Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Kayli Huang Sciences

Synaptic pMad Regulation in Presynaptic Homeostatic Potentiation at the Drosophila NMJ

Scholars Journal

Neural networks maintain stable function despite changing environments through resilient communication between pre- and post-synaptic cells. Presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) restores synaptic strength by increasing presynaptic neurotransmitter release in response to reduced postsynaptic signaling. Although PHP has traditionally been considered cell-wide, the Isacoff lab has shown synaptic heterogeneity in short-term plasticity, suggesting synapse-specific PHP changes. Using the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction, I will examine the heterogeneity of phosphorylated Mad (pMad), a signaling protein with unknown synaptic function, to determine if pMad acts as an early presynaptic switch during acute PHP to increase trafficking of key synaptic PHP proteins. Quantitative measurements of pMad, Brp, Cac, and Unc13A will be used to construct a predictive model of synaptic homeostasis, advancing understanding of PHP-associated neurological conditions including autism, anxiety, and myasthenia gravis.