The Role of the Cytoskeleton in the Modulation of the Connexin36 Nexus in N2a Cells

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dc.contributor.advisorZoidl, Georg R.
dc.creatorBrown, Cherie Alicia
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-16T19:28:00Z
dc.date.available2015-12-16T19:28:00Z
dc.date.copyright2015-08-24
dc.date.issued2015-12-16
dc.date.updated2015-12-16T19:28:00Z
dc.degree.disciplineBiology
dc.degree.levelMaster's
dc.degree.nameMSc - Master of Science
dc.description.abstractWe tested the hypothesis that the interaction of Cx36 with the cytoskeleton is necessary to achieve synaptic plasticity in neurons. In living cells, BioID and FRAP technology was used to demonstrate binding of Cx36 to actin and tubulin. Wild-type and mutant proteins, together with pharmacological blockers or TAT peptides were used to characterize the interaction. Major results of this study are that rCx36 interacts primarily with the neuronal βIII-tubulin isoform to regulate the trafficking and aggregation of connexons at the GJP. Amino acid Lys279 in the CTB domain is critical for this interaction. A potential actin-binding site in the CLB domain of rCx36 was identified, with actin mainly serving as an anchor to stabilize connexons. During a simulation of plasticity in vitro, GJPs became more stable; we attribute this to interactions with the cytoskeleton and associating proteins. We conclude that cytoskeletal-dependent interaction is required to modulate the strength of Cx36 synapses.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10315/30726
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.
dc.subjectBiology
dc.subjectNeurosciences
dc.subjectCellular biology
dc.subject.keywordselectrical synapses
dc.subject.keywordsCx36
dc.subject.keywordsconnexin36
dc.subject.keywordsplasticity
dc.subject.keywordscytoskeleton
dc.subject.keywordsactin
dc.subject.keywordstubulin
dc.subject.keywordsFRAP
dc.subject.keywordsBioID
dc.subject.keywordsN2a
dc.titleThe Role of the Cytoskeleton in the Modulation of the Connexin36 Nexus in N2a Cells
dc.typeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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