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

我们大脑中的神经元并不是单独起作用的——它们形成回路，相互交流，作为一个整体发挥作用。为了形成这些功能单元，神经元必须发展出高度极化的过程（轴突和树突），以及专门的结构（突触），以允许它们接收和传递来自其他神经元的信号。SAD激酶家族调节神经元发育的各个方面，包括新生神经元的极化、神经递质囊泡向突触的定位和突触传递。然而，SAD蛋白在这些不同过程中的作用机制仍然知之甚少。在这里，我们提出了前沿的遗传学、行为学和实时成像研究，以揭示SAD激酶在神经回路的组装和功能中的作用，并确定SAD激酶调节这些过程的分子。由于功能性神经回路的发展是所有动物运动功能和认知的基础，因此从本研究中获得的知识将为人类神经系统疾病的发展和潜在治疗提供新的见解。

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.