Dr Jonathan Johnston
Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience
Qualifications: PhD
Email: j.johnston@surrey.ac.uk
Phone: Work: 01483 68 6470
Room no: 05 AY 02
Further information
Biography
Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Surrey (from 2010)
Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Surrey (2005-2010)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen (2001-2005)
PhD, University of Manchester (1998-2001)
MPhil, University of Manchester (1997-1998)
MRPharmS, professional training (1995-1996)
BPharm, University of Nottingham (1992-1995)
Research Interests
Research Themes
Biological Rhythms
Life on Earth is profoundly affected by rhythmic changes in environmental conditions, including light, temperature and food availability, ultimately caused by planetary rotation and orbit. In order to adapt to these environmental changes, living organisms have evolved internal 'biological clocks' that influence many aspects of physiology (e.g. body temperature, sleep, hormone secretion and cell division).
Circadian Regulation of Adipose (Fat) Physiology
Obesity and related metabolic disturbances (including type 2 diabetes mellitus) comprise one of the biggest healthcare problems in contemporary society. A clear link is now emerging between the biological clock and various aspects of metabolism and energy balance. We are developing model systems to study the causative relationships between clock function and metabolism in cultured fat cells (adipocytes) and also in tissue samples taken from human subjects.
A notable recent achievement has been our validation of human white fat as an accessible and metabolically relevant tissue that is suitable for studies of human daily rhythms. This finding will enable us to further understand the functional role of biological rhythms in human fat biology and also use white fat as a marker for studies into the fundamental properties of human biological rhythms.
Seasonal Rhythmicity and Melatonin Receptor Expression
In mammals, an important biological rhythm is the nocturnal secretion of the hormone melatonin from the pineal gland, located in the brain. Changing day-length (photoperiod) varies the rhythm of melatonin secretion, and therefore melatonin signals both daily and seasonal time throughout the body. In many species, melatonin can help to reset daily rhythms and is used as a therapeutic agent in blindness, jet lag, and other human conditions where the biological clock becomes disrupted from the environment. Furthermore, most wild animals living in temperate regions use changes in the characteristics of the daily melatonin signal to control their seasonal changes in physiology, such as reproduction, fur quality and hibernation.
Current research focuses on 1) how changes in photoperiod and pineal melatonin secretion are decoded at the molecular and cellular level, and 2) the molecular mechanisms that drive developmental changes in melatonin receptor expression in the neuroendocrine system.
Research Funding
Johnston JD (PI), Archer SN, Lovegrove JA
BBSRC-University of Surrey Doctoral Training Programme studentship (2012-2016)
£80,000 (approx)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ, Archer SN, Gibbs M
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2011-2014)
£1,203,397 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI), Skene DJ
Stockgrand UK Research Grant (2008-2011)
£30,000
Plant K (PI), Johnston JD, Plant N
British Toxicology Society/Surrey Centre for Toxicology PhD Studentship (2008-2011)
£70,000
Dijk DJ (PI), Archer SN, von Schantz M, Smith CP, Groeger JA, Johnston JD
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£1,818,762 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI)
BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant (2008-2011)
£449,354 (100% FEC value)
Johnston JD (PI), Robertson MD, Skene DJ
Diabetes-UK Project Grant (2008-2009)
£82,340
Johnston JD (PI), Frost G
BBSRC Doctoral Training Grant (2006-2009)
£52,000
Research Collaborations
University of Surrey
Surrey Sleep Research Centre (SSRC)
External Collaborators
Prof David Hazlerigg
Dr Andries Kalsbeek
Publications
Full Papers
33. Lazar AS, Santhi N, Hasan S, Lo J, Johnston JD, von Schantz M, Archer SN, Dijk DJ. Circadian period and the melatonin rhythm in men and women: predictors of sleep during the weekend and in the laboratory. Journal of Sleep Research 2012; in press
32. Ang JE, Revell V, Mann A, Mäntele S, Otway DT, Johnston JD, Thumser AE, Skene DJ, Raynaud F. Identification of human plasma metabolites exhibiting time-of-day variation using an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics approach. Chronobiology International 2012; 29: 868-881.
31. Hasan S, Santhi N, Lazar AS, Slak A, Lo J, von Schantz M, Archer SN, Johnston JD, Dijk DJ. Assessment of circadian rhythms in humans: comparison of real-time fibroblast reporter imaging with plasma melatonin. FASEB Journal 2012; 26: 2414-2423.
30. Mäntele S, Otway DT, Middleton B, Bretschneider S, Wright J, Robertson MD, Skene DJ, Johnston JD. Daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, but not plasma leptin or leptin mRNA, vary between lean, obese and type 2 diabetic men. PLoS One 2012; 7: e37123.
29. Johnston JD. Adipose circadian rhythms: translating cellular and animal studies to human physiology. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 2012; 349: 45-50.
28. Otway DT, Mäntele S, Bretschneider S, Wright J, Trayhurn P, Skene DJ, Robertson MD, Johnston JD. Rhythmic Diurnal Gene Expression in Human Adipose Tissue From Individuals Who Are Lean, Overweight, and Have Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes 2011; 60: 1577-1581.
27. Archer SN, Carpen JD, Gibson M, Lim GH, Johnston JD, Skene DJ, von Schantz M. Polymorphism in the PER3 promoter associates with diurnal preference and delayed sleep phase disorder. Sleep 2010; 33: 695-701.
26. Johnston JD, Frost G, Otway DT. Adipose tissue, adipocytes and the circadian timing system. Obesity Reviews 2009; 10 (Suppl 2): 52-60.
25. Otway DT, Frost G, Johnston JD. Circadian rhythmicity in murine pre-adipocyte and adipocyte cells. Chronobiology International 2009; 26: 1340-1354.
24. Fustin JM, Dardente H, Wagner GC, Carter DA, Johnston JD, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG. Egr1 involvement in evening gene regulation by melatonin. FASEB Journal 2009; 23:764-773.
23. Wagner G, Johnston JD, Clarke IJ, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG Redefining the limits of day length responsiveness in a seasonal mammal. Endocrinology 2008; 149: 32-39.
22. Johnston JD, Schuster C, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG Regulation of the Ovine MT1 Melatonin Receptor Promoter: Interaction between Multiple Pituitary Transcription Factors at Different Phases of Development
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 2007; 268: 59-66.
21. Wagner G, Johnston JD, Tournier BB, Ebling FJP, Hazlerigg DG Melatonin induces gene-specific effects on rhythmic mRNA expression in the pars tuberalis of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus)
European Journal of Neuroscience 2007; 25: 485-490.
20. Johnston JD, Hazlerigg DG, Wagner G
Melatonin receptors in neuroendocrine development
In Melatonin: from Molecules to Therapy (Cardinali DP, Pandi-Perumal SR eds; Nova Science Publishers Inc, NY) 2007
19. Hazlerigg DG, Johnston JD, Fustin J-M
The molecular basis to the circadian effects of melatonin.
In Melatonin: from Molecules to Therapy (Cardinali DP, Pandi-Perumal SR eds; Nova Science Publishers Inc, NY) 2007
18. *Johnston JD, *Tournier BB, Andersson H, Masson-Pévet M, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG
Multiple effects of rising melatonin levels on rhythmic clock gene expression in the mammalian pars tuberalis.
Endocrinology 2006; 147: 959-965.
*Joint 1st authors
17. Johnston JD, Klosen P, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG
Regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal rat pituitary.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2006; 18: 50-56.
16. Lincoln GA, Johnston JD, Andersson H, Wagner G, Hazlerigg DG
Photorefractoriness in mammals: dissociating a seasonal timer from the circadian-based photoperiod response
Endocrinology 2005; 146: 3782-3790.
15. Johnston JD
Measuring seasonal time within the circadian system: regulation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei by photoperiod
Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2005; 17: 459-465.
14. Andersson H, Johnston JD, Messager S, Hazlerigg DG, Lincoln GA
Photoperiod regulates circadian rhythms of clock gene expression in the ovine liver.
General and Comparative Endocrinology 2005; 142: 357-363.
13. Johnston JD, Ebling FJP, Hazlerigg DG
Photoperiod regulates multiple gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).
European Journal of Neuroscience 2005; 21: 2967-2974.
12. Hazlerigg DG, Ebling FJP, Johnston JD
Photoperiod differentially regulates rhythms of gene expression in the rostral and caudal suprachiasmatic nuclei.
Current Biology 2005; 15: R449-R450.
11. Johnston JD, Bashforth R, Diack A, Andersson H, Lincoln GA, Hazlerigg DG
Rhythmic melatonin secretion does not correlate with the expression of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, inducible cyclic adenosine monophosphate early repressor, period1 or cryptochrome1 mRNA in the sheep pineal.
Neuroscience 2004; 124: 789-795.
10. Johnston JD
Photoperiodic regulation of prolactin secretion: changes in intra-pituitary signalling and lactotroph heterogeneity.
Journal of Endocrinology 2004; 180: 351-356.
9. Hazlerigg DG, Andersson H, Johnston JD, Lincoln GA
Molecular characterisation of the long day response in the Soay sheep, a seasonal mammal.
Current Biology 2004; 14: 334-339.
8. Johnston JD, Stirland JA, White MRH, Davis, JRE, Loudon ASI
Heterogeneous regulation of individual lactotroph cells by photoperiod in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).
General and Comparative Endocrinology 2003; 134: 182-186.
7. *Carr A-JF, *Johnston JD, Semikhodskii AG, Nolan T, Cagampang FRA, Stirland JA, Loudon ASI
Photoperiod differentially regulates circadian oscillators in central and peripheral tissues of the Syrian hamster.
Current Biology 2003; 13: 1543-1548.
*Joint first authors
6. Johnston JD, Cagampang FRA, Stirland JA, Carr A-JF, White MRH, Davis JRE, Loudon ASI Evidence for an endogenous per1- and ICER-independent seasonal timer in the hamster pituitary gland. FASEB Journal 2003; 17: 810-815.
5. Johnston JD, Messager S, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG
Melatonin action in the pituitary: neuroendocrine synchroniser & developmental modulator?
Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2003; 15: 405-408.
4. Johnston JD, Messager S, Ebling FJP, Williams LM, Barrett P, Hazlerigg DG
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone drives melatonin receptor down-regulation in the developing pituitary gland.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2003; 100: 2831-2835.
3. *Stirland JA, *Johnston JD, Cagampang FRA, Morgan PJ, Castro MG, White MRH, Davis JRE, Loudon ASI
Photoperiodic regulation of prolactin gene expression in the Syrian hamster by a pars tuberalis-derived factor.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2001; 13: 147-157.
*Joint first authors
2. Johnston JD, Price SA, Bristow DR
Flunitrazepam rapidly reduces GABAA receptor subunit protein expression via a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism.
British Journal of Pharmacology 1998; 124: 1338-1340.
1. Johnston JD, Bristow DR
Regulation of GABAA receptor a1 subunit protein is a sensitive indicator of benzodiazepine agonist efficacy.
European Journal of Pharmacology 1998; 248: 321-324.
External Oral Presentations
Plenary and Prize Lectures
- Adipocyte rhythmicity in vitro. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Symposium on Circadian Biology and Sleep: Missing Links in Obesity and Metabolism, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, April 2009. (Plenary lecture).
- The pars tuberalis: providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of melatonin signalling. FASEB Summer Research Conference Melatonin Receptors: Actions and Therapeutics, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA, August 2008. (Plenary lecture).
- Developmental plasticity of melatonin receptor expression. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Il Ciocco, Barga, Italy, April 2008. (Plenary lecture).
- Melatonin differentially regulates expression of multiple circadian clock genes in the pituitary pars tuberalis. British Society for Neuroendocrinology and Société de Neuroendocrinologie joint meeting, University of Oxford, UK, September 2005. (Prize lecture).
- Photoperiodic regulation of gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of seasonal mammals. Gordon Research Conference in Pineal Cell Biology, Oxford, UK, August 2004. (Plenary lecture).
Invited and other lectures
- Title tbc. Nutrition Society Summer Meeting, Queen's University Belfast, N Ireland, 2012. (Invited symposium lecture).
- Molecular and Endocrine Rhythms in Men with Type two Diabetes. 13th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2012. (Invited symposium lecture).
- Title tbc. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, August 2011. (Invited symposium lecture).
- Title tbc. 41st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, Berlin, Germany, August 2011. (Invited symposium lecture).
- Title tbc. 13th European Congress of Endocrinology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, May 2011. (Invited symposium lecture).
- Daily rhythms in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue: comparison of lean, overweight and type 2 diabetic subjects. 12th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida, USA, May 2010. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation).
- Circadian rhythms in endocrine systems. Departmental Seminar, Centre for Endocrinology, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, UK, December 2009. (Invited lecture).
- Daily rhythms in human white adipose tissue. UK Adipose Tissue Discussion Group meeting, Astra Zeneca, Alderley Edge, UK, December 2009. (Invited ‘hot topic’ lecture).
- Defining transient melatonin receptor expression in the developing gonadotroph. European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology meeting, University of Cambridge, UK, September 2006. (Invited symposium lecture).
- A novel role for melatonin in neuroendocrine development? Departmental Seminar, Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, UK, January 2005. (Invited lecture).
- Measurement of seasonal time in the brain and pituitary by circadian clock genes. Departmental Seminar, MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, University of Edinburgh, UK, November 2004. (Invited lecture).
- Melatonin signalling in the pituitary gland: neuroendocrine timing throughout development. Departmental Seminar, LINE, University of Bristol, UK, October 2003. (Invited lecture).
- Molecular regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. British Society for Neuroendocrinology Meeting, University of Manchester, UK, September 2003. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation)
- Regulation of MT1 melatonin receptor expression in the foetal pituitary gland. UK Clock Club Meeting, University of Leicester, UK, April 2003.
- Developmental regulation of the mt1 melatonin receptor in the rat pituitary. 8th Meeting of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, USA, May 2002. (Abstract chosen for oral presentation).
Teaching
BMS1032 Physiology 1
BMS2038 Physiology 2
BMS3064 Neuroscience 2
BMS3066 Biological Rhythms
MSc Toxicology
MSc Health Psychology (FAHS)
Supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD research projects
Senior Tutor, Professional Training
Departmental Duties
Member, University Athena SWAN Self-Assessment group (from 2012)
Committee Member, Professional Training and Careers Committee (PTCC; from 2011)
Committee Member, PTCC Strategic Advisory Group (from 2011)
Module organiser, BMS2038 Physiology 2 (from 2011)
Committee Member, University Ethics Committee (from 2009)
Senior Tutor, Professional Training (from 2009)
Convenor, Level 2 staff-student forum (from 2009)
Previous Roles
Module Organiser, BMS1022 Practical Biochemistry and Physiology (2008-2011)
Module Organiser, BMS1009 Practical Microbiology and Physiology (2006-2011)
Committee Member, FHMS Ethics Committee (2008-2010)
Admissions Tutor, MSc Clinical Biochemistry (Full Time students; 2007-2009)
External Responsibilities
Member, Diabetes-UK Innovators in Diabetes programme (from 2011)
Core Member, BBSRC Panel A (from 2011)
Pool Member, BBSRC grant review panels (2010-2011)
Meetings Secretary, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (from 2010)
Programme Organising Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (from 2009)
Science Committee member, Society for Endocrinology (2007-2010)
Steering Committee member, British Society for Neuroendocrinology (from 2006)
Editorial Board member, Journal of Neuroendocrinology (from 2006)
Member of the list of experts database of the Science Media Centre (from 2006)
Co-organiser and chair of the UK Clock Club meeting (Spring 2006; with Dr M von Schantz)
Peer review of grants and manuscripts for multiple scientific bodies
