The overall objective is to investigate changes in the axonal transport of protein during regeneration of goldfish optic axons, and to correlate these changes with specific events in the process of regeneration. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis would be used for separation and identification of individual transported proteins. The changes in axonal transport of proteins during normal regeneration would be compared with those occurring when the time course of regeneration was altered. The imposed changes in the time course of regeneration would be monitored by measuring a) the rate of axonal outgrowth, b) the size of the retinal ganglion cells and the level of incorporation of radioactive amino acids into their cell bodies, c) the appearance of myelin in the optic nerve, and d) the appearance of synapses in the optic tectum. The proposed project would address the following questions: 1. Is it possible to recognize any specific proteins whose axonal transport is modified when synaptic reconnection is delayed or when regeneration is accelerated? 2. If the rate of axonal outgrowth is increased, are the time courses of metabolic recovery of the retinal ganglion cells, synaptogenesis, and myelination also accelerated? 3. Does the acceleration of regeneration enhance the ability of the axons to compete for synapses? The long range-objective of this research is to provide a rational basis for developing techniques that might serve to promote the repair of the mammalian central nervous system following the damage produced by conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01NS014967-06S1
Application #
3395866
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1979-07-01
Project End
1988-03-31
Budget Start
1987-07-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
201373169
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
Thormodsson, F R; Parker, T S; Grafstein, B (1992) Immunochemical studies of extracellular glycoproteins (X-GPs) of goldfish brain. Exp Neurol 118:275-83
Thormodsson, F R; Antonian, E; Grafstein, B (1992) Extracellular proteins of goldfish optic tectum labeled by intraocular injection of 3H-proline. Exp Neurol 117:260-8
Larrivee, D (1991) Relationship between tubulin delivery and synapse formation during goldfish optic nerve regeneration. Ann N Y Acad Sci 627:368-71
Perry, G W; Burmeister, D W; Grafstein, B (1990) Effect of target removal on goldfish optic nerve regeneration: analysis of fast axonally transported proteins. J Neurosci 10:3439-48
Larrivee, D (1990) Protein phosphorylation: localization in regenerating optic axons. Neurochem Res 15:875-80
Reich, J B; Burmeister, D W; Schmidt, J T et al. (1990) Effect of conditioning lesions on regeneration of goldfish optic axons: time course of the cell body reaction to axotomy. Brain Res 515:256-60
Larrivee, D C; Grafstein, B (1989) Relationship between phosphorylation and synthesis of goldfish optic nerve proteins during regeneration. J Neurosci 9:574-81
Larrivee, D C; Grafstein, B (1987) In vivo phosphorylation of axonal proteins in goldfish optic nerve during regeneration. J Neurochem 48:279-83
Larrivee, D C; Grafstein, B (1987) Phosphorylation of proteins in normal and regenerating goldfish optic nerve. J Neurochem 49:1747-57
Burmeister, D W; Dunn-Meynell, A A (1987) Recovery of regenerating goldfish retinal ganglion cells is slowed in the absence of the topographically correct synaptic target. Brain Res 423:56-62

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