The overall goal of this Program is to understand the protein synthesis- dependent synaptic modifications that underlie learning and memory. It has been established that activity stimulates protein synthesis, and that some of these proteins are synthesized from mRNA localized at or near the synapse. The investigators recently described a novel mechanism for such experience-driven local translation wherein translationally dormant synaptic mRNA is polyadenylated through the action of the CPEB (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein). This discovery provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the role of local mRNA translation in synaptic plasticity, and forms the basis for a coherent, integrated, and broadly-based investigation into the regulation of protein synthesis-dependent synaptic plasticity. Project 1 (Richter) includes the characterization of new CPEB isoforms and a novel targeted CPEB knock-out mouse using Cre-loxP technology; and the identification of additional CPEB-regulated mRNAs. Project 2 (Fallon) includes the localization, at the light and EM level, of CPEB in developing an adult brain, and in cultured hippocampal neurons; the characterization of the intracellular signaling pathways leading from synaptic activation to cytoplasmic polyadenylation; and the regulation of the targeting of CPE- containing mRNAs and of CPEB to dendrites. Project 3 (Bear) will characterize a noel form of protein synthesis-dependent synaptic plasticity (DHPG-LTD); use mice lacking CPEB in the consolidation; and characterize the role of local translation and CPEB in experience- dependent regulation of NMDA receptor subunit expression. There will be two cores, one administrative and the second for the production and maintenance of CPEB knock-out mice, which will be used by all the investigators. These should lead to better understanding of the mechanisms of long-term memory formation. The results could provide insights needed to understand diseases that affect learning and memory, and may be useful in designing therapeutic strategies to combat them.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01NS039321-05
Application #
6685239
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-W (01))
Program Officer
Babcock, Debra J
Project Start
2000-01-10
Project End
2005-11-30
Budget Start
2003-12-01
Budget End
2005-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$906,700
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
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Christie, Sean B; Akins, Michael R; Schwob, James E et al. (2009) The FXG: a presynaptic fragile X granule expressed in a subset of developing brain circuits. J Neurosci 29:1514-24
Akins, Michael R; Berk-Rauch, Hanna E; Fallon, Justin R (2009) Presynaptic translation: stepping out of the postsynaptic shadow. Front Neural Circuits 3:17
Philpot, Benjamin D; Cho, Kathleen K A; Bear, Mark F (2007) Obligatory role of NR2A for metaplasticity in visual cortex. Neuron 53:495-502
Taylor, Aaron B; Fallon, Justin R (2006) Dendrites contain a spacing pattern. J Neurosci 26:1154-63
Snyder, Eric M; Colledge, Marcie; Crozier, Robert A et al. (2005) Role for A kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPS) in glutamate receptor trafficking and long term synaptic depression. J Biol Chem 280:16962-8
Lim, Jae H; Booker, Anne B; Luo, Ting et al. (2005) AP-2alpha selectively regulates fragile X mental retardation-1 gene transcription during embryonic development. Hum Mol Genet 14:2027-34
Lim, Jae H; Booker, Anne B; Fallon, Justin R (2005) Regulating fragile X gene transcription in the brain and beyond. J Cell Physiol 205:170-5
Lim, Jae H; Luo, Ting; Sargent, Thomas D et al. (2005) Developmental expression of Xenopus fragile X mental retardation-1 gene. Int J Dev Biol 49:981-4

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