Towards an understanding of olfactory adaptation

描述(申请人提供)：本项目的目标是通过研究在线虫长期气味适应过程中影响cGMP依赖的蛋白激酶EGL-4核定位的分子，了解重复经验如何稳定地改变神经元的活动。这一理解将为我们提供对学习和记忆机制以及成瘾背后的分子过程的洞察。EGL-4在气味感觉神经元中的核定位是气味感觉神经元从短期适应向长期适应转变所必需的，这种适应发生在对气味的持续刺激下。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，我们将检查EGL-4在气味趋化和适应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查，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了解。

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.