SYNAPSE STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT

这项研究计划的长期目标是确定 一套控制行为的调节机制 神经调质，特别是神经肽。 重组DNA， 免疫组织化学、生物化学和电生理学 技术被用来跟踪编码在 从基因表达水平开始的神经肽基因 延伸到直接调节的生理活动 动物行为 由于巨大的数值复杂性和细胞多样性 哺乳动物中枢神经系统的一种简化方法 是合适的。 两个无脊椎动物系统用于这些研究。 果蝇，黑腹果蝇是最广泛的研究 也是在基因水平上了解最多的真核生物。 一 与四氨基酸神经肽相关的一组肽 PheMetArgPhe-酰胺将在遗传、生物化学和生物化学方面进行研究。 行为层面。 海洋蜗牛，加州州有一个中枢神经系统 只有两万个细胞组成 细胞很大，可以辨认 许多神经元的行为作用已经被确立。 许多大型神经元高水平表达神经肽基因 促进蛋白水解加工、包装和 肽产物的运输。 亚速尔群岛还提供 有机会研究分子， 缩氨酸 界定各种精神疾病的原因需要一个贯穿 了解神经元的细胞生物学。 根本 无脊椎动物神经元用来调节 神经调质可能是所有物种共有的， 伙计 因此，这些研究将有助于深入了解 精神疾病的机制，从而推动研究 更接近有效的治疗方法。

The long term objective of this research program is to define the set of regulatory mechanisms which control the behavioral actions of neuromodulators, particularly neuropeptides. Recombinant DNA, immunohistochemical, biochemical and electrophysiological techniques are used to follow the flow of information encoded in neuropeptide genes beginning at the level of gene expression extending to the physiological activities which directly modulate animal behavior. Due to the tremendous numerical complexity and cellular diversity of the mammalian central nervous system, a reductionist approach is appropriate. Two invertebrate systems are for these studies. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster is the most widely studied and best understood eucaryotic organism at the genetic level. A set of peptides related to the four amino acid neuropeptide PheMetArgPhe-amide will be investigated at the genetic, biochemical and behavioral level. The marine snail, Aplysia california has a central nervous system consisting of only 20,000 cells. The cells are large, identifiable and the behavioral roles of many neurons have been established. Many of the large neurons express neuropeptide genes at high levels facilitating studies of proteolytic processing, packaging and transport of the peptide products. Aplysia also offers the opportunity to study molecules which are copackaged with the peptides. Defining the causes of various mental illnesses requires a through understanding of the cell biology of neurons. The fundamental mechanisms used by invertebrate neurons to regulate the actions of neuromodulators are likely to be common to all species including man. Thus these studies will help in providing insight into the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, thereby moving research efforts closer to effective therapies.