Towards an understanding of olfactory adaptation

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的目标是通过研究秀丽隐杆线虫长期气味适应过程中影响cgmp依赖性蛋白激酶EGL-4核定位的分子，了解重复经历如何稳定地改变神经元的活动。这种理解将使我们深入了解成瘾背后的学习和记忆机制以及分子过程。气味感觉神经元中EGL-4的核定位是在持续刺激气味时从短期适应过渡到长期适应的必要条件。我们建议研究调节这种核易位的分子。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成分中的定位。我们还将对EGL-4核易位有缺陷的个体进行基因筛选，以确定调节向长期适应过渡的适应的新成分。这项研究的结果将使我们对神经元的可塑性有更清晰的认识。

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.