The purpose of this application is to provide the PI with resources that will enable him to acquire technical skills and expertise in molecular and cell biology. The PI is a Professor in the Departments of Physiological Science and Neurobiology at UCLA. During most of his scientific career the PI has studied the neural basis of simple forms of learning and memory in invertebrate organisms. The PI is highly trained in electrophysiological techniques for investigating learning-related neuronal plasticity, as well as in behavioral techniques for investigating simple forms of invertebrate learning and memory. Recent data from the laboratory of the PI indicates that the endogenous monoamine, serotonin (5-HT), modulates the intracellular trafficking of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in motor neurons of the marine snail Aplysia californica. Additional data from the Pl's laboratory suggests that 5-HT-induced modulation of AMPA-type receptor trafficking contributes to behavioral sensitization in Aplysia. To elucidate the potential cellular mechanisms of 5-HT-induced modulation of AMPA-type receptor trafficking in Aplysia, the PI wishes to acquire research skills in cellular and molecular biology. Specifically, during the award period the PI will undertake the following research projects: (i) to clone and sequence ionotropic glutamate receptor genes from the Aplysia nervous system; (ii) to perform in situ hybridization to localize the mRNAs of the cloned glutamate receptors in the Aplysia CNS; (iii) to express the Aplysia glutamate receptors in Xenopus oocytes for biophysical and pharmacological characterization of the expressed receptor channels; (iv) to generate antibodies to the different glutamate receptor subunits for use in immunohistochemical studies of the effect of 5-HT on the distribution of the receptors; and iv) to test whether expression of the glutamate receptor is enhanced in motor neurons of Aplysia during a form of long-term memory, long-term sensitization. To develop the technical expertise required for these projects, the PI will collaborate with several UCLA colleagues. The proposed collaborators are all highly knowledgeable and experienced in the molecular and cell biological techniques necessary for completing the proposed research. Furthermore, the laboratories of the collaborators have the necessary equipment for the proposed research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02MH067062-04
Application #
7000303
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Asanuma, Chiiko
Project Start
2002-12-06
Project End
2007-11-30
Budget Start
2006-01-25
Budget End
2007-09-24
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$117,612
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Villareal, Greg; Li, Quan; Cai, Diancai et al. (2009) Role of protein kinase C in the induction and maintenance of serotonin-dependent enhancement of the glutamate response in isolated siphon motor neurons of Aplysia californica. J Neurosci 29:5100-7
Glanzman, David L (2009) Habituation in Aplysia: the Cheshire cat of neurobiology. Neurobiol Learn Mem 92:147-54
Glanzman, David L (2008) New tricks for an old slug: the critical role of postsynaptic mechanisms in learning and memory in Aplysia. Prog Brain Res 169:277-92
Fulton, Daniel; Condro, Michael C; Pearce, Kaycey et al. (2008) The potential role of postsynaptic phospholipase C activity in synaptic facilitation and behavioral sensitization in Aplysia. J Neurophysiol 100:108-16
Cai, Diancai; Chen, Shanping; Glanzman, David L (2008) Postsynaptic regulation of long-term facilitation in Aplysia. Curr Biol 18:920-5
Villareal, Greg; Li, Quan; Cai, Diancai et al. (2007) The role of rapid, local, postsynaptic protein synthesis in learning-related synaptic facilitation in aplysia. Curr Biol 17:2073-80
Roberts, Adam C; Glanzman, David L (2003) Learning in Aplysia: looking at synaptic plasticity from both sides. Trends Neurosci 26:662-70