A5057461356- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- GABA and Rice Research
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Ion Channels and Receptors
University of Utah
2005-2024
Rockefeller University
2006
University of California, San Francisco
2006
In almost all nervous systems, rapid excitatory synaptic communication is mediated by a diversity of ionotropic glutamate receptors. <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, 10 putative receptor subunits have been identified, surprising number for an organism with only 302 neurons. Sequence analysis the predicted proteins identified two NMDA and eight non-NMDA subunits. Here we describe complete distribution these in system <i>C. elegans</i>. Receptor were found exclusively interneurons motor neurons,...
SummaryThe adult nervous system is plastic, allowing us to learn, remember, and forget. Experience-dependent plasticity occurs at synapses—the specialized points of contact between neurons where signaling occurs. However, the mechanisms that regulate strength synaptic are not well understood. Here, we define a Wnt-signaling pathway modifies in by regulating translocation one class acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) synapses. In Caenorhabditis elegans, show mutations CWN-2 (Wnt ligand), LIN-17...
α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs) are a major subtype of ionotropic glutamate (iGluRs) that mediate rapid excitatory synaptic transmission in the vertebrate brain. Putative AMPARs also expressed nervous system invertebrates. In Caenorhabditis elegans , GLR-1 receptor subunit is neural circuits avoidance behaviors and required for glutamate-gated current AVA AVD interneurons. Glutamate-gated currents can be recorded from heterologous cells express...
Most rapid excitatory synaptic signaling in the brain is mediated by postsynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) that are gated open neurotransmitter glutamate. In Caenorhabditis elegans , sol-1 encodes a CUB-domain transmembrane protein required for currents GLR-1 iGluR. Mutations do not affect expression, localization, membrane insertion, or stabilization at synapses, suggesting SOL-1 iGluR function. Here, we provide evidence an auxiliary subunit modulates gating of receptors. We...
The neurotransmitter glutamate mediates excitatory synaptic transmission by activating ionotropic receptors (iGluRs). In Caenorhabditis elegans, the GLR-1 receptor subunit is required for glutamate-gated current in a subset of interneurons that control avoidance behaviors. Current mediated GLR-1-containing iGluRs depends on SOL-1, transmembrane CUB-domain protein immunoprecipitates with GLR-1. We have found reconstitution heterologous cells three proteins, STG-1 (a C. elegans stargazin-like...
Synaptic plasticity depends on rapid experience-dependent changes in the number of neurotransmitter receptors. Previously, we demonstrated that motor-mediated transport AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to and from synapses is a critical determinant synaptic strength. Here, describe two convergent signaling pathways coordinate loading AMPARs onto scaffolds, scaffolds motors, thus providing mechanism for We find an evolutionarily conserved JIP-protein scaffold complex classes mitogen-activated protein...
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type ionotropic glutamate receptors have essential roles in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Previously, we identified an evolutionarily conserved protein, NRAP-1, that is required for NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function C. elegans. Here, demonstrate NRAP-1 was sufficient to gate NMDARs greatly enhanced glutamate-mediated NMDAR gating, thus conferring coincident activation properties the NMDAR. Intriguingly, vertebrate NMDARs-and chimeric where amino-terminal...