IBN: 95154560 PI: Margiotta Nerve cells, or neurons, communicate with each other primarily at functional contacts called chemical synapses. Each synapse is highly specialized for the release of neurotransmitter molecules from the presynaptic cell terminal, and for molecular reception of the particular neurotransmitter molecules by the membrane on the postsynaptic cell. The receptor structures are made of membrane proteins, and these receptors often are clustered right near the sites of presynaptic release. It remains unknown how those receptor molecules become clustered in the postsynaptic membranes. This project utilizes molecular and biochemical approaches to isolate and identify the genetic sequences, expression, and functional role of a potentially important protein that is associated with clustering of receptors for a common neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Results will be important for neuroscience in general because synapses are crucial for neuronal signaling. Identification of the molecules important for receptor clustering will be central to achieving a better understanding of how synapses form and how they function.
