UCSD.EDU
Jan 12, 2016
UCSD.EDU
Introduction
Importance of Synapses
-brain development
-crucial for brain function
THE GLUTAMATERGIC SYNAPSE
Presynaptic
Postsynaptic
Andrea Draper
Why Neuroligin1 vs. Other Proteins?
WADSWORTH CENTER
• Synaptogenic
• Interacts with key post synaptic protein (PSD95)
• Knock-out mice reveal necessary for survival
• Tentative link to neuronal developmental disorders
Hypothesis
NLG1 may recruit the scaffolding proteins PSD95, SAP102, and S-SCAM to the post synaptic density via different intracellular domains.
Experimental Strategies
If I get rid of the PDZ domain of NLG1, will that have an effect on the localization of post synaptic proteins?
Answer:
• Over express NLG1 and NLG1-d55 DNA in neurons
• Stain neurons
• Quantify and compare normal neurons to DNA over expressed neurons
Question?
Goal
Observe the effect of manipulating the NLG1 structure
Neurons are extracted from hippocampus and cultured
1)
Neurons are either stained or transfected and then stained
2)
Experimental Procedures
IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY
SAP102 PSD95
CO-LOCALIZATION
Transfected Neuron Control
Co-localization of pre and post synaptic proteins
Experiment:Manipulating NLG1
HA
PDZHA-NLG1
HA-NLG1-d55
vs.
HA PDZ
HAPDZ
Antibody Staining of Transfected Neurons HA-NLG1
Co-localization of pre and post synaptic proteins
HA-NLG1 PSD95
V-GLUT
PSD95
Antibody Staining of Transfected Neurons HA-NLG1-d55
Co-localization of pre and post synaptic proteins
ResultsControl
NLG1-d55 TransfectionNLG1 Transfection
Results
My lab has found previously that by manipulating the PDZ domain of NLG1, it is found that this does have an effect on the co-localization at a synapse.
Hypothetical Results
HA AChE PDZ Increased # synapse
HA AChE Decreased # synapse
HA-NLG1
HA-NLG1-d55
Untransfected Neuron vs. NLG1 and d55
Observe effect of NLG1 manipulation on the localization of post synaptic proteins
Goal
Future Directions
-Test NLG1 difference in younger vs. older neurons
-Effects of NLG1 on localization of other post synaptic proteins
-NLG1 linked to neuronal developmental disorder?
Acknowledgements
-Jennifer Hoy
-Phil Washbourne and the lab
-SPUR program
-SPUR students
-University of Oregon