Prof. H. Benjamin Peng
(Ph.D., Purdue University, 1976)

Chair Professor and Head of Department.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Biology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Tel: 852-2358-7921
Fax: 852-2358-1559
E-mail: penghb@ust.hk

Research interests: Development of the neuromuscular junction; cell biology; signal transduction

Description of research interests:

Development of the neuromuscular junction; cell biology; signal transduction.

The formation of synaptic connection is a central issue in the development of the nervous system. The formation of the neuromuscular junction offers a simple system for understanding synaptic development. This can be conveniently studied in tissue culture. In Professor Peng's laboratory, muscle cells and neurons from amphibian embryos are placed into tissue culture. When neurites contact the muscle cell, development of the neuromuscular junction follows. This is manifested by the formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters in the postsynaptic membrane and the development of synaptic vesicle clusters in the presynaptic terminal. The development of these synaptic specializations in culture is followed with a variety of techniques including light and electron microscopy, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, and molecular biology. Professor Peng is particularly interested in the signal that is communicated between nerve and muscle which leads to synaptic differentiation and the cellular and molecular mechanisms used by these two cell types in the assembly of the specializations.

1:  Lee CW, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Mitochondrial clustering at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction during presynaptic differentiation.
J Neurobiol. 2006 May;66(6):522-36.

2:  Madhavan R, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Molecular regulation of postsynaptic differentiation at the neuromuscular junction.
IUBMB Life. 2005 Nov;57(11):719-30. Review.

3:  Xie HQ, Siow NL, Peng HB, Massoulie J, Tsim KW. Related Articles, Links 
 Regulation of PRiMA: membrane anchor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in neuron and muscle.
Chem Biol Interact. 2005 Dec 15;157-158:432. No abstract available.

4:  Madhavan R, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 HGF induction of postsynaptic specializations at the neuromuscular junction.
J Neurobiol. 2006 Feb 5;66(2):134-47.

5:  Madhavan R, Zhao XT, Ruegg MA, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Tyrosine phosphatase regulation of MuSK-dependent acetylcholine receptor clustering.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 2005 Mar;28(3):403-16.

6:  Madhavan R, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 A synaptic balancing act: local and global signaling in the clustering of ACh receptors at vertebrate neuromuscular junctions.
J Neurocytol. 2003 Jun-Sep;32(5-8):685-96. Review.

7:  Madhavan R, Zhao XT, Chan F, Wu Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The involvement of calcineurin in acetylcholine receptor redistribution in muscle.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 2003 Aug;23(4):587-99.

8:  Peng HB, Yang JF, Dai Z, Lee CW, Hung HW, Feng ZH, Ko CP. Related Articles, Links 
 Differential effects of neurotrophins and schwann cell-derived signals on neuronal survival/growth and synaptogenesis.
J Neurosci. 2003 Jun 15;23(12):5050-60.

10:  DiGregorio DA, Negrete O, Jeromin A, Peng HB, Vergara JL. Related Articles, Links 
 Contact-dependent aggregation of functional Ca2+ channels, synaptic vesicles and postsynaptic receptors in active zones of a neuromuscular junction.
Eur J Neurosci. 2001 Aug;14(3):533-46.

11:  Kaksonen M, Peng HB, Rauvala H. Related Articles, Links 
 Association of cortactin with dynamic actin in lamellipodia and on endosomal vesicles.
J Cell Sci. 2000 Dec;113 Pt 24:4421-6.

12:  Dai Z, Luo X, Xie H, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The actin-driven movement and formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters.
J Cell Biol. 2000 Sep 18;150(6):1321-34.
 
13:  Lu M, Perez VL, Ma N, Miyamoto K, Peng HB, Liao JK, Adamis AP. Related Articles, Links 
 VEGF increases retinal vascular ICAM-1 expression in vivo.

PMID: 10393052 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
14:  Yang JF, Zhou H, Choi RC, Ip NY, Peng HB, Tsim KW. Related Articles, Links 
 A cysteine-rich form of Xenopus neuregulin induces the expression of acetylcholine receptors in cultured myotubes.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 1999 Jun;13(6):415-29.

15:  Peng HB, Xie H, Rossi SG, Rotundo RL. Related Articles, Links 
 Acetylcholinesterase clustering at the neuromuscular junction involves perlecan and dystroglycan.
J Cell Biol. 1999 May 17;145(4):911-21.

16:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Fluorescence microscopy of calcium and synaptic vesicle dynamics during synapse formation in tissue culture.
Histochem J. 1998 Mar;30(3):189-96. Review.

17:  Peng HB, Ali AA, Daggett DF, Rauvala H, Hassell JR, Smalheiser NR. Related Articles, Links 
 The relationship between perlecan and dystroglycan and its implication in the formation of the neuromuscular junction.
Cell Adhes Commun. 1998 Sep;5(6):475-89.

18:  Rotundo RL, Rossi SG, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Targeting acetylcholinesterase molecules to the neuromuscular synapse.
J Physiol Paris. 1998 Jun-Aug;92(3-4):195-8. Review.

19:  Peng HB, Spiecker M, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Inducible nitric oxide: an autoregulatory feedback inhibitor of vascular inflammation.
J Immunol. 1998 Aug 15;161(4):1970-6.

20:  Yang JF, Zhou H, Pun S, Ip NY, Peng HB, Tsim KW. Related Articles, Links 
 Cloning of cDNAs encoding xenopus neuregulin: expression in myotomal muscle during embryo development.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 1998 Jul 15;58(1-2):59-73.

21:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 A role of tyrosine phosphatase in acetylcholine receptor cluster dispersal and formation.
J Cell Biol. 1998 Jun 29;141(7):1613-24.

22:  Kinnunen T, Kaksonen M, Saarinen J, Kalkkinen N, Peng HB, Rauvala H. Related Articles, Links 
 Cortactin-Src kinase signaling pathway is involved in N-syndecan-dependent neurite outgrowth.
J Biol Chem. 1998 Apr 24;273(17):10702-8.

23:  Spiecker M, Peng HB, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Inhibition of endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression by nitric oxide involves the induction and nuclear translocation of IkappaBalpha.
J Biol Chem. 1997 Dec 5;272(49):30969-74.

24:  Peng HB, Xie H, Dai Z. Related Articles, Links 
 Association of cortactin with developing neuromuscular specializations.
J Neurocytol. 1997 Oct;26(10):637-50.

25:  Hong YH, Peng HB, La Fata V, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Hydrogen peroxide-mediated transcriptional induction of macrophage colony-stimulating factor by TGF-beta1.
J Immunol. 1997 Sep 1;159(5):2418-23.

26:  Rauvala H, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 HB-GAM (heparin-binding growth-associated molecule) and heparin-type glycans in the development and plasticity of neuron-target contacts.
Prog Neurobiol. 1997 Jun;52(2):127-44. Review.
 
27:  Zhou H, Muramatsu T, Halfter W, Tsim KW, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 A role of midkine in the development of the neuromuscular junction.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 1997;10(1-2):56-70.

28:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Dynamics of synaptic vesicles in cultured spinal cord neurons in relationship to synaptogenesis.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 1996 Jun;7(6):443-52.

29:  Shin WS, Hong YH, Peng HB, De Caterina R, Libby P, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Nitric oxide attenuates vascular smooth muscle cell activation by interferon-gamma. The role of constitutive NF-kappa B activity.
J Biol Chem. 1996 May 10;271(19):11317-24.

30:  Dai Z, Scotland PB, Froehner SC, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Association of phosphotyrosine with rapsyn expression in Xenopus embryonic cells.
Neuroreport. 1996 Jan 31;7(2):657-61.

31:  Daggett DF, Cohen MW, Stone D, Nikolics K, Rauvala H, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The role of an agrin-growth factor interaction in ACh receptor clustering.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 1996;8(4):272-85.

32:  Daggett DF, Stone D, Peng HB, Nikolics K. Related Articles, Links 
 Full-length agrin isoform activities and binding site distributions on cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
Mol Cell Neurosci. 1996 Jan;7(1):75-88.

33:  Liao JK, Zulueta JJ, Yu FS, Peng HB, Cote CG, Hassoun PM. Related Articles, Links 
 Regulation of bovine endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase by oxygen.
J Clin Invest. 1995 Dec;96(6):2661-6.

34:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Presynaptic differentiation induced in cultured neurons by local application of basic fibroblast growth factor.
J Neurosci. 1995 Aug;15(8):5466-75.

35:  Peng HB, Rajavashisth TB, Libby P, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Nitric oxide inhibits macrophage-colony stimulating factor gene transcription in vascular endothelial cells.
J Biol Chem. 1995 Jul 14;270(28):17050-5.

36:  De Caterina R, Libby P, Peng HB, Thannickal VJ, Rajavashisth TB, Gimbrone MA Jr, Shin WS, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Nitric oxide decreases cytokine-induced endothelial activation. Nitric oxide selectively reduces endothelial expression of adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines.
J Clin Invest. 1995 Jul;96(1):60-8.

37:  Peng HB, Libby P, Liao JK. Related Articles, Links 
 Induction and stabilization of I kappa B alpha by nitric oxide mediates inhibition of NF-kappa B.
J Biol Chem. 1995 Jun 9;270(23):14214-9.

38:  Peng HB, Ali AA, Dai Z, Daggett DF, Raulo E, Rauvala H. Related Articles, Links 
 The role of heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM) in the postsynaptic induction in cultured muscle cells.
J Neurosci. 1995 Apr;15(4):3027-38.

39:  Baker LP, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Induction of acetylcholine receptor cluster formation by local application of growth factors in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
Neurosci Lett. 1995 Feb 9;185(2):135-8.

40:  Baker LP, Daggett DF, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Concentration of pp125 focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at the myotendinous junction.
J Cell Sci. 1994 Jun;107 ( Pt 6):1485-97.

41:  Tsuji S, Kawano S, Sato N, Hayashi N, Peng HB, Tsujii M, Nagano K, Takei Y, Chen SS, Kashiwagi T, et al. Related Articles, Links 
 Comparison of infrared electronic endoscopy using reflection and transmission.
Endoscopy. 1993 May;25(4):278-81.

42:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Elevation in presynaptic Ca2+ level accompanying initial nerve-muscle contact in tissue culture.
Neuron. 1993 May;10(5):827-37.

43:  Peng HB, Baker LP, Dai Z. Related Articles, Links 
 A role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters induced by electric fields in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
J Cell Biol. 1993 Jan;120(1):197-204.

44:  Baker LP, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Tyrosine phosphorylation and acetylcholine receptor cluster formation in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
J Cell Biol. 1993 Jan;120(1):185-95.

45:  Peng HB, Chen Q. Related Articles, Links 
 Induction of dystrophin localization in cultured Xenopus muscle cells by latex beads.
J Cell Sci. 1992 Oct;103 ( Pt 2):551-63.

46:  Dai Z, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The influence of basic fibroblast growth factor on acetylcholine receptors in cultured muscle cells.
Neurosci Lett. 1992 Sep 14;144(1-2):14-8.

47:  Baker LP, Chen Q, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Induction of acetylcholine receptor clustering by native polystyrene beads. Implication of an endogenous muscle-derived signalling system.
J Cell Sci. 1992 Jul;102 ( Pt 3):543-55.

48:  Peng HB, Baker LP, Chen Q. Related Articles, Links 
 Induction of synaptic development in cultured muscle cells by basic fibroblast growth factor.
Neuron. 1991 Feb;6(2):237-46.

49:  Danilchick M, Peng HB, Kay BK. Related Articles, Links 
 Xenopus laevis: Practical uses in cell and molecular biology. Pictorial collage of embryonic stages.
Methods Cell Biol. 1991;36:679-81. No abstract available.

50:  Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Xenopus laevis: Practical uses in cell and molecular biology. Solutions and protocols.
Methods Cell Biol. 1991;36:657-62. No abstract available.

51:  Peng HB, Baker LP, Chen Q. Related Articles, Links 
 Tissue culture of Xenopus neurons and muscle cells as a model for studying synaptic induction.
Methods Cell Biol. 1991;36:511-26. No abstract available.

52:  Rochlin MW, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The influence of AChR clustering stimuli on the formation and maintenance of AChR clusters induced by polycation-coated beads in Xenopus muscle cells.
Dev Biol. 1990 Jul;140(1):27-40.

53:  Chen Q, Sealock R, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 A protein homologous to the Torpedo postsynaptic 58K protein is present at the myotendinous junction.
J Cell Biol. 1990 Jun;110(6):2061-71.

54:  Peng HB, Chen QM, de Biasi S, Zhu DL. Related Articles, Links 
 Development of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity in relationship to the formation of neuromuscular junctions in Xenopus myotomal muscle.
J Comp Neurol. 1989 Dec 22;290(4):533-43.

55:  Rochlin MW, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Localization of intracellular proteins at acetylcholine receptor clusters induced by electric fields in Xenopus muscle cells.
J Cell Sci. 1989 Sep;94 ( Pt 1):73-83.

56:  Rochlin MW, Chen QM, Tobler M, Turner CE, Burridge K, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 The relationship between talin and acetylcholine receptor clusters in Xenopus muscle cells.
J Cell Sci. 1989 Mar;92 ( Pt 3):461-72.

57:  Peng HB, Zhao DY, Xie MZ, Shen ZW, Jacobson K. Related Articles, Links 
 The role of lateral migration in the formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters induced by basic polypeptide-coated latex beads.
Dev Biol. 1989 Jan;131(1):197-206.

58:  Peng HB, Chen Q. Related Articles, Links 
 Localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) at a neuronal nicotinic synapse.
Neurosci Lett. 1988 Dec 19;95(1-3):75-80.

59:  Kay BK, Schwartz LM, Rutishauser U, Qiu TH, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Patterns of N-CAM expression during myogenesis in Xenopus laevis.
Development. 1988 Jul;103(3):463-71.

60:  Peng HB, Gao KX, Xie MZ, Zhao DY. Related Articles, Links 
 Development of acetylcholinesterase induced by basic polypeptide-coated latex beads in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
Dev Biol. 1988 Jun;127(2):452-5.

61:  Zhu DL, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Increase in intracellular calcium induced by the polycation-coated latex bead, a stimulus that causes postsynaptic-type differentiation in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
Dev Biol. 1988 Mar;126(1):63-70.

62:  Froehner SC, Murnane AA, Tobler M, Peng HB, Sealock R. Related Articles, Links 
 A postsynaptic Mr 58,000 (58K) protein concentrated at acetylcholine receptor-rich sites in Torpedo electroplaques and skeletal muscle.
J Cell Biol. 1987 Jun;104(6):1633-46.

63:  Peng HB, Markey DR, Muhlach WL, Pollack ED. Related Articles, Links 
 Development of presynaptic specializations induced by basic polypeptide-coated latex beads in spinal cord cultures.
Synapse. 1987;1(1):10-9.

64:  Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Elimination of preexistent acetylcholine receptor clusters induced by the formation of new clusters in the absence of nerve.
J Neurosci. 1986 Feb;6(2):581-9.

65:  Peng HB, Froehner SC. Related Articles, Links 
 Association of the postsynaptic 43K protein with newly formed acetylcholine receptor clusters in cultured muscle cells.
J Cell Biol. 1985 May;100(5):1698-705.

66:  Luther PW, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Membrane-related specializations associated with acetylcholine receptor aggregates induced by electric fields.
J Cell Biol. 1985 Jan;100(1):235-44.

67:  Peng HB, Phelan KA. Related Articles, Links 
 Early cytoplasmic specialization at the presumptive acetylcholine receptor cluster: a meshwork of thin filaments.
J Cell Biol. 1984 Jul;99(1 Pt 1):344-9.

68:  Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Participation of calcium and calmodulin in the formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters.
J Cell Biol. 1984 Feb;98(2):550-7.

69:  Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Cytoskeletal organization of the presynaptic nerve terminal and the acetylcholine receptor cluster in cell cultures.
J Cell Biol. 1983 Aug;97(2):489-98.

70:  Luther PW, Peng HB, Lin JJ. Related Articles, Links 
 Changes in cell shape and actin distribution induced by constant electric fields.
Nature. 1983 May 5-11;303(5912):61-4.

71:  Peng HB, Cheng PC. Related Articles, Links 
 Formation of postsynaptic specializations induced by latex beads in cultured muscle cells.
J Neurosci. 1982 Dec;2(12):1760-74.

72:  Peng HB, Wolosewick JJ, Cheng PC. Related Articles, Links 
 The development of myofibrils in cultured muscle cells: a whole-mount and thin-section electron microscopic study.
Dev Biol. 1981 Nov;88(1):121-36. No abstract available.

73:  Peng HB, Cheng PC, Luther PW. Related Articles, Links 
 Formation of ACh receptor clusters induced by positively charged latex beads.
Nature. 1981 Aug 27;292(5826):831-4. No abstract available.

74:  Tao-Cheng JH, Hirosawa K, Nakajima Y, Peng HB. Related Articles, Links 
 Freeze-fracture study of the crayfish stretch receptor.
J Comp Neurol. 1981 Jul 20;200(1):23-38.

75:  Peng HB, Nakajima Y, Bridgman PC. Related Articles, Links 
 Development of the postsynaptic membrane in Xenopus neuromuscular cultures observed by freeze-fracture and thin-section electron microscopy.
Brain Res. 1980 Aug 25;196(1):11-31.

76:  Peng HB, Bridgman PC, Nakajima S, Greenberg A, Nakajima Y. Related Articles, Links 
 A fast development of presynaptic function and structure of the neuromuscular junction in Xenopus tissue culture.
Brain Res. 1979 May 11;167(2):379-84. No abstract available.

77:  Peng HB, Nakajima Y. Related Articles, Links 
 Membrane particle aggregates in innervated and noninnervated cultures of Xenopus embryonic muscle cells.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Jan;75(1):500-4.

78:  Peng HB, Jaffe LF. Related Articles, Links 
 A simple, selective method for freeze-fracturing spherical cells.
J Cell Biol. 1976 Nov;71(2):674-80.