Plasticity of synaptopodin and the spine apparatus in cortical neurons

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Deller
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2009 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 135823184

The ability of telencephalic neurons to undergo synaptic plasticity is the cellular basis for learning and memory. Studies leading to this proposal have shown that the actinbinding molecule Synaptopodin (SP) plays an important role in this context. It is required for the formation of the spine apparatus, a putative intracellular Ca2+ store, and regulates Ca2+ store-dependent glutamate-receptor (GluR1) trafficking in spines. We have generated five SP-transgenic mouse lines (Thy1-promoter), which express GFP-SP or CFP-SP in neurons. These mice will be used to study the following questions in vitro and in vivo using a combination of genetic, pharmacological and molecular biological approaches: (1) Is SP sufficient for the formation of a spine apparatus? (2) Does SP regulate the number, size and morphology of spine apparatuses in neurons? (3) Is the spine apparatus a dynamic organelle and which signals regulate its positioning and size within spines? (4) Which signals regulate the formation and loss of SP/spine apparatuses in spines? (5) Does SP regulate the long-term stability of spines? Together, these studies will provide new insights intothe role of SP and the spine apparatus in synaptic plasticity in the mature CNS.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants