Towards an understanding of olfactory adaptation

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目标是通过研究在C中长期气味适应期间影响cGMP依赖性蛋白激酶EGL-4的核定位的分子来了解重复的经验如何稳定地改变神经元的活性。优雅这种理解将使我们深入了解学习和记忆的机制以及成瘾的分子过程。EGL-4在气味感觉神经元中的核定位对于持续刺激气味剂后发生的从短期到长期适应的过渡是必要的。我们建议研究调节这种核转位的分子。通过利用GFP标记的EGL-4分子实时可视化EGL-4的行为，我们将研究EGL-4在气味趋化性和适应性的已知组分中的定位。我们还将对EGL-4核转位缺陷的个体进行遗传筛查，以确定调节向长期适应过渡的适应性新成分。这项研究的结果将使我们更清楚地了解神经元的可塑性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to understand how repeated experience can stably modify a neuron's activity by studying the molecules that affect the nuclear localization of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase EGL-4 during long-term odorant adaptation in C. elegans. This understanding will provide us with insight into mechanisms of learning and memory and molecular processes that underlie addictions. Nuclear localization of EGL-4 in odorant sensory neurons is necessary for the transition from short to long-term adaptation that occurs upon continual stimulation to an odorant. We propose to study the molecules that regulate this nuclear translocation. By utilizing a GFP-tagged EGL-4 molecule to visualize in real-time the behavior of EGL-4, we will examine the localization of EGL-4 in known components of both odorant chemotaxis and adaptation. We will also genetically screen for individuals that are defective in EGL-4 nuclear translocation to identify new components of adaptation that regulate the transition to long-term adaptation. The results from this study will give us a clearer understanding of neuronal plasticity.