The role of RhoA in the establishment of neuronal polarity

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Sabina Tahirovic, Ph.D.
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Entwicklungsneurobiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2005 bis 2008
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 17773316

The establishment of neuronal polarity and the initial signal determining the elongation of one of the neurites into an axon while the others become dendrites is a crucial event in neuronal development. The actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in axonal formation. Rho GTPases are major regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and have also been implicated in the regulation of neuronal morphogenesis. My research project aims at elucidating the molecular link between Rho GTPase signaling, changes in actin cytoskeleton and axon formation. To this end, I will use a mouse deficient in RhoA. Additionally, I will culture hippocampal neurons from rhoA knockout mice and examine axonal/dendritic number, growth rate, actin cytoskeleton and growth cone dynamics. Furthermore, I will dissect signaling pathways downstream of RhoA by overexpressing different RhoA effector molecules and analyzing the neuronal polarization phenotype. Together, the proposed experiments will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal polarization.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Gastgeber: Professor Dr. Frank Bradke