Objective
The nervous system consists of a complex network of neurons interconnected by chemical synapses. Recycling of neurotransmitter filled vesicles at theses synapses enables neurons to maintain communication during periods of intense activity. There is accumulating evidence that synaptic dysfunction is, at least in part, responsible for common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. I therefore set out to find genes involved in the synaptic pathogenesis of these diseases by performing a forward genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster. I isolated more than 86 mutants in a screen for non-canonical vesicle recycling and found that one of the them genetically interacts with the Parkinson’s related gene pink1 in a secondary screen. I mapped this mutation to the Drosophila ortholog of NOA1, a conserved gene encoding a mitochondrial protein whose function remains largely enigmatic. Since both proteins, PINK1 and NOA1 are reported to localize in mitochondria and interact with Complex I of the respiratory chain, I hypothesize that they function in the same pathway. Here, I describe experiments to determine the exact nature of the interaction between Drosophila PINK1 and NOA1 and present plans to examine the molecular function of Drosophila Noa1 at the synapse. In addition, I will further characterize the remaining mutants for interactions with α-Synuclein, a protein known to be involved in Parkinson’s disease. In this way, I will find new components of the vesicle recycling machinery that interact with Parkinson’s disease-related proteins which will not only further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying synapse function, but also identify possible new therapeutic targets for this disease.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology parkinson
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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-2012-CIG
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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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
2333 ZA Leiden
Netherlands
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.