Synaptic Targeting in Hard-Wired Neural Circuits Underlying an Innate Behavior

先天行为背后的硬连线神经回路中的突触靶向

• 批准号: 386341-2012
• 负责人: Chen, Brian
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=572940
• 关键词: Synaptic; Targeting; Hard; Wired; Neural

How are synaptic targets pre-specified in a hard-wired neural circuit? Our proposed research program will address several major questions about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic targeting specificity to better understand how genes can encode innate behaviors. These projects will determine how molecules can alter a synaptic circuit, and how this changes the animal's perception and behavior. To examine these questions we will image the synaptic targeting decisions of single, identifiable neurons in a hard-wired stereotyped neural circuit using high-resolution in vivo imaging combined with genetic manipulations and behavioral assays in Drosophila. Specifically, we will: 1) Investigate the functions of different neural receptor molecules in synapse targeting and circuit function. 2) Characterize the cellular mechanisms of hard-wired synaptic targeting decisions using 2-photon in vivo time-lapse imaging during Drosophila development. Addressing these questions will allow fundamental insights into how genes control pre-specified synaptic targeting decisions and how differences in connectivity affect the output of a neural circuit. These experiments will be the first step in understanding the precision of molecules in guiding the finer targeting decisions of neural circuit formation and provide a framework for elucidating the different mechanisms of synapse targeting specificity.

在硬连线的神经回路中，突触目标是如何预先指定的？ 我们提出的研究计划将解决有关突触靶向特异性的分子和细胞机制的几个主要问题，以更好地了解基因如何编码先天行为。 这些项目将确定分子如何改变突触回路，以及这如何改变动物的感知和行为。 为了研究这些问题，我们将在果蝇中使用高分辨率体内成像结合遗传操作和行为测定来成像硬连线定型神经回路中单个可识别神经元的突触靶向决策。 具体而言，我们将： 1)研究不同神经受体分子在突触靶向和回路功能中的作用。 2)在果蝇发育过程中，使用双光子体内延时成像来表征硬连线突触靶向决策的细胞机制。 解决这些问题将使我们对基因如何控制预先指定的突触靶向决策以及连接差异如何影响神经回路的输出有基本的了解。 这些实验将是理解分子在指导神经回路形成的更精细靶向决策中的精确性的第一步，并为阐明突触靶向特异性的不同机制提供了框架。