The objectives of this career development proposal are first to expand the Pi's training in neural development and second, to understand why mutation ofan RNA-binding complex component causes reduced brain size. Towards the first objective we have formulated a career development plan to provide necessary scientific and career training for the PI to achieve success as an independent investigator. The training for the K99 phase took place at NHGRI on the NIH campus. For the ROO phase of the proposal, the research will be carried out at Duke University Medical Center. Integral to this training is a panel of advisors that bring together expertise in mouse embryology, neural development, microcephaly, and mitosis. Towards the second objective we will continue our study of a new mouse model of microcephaly we have identified called Mos2. Microcephaly is a genetic disorder in which brain size is significantly reduced resulting in mental retardation. It has been proposed that microcephaly is caused by defects in neural stem cell division in the developing neocortex. There is a need for additional models to further validate this concept. Our initial characterization of Mos2 mutants indicates that neural stem cell function is compromised in these mice due to mutation in a component of the exon junction complex, an RNA-binding complex not previously implicated in neural development. In this proposal we will test the hypothesis that this complex is required for neural stem cell maintenance by regulating asymmetric cell division. In the K99 phase, we characterized the neural stem cell and differentiated neuronal populations in Mos2 mutants to evaluate how neural stem cell function is disrupted. In the ROO phase we will use cell biological and genetic approaches to ask if other components of the exon junction complex regulate brain size and stem cell division. This proposal will provide insight into regulation of neural development, the mechanism of microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental diseases, and specifically address the role of RNA binding proteins in these processes. Pursuing these aims will provide the necessary foundation for a career as an independent investigator in neural development.

Public Health Relevance

This project will advance our understanding of neural stem cell regulation, neural development, and the mechanism by which brain size is regulated. Such knowledge may provide the necessary foundation for developing diagnositc options and therapeutic tratments for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
4R00NS064197-02
Application #
8181166
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Riddle, Robert D
Project Start
2008-12-01
Project End
2013-11-30
Budget Start
2010-12-01
Budget End
2011-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$249,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Pilaz, Louis-Jan; Silver, Debra L (2017) Moving messages in the developing brain-emerging roles for mRNA transport and local translation in neural stem cells. FEBS Lett 591:1526-1539
Mao, Hanqian; Brown, Hannah E; Silver, Debra L (2017) Mouse models of Casc3 reveal developmental functions distinct from other components of the exon junction complex. RNA 23:23-31
Mao, Hanqian; Pilaz, Louis-Jan; McMahon, John J et al. (2015) Rbm8a haploinsufficiency disrupts embryonic cortical development resulting in microcephaly. J Neurosci 35:7003-18
Pilaz, Louis-Jan; Silver, Debra L (2014) Live imaging of mitosis in the developing mouse embryonic cortex. J Vis Exp :
Silver, Debra L; Leeds, Karen E; Hwang, Hun-Way et al. (2013) The EJC component Magoh regulates proliferation and expansion of neural crest-derived melanocytes. Dev Biol 375:172-81
Silver, Debra L; Watkins-Chow, Dawn E; Schreck, Karisa C et al. (2010) The exon junction complex component Magoh controls brain size by regulating neural stem cell division. Nat Neurosci 13:551-8