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Mechanisms Of Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis Revealed By Its Regulatory Phosphoproteome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,216.00
Summary
The nerve cells in our brains are in constant communication to sustain life. Communication involves electrical stimulation of one nerve cell which then responds by releasing chemical messengers, from vesicles, onto the next cell. Our research focuses on the mechanism of recycling of vesicles. Targeting this mechanism is a way to gain fundamental knowledge of how to intervene medically when communication fails, or when communication needs to be dampened, such as in some neurological diseases.
The Function Of Dynamin Phosphorylation Sites In Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$794,565.00
Summary
Neurons communicate with each other via the release of neurotransmitters which are packaged in synaptic vesicles inside nerve endings. There are a finite number of vesicles, so they are recycled (endocytosis) for reuse. Synaptic vesicle exocytosis is very fast and normally endocytosis is a little slower, mopping up the used vesicles. Recently we showed that endocytosis can control synaptic transmission, hence it's an integral part of an overall cycle of synaptic transmission. We found that when ....Neurons communicate with each other via the release of neurotransmitters which are packaged in synaptic vesicles inside nerve endings. There are a finite number of vesicles, so they are recycled (endocytosis) for reuse. Synaptic vesicle exocytosis is very fast and normally endocytosis is a little slower, mopping up the used vesicles. Recently we showed that endocytosis can control synaptic transmission, hence it's an integral part of an overall cycle of synaptic transmission. We found that when endocytosis cannot keep up then exocytosis slows, greatly reducing the function of neurons. A complete block would result in paralysis of brain and muscles. Our team has been revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms of endocytosis in order to better understand diseases of the synapse like schizophrenia, epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. We discovered that endocytosis is a regulated process at the heart of which is a pair of phosphorylation sites (points of phosphate attachment) in the key protein dynamin I. Our hypothesis is that endocytosis occurs in two forms, fast and slow. We propose to test the idea that proteins that associate with dynamin via the phosphorylation sites determine whether the fast or slow mode is used. Additionally, we propose that the first phosphorylation site is the trigger for endocytosis, while the second serves to recruit reserve supplies of dynamin to support the slow mode when it's required. A better understanding of Dyn and endocytosis is crucial to understanding brain disorders of synaptic transmission and ultimately for developing therapies. For example, a seizure is the uncontrolled firing of neurons. Our overall aim is to understand the control mechanisms of nerve communication to ultimately allow us to treat disorders of nerve communication like epilepsy.Read moreRead less
Functional Characterisation Of A New Regulatory Mechanism For CaMKII At Synapses In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,315.00
Summary
CaMKII is an important regulatory molecule in the brain where it plays an essential role in certain forms of learning and memory and in the appropriate development and maturation of neural pathways and undergoes specific changes in animal models of brain ischaemia and epilepsy. Recent evidence has shown that, in nerve cells, the regulation and role of CaMKII is more complicated than previously thought. This project will investigate the roles of a new control mechanism in regulating the function ....CaMKII is an important regulatory molecule in the brain where it plays an essential role in certain forms of learning and memory and in the appropriate development and maturation of neural pathways and undergoes specific changes in animal models of brain ischaemia and epilepsy. Recent evidence has shown that, in nerve cells, the regulation and role of CaMKII is more complicated than previously thought. This project will investigate the roles of a new control mechanism in regulating the function of CaMKII in nerve cells. The experiments will involve an international team of collaborators using cutting edge techniques at the molecular, cellular and whole animal level. This will provide a more complete understanding of how CaMKII influences brain function and allow an assessment of whether CaMKII regulation might be a suitable target for drugs aimed at protecting against the damaging effects of brain injury following stroke or heart attack.Read moreRead less