Homeostatic regulation of mTOR dependent synaptic function (B10)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221828878

.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be underlined by the dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms. We use a relevant mouse model of ASD (Tsc2+/-) with mTor hyperactivity and will characterize the mutant circuitry morphologically and functionally. Previous results suggest that the late behavioral deficits derive from homeostatic maladaptations, likely through upregulation of neurexin/neuroligin; we will test this hypothesis by downregulating neurexin/neuroligin in a rescue attempt. A comparative analysis will also be performed in another ASD mouse model (Shank3+/-) to see if this overstrain of homeostatic processes is a general mechanism.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1080: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neural Homeostasis
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Heiko J. Luhmann, until 12/2020; Professor Dr. Michael Schmeißer, since 1/2021; Professorin Dr. Susann Schweiger