PLASTICITY OF NEURONAL FUNCTION AND FORM

描述：果蝇的神经遗传学研究有助于 对我们理解行为可塑性和 潜在的分子机制。 这个项目是我们的延续， 通过长期努力弥合这两个层面的差距， 阐明了神经元功能和结构的相关改变 和神经回路的性能。 基因分子 形态学和生理学技术将被用来分析 选择不同行为改变的突变体的集合， 发现了分子缺陷 这个实验室以前的研究 显示出改变的神经元放电模式和突触可塑性， 以及逃逸回路的异常习惯化过程， 突变体dnc和rut具有缺陷的cAMP代谢和K+通道 突变体Hk和eag. 这项拨款建议继续调查 第二信使级联在神经元和回路水平的作用， 从cAMP级联（dnc和rut）延伸到影响CaM的突变 激酶（ala）和cGMP依赖性激酶（for）。 就像dnc和rut一样ala 突变体表现出学习障碍，而对于展览改变觅食 行为 双突变体已被构建用于分析效应 由不同信号之间的会聚和串扰导出 转导途径。 此外，K+通道控制神经元放电 性质，并被称为第二信使调节的目标， 瀑布 不同K+通道亚基Sh和Kh的突变，以及 香港及东亚运动会的影响， 突触可塑性和电路性能。 这项研究将包括 习惯化，一个非联想的条件反射过程，在成人逃避 回路，以及突触效能和终末发芽的可塑性， 幼虫的神经肌肉接头 燃烧性能分析 巨大的神经元将促进中枢神经元的突触功能 培养体系

DESCRIPTION: Neurogenetic studies in Drosophila have contributed significantly to our understanding of behavioral plasticity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. This project is a continuation of our long-term efforts to bridge the gap between these two levels of approach by elucidating the associated modifications in neuronal function and structure and in neural circuit performance. A combination of genetic, molecular, morphological and physiological techniques will be employed to analyze a collection of mutants selected for distinct behavioral alterations with identified molecular defects. Previous studies from this lab have demonstrated altered neuronal firing patterns and synaptic plasticity, as well as the abnormal habituation process of an escape circuit, in the memory mutants dnc and rut with defective cAMP metabolism and in the K+channel mutants Hk and eag. This grant proposes to continue to investigate the roles of second messenger cascades at the neuronal and circuit levels, extending from the cAMP cascade (dnc and rut) to mutations that affect CaM kinase (ala), and cGMP-dependent kinase (for). Like dnc and rut, ala mutants show learning disabilities, while for exhibits altered foraging behavior. Double mutants have been constructed for analyzing effects derived from convergence and cross talk between different signal transduction pathways. In addition, K+ channels control neuronal firing properties and are known as the targets of modulation by second messenger cascades. Mutations of different K+channel subunits, Sh and slo, as well as Hk and eag, will be examined in parallel to determine how they affect synaptic plasticity and circuit performance. This study will include the habituation, a non-associative conditioning process, in the adult escape circuit, and the plasticity of synaptic efficacy and terminal sprouting in the larval neuromuscular junctions. Analysis of firing properties and synaptic function in central neurons will be facilitated by the giant neuron culture system.