Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Uncovering the mechanisms of Ephexin5 function in dendritic spine plasticity and Alzheimer's disease

Award Number: F31NS122488
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Uncovering the mechanisms of Ephexin5 function in dendritic spine plasticity and Alzheimer's disease - ABSTRACT / PROJECT SUMMARY Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is associated with a progressive loss of dendritic spines, microscopic dendritic structures that serve as the sites of synaptic communication and are essential for the storage of memory. Levels of the RhoGEF Ephexin5, a regulator of dendritic spine density, appear to be key in facilitating AD-induced dendritic spine loss. Much about the substrate specificity of Ephexin5 and the regulation of Ephexin5 activity remain unknown. The goal of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which Ephexin5 signaling occurs in normal physiology and disease. It is my hypothesis that E5 undergoes a phosphorylation- dependent shift in substrate specificity from RhoA to Rac1/Cdc42, relevant to its role in regulating spine plasticity and contributing to the physiology of AD. Using 2-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging coupled with genetically encoded FRET biosensors, I will optically probe the activity of GTPases in live tissue. I will define the substrate specificity of neuronal E5 under normal physiological contexts, and in a model of AD-induced cellular damage. Using mass spectrometry, I will determine if phosphorylation of Ephexin5 changes during neuronal signaling or in an AD-like cellular state, and using phosphomutant analysis I will examine how phosphorylation influences E5 substrate specificity. My results will further the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory and have the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets for AD. Training for this project will take place at UC Davis, with the support of my mentor and Sponsor, Karen Zito, an expert in the live-imaging of synapses, and Co-sponsor James Trimmer, and expert in neuronal protein structure and function. I will acquire key technical skills in advanced live-cell imaging and mass spectrometry, which will aid in the completion of this research project. Additionally I will hone skills of mentorship, management, communication, and writing.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$694 )
2026	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	1/27/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$694
														Subtotal = -$694

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $41,636 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	1/8/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,356
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	5/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,280
														Subtotal = $41,636

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $40,104 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	1	2/9/2023	NEW	$0
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	12/20/2022	NEW	$39,162
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	1	2/9/2023	NEW	$942
														Subtotal = $40,104

Grand Total All Awards = $81,046

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Uncovering the mechanisms of Ephexin5 function in dendritic spine plasticity and Alzheimer's disease

Award Number: F31NS122488

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer