Glia-neuron interactions: roles in axonal pathfinding and synaptic physiology in an invertebrate model

动物的所有神经系统功能都是由脑细胞网络控制的，这些细胞通过被称为“突触”的特殊结构进行交流。神经元之间突触传递的紊乱是所有大脑功能障碍的基础。传统上认为，突触传递发生在突触前神经元和突触后靶细胞之间，涉及两部分突触。然而，最近的研究表明，胶质细胞--以前被认为只为神经元提供物理支持--在神经系统中扮演着许多重要的功能角色。例如，在没有神经元的情况下，不仅神经元无法接触到它们的确切目标，而且它们的突触传递也无法进行。然而，胶质细胞在这些过程中的确切参与和潜在的机制在很大程度上仍不清楚。利用模型系统的方法，本研究将提供神经胶质细胞参与神经导向靶点的直接证据，以及它们在突触生理学中的确切作用。我们相信，这些研究将为神经胶质细胞在正常和各种病理条件下影响神经系统发育和功能的机制提供直接的见解。

All nervous system functions in animal are controlled by networks of brain cells which communicate through specialized structures termed 'synapses'. Perturbation of synaptic transmission between neurons is the basis for all brain dysfunctions. Traditionally, it was presumed that the synaptic transmission occurred between a presynaptic neuron and its postsynaptic target involving a bipartite synapse. However, recent studies have indicated that the glial cells - which were previously thought to provide physical support to neurons only - play many important functional roles in the nervous system. For instance, in their absence not only do neurons fail to reach out to their exact targets but also that their synaptic transmission fails. The precise involvement of glia in these processes and the underlying mechanisms remain however largely unknown. Using a model system approach, this study will provide the direct evidence vis-à-vis the involvement of glial in nerve guidance towards its targets and also their precise role in synaptic physiology. We believe that these studies will provide direct insights into the mechanisms by which glia affect nervous system development and function under both normal various and pathological conditions.