学术报告
Title: Plasticity of neuronal endocrine signaling: Insights From Fruit Fly Metamorphosis
Speaker:Tingting Gu. Research Scientist, University of Oklahoma, Department of Biology.
When: 2016-06-08, 2:30PM
Where: Dushuhu Campus, 401-1412 Conference Room
Research summary
Dr. Gu’s research is focus on the remodeling and plasticity of neuroendocrine cell, with special interest to neuropeptide and peptide hormone systems and their role in animal behavior.
Neuropeptides are small proteins-like molecules (peptides) that are released by nerve cells to affect the development or activity of other cells. Neuropeptides are the most diverse class of signaling molecules in the brain engaged in many processes, including growth, reproduction, stress, energy balance, and sleep. Act as central regulators; neuroendocrine cells maintain flexibility (plasticity) to change neuropeptides level dramatically in response to internal and external cues. However, the general molecular understanding of the mechanisms governing neuroendocrine cell plasticity remains unclear.To study this question, we take advantage of a powerful model genetic system, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), where a vast set of molecular and genetic tools are available.
Remodeling is required for the nervous system to support changes in behavior associated with transition to the adult stage. The process of neuronal remodeling involves the pruning back of old dendritic and axonal connections followed by the outgrowth of adult-specific arbors. This phenomenon can be seen widely across the animal kingdom. For instance, a massive reorganization of a set of neuropeptidergic cells, crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)/bursicon producing neurons during metamorphosis was observed. By studying the metamorphic remodeling of CCAP/bursicon neurons, Dr. Gu’s team try to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroendocrine cell plasticity.