SEOYEONG KIM

PhD, KAIST, 2024

My background is in neuroscience, with a focus on synaptic function. During my PhD, I studied an alternatively spliced short exon called miniexon B in the presynaptic cell adhesion molecule PTPδ (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor type D). Synaptic cell adhesion molecules are important for synapse formation, plasticity, and maintenance, and are subject to complex alternative splicing. Although miniexon B was thought to influence trans-synaptic interactions with postsynaptic molecules, its in vivo role was not well understood. I found that miniexon B helps regulate excitatory synapses in a cell-type-specific manner, contributing to the balance between excitation and inhibition in neurons. I also investigated circuit level mechanisms behind abnormal behaviors in mouse models with mutations in autism related genes.

During my PhD, I worked with various methods including electrophysiology, mouse behavioral tests, and biochemical approaches such as immunohistochemistry. After completing my PhD, I became interested in neuronal function beyond the brain, especially in the context of neuroimmune interactions.

In the Littman lab, I study how neurons and immune cells in the gut interact at the molecular and circuit levels. I am particularly interested in how external cues shape these interactions and contribute to gut homeostasis.

Publications

Kim S*, Shin JJ*, Kang M*, Yang Y, Cho Y, Paik H, Kim JM, Yi Y, Lee S, Koo H, Bok J, Bae Y, Kim JY, and Kim E#. (2025). Alternatively spliced mini-exon B in PTPδ regulates excitatory synapses through cell-type-specific trans-synaptic PTPδ-IL1RAP interaction. Nature Communications 16 (1), 4415

Kang M*, Zhang Y*, Kang HR*, Kim S, Ma R, Yi Y, Lee S, Kim Y, Li H, Jin C, Lee D, Kim E#, and Han K#. (2023). CYFIP2 p.Arg87Cys Causes Neurological Defects and Degradation of CYFIP2. Annals of Neurology 93 (1), 155-163

Park H*, Choi Y*, Jung H*, Kim S*, Lee S, Han H, Kweon H, Kang S, Sim WS, Koopmans F, Yang E, Kim H, Smit AB, Bae YC, Kim E#. (2020). Splice-dependent trans-synaptic PTPδ-IL1RAPL1 interaction regulates synapse formation and non-REM sleep. The EMBO journal 39 (11), e104150

Choi Y*, Park H*, Kang S, Jung H, Kweon H, Kim S, Choi l, Lee SY, Choi YE, Lee SH and Kim E#. (2019). NGL-1/LRRC4C-mutant mice display hyperactivity and anxiolytic-like behavior associated with widespread suppression of neuronal activity. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 12, 250

Shin W*, Kweon H*, Kang R*, Kim D, Kim K, Kang M, Kim SY, Hwang SN, Kim JY, Yang E, Kim H, and Kim E#. (2019). Scn2a haploinsufficiency in mice suppresses hippocampal neuronal excitability, excitatory synaptic drive, and long-term potentiation, and spatial learning and memory. Frontiers in molecular neuroscience 12, 145

Choi Y*, Park H*, Jung H, Kweon H, Kim S, Lee SY, Han H, Cho Y, Kim S, Sim WS, Kim J, Bae Y, and Kim E#. (2019). NGL-1/LRRC4C deletion moderately suppresses hippocampal excitatory synapse development and function in an input-independent manner. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 12, 119