Investigating the Role of Plasticity Related Gene-2 in Chick Retinal Growth Cone Response to Lysophosphatidic Acid

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Cell and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Abstract

Lysophosphatidic acid, or LPA, is believed to be a major repelling chemical cue in the process of Axon Guidance in the formation of the visual system in Utero. In the visual system, Axon Guidance is necessary for the formation of the Optic Nerve. Plasticity-Related Gene’s or PRG’s, are a family of possible LPA-interacting proteins. There are 5 known PRG genes, PRG-1 through PRG-5. These are believed to play a role in Retinal Growth Cone collapse during Axon Guidance. PRG-2’s role in Retinal Growth Cone collapse when exposed to LPA was studied through using a CRISPR system to mutate Chick Embryo Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs). It is believed that through this process, growth cone collapse could be prevented through the mutation of PRG-2. Following RGC mutation, Chick Retina was harvested through dissection. Mutated RGC’s were then exposed to LPA and growth cone collapse was recorded. This research is ongoing, and results have yet to be produced. Previous studies suggest that PRG-1, PRG-3, and PRG-5 may be involved in axon retraction but are not solely responsible for it. It is expected that mutating PRG-2 will prevent LPA from inhibiting axon outgrowth. If this is proven true, this information could be further researched. It could then possibly be applied in a clinical setting in cases where the Optic Nerve is damaged or develops incorrectly.

Location

HSS 203

Start Date

4-2-2022 11:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Apr 2nd, 11:30 AM

Investigating the Role of Plasticity Related Gene-2 in Chick Retinal Growth Cone Response to Lysophosphatidic Acid

HSS 203

Lysophosphatidic acid, or LPA, is believed to be a major repelling chemical cue in the process of Axon Guidance in the formation of the visual system in Utero. In the visual system, Axon Guidance is necessary for the formation of the Optic Nerve. Plasticity-Related Gene’s or PRG’s, are a family of possible LPA-interacting proteins. There are 5 known PRG genes, PRG-1 through PRG-5. These are believed to play a role in Retinal Growth Cone collapse during Axon Guidance. PRG-2’s role in Retinal Growth Cone collapse when exposed to LPA was studied through using a CRISPR system to mutate Chick Embryo Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs). It is believed that through this process, growth cone collapse could be prevented through the mutation of PRG-2. Following RGC mutation, Chick Retina was harvested through dissection. Mutated RGC’s were then exposed to LPA and growth cone collapse was recorded. This research is ongoing, and results have yet to be produced. Previous studies suggest that PRG-1, PRG-3, and PRG-5 may be involved in axon retraction but are not solely responsible for it. It is expected that mutating PRG-2 will prevent LPA from inhibiting axon outgrowth. If this is proven true, this information could be further researched. It could then possibly be applied in a clinical setting in cases where the Optic Nerve is damaged or develops incorrectly.