Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2011
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Dr. Daniel Selski, Department of Biological Sciences
Second Committee Member
Dr. Dave Darda, Associate Dean, College of Science
Third Committee Member
Dr. Audrey D. Huerta, Director Science Honors Research Program
Abstract
This research project entails the characterization of Calcineurin (CaN) in neuron development. CaN is an intracellular protein that has been implicated in different systems as a mediator between cells and their surroundings to promote normal, healthy function (Lee & Park; 2006). Receptors on the surface of cells are known to stimulate intracellular changes, CaN is thought to mediate some of these changes, including during neurodevelopment. As a neuron develops, it extends a process (axon) in search of a specific target with which to form a synapse. Initial embryonic axon growth is directly related to axon growth and regeneration in adults. Thus, characterization of axon growth is essential to understanding disease processes of the nervous system. The developing chick nervous system has been extensively investigated and shares common visual system pathways with humans, therefore it is an appropriate model system for this investigation. This research focused on axon growth and synapse formation of retinal axons in chick embryos with reduced functional CaN. FK506 was the pharmacological agent used as the CaN inhibitor during late stages of embryonic development. The underlying hypothesis is that reducing the activity of this protein, a reduction in axon length and specific connections to the normal target in the brain would be measured. Results support the hypothesis and show significant inhibition of retinal axon growth in FK506 treated animals.
Recommended Citation
Iniguez, Jesus, "Investigating the Role of Calcineurin in Axon Growth and Development of Retinal Neurons" (2011). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 77.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/undergrad_hontheses/77
Comments
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