Avital A. Rodal, PhD Biology Department

Year 3 results Rerouting BMP receptor traffic suppresses synaptic growth defects in an ALS model: A manuscript describing the results of our work on growth factor signaling and membrane traffic in a fruit fly model of ALS has been submitted. [...] In this manuscript, we describe the finding that growth factor signaling is reduced in ALS models, define the specific points of the membrane transport process that are disrupted, and show that rerouting membrane traffic can restore growth factor signaling, synaptic growth, and motor function. [...] Calcium regulation defects in Drosophila models of ALS: In our last report, we described the finding that mitochondria, the energy factories of the cell, exhibit pronounced transport defects in TDP-43 misexpressing neurons. [...] Indeed, our preliminary data indicate that restoring calcium regulation partly suppresses the growth factor receptor trafficking and signaling defects in Drosophila models of ALS, suggesting that calcium regulation may be a critical target of TDP-43 affecting synaptic growth and function, and may lead us to valuable therapeutic targets. [...] Dendritic branching and calcium defects in mammalian models of ALS: We have continued to expand and validate our mammalian model of ALS in cultured neurons.