Abstract

Local translation in distal processes of the neuron was discovered over 35 years ago, but only with the recent advancements in microscopy, molecular techniques, and high throughput sequencing have we been able to identify which mRNAs are locally translated. Previous methods were unable to harvest cell specific RNA from neurites in vivo from a variety of cell types; however, building on these advancements, we developed SynapTRAP to examine localized translation in specific cell types. The diversity of arbors and functions of neurons across the central nervous system suggests different proteins localized to the periphery of cells for neurite growth and regulation, although it is unknown which of these proteins are synthesized locally. To determine if these different proteins are produced locally or if they are shuttled to the synapse post-translationally, we profiled two different cell types: GABAergic interneurons and layer V pyramidal neurons, using SynapTRAP. From these results we determined that not only do local translatomes differ between types of neurons, but that mRNA localization to neurites is regulated by both baseline cellular differences and post transcriptional pathways.

Committee Chair

Joseph Karen . Dougherty O'Malley

Committee Members

Yehuda Ben-Shahar, Sergej Djuranovic, James Skeath,

Comments

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/k6xz-s844

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Biology & Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Genetics & Genomics)

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Winter 12-15-2018

Language

English (en)

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Available for download on Thursday, December 15, 2118

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Biology Commons

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