The Developing Nueromusuclar Junction of Danio Rerio Can Develop Expanded Neuronal Plasticity
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology/Pre-Med
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Dena Hammond-Weinberger
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
The neuromuscular junctions of most vertebrates perform synaptic transmission with acetylcholine as the primary neurotransmitter which binds with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, resulting in muscular depolarization. Studies involving frog and rat neuromuscular junction preparations have shown that disruption of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor as the post-synaptic cell results in expanded plasticity of the neuromuscular junction, leading to the appearance of functional non-cholinergic receptors. The present study hypothesizes the same receptor plasticity is seen in the developing neuromuscular junction of Danio rerio (zebrafish). Embryos are allowed to develop to ages between 12 hours post fertilization (hpf), before neurons have first made contact with the muscle and 6 or 7 days post fertilization (dpf), when larva are free-swimming, and harvested at several time points in-between. When the embryo reaches the desired age, they are fixed and stained with receptor labeling antibodies or fluorescently labeled toxins to identify the different classes of receptors present at the neuromuscular junction. We are currently examining the expression of GABA, glycine, and NMDA receptors.
Start Date
16-11-2018 2:30 PM
Fall Scholars Week 2018 Event
Honors College Senior Theses
The Developing Nueromusuclar Junction of Danio Rerio Can Develop Expanded Neuronal Plasticity
The neuromuscular junctions of most vertebrates perform synaptic transmission with acetylcholine as the primary neurotransmitter which binds with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, resulting in muscular depolarization. Studies involving frog and rat neuromuscular junction preparations have shown that disruption of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor as the post-synaptic cell results in expanded plasticity of the neuromuscular junction, leading to the appearance of functional non-cholinergic receptors. The present study hypothesizes the same receptor plasticity is seen in the developing neuromuscular junction of Danio rerio (zebrafish). Embryos are allowed to develop to ages between 12 hours post fertilization (hpf), before neurons have first made contact with the muscle and 6 or 7 days post fertilization (dpf), when larva are free-swimming, and harvested at several time points in-between. When the embryo reaches the desired age, they are fixed and stained with receptor labeling antibodies or fluorescently labeled toxins to identify the different classes of receptors present at the neuromuscular junction. We are currently examining the expression of GABA, glycine, and NMDA receptors.