PLASTICITY OF NEURONAL FUNCTION AND FORM

描述：果蝇的神经遗传学研究做出了贡献 对我们理解行为可塑性和 潜在的分子机制。这个项目是我们项目的延续 通过以下方式弥合这两个层次之间的差距的长期努力 阐明神经元功能和结构的相关修饰 以及神经电路的性能。基因，分子， 形态和生理技术将被用来分析 选择用于不同行为改变的突变体集合 确定了分子缺陷。这个实验室之前的研究已经 表现出神经元放电模式和突触可塑性的改变，如 以及逃逸回路的异常习化过程，在记忆中 CAMP代谢和K+通道存在缺陷的突变体DNC和RUT 突变体HK和EAG。这笔拨款建议继续调查 第二信使的作用在神经元和电路水平上级联， 从cAMP级联(DNC和RUT)延伸到影响CaM的突变 激酶(ALA)和cGMP依赖的激酶(For)。像民主党全国委员会和阿拉巴马州的拉特 突变体表现出学习障碍，而对于展品来说，改变了觅食 行为。为了分析效应，我们构建了双突变体 源自不同信号之间的汇聚和串扰 转导通路。此外，K+通道控制神经元的放电 属性，并被称为第二信使调制的目标 瀑布。不同K+通道亚基Sh和Slo的突变以及 香港和EAG，将同时接受检查，以确定他们如何影响 突触可塑性和电路性能。这项研究将包括 成人逃避中的习惯化--一种非联想的条件反射过程 回路，以及突触效应和终末萌发的可塑性。 幼虫的神经肌肉接头。分析了发射特性和 巨型神经元将促进中枢神经元的突触功能 文化体系。

DESCRIPTION: Neurogenetic studies in Drosophila have contributed significantly to our understanding of behavioral plasticity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. This project is a continuation of our long-term efforts to bridge the gap between these two levels of approach by elucidating the associated modifications in neuronal function and structure and in neural circuit performance. A combination of genetic, molecular, morphological and physiological techniques will be employed to analyze a collection of mutants selected for distinct behavioral alterations with identified molecular defects. Previous studies from this lab have demonstrated altered neuronal firing patterns and synaptic plasticity, as well as the abnormal habituation process of an escape circuit, in the memory mutants dnc and rut with defective cAMP metabolism and in the K+channel mutants Hk and eag. This grant proposes to continue to investigate the roles of second messenger cascades at the neuronal and circuit levels, extending from the cAMP cascade (dnc and rut) to mutations that affect CaM kinase (ala), and cGMP-dependent kinase (for). Like dnc and rut, ala mutants show learning disabilities, while for exhibits altered foraging behavior. Double mutants have been constructed for analyzing effects derived from convergence and cross talk between different signal transduction pathways. In addition, K+ channels control neuronal firing properties and are known as the targets of modulation by second messenger cascades. Mutations of different K+channel subunits, Sh and slo, as well as Hk and eag, will be examined in parallel to determine how they affect synaptic plasticity and circuit performance. This study will include the habituation, a non-associative conditioning process, in the adult escape circuit, and the plasticity of synaptic efficacy and terminal sprouting in the larval neuromuscular junctions. Analysis of firing properties and synaptic function in central neurons will be facilitated by the giant neuron culture system.