Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms that Mediate Neural Circuit Formation
Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms that Mediate Neural Circuit Formation

Author: Katherine Watters

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13:

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Thought, perception, and behavior rely on the faithful transfer of information between neurons, the cells of the nervous system. To ensure proper neural circuit formation, neurons must form connections with the proper neuronal partner, a process called synaptic partner recognition. Next, the neuron must recruit synaptic components to the correct membrane, a process called synaptic assembly. These two processes must be tightly linked for proper nervous system function, and defects in either may result in developmental neurological disorders. The VanHoven laboratory uses the genetic model organism Caenhorabditis elegans and the transgenic fluorescent marker NLG-1 GRASP. NLG-1 GRASP fluorescently labels synapses that form between the PHB chemosensory neurons and the AVA interneurons in vivo. Previously the VanHoven laboratory revealed that the ligand-receptor pair UNC-6/Netrin and UNC-40/DCC act in a juxtacrine manner to specify synaptic partner recognition between PHB and AVA neurons. Here, we study two other genes required in neural circuit formation: the transmembrane receptor clr-1/Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (RPTP) and the small vesicle transporter protein unc-69/Small Coiled-Coil (SCOCO). We find that both CLR-1/RPTP and UNC-69/SCOCO are required for proper PHB to AVA synaptogenesis, act in the previously described UNC-6/Netrin UNC-40/DCC pathway, and likely function downstream of UNC-6/Netrin. Further characterization of how CLR-1/RPTP and UNC-69/SCOCO mediate nervous system development will help us to understand the logic of neural circuit formation as well as aid in the development of treatments for neurological disorders.

Development of Neural Circuitry
Development of Neural Circuitry

Author:

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2009-05-07

Total Pages: 253

ISBN-13: 0080922619

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The nervous system is highly complex both in its structural order and in its ability to perform the many functions required for survival and interaction with the environment; understanding how it develops has proven to be one of the greatest challenges in biology. Such precision demands that key events at every developmental stage are executed properly and are coordinated to produce the circuitry underlying each of the adult nervous system's functions. This volume describes the latest research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural circuitry development, while providing researchers with a one-stop overview and synthesis of contemporary thought in the area. Reviews current research findings on the development of neural circuitry, providing researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest contemporary thought in the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the development of neural circuitry Includes chapters discussing topics such as the guidance of nerve growth and the formation of plasticity of synapses, helping researchers better understand underlying mechanisms of neural circuit development and maintenance that may play a role in such human diseases/conditions as depression, anxiety, and pain Chapters make use of a variety of human and animal models, allowing researchers to compare and contrast neural circuitry development across a wide spectrum of models

Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury
Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury

Author: Daniel Laskowitz

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2016-04-21

Total Pages: 388

ISBN-13: 1498766579

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the developme

Molecular Mechanisms of Neural Development and Insights into Disease
Molecular Mechanisms of Neural Development and Insights into Disease

Author:

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2021-03-09

Total Pages: 548

ISBN-13: 0128152826

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Neural Development and Disease, Volume 142 in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters by one or more members of an international board of authors. Sections in this new release cover The role of primary cilia in neural development and disease, Mechanisms of axon guidance receptor regulation and signaling, Synaptic recognition molecules in development and disease, The regulation of cortical neurogenesis, Axon guidance in the developing spinal cord, The role of astrocytes in synapse formation and maturation, Development of motor circuits, Molecular mechanisms that mediate dendrite morphogenesis, and more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series

Neural Plasticity and Memory
Neural Plasticity and Memory

Author: Federico Bermudez-Rattoni

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2007-04-17

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 1420008412

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A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review, Neural Plasticity and Memory: From Genes to Brain Imaging provides an in-depth, up-to-date analysis of the study of the neurobiology of memory. Leading specialists share their scientific experience in the field, covering a wide range of topics where molecular, genetic, behavioral, and brain imaging techniq

The Sticky Synapse
The Sticky Synapse

Author: Michael Hortsch

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-06-07

Total Pages: 451

ISBN-13: 0387927085

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The molecular mechanisms, which are responsible for the functional differences between the various types of neuronal synapses, have become one of the central themes of modern neurobiology. It is becoming increasingly clear that a misregulation of synaptogenesis and synaptic remodeling and dysfunctional neuronal synapses are at the heart of several human diseases, both neurological disorders and psychiatric conditions. As synapses present specialized cellular junctions between neurons and their target cells, it may not come as a surprise that neural cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are of special importance for the genesis and the maintenance of synaptic connections. Genes encoding adhesive molecules make up a significant portion of the human genome, and neural CAMs even have been postulated to be a major factor in the evolution of the human brain. These are just some of the many reasons why we thought a book on neural CAMs and their role in establishing and maintaining neuronal synapses would be highly appropriate for summarizing our current state of knowledge. Without question, over the near future, additional adhesive proteins will join the ranks of synaptic CAMs and our knowledge, and how these molecules enable neurons and their targets to communicate effectively will grow.

Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptogenesis
Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptogenesis

Author: Alexander Dityatev

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2006-11-24

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 038732562X

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This book provides a new compilation of information that link changes in the basic structure of synapses and brain diseases. The book shows that specific secreted proteins, and short peptide mimicking the function of neural cell adhesion molecules can significantly enhance the formation of synapses in the brain. It describes recent advances in research that lay necessary scientific groundwork to develop pharmacological treatments.

Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Formation
Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Formation

Author: Kartik Ramamoorthi

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13:

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A fundamental goal in neuroscience is to understand mechanisms underlying the ability to create memories from sensory experience. While large structures such as the hippocampus are known to be critical for certain types of learning, memories are ultimately thought to be represented in sparsely distributed neuronal ensembles within these larger structures. Currently, there are few tools that allow for the identification and manipulation of these ensembles, which has limited our understanding of the molecular and cellular processes underlying learning and memory. We have previously reported that the activity-regulated transcription factor Npas4 is selectively induced in a sparse population of CA3 following contextual fear conditioning. Global knockout or selective deletion of Npas4 in CA3 both resulted in impaired contextual memory, and restoration of Npas4 in CA3 was sufficient to reverse the deficit in global knockout mice. Taking advantage of the critical role of Npas4 in contextual memory formation, we developed a set of novel molecular tools to gain access to cell populations activated by experience. Using this system, we identified and manipulated the properties of neurons activated by behavioral experience in a variety of neural circuits in mice, rats, and Drosophila. We believe that the tools developed in this thesis can provide a major advancement in the field, and will allow researchers to target any neural circuit activated by experience in a variety of species.

Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Responsiveness
Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Responsiveness

Author: Yigal H. Ehrlich

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-13

Total Pages: 553

ISBN-13: 1468476181

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The interaction of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neuroactive drugs with receptors localized at the cell surface initiates a chain of molecular events leading to integrated neuronal responses to the triggering stimuli. Major advancements in the characterization and isolation of recep tor molecules have answered many quest ions regarding the nature of the ele ments that determine the specificity in these interactions. At the same time, recent studies have provided evidence that delicate regulation by intracellular enzymatic systems determines the efficiency of the stimulus response coupling process, mediates the interaction between receptors, operates in feedback control mechanisms and transduces signals from the receptors to various effector sites in a highly coordinated fashion. These studies are at the focus of the present volume, which is an outcome of a symposium held at the University of Vermont College of Medicine on March 21-23, 1986, in conjunction with the seventeenth annual meeting of the Amer ican Society for Neurochemistry. The symposium has demonstrated clearly that the concerted efforts of investigators in neurophysiology, biochemis try, pharmacology, cell-biology, molecular genetics, neurology, and psy chiatry are required to achieve better understanding of the processes under lying neuronal responsiveness. This volume includes contributions provided by prominent investigators in all these research areas. We hope that the readers will find here a useful source of information and ideas for stimu lating further studies which may serve to narrow the gap between basic neuroscience research and its clinical implications.