EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED, In adults there is a striking concordance in the trajectories and connectivity of sensory and motor neurons and their target muscles in the limb. Whereas much is known about cellular processes responsible for the development of this pattern, identification of the molecular signals is in its infancy. The goal of this proposal is to characterize the role of selected members of two molecular families -- Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and ETS transcription factors -- in developmental events that lead to the exquisite matching of sensory and motor pathways and connections in a classical model system, the chick hindlimb, Eph receptors and ephrins show complex patterns of expression in limb and in sensory and motor neurons.
Aim I is to assess the contribution of Eph receptors, in particular EphA7, and ephrins in patterning axon growth in the limb. Expression or function of EphA receptors or ephrins will be manipulated, and the resulting innervation patterns will be assessed. Alterations in innervation patterns would provide evidence that Eph receptors or ephrins are involved in patterning axon growth in the limb.The ETS transcription factors ER81 and PEA3 are expressed in monosynaptically-connected sensory and motor neurons, and are required for formation of these connections.
Aim II is to determine the nature of signals from the limb that regulate ETS expression, and whether these factors determine the specificity of sensory-motor connections. ETS expression will be assayed with antibody staining or in situ hybridization after surgical manipulations in ovo. CNS connectivity will be assayed electrophysiologically. Alterations in ETS expression would show that signals from the limb determine this pattern. Concordance of ETS expression in monosynaptically-connected sensory and motor neurons would suggest that ETS proteins confer specificity to these connections. These studies will elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in the normal development of limb innervation patterns. This information should be applicable more complex neural circuits involved in behavior and higher order functions. Moreover, knowledge gained here will provide insight in the design and implementation of therapeutic strategies to promote axon growth and to restore innervation and function following nerve injury or disease. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01NS016067-23S1
Application #
7081180
Study Section
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurosciences 2 (MDCN)
Program Officer
Riddle, Robert D
Project Start
1991-03-01
Project End
2007-11-30
Budget Start
2004-12-01
Budget End
2005-11-30
Support Year
23
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$11,790
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112
Wang, Guoying; Scott, Sheryl A (2008) Retinoid signaling is involved in governing the waiting period for axons in chick hindlimb. Dev Biol 321:216-26
Guan, Wei; Wang, Guoying; Scott, Sheryl A et al. (2008) Shh influences cell number and the distribution of neuronal subtypes in dorsal root ganglia. Dev Biol 314:317-28
Wang, Guoying; Scott, Sheryl A (2007) Onset of ETS expression is not accelerated by premature exposure to signals from limb mesenchyme. Dev Dyn 236:2109-17
Munoz, Luz M; Zayachkivsky, Andrew; Kunz, Richard B et al. (2005) Ephrin-A5 inhibits growth of embryonic sensory neurons. Dev Biol 283:397-408
Wang, Guoying; Scott, Sheryl A (2004) An early broad competence of motoneurons to express ER81 is later sculpted by the periphery. J Neurosci 24:9789-98
Wang, Guoying; Scott, Sheryl A (2002) Development of ""normal"" dermatomes and somatotopic maps by ""abnormal"" populations of cutaneous neurons. Dev Biol 251:424-33
Cahoon-Metzger, S M; Wang, G; Scott, S A (2001) Contribution of BDNF-mediated inhibition in patterning avian skin innervation. Dev Biol 232:246-54
Cahoon, S M; Scott, S A (1999) Multiple mechanisms contribute to the avoidance of avian epidermis by sensory axons. Dev Biol 208:502-12
Wang, G; Scott, S A (1999) Independent development of sensory and motor innervation patterns in embryonic chick hindlimbs. Dev Biol 208:324-36
Adams, D H; Scott, S A (1998) Response of ""naive"" cutaneous and muscle afferents to potential targets in vitro. Dev Biol 203:210-20

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