Mechanisms of Actomyosin-Dependent Regulation of Postsynaptic Function and Plasticity in Purkinje Cells

• Applicant: Dr. Wolfgang Wagner
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278170285

Members of the myosin family of actin-based cytoskeletal motors play crucial roles for synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses. Two neuronal myosins that remain to be characterized in this respect are myosin XVI and myosin Id. Strikingly, these myosins physically interact with synaptic plasticity key regulators and appear to be genetically associated with psychiatric disorders. We hypothesize that myosin XVI and myosin Id regulate AMPA receptor trafficking and/or the actin cytoskeleton at the postsynaptic side. Our aim is to test this hypothesis and to uncover the function of these myosins in vitro and in vivo using cerebellar Purkinje cells as a model system. We expect to shed new light on the mechanisms of myosin-dependent synaptic plasticity regulation.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2419: Plasticity versus Stability - Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Strength