Ral-mediated signalling pathways in neurons

在神经系统内，神经元通过单个神经元(突触)之间的连接释放神经递质化学物质进行交流。在释放神经递质之前，神经递质被储存在神经末梢内，即被称为突触小泡的小膜球内。神经细胞的形状和神经元在发育过程中迁移到大脑不同区域的能力会影响成年人大脑的功能。这些大脑功能的任何一种改变都可能导致影响正常精神功能的疾病。Ral是一种小的GTP酶，存在于大脑中，尤其是神经元中。小的GTP酶负责调节细胞的功能，起到开关的作用，开启和关闭细胞内的生化过程。在神经元内，al位于突触小泡表面，提示它参与神经递质释放的调节。在非神经细胞中已经证实了其他的RAL功能，这可能在神经细胞中具有特殊的意义。然而，之前还没有研究研究神经系统中的中枢功能。提出的这项研究旨在确定Rala在神经细胞中扮演什么角色，以及它通过什么生化机制发挥这一作用。分子生物学、生物化学和显微技术将被用来建立这些功能。这项研究将使人们更多地了解这种蛋白质对细胞，特别是神经细胞功能的意义。这为理解正常的神经功能和识别导致神经系统疾病的因素奠定了基础。随着时间的推移，这种研究有助于为神经系统疾病的患者开发特定的治疗方法。

Within the nervous system, neurons communicate through the release of neurotransmitter chemicals across connections between individual neurons (synapses). Before their release, neurotransmitters are stored inside nerve endings, within small membranous spheres called synaptic vesicles. Neuronal cell shape and the neuron's ability to migrate to different regions of the brain during development affect the way that the adult brain functions. Alterations in any of these brain functions may lead to diseases affecting normal mental function. Ral is a small GTPase enzyme found in brain, and particularly in neurons. Small GTPases are responsible for regulating cell functions by acting as switches, turning biochemical processes on and off inside the cell. Within neurons, Ral is found on the surface of synaptic vesicles, implicating it in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Other Ral functions have been demonstrated in non-neuronal cells that may be of particular significance in neuronal cells. However, no studies have previously investigated Ral function in the nervous system. The research proposed aims to establish what role RalA performs within neuronal cells, and by what biochemical mechanism it performs this role. Techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry and microscopy will be used to establish these functions. This research will lead to increased knowledge of the significance of this protein to cellular, and particularly neuronal cell function. This forms the basis for the understanding normal neuronal function, and for the identification of factors causing diseases of the nervous system. In time, such research aids in the development of specific therapies for sufferers of such diseases of the nervous system.