Glycobiology Network Seminar 2019
Protein glycosylation in the nervous system: Mechanisms unraveled by model systems
Professor Vladislav Panin - Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
Glycans play a wide spectrum of essential roles in metazoan organisms. Defects in protein glycosylation are associated with many diseases and abnormalities, while commonly affecting the nervous system. However, the complexity of the nervous system, intricacy of glycosylation, and limitations of genetic approaches impede the mechanistic investigation of glycan functions in mammals. Using the advantages of the Drosophila model, including a powerful arsenal of genetic and neurobiological approaches, we elucidate conserved mechanisms underlying the function of glycosylation in the nervous system. We employ a multidisciplinary approach to study the roles of two prominent glycosylation pathways, protein O-mannosylation in and sialylation. Our research uncovered a novel function of protein O-mannosylation in sensory axon wiring. In our second project, we found that sialylated glycans regulate neural excitability, while the sialylation pathway genes affect glia-neuron interactions. Our results suggest that novel molecular players are involved in these pathways and shed new light on pathogenic mechanisms of neurological disorders.
Date: Monday 18th November 2019 - 4.30-5.30pm, followed by a wine reception 5.30-7.00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, Wolfson Centre, adjourning to the Break Out area, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, W12 0NN
All Welcome