POWRE: Neurotransmitter Specification & Function in C. elegans

Christine LiNSF 9973581 Lay AbstractDr.克里斯汀·李感兴趣的是神经系统一个区域的神经细胞如何与不同区域的神经细胞进行交流。神经细胞使用被称为神经递质的化学物质作为他们的通讯手段；一个神经细胞分泌一种神经递质，被另一个神经细胞接收，导致后者以特定的方式做出反应。神经递质的调节在神经系统内受到微妙的调节。神经递质过少或过多都会对动物的行为产生严重影响，如不协调或认知障碍。李博士正在一个简单的模型系统--秀丽线虫模型中研究神经递质的调节。在这个模型系统中，神经系统的简单性和通过基因操作动物的能力允许使用其他系统所不具备的方法，比如哺乳动物。她专注于一种叫做神经肽的神经递质，这是一种小蛋白质。线虫中存在100多种不同的神经肽；根据它们的结构相似性，这些多肽可以被细分为家族。李博士正在研究一种名为FARPs的神经肽家族。线虫体内约50%的神经细胞使用FARP进行细胞间的通讯。该实验室正在解决的问题包括确定不同FARP的功能，确定为什么只有某些细胞使用FARP进行通信，确定一个FARP是否可以在功能上替代另一个FARP，以及确定一个神经细胞分泌的FARP如何在第二个神经细胞中引起特定反应。深入了解神经肽在线虫中的作用，可能会为神经肽如何在高等动物(如人类)中使用提供线索。

Christine LiNSF 9973581Lay AbstractDr. Christine Li is interested in how nerve cells in one region of the nervous system communicate with nerve cells in a different region. Nerve cells use chemicals, called neurotransmitters, as their means of communication; one nerve cell secretes a neurotransmitter that is received by another nerve cell, causing the latter cell to respond in a specific manner. The regulation of neurotransmitters is finely modulated within the nervous system. Too little or too much of a neurotransmitter can have severe repercussions on the behavior of an animal, such as uncoordination or cognitive disorders. Dr. Li is examining the regulation of neurotransmitters in a simple model system, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, where the simplicity of the nervous system and the ability to manipulate the animal genetically allows use of approaches not readily available in other systems, such as mammals. She is focusing on a certain class of neurotransmitters called neuropeptides, which are small proteins. Over 100 distinct neuropeptides are present in C. elegans; these peptides can be subgrouped into families based on their structural similarities. Dr. Li is studying a specific family of neuropeptides called FaRPs. About 50% of the nerve cells in C. elegans use FaRPs for communication between cells. The questions that the laboratory is addressing include determining the functions of different FaRPs, determining why only certain cells use FaRPs for communication, determining whether one FaRP can substitute functionally for another FaRP, and determining how a FaRP secreted from one nerve cell can cause a certain response in a second nerve cell. Insights into how neuropeptides function in C. elegans may give clues into how neuropeptides are used in higher animals, such as man.