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Serre Thesis 2014.pdf (1.37 MB)

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Role of RACK1 in axonal outgrowth of developing neurons

Serre, Joel M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1398955533

Abstract Details

2014, BS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
The complexity of the nervous system is generated during development. During neural development, neurons must extend axons and make synapses with correct target regions. One mechanism that is critical to the appropriate growth and guidance of the axon to its target region is local translation. Local translation of a subset of mRNAs takes place within the growth cone, which is a pathfinding structure found at the tips of developing axons. Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is a ribosomal scaffolding protein found at point contacts, which are integrin-dependent adhesion sites and likely a region of local translation in the growth cone. In line with this, RACK1 is necessary for appropriate local translation of ¿-actin mRNA in the growth cone. Thus, this project seeks to elucidate the role of RACK1 in the extension and branching of axons. A combination of primary cortical cell culture, lentiviral transduction, growth factor starvation-stimulation, and fluorescent microscopy techniques were used to examine the role of RACK1 in regulating axonal outgrowth. We find that axon length and branching decrease when RACK1wt is overexpressed. However, axon length and branching is not affected when RACK1 cannot be phosphorylated at the 246th amino acid site (RACK1Y246F). These data suggest that RACK1 is critical to the formation of point contacts, which are known to be involved in the extension rate of axons. Overexpression of RACK1wt may increase the size or number of point contacts, thus resulting in decreased axon extension. These data provide further insight into how axon growth and guidance is regulated, and leads to appropriate connectivity formation in the developing nervous system.
Kristy Welshhans, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Paul Sampson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Douglas Kline, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Soumitra Basu, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
58 p.
Biology; Neurobiology
axon; outgrowth; RACK1; cortical neurons; neurons; point; contacts; local; translation; E17

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Serre, J. M. (2014). Role of RACK1 in axonal outgrowth of developing neurons [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1398955533

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Serre, Joel. Role of RACK1 in axonal outgrowth of developing neurons. 2014. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1398955533.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Serre, Joel. "Role of RACK1 in axonal outgrowth of developing neurons." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1398955533

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors1398955533
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.