This proposal seeks to develop a genome-wide in vivo approach to define the suite of regulatory interactions controlling mRNA translation in the nervous system. A fundamental property of the brain is that perceptual experiences drive modifications in number and strength of synaptic connections among neurons. These synapse modifications, which are thought to be neural correlates of memory and cognition, require synthesis of specific proteins at individual synaptic sites in response to neural activity. The mechanisms governing this local synthesis of synaptic proteins are poorly understood, but its disruption can have severe consequences. This proposal describes a method that will provide individual genetic reporters of neural translation for each gene, and will identify the suite of regulatory mechanisms. The approach involves several steps. First is a method to create in vivo reporters of translation for each gene. Second is a high-throughput strategy to identify the set of genes whose translation is governed by a particular regulator. As a proof of principle, we will define the targets of 5 key translational regulators, including Fragile-X protein. Fragile-X is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. This proposal also will generate a resource that will empower the research community to identify the set of targets for any translational regulator. Our method takes advantage of the exceptional genetic manipulability of the Drosophila model system. The high degree of conservation of gene regulatory mechanisms and function ensures that much of what we learn will be transferable to humans.

Public Health Relevance

A fundamental property of the brain is that our experiences cause modifications in number and strength of the connections among neurons. These changes, which are thought to underlie memory and cognition, require the precise control of the synthesis of specific proteins at the sites of these connections (1-5). The mechanisms governing this local synthesis of synaptic proteins are poorly understood, although we do know that disruption of this process has severe consequences. This defect is thought to be responsible for the Fragile-X syndrome. This proposal describes a method that can provide individual reporters of the regulation of protein synthesis for each gene in the genome, and can identify the regulatory mechanisms controlling each one.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS067690-04
Application #
8318219
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BCMB-A (51))
Program Officer
Mamounas, Laura
Project Start
2009-09-15
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$466,125
Indirect Cost
$218,625
Name
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Department
Type
DUNS #
065968786
City
Cold Spring Harbor
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11724
Singh, Parmit Kumar; Bourque, Guillaume; Craig, Nancy L et al. (2014) Mobile genetic elements and genome evolution 2014. Mob DNA 5:26
Li, Wanhe; Prazak, Lisa; Chatterjee, Nabanita et al. (2013) Activation of transposable elements during aging and neuronal decline in Drosophila. Nat Neurosci 16:529-31
Dubnau, Josh; Chiang, Ann-Shyn (2013) Systems memory consolidation in Drosophila. Curr Opin Neurobiol 23:84-91
Reilly, Matthew T; Faulkner, Geoffrey J; Dubnau, Joshua et al. (2013) The role of transposable elements in health and diseases of the central nervous system. J Neurosci 33:17577-86
Li, Wanhe; Cressy, Michael; Qin, Hongtao et al. (2013) MicroRNA-276a functions in ellipsoid body and mushroom body neurons for naive and conditioned olfactory avoidance in Drosophila. J Neurosci 33:5821-33
Li, Wanhe; Dubnau, Josh (2012) A prion-mediated mechanism for memory proposed in Drosophila. Neuron 76:260-2
Li, Wanhe; Jin, Ying; Prazak, Lisa et al. (2012) Transposable elements in TDP-43-mediated neurodegenerative disorders. PLoS One 7:e44099