Functional plasticity of glutamate receptor channels on hippocampal mossy fiber terminals (B06+)

• Subject Area: Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 258780946

Glutamate receptor channels of the Kainate type (GluKs) are autoreceptors at presynaptic active zones (AZs) and control plasticity of hippocampal mossy fiber boutons (MFBs) by yet unknown mechanisms. We focus on GluKs, AZs and MFB plasticity. AZs couple presynaptic calcium inflow and vesicle fusion. Changes in size, molecular composition, number and function of AZs may contribute to MFB plasticity. We aim to elucidate nanoscopic protein dynamics at the level of individual AZs, the role of GluKs and the impact of both on MFB plasticity.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 166: High-end light microscopy elucidates membrane receptor function - ReceptorLight
• Major Instrumentation: Ultramicrotome
• Instrumentation Group: 4600 Mikrotome, Ultramikrotome
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Co-Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Manfred Heckmann; Professorin Dr. Anna-Leena K. Sirén