Both adhesion and cell signaling molecules have been shown to play a role in the morphological and functional changes involved in synaptic plasticity in Aplysia, rats and chicks, and most recently, Drosophila. Changes in synaptic architecture can be triggered by stimuli that promote learning, and mutations in adhesion molecules can affect both synaptic plasticity and the processes of learning and memory. In particular, integrins are adhesion molecules that also function in signal transduction that have an expression pattern and mutant phenotype in the nervous system suggestive of a role in synaptic plasticity. As well, mutations in one Drosophila integrin, the alpha subunit encoded by the Volado gene, have been shown to affect both olfactory learning and function at the NMJ. Integrin agonists have also been shown to disrupt the stabilization of LTP in hippocampal slice preparations. The Drosophila neuromuscular junction is an excellent model system for incorporating genetic, molecular and cellular techniques in the study of the role of integrins in morphology and function at the synapse and thereby in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM020375-02
Application #
6351157
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-1 (01))
Program Officer
Flicker, Paula F
Project Start
2001-02-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-02-01
Budget End
2002-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$41,996
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