Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

The Influence Of Autism Linked Gene Topoisomerase 3b (Top3b) On Neural Development In Zebrafish, Sydney Doolittle

Honors College Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a class of developmental disabilities characterized by a spectrum of social, communication, and behavioral impairments in affected individuals. Studies have shown these defects stem from abnormal brain development during critical periods during early development. The underlying genetic cause of these impairments is not well understood but is believed to be a combination of a complex pairing of genetic and environmental factors. One of the genetic factors that has been recognized to influence the phenotypic symptoms of ASD is the enzyme topoisomerase 3β (top3β.) Topoisomerases are responsible for the prevention of supercoiling during DNA replication. Top3β is …

Fgf20 In Olfactory System And Cochlea Development, Lu Morgan Yang

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The olfactory epithelium (OE) is a neurosensory organ required for the sense of smell. Turbinates, bony projections from the nasal cavity wall, increase the surface area within the nasal cavity lined by the OE. We identified a population of OE progenitor cells that expand horizontally during development to populate all lineages of the mature OE and increase OE surface area. We show that these Fgf20-positive, epithelium-spanning progenitor (FEP) cells are responsive to Wnt/β-Catenin signaling. Wnt signaling suppresses FEP cell differentiation into OE basal progenitors and their progeny, and positively regulates Fgf20 expression. We further show that FGF20 signals to the …

Characterizing The Requirements For The Matricellular Protein, Dccn, In Nervous System Function, Elizabeth L. Catudio Garrett

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The brain is organized as a complex network of specialized neurons that communicate via a combination of electrical and chemical signals. Our brains function to generate movement, control organ function, or direct complex behaviors; all of which requires the ability to regulate the flow of communication between circuits and networks. Work in this thesis addresses two areas of neuron communication: first, how does the release of more than one neurotransmitter from a single neuron impact behavior, and second, are matricellular proteins (MCPs) key contributors to synaptic transmission and neuron function? The conserved CCN family of MCPs have a …

A Novel Switch-Like Function Of Delta-Catenin In Dendrite Development, Ryan Baumert

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The formation of neuronal networks in the brain is tightly regulated, and dependent on the morphology of dendrites, the branch-like signal-receiving structures extending from neurons. Disruptions in dendrite development, or dendritogenesis, can lead to the atypical neuronal connectivity associated with multiple neurodevelopmental diseases. My research addresses molecular processes that underlie dendritogenesis via analysis of a pair of novel interactions involving the protein delta-catenin.

In neurons, delta-catenin localizes to dendrites and synapses, where it functions in their development and maintenance. Structurally, delta-catenin possesses a central Armadillo domain and a C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. This motif associates with PDZ domain-containing proteins, and is …

Developmental Changes In The Activation And Structure Of The Contextual Fear Neural Circuit From Infancy To Adulthood, Anthony John Santarelli

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The contextual fear circuit, centered on the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), is comprised of projections from the hippocampal formation and prefrontal cortex, and mediates an animals ability to learn and predict associations between the environment and biologically relevant stimuli. While the function and structure of this circuit has been well characterized in adult species, relatively little is known about its development as an animal transitions from infancy to adulthood. Recent evidence has begun to suggest that infants, juveniles, and adolescents may show remarkable heterogeneity in the behavioral, activational, and structural properties of the circuit. In this thesis, I …

Neurodevelopmental Roles Of Semaphorin6a/Plexina2 Signaling In Zebrafish, Sarah Elizabeth Emerson

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

A multitude of complex cellular changes are required throughout development in order for a single cell to transform into a fully functioning organism. Cellular events including proliferation, migration, and differentiation have to be carefully controlled in order for development to proceed correctly. In order to study such dynamic processes, in vivo models are often utilized. Using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system, we have investigated the role of an axon guidance signaling pair, Semaphorin6A (Sema6A) and PlexinA2 (PlxnA2), in neurodevelopment.

A previous investigation into the developmental expression patterns of sema6A and plxnA2 in zebrafish, revealed overlapping expression …

Development Of Mechanosensory Innervation In The Frog, Xenopus Laevis, Peter Andrew Feuk

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANOSENSORY INNERVATION IN THE FROG, XENOPUS LAEVIS

by

Peter Feuk

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2017

Under the Supervision of Dr. R. David Heathcote

This study aims to investigate whether a specific target cell in the epidermis of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, guides the initial outgrowth and pattern of Rohon-Beard (RB) cells and their survival. RB cells are primary mechanosensory neurons present during the early developmental stages of X. laevis. These neurons provide sensory input to the frog throughout embryonic and larval development before initiating apoptosis around the start of metamorphosis. The innervation of embryonic skin …

Microengineering The Neural Tube, Christopher Demers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early embryonic development is a complex and highly regulated orchestra of instructive cues that collectively guide naïve stem cells towards progressively more specialized fates. In the neural tube, the precursor structure to the brain and spinal cord, these signals emanate from ‘organizing centers’ surrounding the neural tube. These organizing centers send out soluble cues or morphogens that diffuse tens to hundreds of microns to recipient cells residing in the neural tube. Re-creating this dynamic landscape of cues in vitro is impossible using standard cell culture tools and techniques. However, microfluidics is perfectly suited to fill this gap, allowing precise control …

Dual Functions For Insulinoma-Associated 1 In Retinal Development, Marie A. Forbes-Osborne

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Proper visual system function requires tightly controlled proliferation of a pool of relatively homogeneous retinal progenitor cells, followed by the stepwise specification and differentiation of multiple distinct cell types. These retinal cells, both neuronal and glial, must be generated in the correct numbers, and the correct laminar location to permit the formation of synaptic connections between individual cell types. After synapses are made, constant signaling is required as part of normal retinal function, and to maintain cellular identity and connectivity. These processes rely on both extrinsic and intrinsic signaling, with regulation of gene expression by cascades of transcription factors having …