GABAXONETDEV · mechanisms of GABAergic interneurons axonal branching in developing cerebellum network

The appropriate wiring of neuronal circuits in mammalian brain forms the basis to generate, integrate, and process patterns of neuronal activity, which underlie perception and cognition.GABAergic inhibitory circuits consist of an array of interneuron cell types with distinct morphology, physiological properties, and synaptic connectivity patterns, and may constitute a scaffold to organize local cortical connectivity and activity.A definite feature of GABAergic innervation is their specific axonal morphology and specific target cell and domain recognition, which allow precise spatial and temporal control of neuronal signaling, dynamics, and plasticity. Dysfunctions of GABAergic system have been implicated in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and depression.Although GABAergic connectivity is essential for the construction of functional cortical circuits, the formation and development of exquisite GABAergic axon branches in general are poorly characterized. The purpose of the current proposal is to follow the early events of interneuron neurites outgrowth and branching and to identify the molecules involved during this process using state of the art technical approches. The ultimate goal is to describe how environmental signals specifically shape and build functional neuronal circuit in relation to their genetic content.While physiologists are very well aware about the importance of GABAergic interneurons circuitry in regulating all the aspects of synaptic communication (i.e. input, integration and output as well as synchronization) of principal neurons, the cellular and molecular mechanism of GABAergic circuitry development remained unknown. This field is a new and almost untouched area that will brings new idea and will link together multiple research domains of neuroscience from Gene expression, cell biology and axon guidance to cell signaling and physiology""