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How are NMDA receptors specifically coupled to the excitotoxic cell death pathway in cerebellar granule neurons?

ReferenceC17336
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Chris Connolly
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution University of Dundee
DepartmentCollege of Life Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 247,564
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 21/10/2002
End date 20/02/2006
Duration40 months

Abstract

Cerebellar granule neurons stimulated by excess glutamate undergo calcium influx and mitochondrial sequestration of calcium, leading to organelle dysfunction, calcium deregulation and rapid cell death by an NMDAR dependent mechanism. Vulnerability develops at P14 and may be explained by NMDAR subunit switching or changes in the expression of associated proteins specifically linking these receptors to an excitotoxic pathway. We will examine the effect of NMDAR composition on glutamate excitotoxicity. Analyses will be performed by calcium imaging and quantified using 45-calcium. Biochemical assays will probe for physical interactions between NMDARs, mitochondria and signalling molecules in an attempt to identify the mechanism involved.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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