The Role of Sidekicks in Synaptic specificity

描述（由申请人提供）：我的主要目标是阐明神经元在精确目标位置形成特定突触的机制。突触特异性的一个主要决定因素是层特异性，即特定轴突叶对目标区域内特定层的限制。层流特异性在整个中枢神经系统的广泛和突出的存在表明了它的基本重要性。赛内斯实验室最近的工作提供了这样一个分子家族的线索，Sidekicks (Sdks)，介导了视网膜的这一发育过程。使用小鼠视网膜作为模型系统，我将使用细胞和遗传方法对sdk的作用进行功能测试。我假设“侧踢”是层特异性突触发生的决定因素。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): My broad goal is to elucidate mechanisms by which neurons form specific synapses at precisely targeted locations. One major determinant of synaptic specificity is laminar specificity, the restriction of particular axonal arbors to specific laminae within the target area. The widespread and prominent presence of laminar specificity throughout the central nervous system is indicative of its fundamental importance. Recent work from the Sanes laboratory provided clues that one such family of molecules, Sidekicks (Sdks), mediate this developmental process in the retina. Using the mouse retina as a model system, I will use cellular and genetic approaches to functionally test the role of Sdks. I hypothesize that Sidekicks are determinants of lamina- specific synaptogenesis.