Phenotypic Plasticity in Neural Crest Development

这些实验将探索胆碱能神经元中神经递质的可塑性。这项研究的长期目标是了解与神经脊细胞分化有关的细胞谱系决定。初步结果表明，来自睫状神经节的胆碱能神经元移植到躯干体节后可以获得肾上腺素能特性。这项研究将扩展和进一步描述这一观察结果，并将检查其他类型神经元的表型可塑性。实验范式利用一种新的细胞标记技术，通过逆行运输荧光乳胶微球来选择性地标记神经元。标记后，这些神经元将被显微注射到胚胎不同区域的神经脊通路上，使用本实验室开发的注射技术。通过这种方式，可以将细胞导入不同发育阶段的正常或异位部位。

These experiments will probe neurotransmitter plasticity in cholinergic neurons. The longterm goals of this research are to understand the cell lineage decisions involved in aspects of neural crest cell differentiation. The preliminary results have shown that cholinergic neurons derived from the ciliary ganglion can acquire adrenergic properties when transplanted into the trunk somites. This research will extend and further characterize this observation and will examine the phenotypic plasticity of other types of neurons. The experimental paradigm utilizes a new cell marking technique for selectively labeling neurons by retrograde transport of flourescent latex microspheres. After labeling, the neurons will then be microinjected onto neural crest pathways in different regions of the embryo using an injection technique developed in this laboratory. In this way, it is possible to introduce cells into either normal or ectopic sites at a variety of developmental stages.