How membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis. This project aims to elucidate the molecular basis of how membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis in mammalian central neurons. Nerve cells’ ability to transmit cellular information to one another is important for normal brain function. Efficient communication between neurons through sustained neurotransmitter release relies on the continuous supply of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic nerve terminals. Ke ....How membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis. This project aims to elucidate the molecular basis of how membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis in mammalian central neurons. Nerve cells’ ability to transmit cellular information to one another is important for normal brain function. Efficient communication between neurons through sustained neurotransmitter release relies on the continuous supply of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic nerve terminals. Key to this process are membrane dynamics during synaptic vesicle retrieval, but the precise underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The intended outcome of this project is insights into the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission, the fundamental process of brain function, increasing understanding of physiological processes such as muscle movement, vision, hearing, touch, learning and memory.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Live molecular imaging using super resolution microscopy, two photon and spinning disk confocal microscopy. With recent developments of super-resolution microscopy it is now feasible to image single molecules within the cellular environment in living cells. Such insight is key to understanding basic biological interactions that govern the wiring of our brain, communications between cells and neurons and cell-cell adhesion.
Nuclear functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau. The important neuronal protein, tau, has cellular functions that go far beyond its established role in stabilising microtubules. This project will determine which tau species are nuclearly localised, what the consequences are for nuclear functions, and how phosphorylation regulates this localisation.
Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools. This project aims to uncover the role of key molecules in allowing brain cells to actively communicate with each other. Communication between neurons relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The addition of vesicular membrane is transient as the vesicles quickly reform from the plasma membrane and refill with neurotransmitter ready for subsequent rounds ....Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools. This project aims to uncover the role of key molecules in allowing brain cells to actively communicate with each other. Communication between neurons relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The addition of vesicular membrane is transient as the vesicles quickly reform from the plasma membrane and refill with neurotransmitter ready for subsequent rounds of fusion. This recycling process ensures that neurons communicate efficiently, however the underpinning mechanism is unknown. This project aims to use a recently developed single synaptic vesicle super-resolution tracking method to establish how Myosin-VI and Synapsin-IIa orchestrate this recycling in central and peripheral neurons. It will explain how neurons manage to preserve their ability to communicate.Read moreRead less