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Development of antibodies for the detection of conformational changes in PSD-95 that regulate synaptic plasticity

Award Number: R03NS140695
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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Development of antibodies for the detection of conformational changes in PSD-95 that regulate synaptic plasticity - Abstract Local protein phosphorylation is essential for synaptic plasticity, with proline-directed kinases such as GSK3β and CDK5 playing key roles in regulating synaptic modifications critical to long-term memory formation. Notably, phosphorylation of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) by GSK3β is rapidly induced upon NMDAR-dependent long-term depression (NMDAR-LTD), destabilizing PSD-95 from the synapse and promoting its exit from postsynaptic spines. Proline- directed phosphorylation—a unique form of protein phosphorylation—can induce conformational changes in protein targets via cis-trans isomerization of the prolines following phosphorylated residues. Although the impact of this regulatory mechanism is well-characterized in cancer, its function in synaptic plasticity is largely unexplored. In this project, we aim to develop conformation- specific antibodies to detect cis and trans isomers of phospho-T19 in PSD-95, addressing a fundamental gap in our understanding of excitatory synapse biology. Specifically, we will investigate whether phosphorylation at serine/threonine-proline bonds in PSD-95 drives conformational changes that affect its biological function in synaptic plasticity. Our recent findings suggest that phosphorylation at T19 significantly alters the conformation of PSD-95’s N-terminus, affecting synaptic stability. The conformation-specific antibodies to be generated in this study will provide novel tools to directly monitor cis-trans isomerization states of PSD-95, enabling us to assess their role in synaptic stability and excitatory synaptic function in future studies. These experiments will offer unprecedented insights into the role of proline-directed phosphorylation and cis-trans isomerization in synaptic plasticity, advancing our broader understanding of regulatory mechanisms in excitatory synapses.


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 = $0 )
2026	2025	LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	820 N MICHIGAN AVE	CHICAGO	IL	60611	COOK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	5/4/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $72,750 )
2025	2025	LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	820 N MICHIGAN AVE	CHICAGO	IL	60611	COOK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	7/29/2025	NEW	$72,750
														Subtotal = $72,750

Grand Total All Awards = $72,750

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Development of antibodies for the detection of conformational changes in PSD-95 that regulate synaptic plasticity

Award Number: R03NS140695

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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