This project focuses on spontaneous elevations of intracellular calcium in growth cones (calcium waves) that regulate extension of neurites. The outgrowth of neurites to establish specific neuronal connections is an important aspect of early development of the nervous system. The research addresses the mechanisms of generation of calcium waves in growth cones of amphibian spinal neurons in culture and has two major specific aims.
The first aim i s to investigate the contributions of a potentially novel calcium leak pathway in combination with known calcium transporters to the generation of calcium waves.
The second aim i s to determine the identify and roles of intracellular calcium stores in amplifying elevations of intracellular calcium in growth cones and thereby regulating neurite extension. Optical imaging of intracellular calcium and recording of ionic currents will be used to address these aims.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS037002-03
Application #
6187744
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Program Officer
Mamounas, Laura
Project Start
1998-09-08
Project End
2002-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$169,147
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
Spitzer, Nicholas C; Kingston, Paul A; Manning, Timothy J et al. (2002) Outside and in: development of neuronal excitability. Curr Opin Neurobiol 12:315-23
Spitzer, N C; Lautermilch, N J; Smith, R D et al. (2000) Coding of neuronal differentiation by calcium transients. Bioessays 22:811-7
Gomez, T M; Spitzer, N C (2000) Regulation of growth cone behavior by calcium: new dynamics to earlier perspectives. J Neurobiol 44:174-83