Download SNARE molecules at the trans-Golgi network and endosome and their roles in neuronal growth and axonal transport.

NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering
Research Project Write-up
Title of Project :
Protein trafficking in neurons and glia – brain specific roles
for syntaxins
Name of Supervisor :
Tang Bor Luen
Contact Details:
Department of Biochemistry
Blk MD7, Lab 01-05
8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597
Phone: 6516-1049
E-mail : [email protected]
Short Description
Background
Polarized membrane traffic to different domains of the neuron is well documented,
and is required for both establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarity. Some
soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE)
proteins, which are key components of the eukaryotic membrane fusion machinery,
are specifically brain-enriched. Syntaxin 12/13 is found in the endosome and is
abundant in neurons. We have recently observed that the TGN-localized syntaxin 16
is specifically enriched in neuronal dendrites and found at Golgi outposts. Overexpression of syntaxin 16 mutants and siRNA-mediated silencing affects neurite
growth of primary neurons.
Project
1. To explore in detail the role for syntaxins 13 and 16 in terms of ultrastructural
localization and dynamics of its associated carriers using live-imaging.
2. To understand the role for syntaxins 13 and 16 in neuritogenesis and
axonal/dendritic protein/membrane traffic and brain development.
3. To identify and characterize functional interacting partners of these syntaxins in
the brain.
Reading
Wang Y and Tang BL (2006) SNAREs in neurons--beyond synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Mol
Membr Biol 23, 377-384.