Watching cellular dynamics in the taste bud

项目摘要/摘要： 外周味觉系统的一个独特特征是感受器细胞死亡并被替换。 这需要不断地重新布线外围系统。为了制造一种新的味觉感受器细胞 为了与现有神经元形成突触，它必须首先接触到正确类型的 神经元。在这里，我们的目标是了解这一过程中涉及的细胞动力学。我们 假设由于许多受体细胞在10天内被替换，这种细胞流入 应该伴随着味蕾细胞的迁移和/或乔木的重塑。 为了验证这一假设，我们将结合基因标记和活体内双光子显微镜 在10天的时间里检查味蕾的可塑性。目标1将研究 前体在成熟后进入味蕾。目标2将衡量的增长和回撤 单独的神经分支。这些研究将首次用DIRECT测试味蕾的可塑性 对活体动物随时间变化的观察。未来的研究将使用这种方法来帮助 确定味蕾中新连接形成的潜在分子因素的作用。

Project Summary/Abstract: A unique feature of the peripheral taste system is that the receptor cells die and are replaced. This requires a constant rewiring of the peripheral system. In order for a new taste receptor cell to form a synapse with an existing neuron it must first come into contact with the correct type of neuron. Here, our goal is to understand the cellular dynamics involved in this process. We hypothesize that since many receptor cells are replaced within 10 days, this cellular influx should be accompanied by cellular migration of taste bud cells and/or remodeling by the arbor. To test this hypothesis, we will combine genetic labeling with intra vital two-photon microscopy to examine plasticity in the taste bud over a 10 day period. Aim 1 will examine the migration of precursors into the taste bud as they mature. Aim 2 will measure the growth and retraction of individual nerve branches. These studies will be first to examine taste bud plasticity with direct observation of changes over time in a live animal. Future studies will use this approach to help identify roles of molecular factors underlying the formation of new connections in the taste bud.