Ral-mediated signalling pathways in neurons

在神经系统内，神经元通过释放神经递质化学物质跨越单个神经元之间的连接（突触）进行通信。在释放之前，神经递质储存在神经末梢内，在称为突触囊泡的小膜球内。神经元细胞的形状和神经元在发育过程中迁移到大脑不同区域的能力会影响成年大脑的功能。任何这些大脑功能的改变都可能导致影响正常精神功能的疾病。Ral是一种在大脑中，特别是在神经元中发现的小GT3酶。小GTP酶负责通过充当开关来调节细胞功能，打开和关闭细胞内的生化过程。在神经元内，Ral存在于突触囊泡的表面，暗示其参与神经递质释放的调节。已经在非神经元细胞中证明了其他Ral功能，其在神经元细胞中可能具有特别重要的意义。然而，以前没有研究调查Ral在神经系统中的功能。这项研究旨在确定RalA在神经元细胞中发挥什么作用，以及它通过什么生化机制发挥这种作用。将使用分子生物学、生物化学和显微镜技术来建立这些功能。这项研究将导致增加这种蛋白质对细胞，特别是神经元细胞功能的重要性的知识。这构成了了解正常神经元功能和识别导致神经系统疾病的因素的基础。随着时间的推移，这种研究有助于开发针对神经系统疾病患者的特定疗法。

Within the nervous system, neurons communicate through the release of neurotransmitter chemicals across connections between individual neurons (synapses). Before their release, neurotransmitters are stored inside nerve endings, within small membranous spheres called synaptic vesicles. Neuronal cell shape and the neuron's ability to migrate to different regions of the brain during development affect the way that the adult brain functions. Alterations in any of these brain functions may lead to diseases affecting normal mental function. Ral is a small GTPase enzyme found in brain, and particularly in neurons. Small GTPases are responsible for regulating cell functions by acting as switches, turning biochemical processes on and off inside the cell. Within neurons, Ral is found on the surface of synaptic vesicles, implicating it in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Other Ral functions have been demonstrated in non-neuronal cells that may be of particular significance in neuronal cells. However, no studies have previously investigated Ral function in the nervous system. The research proposed aims to establish what role RalA performs within neuronal cells, and by what biochemical mechanism it performs this role. Techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry and microscopy will be used to establish these functions. This research will lead to increased knowledge of the significance of this protein to cellular, and particularly neuronal cell function. This forms the basis for the understanding normal neuronal function, and for the identification of factors causing diseases of the nervous system. In time, such research aids in the development of specific therapies for sufferers of such diseases of the nervous system.