This proposal examines the role of neural activity in regulating two forms of retrograde signaling during the development and maturation of synapses. The proposal will investigate this form of signaling as a model for understanding how early synaptic critical periods operate. The proposal has two specific aims.
Aim 1 examines how neural activity modulates a retrograde chemorepulsive signal from muscle (Sema-2a) that acts on the motoneuron during the early refinement of synaptic connections at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The responsiveness of the motoneuron to the retrograde Sema-2a is modulated by Ca2+, potentially through the activation of CaMKII. Using genetic and molecular approaches we will define the downstream effectors that mediate the activity-dependent repulsion. In addition we will elucidate how patterned rhythmic electrical activity regulates the withdrawal of processes from off-target muscles.
Aim 2 addresses a second form of retrograde control by a muscle-derived TGF-beta ligand, Gbb, that acts through a canonical BMP signaling pathway. We have found two distinct roles for the retrograde control: an early critical period that defines the future growth of the NMJ, and is required for both the mature size of the NMJ, and for activity-dependent expansion. There is also an ongoing requirement for retrograde signaling to regulate synaptic function. We will examine the molecular mechanisms that govern these signals, and use new genetic methods to screen for the downstream effectors, using both inducible gene expression and RNAi knockdown. These tools will allow us to narrow the candidate genes to those involved in the critical period, to better resolve the underlying molecular mechanisms. We will use molecular tools we have developed, that include reengineered ion channels that either suppress or enhance membrane excitability, expressed at specific times in development on either side of the synapse. In addition, we have developed an inducible bipartite gene expression system to perform experiments testing temporal requirements for induced genes at specific synapses. The proposal is structured as a series of well- defined hypotheses that will help resolve the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern synaptogenesis in a model genetic system. PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Continuation Format Page

Public Health Relevance

In this project we examine how muscle-derived molecular signals regulate the growth and maturation of the motoneuron. The cellular events we are studying are fundamental to the normal establishment of connections by nerve cells, and are relevant to events occurring both during normal development and in clinical conditions. As there are numerous neurological disorders that involve defects in synaptic growth, maintenance, and/or plasticity, these studies will contribute to a rational analysis of these disorders of the nervous system. PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Continuation Format Page

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS031651-20
Application #
8517824
Study Section
Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, and Regeneration Study Section (NDPR)
Program Officer
Talley, Edmund M
Project Start
1993-05-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$344,442
Indirect Cost
$137,570
Name
Yale University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
043207562
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
Vonhoff, Fernando; Keshishian, Haig (2017) In Vivo Calcium Signaling during Synaptic Refinement at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction. J Neurosci 37:5511-5526
Vonhoff, Fernando; Keshishian, Haig (2017) Cyclic nucleotide signaling is required during synaptic refinement at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Dev Neurobiol 77:39-60
Berke, Brett; Wittnam, Jessica; McNeill, Elizabeth et al. (2013) Retrograde BMP signaling at the synapse: a permissive signal for synapse maturation and activity-dependent plasticity. J Neurosci 33:17937-50
Olsen, Douglas P; Keshishian, Haig (2012) Experimental methods for examining synaptic plasticity in Drosophila. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2012:162-73
Berke, Brett; Keshishian, Haig (2011) Cracking the combinatorial semaphorin code. Neuron 70:175-7
Leiserson, William M; Keshishian, Haig (2011) Maintenance and regulation of extracellular volume and the ion environment in Drosophila larval nerves. Glia 59:1312-21
Leiserson, William M; Forbush, Biff; Keshishian, Haig (2011) Drosophila glia use a conserved cotransporter mechanism to regulate extracellular volume. Glia 59:320-32
Carrillo, Robert A; Olsen, Douglas P; Yoon, Kenneth S et al. (2010) Presynaptic activity and CaMKII modulate retrograde semaphorin signaling and synaptic refinement. Neuron 68:32-44
Nicholson, Louise; Singh, Gunisha K; Osterwalder, Thomas et al. (2008) Spatial and temporal control of gene expression in Drosophila using the inducible GeneSwitch GAL4 system. I. Screen for larval nervous system drivers. Genetics 178:215-34
Fernandes, Joyce J; Keshishian, Haig (2005) Motoneurons regulate myoblast proliferation and patterning in Drosophila. Dev Biol 277:493-505

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