When Neurons Touch-Elucidating the Role of Neuroligins in the Formation, Development, Maturation, and Maintenance of Synapses

Projektinformationen

Synapse NL

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 274972

Abgeschlossenes Projekt

Startdatum 1 April 2011

Enddatum 31 März 2013

Finanziert unter

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Gesamtkosten € 162 742,40

EU-Beitrag € 162 742,40

Koordiniert durch

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Germany

Ziel

The proper coupling between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons is essential for synaptic signalling. Synapse formation, maturation, and maintenance are controlled by cell adhesion systems that recruit and organise the synaptic protein machinery. One such system comprises presynaptic neurexins and postsynaptic neuroligins. Of the five known neuroligins, neuroligin 1 is specific for excitatory synapses, while neuroligin 2 is specific for inhibitory synapses and Neuroligin 3 is found on both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. The synaptic localisation of neuroligins 4 and 5 is unknown.

The neuroligin/neurexin system is critically involved in the accumulation of scaffold and receptor proteins at postsynapses. However, the mechanisms by which this protein recruitment proceeds are still largely unknown. Loss of neuroligins and dysfunction of the neuroligin/neurexin system are associated with synaptic defects in vitro and in vivo, and mutations in neuroligin 3 or 4 cause monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in humans. Correspondingly, neuroligin 4 deficient mice show social interaction and communication deficits that are reminiscent of ASD.

In this study, I will employ a wide spectrum of genetic, biochemical, cell biological, and electrophysiological methods in combination with mice lacking one or multiple neuroligins to (1) identify novel neuroligin interactors, to (2) characterise functional interactions and redundancies among neuroligins and other adhesion proteins with regard to synapse formation, function, and plasticity, and to (3) generate a conditional knock-in mouse for neuroligin 4 and study the autistic phenotype and behavioural responses in the mature brain. These studies will aid in elucidating the function of the neuroligin/neurexin system in the normal brain as well as in synaptopathic conditions, such as ASD, in which the function of the neuroligin/neurexin system is perturbed.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins
• natural sciences › biological sciences › cell biology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › mutation

Programm/Programme

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Thema/Themen

• FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development"

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigen

Finanzierungsplan

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Koordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV

Kontakt Verwaltung

Nils Brose (Prof.)

• EU-Beitrag: € 162 742,40
• Adresse: HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 ; 80539 Munchen ; Deutschland
• Region: Bayern › Oberbayern › München, Kreisfreie Stadt
• Aktivitätstyp: Research Organisations
• Gesamtkosten: Keine Daten