Functional Analysis of a Brain-Specific Receptor Kinase

在神经系统的发育过程中，神经元经历许多过程，包括增殖和分化。 本研究的目的是研究生长因子受体样分子（脑特异性激酶，Bsk）在神经元分化中的作用。 已知生长因子及其受体诱导神经元分化并支持神经元的存活，并且Bsk已显示与发育期间大脑边缘系统中的神经元相关。 这些研究将首先调查边缘系统神经元产生Bsk的时间，然后试图通过将改变的Bsk基因引入边缘系统神经元来改变其产生的时间。 这些研究结果将进一步加深我们对边缘系统发育以及生长因子在神经发育中的作用的理解。

During the development of the nervous system, neurons undergo a number of processes, including proliferation and differentiation. The purpose of this research is to study the role of a growth factor receptor-like molecule (brain specific kinase, Bsk) in neuronal differentiation. Growth factors and their receptors are known to induce neuronal differentiation and support the survival of neurons, and Bsk has been shown to be associated with neurons in the limbic system of the brain during development. The studies will, first, investigate the timing of the production of Bsk by neurons in the limbic system, and then will attempt to modify the timing of its production by introducing into limbic system neurons an altered Bsk gene. The results of these studies will further our understanding of the development of the limbic system as well as the role of growth factors in neural development.