Role of Akt Signaling in Learning and Synaptic Plasticity

Akt 信号传导在学习和突触可塑性中的作用

• 批准号: 0757780
• 负责人: Thomas Franke
• 金额: $ 56.46万
• 依托单位: New York University Medical Center
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-01-01 至 2012-02-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0757780&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Role; Akt; Signaling; Learning; Synaptic

One of the great challenges in neurobiology is to decipher the molecular mechanisms that integrate synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Dr. Franke's project examines the protein kinase called Akt, which is a key molecule at the interphase between the extracellular environment and intracellular homeostasis. The project seeks to clearly define the role Akt signaling as a new molecular pathway at the center of neuronal cell biology, synaptic plasticity and cognition. By expanding Dr. Franke's previous research on the identification and characterization of Akt, this project will examine novel implications of the Akt kinase in higher brain function using genetically modified mice. The project is based on the hypothesis that the Akt-dependent regulation of specific receptors in the brain is involved in mediating its role in learning and synaptic plasticity. To test this hypothesis, behavioral, electrophysiological, biochemical and cell biological experiments will be performed in an innovative and interdisciplinary project team that combines diverse scientific know-how and technical expertise. Considering the crucial role of Akt in neuronal cell biology, the results of the study will provide significant new insights into the cellular basis for the processing of memories. Thus, the project will reveal important new information about basic mechanisms contributing to higher brain function that have not yet been investigated. The project includes training opportunities for pre- and post-doctoral students, and involves high school and undergraduate students as active participants in the research. In addition, the investigators will present their research findings at local schools and undergraduate colleges. A special emphasis will be placed on the integration of students from underrepresented population groups by including summer students from minority-based institutions such as Hunter College (City University of New York) and Long Island University (Brooklyn).

神经生物学面临的最大挑战之一是破译整合突触可塑性、学习和记忆的分子机制。Franke博士的项目研究了称为Akt的蛋白激酶，Akt是细胞外环境和细胞内稳态之间的关键分子。该项目旨在明确定义Akt信号传导作为神经元细胞生物学，突触可塑性和认知中心的新分子途径的作用。通过扩展Franke博士先前对Akt的鉴定和表征的研究，该项目将使用转基因小鼠研究Akt激酶在高级脑功能中的新意义。该项目基于以下假设：大脑中特定受体的Akt依赖性调节参与介导其在学习和突触可塑性中的作用。为了验证这一假设，行为，电生理，生物化学和细胞生物学实验将在一个创新的跨学科项目团队中进行，该团队结合了各种科学知识和技术专长。考虑到Akt在神经元细胞生物学中的关键作用，这项研究的结果将为记忆处理的细胞基础提供重要的新见解。因此，该项目将揭示尚未研究的有关促进高级大脑功能的基本机制的重要新信息。该项目包括为博士前和博士后学生提供培训机会，并让高中和本科生积极参与研究。此外，研究人员将在当地学校和本科院校展示他们的研究成果。将特别重视来自代表性不足的人口群体的学生的融合，包括来自亨特学院（纽约）和长岛大学（布鲁克林）等少数民族院校的暑期学生。