An understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying presynaptic function is important from many perspectives; learning, memory, motor and behavioral deficits may result from defects in molecules required for presynaptic functions; excess neurotransmitter release during epileptic seizures may result in excitotoxicity and consequent cell death in the brain; vesicular release during neural development may serve important functions during normal brain development. This proposal exploits the convenience of Drosophila as an experimental organism for incisive experiments on the mechanisms of presynaptic function. Such studies in Drosophila are validated by numerous examples of conservation of neural mechanisms across phylogeny including two examples from the PI's own past research: mutations in a neural Drosophila sodium channel gene cause temperature-sensitive paralysis in flies and mutations in a similar voltage-gated sodium channel of mammalian muscle result in periodic paralysis or a form of myotonia congenita in humans. A human potassium channel gene characterized on the basis of its homology to the Drosophila Shaker channels is mutated in patients suffering from episodic ataxia, a genetic disorder in human beings. Building on previous results from the PI's research, experiments proposed here have the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of mechanisms involved in presynaptic function. However, as an Assistant Professor in a major undergraduate university, teaching commitments limit the amount of effort the PI can contribute to research and this, more than anything else, places limits on the productivity of the lab. Experiments proposed in this application for a K02 award are ones that specifically require more time from the PI, not only to train laboratory personnel, but also to improve his own expertise in the proposed methods of experimentation.
The specific aims of the proposed research are to study, using electrophysiological, novel cell biological and traditional molecular genetic methods, mutations in four Drosophila genes which probably affect synaptic vesicle recycling, a little-studies process vital for presynaptic function. To understand the role of these genes in presynaptic function, the experiments will use electrophysiological and quantitative cell biological assays to study potential defects in synaptic vesicle fusion and recycling in identified mutant synapses. Morphological methods will be used to examine the disposition of synaptic vesicle membrane in mutant nerve terminals. Recombinant DNA techniques will be used to identify molecules affected by the mutations, in order to examine their phylogenetic conservation, their subcellular localization and their intracellular traffic during the cycling of synaptic vesicle membrane. If successful, these experiments will constitute the first in vivo analysis of molecular mechanisms in synaptic vesicle recycling.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02NS002001-03
Application #
2891450
Study Section
NST-2 Subcommittee (NST)
Program Officer
Sheridan, Philip
Project Start
1997-09-01
Project End
2002-08-31
Budget Start
1999-09-01
Budget End
2000-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
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Narayanan, Radhakrishnan; Leonard, Marilyn; Song, Byeong Doo et al. (2005) An internal GAP domain negatively regulates presynaptic dynamin in vivo: a two-step model for dynamin function. J Cell Biol 169:117-26
Rikhy, Richa; Ramaswami, Mani; Krishnan, K S (2003) A temperature-sensitive allele of Drosophila sesB reveals acute functions for the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase in synaptic transmission and dynamin regulation. Genetics 165:1243-53
Estes, Patricia S; Jackson, Taryn C; Stimson, Daniel T et al. (2003) Functional dissection of a eukaryotic dicistronic gene: transgenic stonedB, but not stonedA, restores normal synaptic properties to Drosophila stoned mutants. Genetics 165:185-96
Narayanan, Radhakrishnan; Ramaswami, Mani (2003) Regulation of dynamin by nucleoside diphosphate kinase. J Bioenerg Biomembr 35:49-55
Hoeffer, C A; Sanyal, S; Ramaswami, M (2003) Acute induction of conserved synaptic signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster. J Neurosci 23:6362-72
Krishnan, K S; Rikhy, R; Rao, S et al. (2001) Nucleoside diphosphate kinase, a source of GTP, is required for dynamin-dependent synaptic vesicle recycling. Neuron 30:197-210
Stimson, D T; Estes, P S; Rao, S et al. (2001) Drosophila stoned proteins regulate the rate and fidelity of synaptic vesicle internalization. J Neurosci 21:3034-44
Narayanan, R; Ramaswami, M (2001) Endocytosis in Drosophila: progress, possibilities, prognostications. Exp Cell Res 271:28-35
DeZazzo, J; Sandstrom, D; de Belle, S et al. (2000) nalyot, a mutation of the Drosophila myb-related Adf1 transcription factor, disrupts synapse formation and olfactory memory. Neuron 27:145-58

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