The long-term goal of the research supported by the paternal grant is to analyze developmental regulation of neuronal migration. The serine-threonine kinase cdk5, a focus of interest of the parental laboratory, is one of the key genes in this process. Ablation of cdk5, or its regulatory activators, causes disruption of mouse brain structure, thus identification of cdk5 substrates may provide us with molecules with crucial activities during brain development. Cdk5 interacts with several signaling networks involved in neuronal migration. Among several substrates, cdk5 phosphorylates Nudel, a LIS1/dynein interacting protein. Human brain organization is also disrupted in case of neuronal migration disorders, as lissencephaly (i.e. """"""""smooth brain""""""""), which may be the result of mutations in LIS1. The Reiner laboratory research is focused on the functional analysis of genes involved in lissencephaly. The premise that underlies the collaboration between Dr. Tsai's and Dr. Reiner's laboratory is that combining of knowledge and expertise from both laboratories can enhance significantly the research in each individual laboratory. The Reiner laboratory has gained expertise in understanding protein domains through computational and experimental analysis. The Tsai laboratory has integrated and methods of in vivo analysis to neuronal development. The specific objectives of the current grant are: 1. Fine mapping of the interaction between Nudel and LIS1: the Nudel interphase. 2. Fine mapping of the interaction between Nudel and LIS1: the LIS1 interphase. 3. Determination of the in vivo functions of LIS1 phosphorylation mutants that affect its interaction with Nudel, and Nudel mutants with aberrant interactions with LIS1, in migrating neurons in the cortex. The combination of skills from both laboratories will allow elucidating the molecular interphase of NudeI-LIS1 interactions and their importance during brain development. This research will be done primarily in The Weizmann Institute, Israel, in collaboration with Li-Huei Tsai as an extension of NIH grant # ROINS037007. ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03TW007048-04
Application #
7285233
Study Section
International and Cooperative Projects 1 Study Section (ICP)
Program Officer
Michels, Kathleen M
Project Start
2004-08-15
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2006-08-01
Budget End
2007-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$31,248
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001425594
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02139
Shmueli, Anat; Segal, Michal; Sapir, Tamar et al. (2010) Ndel1 palmitoylation: a new mean to regulate cytoplasmic dynein activity. EMBO J 29:107-19
Reiner, Orly; Sapoznik, Sivan; Sapir, Tamar (2006) Lissencephaly 1 linking to multiple diseases: mental retardation, neurodegeneration, schizophrenia, male sterility, and more. Neuromolecular Med 8:547-65
Shu, Tianzhi; Tseng, Huang-Chun; Sapir, Tamar et al. (2006) Doublecortin-like kinase controls neurogenesis by regulating mitotic spindles and M phase progression. Neuron 49:25-39