Deciphering the Thalamic Reticular Functions of Phospholamban - PROJECT SUMMARY
The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a poorly understood structure of the mammalian forebrain that is
deeply involved in regulating complex behaviors such as sensory processing, attention, and sleep. TRN
dysfunction has been recently proposed to comprise a circuit endophenotype in neurodevelopmental
disorders, including autism, schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Notably, a
specialized sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca2+) ATPase 2 (SERCA2)-dependent Ca2+-cycling network
operates in the dendrites of thalamic reticular neurons to regulate their burst-firing activity. Phospholamban
(PLN) is a critical regulator of the SERCA2, and well-known for preserving Ca2+ homeostasis in the heart.
Findings from our lab indicate that the role of PLN extends beyond the cardiovascular system to influence the
brain’s thalamic reticular neurocircuitry. Specifically, we have found PLN protein to be selectively expressed in
the inhibitory TRN neurons of the mouse brain, while conditional loss of PLN function in the TRN (i.e., PlncKO)
results in aberrant behaviors that map onto thalamic reticular circuits, including locomotor hyperactivity and
motor impulsivity. The studies outlined in the current 3-year AREA (R15) project will test the specific
hypotheses that: i) PLN is a prominent Ca2+-handling player in the TRN with an important role in regulating the
signaling properties of TRN neurons, and ii) that dysfunctional neuronal responses in the TRN underlie the
hyperactive and impulsive behavioral phenotypes observed in PlncKO mice. In order to address these
hypotheses, this project will use a combination of novel TRN-specific PlncKO transgenic mouse models, and
high-throughput RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) transcriptomics, neurochemical and in vivo Ca2+ fiber
photometry imaging approaches to unveil the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms orchestrated by the
PLN/SERCA2 pathway in the TRN neurocircuit. The studies outlined in this proposal have high potential to
decipher the cellular and molecular dynamics of a novel thalamic reticular Ca2+-handling regulator involved in
fine-tuning locomotor activity and motor impulsivity at the organismal level. Importantly, this AREA (R15)
award will support a Neuroscience research team at the University of Dayton composed primarily of
undergraduate student researchers and will provide an outstanding opportunity for students to gain a solid
understanding of a wide spectrum of cutting-edge neuroscience methodologies. Over the project period, over
ten undergraduate students and one graduate student will be involved in the proposed research. Specialized
upper-level undergraduate Neurobiology laboratory courses (i.e., 20-24 students per year), as well as
introductory Biology core laboratory courses required by all science majors (i.e., 450 students per year) will
utilize antibodies, reagents, mouse models and experimental protocols developed in this project. This project
will therefore meet AREA (R15) goals by increasing scientific literacy of more than 1,400 students at the
University of Dayton through exposure to meritorious research.
