Ral-mediated signalling pathways in neurons

在神经系统中，神经元通过释放神经递质化学物质在单个神经元（突触）之间的连接进行交流。在释放之前，神经递质储存在神经末梢内，被称为突触囊泡的小膜状球体内。神经元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人大脑的功能。这些大脑功能的任何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gtpase通过充当开关来调节细胞功能，打开和关闭细胞内的生化过程。在神经元内，Ral存在于突触囊泡表面，暗示其参与神经递质释放的调节。在非神经元细胞中也发现了其他的Ral功能，这些功能在神经元细胞中可能具有特殊的意义。然而，以前没有研究调查过Ral在神经系统中的功能。本研究旨在确定RalA在神经元细胞中发挥的作用，以及通过何种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用于建立这些功能。这项研究将增加对这种蛋白质对细胞，特别是神经元细胞功能的重要性的认识。这是理解正常神经元功能的基础，也是识别引起神经系统疾病的因素的基础。随着时间的推移，这些研究有助于开发针对此类神经系统疾病患者的特定疗法。

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.