Synaptic BRP Alterations in Drosophila Neurodegenerative Models
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Authors
Cheung, Nick
Issue Date
11/28/2025
Type
Poster
Language
en_US
Keywords
Synapse , Neurodegeneration
Alternative Title
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease cause progressive neuronal loss, with early defects at the synapse. Using Drosophila melanogaster, this project examines how disease mutations alter synaptic and protein organization at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Previous screening showed changes in NMJ morphology and reduced levels of the protein Bruchpilot (BRP) in Huntington's disease models. Ref(2)P, the Drosophila homolog of the autophagy adaptor p62, forms puncta at protein aggregates to help target them to lysosomes and has been shown to regulate synaptic BRP expression. Because HTT aggregates may influence Ref(2)P, we investigate whether HTT-polyQ promotes changes in Ref(2)P puncta. By analyzing BRP and Ref(2)P across polyQ lengths, this study explores whether HTT-polyQ affects synapse development through a Ref(2)P-dependent pathway.