CELLULAR NEUROBIOLOGY OF THE RETINA

这个项目的目标是了解这一代人， 视网膜神经元中电信号的传递。 为实现这一目标，将采取两种不同的办法。 第一、 突触释放神经递质的机制 研究神经元终末。 这是一 所有神经元通讯的基本方面 化学 神经递质通过钙离子从突触末梢释放 引发了突触囊泡的胞吐作用， 将通过监测膜的变化来研究过程 单个突触中伴随囊泡融合的表面积 terminals. 此外，膜修复的机制 还将检查囊泡融合后的细胞内吞（内吞）。 因为神经递质释放受突触前 钙内流，实验也将进行，以确定 突触内钙的调控机制 终端，包括摄取、挤出和缓冲 另一方面是钙的进入。 其次，视网膜的电压依赖性钠通道将 从生理学和分子生物学两个方面进行研究， 观点。 电压依赖性钠通道负责 对于钠动作电位的产生，无处不在的 神经系统的长距离电信号。 在 然而，视网膜中的一些神经元表达电压， 依赖的钠通道，而另一些则不依赖。 此外，本发明还提供了一种方法， 钠通道基因有多种亚型， 在神经系统的不同部位，包括 在视网膜上。 将进行实验以检查 这种差异钠通道的分子调节 在视网膜细胞中的表达。 转录因子和 与它们相互作用的基因调控元件将被 鉴定，以及通过生长调节通道表达， 还将研究各种因素。 这两条研究路线将 提供有关视网膜信号基本方面的信息 以及控制神经元的遗传机制 视网膜中的表型。 结果也将是一般的 对神经系统其他部位神经元功能的重要性 视网膜外的系统

The goal of this project is to understand the generation and transmission of electrical signals in the neurons of the retina. Two different approaches to this goal will be pursued. First, the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release from synaptic terminals of tineal neurons will be studies. this is a fundamental aspect of all neuronal communication. Chemical neurotransmitter is released from synaptic terminals via calcium triggered exocytosis of synaptic vesicles, and this fundamental process will be studied by monitoring the changes in membrane surface area accompanying vesicle fusion in single synaptic terminals. In addition, the mechanisms of membrane retrieval (endocytosis) after vesicle fusion will also be examined. Because neurotransmitter releasers controlled by presynaptic calcium influx, experiments will also be conducted to determine the mechanisms controlling internal calcium in synaptic terminals, including uptake, extrusion, and buffering mechanisms on the one hand, and calcium entry on the other. Second, voltage-dependent sodium channels of the retina will be examined, from both physiological and molecular biological viewpoints. voltage dependent sodium channels are responsible for the generation of sodium action potential, the ubiquitous long distance electrical signal of the nervous system. In the retina, however, some classes of neuron express voltage dependent sodium channels, while other do not. In addition, there are multiple subtypes of sodium-channel gene, expressed differentially in different parts of the nervous system, including in the retina. Experiments will be conducted to examine the molecular regulation of this differential sodium-channel expression in retinal cells. Transcription factor(s) and the genetic regulatory elements with which they interact will be identified, and the regulation of channel expression by growth factors will also be studied. These two lines of research will provide information about basic aspects of retinal signal processing and about genetic mechanisms that control neuronal phenotype in the retina. The results will also be of general significance for neuronal function in other parts of the nervous system outside the retina.