Function of group III mGluRs at the calyx of Held

描述（由申请人提供）：斜方体内侧核是双耳声音定位回路中重要的符号反转突触。MNTB中的主要突触是Held，a。神经元能轴体突触，有一个独特的大突触前末梢。这种形态允许成对的突触前和突触后细胞内记录，允许实时测量突触前囊泡释放和突触后受体反应。花萼表现出活动依赖性的功能性突触可塑性，也经历了良好的特点胚后发育变化。有几个调制发射器和受体存在于花萼的举行，可能发挥作用，在塑造synthetic性能在发展过程中。其中，代谢型谷氨酸受体（mGluR）是一个谜，因为迄今为止它们在突触可塑性或突触发育中没有显示出明确的生理作用。我的兴趣在于调查组III mGluRs，这是位于突触前在花萼举行的功能作用。使用免疫组织化学，电生理学和小鼠遗传学的组合，我将确定的身份和作用的第三组mGluRs在突触可塑性和发展的花萼。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The medial nucleus of the trapezoid body is an essential sign-inverting synapse in the binaural sound localization circuit. The major synapse in the MNTB is the calyx of Held, a. glutamatergic axosomatic synapse, with a uniquely large presynaptic terminal. This morphology allows paired pre-and postsynaptic intracellular recordings, allowing real-time measurements of presynaptic vesicle release, and postsynaptic receptor responses. The calyx shows activity-dependent functional synaptic plasticity, and also undergoes well-characterized postembryonic developmental changes. There are several modulatory transmitters and receptors present at the calyx of Held, that likely play a role in shaping the synpatic properties during development. 0f these, the metabotropic glutamate receptors, (mGluRs) are enigmatic, as they do not to date show a well-defined physiological role in either synaptic plasticity, or synaptic development. My interest lies in investigating the functional role of the group Ill mGluRs, which are located presynaptically at the calyx of Held. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and murine genetics, I will determine the identity and role of group Ill mGluRs in synaptic plasticity and development of the calyx.