

Banerjee, S., Riordan, M. and Bhat, M.A. (2014). Genetic Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Insights from Animal Models. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 8:58.

Chen, Y.-C., Lin, Y.Q., Banerjee, S., Venken, K., Li, J., Ismat, A., Chen, K., Duraine, L., Bellen, H.J. and Bhat, M.A. (2012). Drosophila Neuroligin 2 is Required Presynaptically and Postsynaptically for proper Synaptic Differentiation and Synaptic Transmission. J. Neurosci. 32: 16018-16030.

Banerjee, S., Paik, R., Mino, R.E., Blauth, K., Fisher, E.S., Madden, V., Fanning, A. S., and Bhat, M.A. (2011). A Laminin G-EGF-Laminin G (LEL) Module in Drosophila Neurexin IV is Essential for the Apico-lateral Localization of Contactin and Organization of Septate Junctions. PLos ONE 6, e25926 (1-14).

Blauth, K., Banerjee, S. and M.A. Bhat (2010) Axonal Ensheathment and Intercellular Barrier Formation in Drosophila. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology 283, 93-128.

Banerjee, S., Blauth, K., Peters, K., Rogers, S. L., Fanning, A. S. and M.A. Bhat 2010. Drosophila Neurexin IV interacts with Roundabout and is required for repulsive midline axon guidance. Journal of Neuroscience 30, 5653-5667.

Wheeler, S., Banerjee, S., Blauth, K., Rogers, S., Crews, S. and M. A. Bhat. 2009. Neurexin IV and Wrapper interactions mediate Drosophila midline glial migration and axonal ensheathment. Development 136, 1147-57.

Banerjee, S., R.J. Bainton, Mayer, N., Beckstead, R. and M. A. Bhat. 2008. Septate junctions are required for ommatidial integrity and blood-eye barrier formation in Drosophila. Developmental Biology 317, 585-99. (Featured on the Cover)

Banerjee, S. and M. A. Bhat. 2008. Glial ensheathment of peripheral axons in Drosophila. Journal of Neuroscience Research 86, 1189-98.

Banerjee, S. and Bhat, M.A. 2007. Neuron-glial interactions in blood-brain barrier formation. Annual Review of Neuroscience 30, 235-258.

Wu, V, M., Yu, M., Paik, R., Banerjee, S., Liang, Z., Paul, S. M., Bhat, M. A. and Beitel, G. J. 2007. Varicose encodes a member of a new subgroup of basolateral MAGUKs and is required for Drosophila septate junction formation. Development 134, 999-1009.

Banerjee, S., Sousa, A.D. and M.A. Bhat. 2006. Organization and function of septate junctions: An evolutionary perspective. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics 45, 65-77.

Banerjee, S., Paik, R., Pillai, A. M. and M.A. Bhat. 2006. Axonal Ensheathment and Septate Junction Formation in the Peripheral Nervous System of Drosophila. Journal of Neuroscience 26, 3319-3329.

Faivre-Sarrailh, C.*, S. Banerjee*, J. Li, M. Laval, M. Hortsch, and M.A. Bhat. 2004. Drosophila Contactin, a homolog of vertebrate contactin is required for septate junction organization and paracellular barrier function. Development 131, 4931-4942. (*Co-First Authors).

Mishra, A.*, Agrawal, N.*, Banerjee, S.*, Sardesai, D., Dalal, J.S., Bhojwani, J., Sinha, P. 2001. Spatial regulation of DELTA expression mediates NOTCH signaling for segmentation of Drosophila legs. Mechanisms of Development 105, 115-127. (*Co-First Authors)