PLASTICITY AND REGENERATION OF RETINAL SYNAPSES

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)：感光细胞是 受到各种遗传性疾病和创伤的影响。它的外部都是 节段和突触终末对这些病理情况做出反应。 该方案研究了光感受器带状突触的可塑性。 和它的再生能力，有以下目标：(1)本地化 视杆细胞和视锥细胞的钙通道；(2)检测 突触的可塑性受钙信号和囊泡循环的控制； 以及(3)检查成体神经元之间的抑制性相互作用 限制突触功能的再生和恢复。共聚焦激光器 扫描和电子显微镜将用于分离的光感受器 与蛋白质抑制剂荧光二氢吡啶结合使用 合成和细胞器的标记，以检查结构的可塑性。 用显微操作法建立培养中的视网膜神经元组 光学镊子，然后是传统的和视频延时显微镜， 将测试潜在的排斥力和吸引力 再生。这些项目探索了轴突可能涉及的机制 视网膜脱离和视网膜炎中可见的回缩和神经性生长 分别为着色型和着色型。了解丝带的细胞生物学 突触可能有助于恢复或保护视网膜的正常神经传递 疾病。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): The photoreceptor cell is affected by a variety of genetic diseases and trauma. Both its outer segment and the synaptic terminal respond to these pathological conditions. This proposal examines the plasticity of the photoreceptor ribbon synapse and its ability to regenerate and has the following aims: (1) to localize the calcium channels in the rod and cone photoreceptor; (2) to test whether synaptic plasticity is controlled by calcium signals and vesicle recycling; and (3) to examine for inhibitory interaction between adult neurons that may limit regeneration and recovery of synaptic function. Confocal laser scanning and electron microscopy will be used on isolated photoreceptors in conjunction with fluorescent dihydropyridines, inhibitors of protein synthesis, and markers of cell organelles, to examine structural plasticity. Creation of groups of retinal neurons in culture by micromanipulation with optical tweezers, followed by conventional and video time-lapse microscopy, will test potential repulsive and attractant cell-mediated forces during regeneration. The projects explore possible mechanisms involved in axonal retraction and neuritic outgrowth seen in retinal detachment and retinitis pigmentosa, respectively. Understanding the cell biology of the ribbon synapse may help restore or preserve normal neurotransmission in retinal disease.