Submission Date

7-20-2017

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Biology

Second Department

Neuroscience

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Round

Comments

Presented during the 19th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 21, 2017 at Ursinus College.

Supported by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant.

Project Description

Slitrk proteins are a family of six transmembrane proteins (Slitrk1-Slitrk6) that belong to the larger leucine-rich repeat protein family. Previous studies have linked Slitrk proteins to many neuropsychiatric disorders, including Tourette syndrome, OCD, and schizophrenia. Each Slitrk family member has specific localizations and functions in the nervous system, and are known to regulate many cellular and developmental roles, such as neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and axon guidance. This study aims to expand current findings on Slitrk proteins to identify novel roles for the protein family. Techniques such as microinjections, sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and imaging were implemented to study the protein family in zebrafish, which reproduce quickly, are easy to genetically manipulate, and have genetic and physiological homologies to humans. In addition to categorizing new functions for Slitrk proteins, this study can increase our understanding of the cellular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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