CELL SURFACE PROTEIN INTERACTIONS IN NEURODEVELOPMENT

描述（改编自申请人描述）：该项目研究发育中的神经细胞识别、翻译和响应细胞外信号的细胞和分子机制。每个参与项目的实验室都研究神经细胞与环境之间不同相互作用的功能和分子机制，包括轴突识别、突触形成、可塑性和少突胶质前体迁移。具体来说，我们将研究钙粘蛋白、受体型酪氨酸激酶以及它们的ephrin配体和膜结合蛋白聚糖的功能和作用机制。Ranscht博士的项目使用T-钙粘蛋白功能受损的小鼠，研究T-钙粘蛋白在海马轴突通路识别和突触形成中的作用。Pasquale博士的项目研究Ephbeta2及其ephrin-B1配体（海马突触中表达的一对受体配体）的双向信号传导机制。Stallcup博士的项目确定了蛋白聚糖NG2信号少突胶质前体细胞迁移的机制。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's description): This program investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which developing neural cells recognize, translate and respond to extracellular signals. Each of the participating Program laboratories examines the function and molecular mechanisms underlying distinct interactions of neural cells with their environment, including axonal recognition, synapse formation, plasticity, and oligodendrocyte precursor migration. Specifically, the functions and mechanisms of operation of cadherin, receptor-type, tyrosine kinases of the Eph-family and their ephrin-ligands, and membrane-bound proteoglycans will be investigated. Dr. Ranscht's project examines the role of T-cadherin in axonal pathway recognition and synapse formation in the hippocampus using mice with disrupted T- cadherin function. Dr. Yamaguchi's project addresses the function of proteoglycan syndecan-2 in dendritic spine maturation of hippocampal neurons Dr. Pasquale's project investigates the bi-directional signaling mechanisms of Ephbeta2 and its ephrin-B1 ligand, a receptor ligand pair that is expressed in hippocampal synapses. Dr. Stallcup's project determines the mechanism by which proteoglycan NG2 signals oligodendrocyte precursor cells to migrate.