Abstract

In this proposal I plan to investigate the formation and function of the synaptic bouton at the Drosophila NMJ. The control of the differentiation of the synapse presynaptically is poorly understood. One manifestation of this differentiation is the formation of the synaptic bouton. Synaptic boutons are found at nearly all synapses but the formation of these varicosities as well as their function has not been addressed experimentally. Preliminary data from the novel Drosophila gene nerve-wracked suggests that this gene specifically controls the formation of boutons at the NMJ. I plan to further characterize this gene and use this reagent to investigate the formation and function of synaptic boutons.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32NS042533-01
Application #
6405037
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-7 (01))
Program Officer
Finkelstein, Robert
Project Start
2001-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-08-01
Budget End
2002-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$40,196
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143

  Publications

Eaton, Benjamin A; Davis, Graeme W (2003) Synapse disassembly. Genes Dev 17:2075-82
Eaton, Benjamin A; Fetter, Richard D; Davis, Graeme W (2002) Dynactin is necessary for synapse stabilization. Neuron 34:729-41