E-Locus - Institutional Repository of the University of Crete

Home Collections Type of Work Post-graduate theses

Post-graduate theses

Current Record: 6472 of 6555

[Add to Basket]

Title

Regulation of the endolysosomal pathway by the human-specific gene FRMPD2B in cortical pyramidal neurons

Alternative Title

Ρύθμιση του ενδολυσοσωματικού μονοπατιού από το ανθρωπο-ειδικό γονίδιο FRMPD2B στους πυραμιδικούς νευρώνες του φλοιού

Author

Χριστοπούλου, Ειρήνη

Thesis advisor

Charrier, Cecile

Reviewer

Καραγωγέως, Δόμνα
Σιδηροπούλου, Κυριακή

Abstract

During human evolution, the enlargement of the cerebral neocortex combined with the increased morphological complexity of neurons are regarded as the secrets of humans’ remarkable cognitive abilities. Human neurons have extensive and highly branched dendritic trees as well as higher spine density. They form more diverse circuits and they mature over longer time scales. They also show unique physiological properties and the rules governing their plasticity differ from the other mammalian species studied so far. Yet, the molecular basis of these differences remain elusive. FRMPD2B is a human-specific gene of unknown function predominantly expressed in the neocortex. Data from the lab indicate that FRMPD2B increases dendritic branching and synaptic density when expressed in mouse cortical pyramidal neurons. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using in utero electroporation and confocal microscopy, I demonstrated that FRMPD2B localizes to lysosomes in neurons and that it regulates lysosome size and density in vivo. These results open new routes to explore the mechanisms of neuronal and synaptic development and understand regulations specific to humans.

Language

English

Subject

Human brain evolution

Neuronal development

Εξέλιξη του ανθρώπινου εγκεφάλου

Νευρωνική ανάπτυξη

Issue date

2021-12-01

Collection

School/Department--School of Medicine--Department of Medicine--Post-graduate theses

Type of Work--Post-graduate theses