Regulation of neuronal polarity and motor circuit functions by the SAD Kinase

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Neurons in our brain do not function alone - they form circuits where they communicate with each other and function as a unit. To form these functional units, neurons must develop highly polarized processes (axons and dendrites), as well as specialized structures (synapses), to allow them to receive and transducer signals from and to selected other neurons. The family of SAD kinases modulates various aspects of neuronal development, including the polarization of nascent neurons, localization of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles to synapses and synaptic transmission. However the mechanism through which the SAD proteins function in these diverse processes remains poorly understood. Here we propose cutting edge genetic, behavioral and live imaging studies to reveal the role of the SAD kinase in the assembly and function of neural circuits, and to identify molecules through which the SAD kinase regulate these processes. Since the development of functional neural circuits is fundamental for all animals' motor function and cognition, the knowledge gained from this study will shed new insights in the development and potential treatment for human neurological disorders.