34th Annual Student Research Conference
Investigating A Role For The Numb Adaptor Protein In Synapse Development At The Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
Nicholas M. Pritchett*, Mary K. Renkemeyer, and Thi Tran
Dr. Brett A. Berke, Faculty Mentor
The Numb protein plays a role in stem cell division by interacting with a wide variety of other proteins. Recently, we found that Numb expression in neurons is also required for normal Drosophila (fruit fly) larval crawling behavior. Larval behavior can be influenced by synaptic changes, so we are addressing a role for Numb in synapse development at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ is a model synapse that is amenable to physiological and structural studies. Physiological recordings at the larval NMJ showed that a presynaptic knock down of Numb reduced synaptic communication. We are therefore using immunohistochemical staining to identify how Numb influences gross synaptic structure and neurotransmitter release machinery. We are also using NetLogo to model the physiology defect, which will help identify which intracellular processes are altered when Numb is knocked down. Our work will expand our understanding of Numb’s role in the developing nervous system.
Keywords: Drosophila, Numb, Animal Behavior, Synapse
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Poster
Session: 4-11
Location: https://flipgrid.com/7ba08930
Time: 0:00