BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:UW-Madison-Physics-Events BEGIN:VEVENT SEQUENCE:0 UID:UW-Physics-Event-1269 DTSTART:20081007T170500Z DURATION:PT1H0M0S DTSTAMP:20260506T200028Z LAST-MODIFIED:20080908T173201Z LOCATION:4274 Chamberlin (Refreshments will be served) SUMMARY:Molecular mechanisms of synaptic growth: insights from the Dro sophila neuromuscular junction\, Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar\, Kat e O'Connor-Giles\, UW Department of Genetics DESCRIPTION:Neural function requires effective communication between n eurons and their targets at synapses. Thus\, the proper formation\, gr owth and plasticity of synapses are critical to behavior. Despite this \, the mechanisms that determine synapse size and complexity remain po orly understood. The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) ha s become a powerful model system for dissecting the molecular mechanis ms that regulate synaptic growth. Drosophila NMJs are dynamic structur es that coordinate their size and strength with muscle growth and unde rgo changes in morphology and physiology in response to environmental stimuli and altered levels of activity. These processes depend on inte rcellular communication between neurons and their muscle targets. A re trograde (muscle to neuron) transforming growth factor (TGF-b/BMP) sig nal is required to promote synaptic growth\, homeostasis and stability at NMJs. We have recently found that neuronal responsiveness to this signal is modulated by a presynaptic endocytic mechanism. This additio nal level of regulation underscores the high degree of molecular contr ol over synaptic growth and highlights the importance to the organism of getting it right. I will present recent insights from studies at th e Drosophila NMJ that have increased our understanding of how this com plex task is achieved.
\n URL:https://www.physics.wisc.edu/events/?id=1269 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR