Objective
Synaptic connections in the brain are continuously remodelled in response to neuronal activity. This process, known as synaptic plasticity, is widely seen as the cellular correlate of learning and memory. Hence, it is expected that the elucidation of the mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity will help to understand the pathological alterations that result in cognitive deficits.
It is being increasingly appreciated that synaptic transmission can be modulated by postsynaptic membrane trafficking events, which include the insertion and removal of neurotransmitter receptors, such as AMPA-type glutamate receptors, at synapses in response to neuronal activity. These processes are critical for some forms of synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) or long-term depression (LTD). However, the mechanisms controlling membrane trafficking at the postsynaptic terminal and its connection to synaptic plasticity are far from clear.
The small GTPase Rab5 is a mediator of protein transport from membrane to early endosomes. More specifically, Rab5 removes AMPA receptors from synapses in an activity-dependent manner and this event is necessary and sufficient for LTD. The goal of this project is to study the role of Rab5 effectors APPL1, WDFY2 and EEA1 in the endocytosis of AMPA receptors during synaptic plasticity. Previous work suggest that APPL1 may act as an early sorting station, while phosphoinositides and Rab5 control the divergent trafficking towards EEA1 or WDFY2 endosomes. In this proposal we will evaluate whether these components of the endosomal machinery organize AMPA receptor trafficking in the specialized environment of the postsynaptic terminal during plasticity. To this end we will use a combination of electrophysiology, molecular biology and imaging on brain tissue. We hope that the elucidation of these basic mechanisms of synaptic function will help us to understand the alterations of synaptic plasticity associated to some mental disorders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
28006 MADRID
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.