Project description
Metabolic regulation in neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) emerge due to disruptions in brain development that affect cognitive abilities. Recent studies suggest that dysfunctional mitochondria and metabolism play a key role in NDDs. Neuronal circuit formation requires high metabolic activity, yet the molecular processes maintaining metabolic homeostasis remain poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MetaboSplicing project focuses on NUAK1, an autism-associated kinase, known to regulate mitochondrial metabolism in neurons and to influence axon morphogenesis. This project explores how NUAK1 controls metabolic processes through an identified novel substrate. Project findings can potentially help to identify new therapeutic targets for NDDs.
Objective
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affect 3-8 percent of children across Europe and cause a life-long alteration of cognitive abilities or social interactions with little therapeutic possibilities. Recent studies have uncovered that dysfunctional mitochondria and metabolism are involved in NDDs like intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Notably, neuronal circuit development, a crucial process during the formation of the brain, is characterized by an increase in metabolic activity supporting a period of intense remodelling. However, the knowledge of molecular processes controlling metabolic homeostasis during neural circuit development is still incomplete. We recently defined the autism-associated kinase NUAK1 as a critical regulator of local mitochondrial metabolism in neurons, supporting axon morphogenesis. However it is not clear how NUAK1 controls metabolic processes in neurons. We have identified a novel substrate of NUAK1 and hypothesize that NUAK1 controls an alternative splicing program through this new interactor, thereby regulating metabolism, which in turn affects neuronal development. We will: 1. Perform a phenotypical characterization of the novel substrates role in developing neurons in vitro and in vivo; 2. Investigate its effect on neuronal and axonal metabolism; 3. Characterize its associated transcriptomic signature in developing neurons; and 4. Assess the role of NUAK1 in controlling its novel substrate functionally. For this, we will use state-of-the-art techniques like microfluidic devices and deep-sequencing of mRNA. This ambitious project aspires to describe a new cellular pathway, integrating RNA biology and metabolism in developing neurons and will provide the first characterization of a novel interactor of NUAK1 and its control by the latter in developing neurons.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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69622 Villeurbanne Cedex
France
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