Towards a molecular and systemic characterization of synaptogenesis and synaptic function

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Upon completion of brain development neurons and glia form a high-performance communication network courtesy of trillions of specialized contact sites. Synaptogenesis, the formation of new synaptic contacts, and long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity, which are believed to be the molecular substrate for learning and memory, require the synthesis of new proteins and the correct localization of these proteins within the neuron at active synaptic sites. Despite considerable efforts and the characterization of multiple synaptic proteins, a comprehensive and dynamic characterization of the synaptic proteome during synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity is still missing. Moreover, the role of glia during neuronal development and processes of synaptic plasticity as well as the identity of the glial proteome are largely unknown. I herein aim to attain a molecular and systemic characterization of both the neuronal and glial proteomes at different stages of development of the hippocampal formation of the rat using the two recently developed techniques BONCAT and FUNCAT. These tools enable the time-resolved dynamic identification and in situ visualization of the subpopulation of newly synthesized, endogenous proteins. This work will deepen our understanding of the molecular and systemic aspects of synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and the neuron-glia partnership.