Explorers of brain development are still in the age of explosive discovery. New molecules expressed during neurogenesis are being found at an ever increasing rate, and asking how these molecules function together to specify pathways and targets will continue to be our most difficult question. How many different surface molecules contribute to neuronal pathfinding during development and what is the functional contribution that each makes to the dynamic abilities of embryonic neurons? We are beginning to answer these questions by using monoclonal antibodies to isolate new molecules expressed on developing neurons and glia in the grasshopper embryo, and by quantifying the dynamic behaviors and abilities of embryonic neurons using a high resolution time lapse video microscopy system. We are currently characterizing two new molecules, one has been cloned and the other protein has been partially sequenced, and intend to pursue six others with recently isolated monoclonal antibodies. Our goal is to combine these two approaches by developing a novel assay of cellular and molecular function in which we block the expression, or induce ectopic expression, of new molecules and observe differences in the dynamic behaviors of individual neurons in their normal environment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS025387-07
Application #
2265554
Study Section
Neurology C Study Section (NEUC)
Project Start
1988-02-01
Project End
1997-01-31
Budget Start
1994-02-01
Budget End
1995-01-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112
Ganfornina, Maria D; Do Carmo, Sonia; Lora, Jose M et al. (2008) Apolipoprotein D is involved in the mechanisms regulating protection from oxidative stress. Aging Cell 7:506-15
Sanchez, Diego; Ortega-Cubero, Sara; Akerstrom, Bo et al. (2008) Molecular interactions of the neuronal GPI-anchored lipocalin Lazarillo. J Mol Recognit 21:313-23
Sanchez, D; Ganfornina, M D; Torres-Schumann, S et al. (2000) Characterization of two novel lipocalins expressed in the Drosophila embryonic nervous system. Int J Dev Biol 44:349-59
Ganfornina, M D; Sanchez, D; Herrera, M et al. (1999) Developmental expression and molecular characterization of two gap junction channel proteins expressed during embryogenesis in the grasshopper Schistocerca americana. Dev Genet 24:137-50