LIN Seminar: “Neuronal lysosome transport and function: links to neurodegenerative diseases” by Swetha Gowrishankar (UIC)
January 27, 2022
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join us on January 27, 2022 for "Neuronal lysosome transport and function: links to neurodegenerative diseases" by Swetha Gowrishankar (UIC).
Abstract: Lysosomes are degradative organelles, whose function is critical for protecting long-lived cells such as neurons from the buildup of misfolded proteins and damaged organelles. Altered lysosome function is associated with numerous neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, fronto-temporal dementia, and certain forms of complex Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying their involvement are not known. Nor are the mechanisms of lysosome formation and function in neurons well understood. In recent years, there is growing appreciation of heterogeneity in neuronal lysosomes: lysosomes in neuronal cell bodies differ from those in axons and dendrites in their degradative capacity, composition as well as transport properties. Using a multidisciplinary approach (high resolution imaging, proteomics and CRISPR Cas9-mediated perturbation in primary mouse neurons and IPSC-derived neurons as well as mouse models), my laboratory seeks to understand how these distinct lysosomal pools form, interact and function in the different parts of the neuron and how their dysfunction causes and/or exacerbates different neurodegenerative diseases. In this talk, I will discuss my work on discovering neuronal lysosome heterogeneity and its link to Alzheimer’s disease pathology. I will also discuss how altered axonal lysosome transport contributes to two distinct neurodegenerative conditions- Alzheimer’s disease pathology and a form of complex HSP arising from loss of an adaptor protein complex, AP-4.
Date posted
Oct 7, 2021
Date updated
Jan 13, 2022