PLASTICITY OF NEURONAL FUNCTION AND FORM

神经元电活动是影响脑电活动的主要因素。 发育中的神经系统中适当的突触连接， 调节成年动物学习过程中的突触功效。增长 神经突和成熟的突触终末具有许多共同的特征， 负责这种发育和生理可塑性。这 一个研究神经功能和形态可塑性的项目 终末及电活动对神经元发育的影响 通过结合遗传学、生理学和解剖学 技术.果蝇的突变体dnc、rut和ala，每一个都影响一个 cAMP和Ca-钙调素第二信使系统中的特定步骤， 学习能力下降。此外，一些突变体与 有缺陷的K+和Na+通道将用于产生不同的模式 自发活动。这些突变体及其双突变体的研究 组合使我们能够确定神经活动和第二次 信使系统相互作用，调节神经突生长和突触 可塑性 我们已经建立了一个培养系统的“巨型”果蝇神经元衍生 细胞分裂停滞的神经母细胞这些神经元表现出多种多样的 正常神经元的分支模式和电活动， 它们增大的尺寸极大地促进了生理和细胞 果蝇突变体的生物学研究。现场研究 终末流产和突触传递将在 幼虫神经肌肉接头这些运动轴突末梢表现出 活动依赖的可塑性，并提供了一个独特的机会， 个体水平的生理和形态分析 突触结 拟议研究的结果将提供以下方面的有用信息 学习和记忆行为的细胞机制， 功能和发育可塑性的共同调节机制 在神经系统中。

Neuronal electric activity is the major factor that shapes the appropriate synaptic connectivity in a developing nervous system and regulates synaptic efficacy during learning in adult animals. Growing neurites and mature synaptic terminals share many common features and are responsible for such developmental and physiological plasticity. This project examines the functional and morphological plasticity of nerve terminals and the influence of electric activity on neuronal development by using a combination of genetic, physiological and anatomical techniques. The Drosophila mutants dnc, rut, and ala, each affects a specific step in the cAMP and Ca-calmodulin second messenger systems, show diminished learning ability. In addition, several mutants with defective K+ and Na+ channels will be used to generate different patterns of spontaneous activity. Studies of these mutants and their double mutant combinations allow us to determine how nerve activity and second messenger systems interact to regulate neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. We have developed a culture system of "giant" Drosophila neurons derived from cell division-arrested neuroblasts. These neurons display a variety of branching patterns and electric activity seen in normal neurons but their increased size greatly facilitates the physiological and cell biological investigations of Drosophila mutants. In situ studies of terminal aborization and synaptic transmission will be performed on larval neuromuscular junctions. These motor axonal terminals exhibit activity-dependent plasticity and offer a unique opportunity for physiological and morphological analysis at the level of individual synaptic boutons. Results from the proposed studies will provide useful information about the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory behavior and the regulatory mechanisms common to functional and developmental plasticity in the nervous system.