SCSB Lunch Series: Role of FMRP interactions with presynaptic ion channels in Fragile X Syndrome

Date: Friday, May 10,  2024
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Simons Center Conference room 46-6011 + Zoom Meeting: https://mit.zoom.us/j/91647033337

Speaker: Chhavi Sood, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Simons Postdoctoral Fellow, Littleton Lab, Picower Institute, BCS, Department of Biology, MIT

Talk title: Role of FMRP interactions with presynaptic ion channels in Fragile X Syndrome

Abstract: Synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion occurs in response to Ca²⁺ influx from voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCCs) at AZs. Multiple conserved proteins cluster SVs and VGCCs at the AZs. Additionally, BK channels (Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels) also cluster at AZs to rapidly repolarize the presynaptic membrane, close VGCCs, and terminate Ca²⁺ influx and SV release. Using the Drosophila model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and neuromuscular junction, I aim to determine how FMRP controls VGCC and BK channel synaptic delivery and AZ abundance and how dysregulation of these interactions contributes to synaptic defects in FXS.