The glutamatergic synapses are the main excitatory synapses in the brain. Abnormal synapse formation and plasticity are responsible for numerous diseases, such as intellectual disability, autism, neuropsychiatric and degenerative disorders. The signaling mechanisms controlling their assembly and plasticity have not been fully understood. Our preliminary studies lead to the surprising finding that components of the highly conserved cell polarity signaling pathways are important regulators. We found that components of both planar cell polarity (PCP) and apical-basal polarity (A-BP) pathways are localized in developing excitatory synapses and interact with multiple key presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins. In this proposal, we propose to test several hypotheses on how these key cell polarity components regulate glutamatergic synapse formation and plasticity.

Public Health Relevance

The glutamatergic synapses are the main excitatory synapses in the brain. Abnormal synapse formation and plasticity are responsible for numerous diseases, such as intellectual disability, autism, neuropsychiatric and degenerative disorders. In this proposal, we propose to test several hypotheses on how these key cell polarity components regulate glutamatergic synapse formation and plasticity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH116667-03
Application #
9850632
Study Section
Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking Study Section (SYN)
Program Officer
Driscoll, Jamie
Project Start
2018-02-15
Project End
2023-01-31
Budget Start
2020-02-01
Budget End
2021-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California, San Diego
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093