Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Author: Ana Laura López | Email: allopez@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
Ana Laura López1°, Elena Vásquez1°, Agata Rita Carpentieri2°, Estela Maris Muñoz1°
1° Laboratorio de Neurobiología Básica y Traslacional, IHEM-UNCuyo-CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.
2° INICSA-UNC-CONICET; Cátedra B de Química Biológica, Facultad de Odontología, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina.
Previous research from our laboratory has shown that the GABABR-mediated connectome is influenced by aging in the rat cerebellum. A decrease in GABAB2 subunit and consequently, in the GABABR-KCC2 interaction, was found. In addition, we showed a novel interaction between the tail of GABAB1 subunit and the transporter, which was affected by variations in membrane lipid composition, such as those observed in aged organs. In this PhD thesis, we hypothesize that GABABRs behave differentially in distinct neuronal areas, which may contribute to their unique cellular and functional identities, and to a particular susceptibility in various pathological contexts. Our main goal is to characterize the dynamics of the GABABR-mediated connectome in cell populations of the neuronal lineage, under physiological and neurodegenerative conditions. For this study, cerebellar and hippocampal specimens will be collected from young and old male Wistar rats. Samples from a D-Galactose-induced aging rat model will also be included. Additionally, transgenic mouse models under neurodegeneration, such as APP/PS1;Cx3CR1-eGFP+/-mice (an Alzheimer’s disease model), will be studied. Methodologically, we will apply a multidisciplinary approach, including immunohistochemistry, advanced microscopy techniques, Western blot, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics simulations. Preliminary data generated from this study will be presented.