The Impacts of p97 on AMPA Receptors Within the Medial Hebanula
Session Number
2
Advisor(s)
Dr. Christian J Peters, University of Illinois Chicago
Location
A131
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 11:10 AM
End Date
15-4-2026 11:55 AM
Abstract
The brain’s medial habenula (MHb-IPN) pathway has been shown to be significant in regulating both nicotine intake and withdrawal. Within this pathway are calcium-permeable AMPA receptors which are activated by Glutamate binding. When these AMPA receptors are open, their is an influx of Calcium ions within the cell that can activate downstream processes such as Long-Term Potentiation, activation of Protein Kinase II (CaMKII), and can impact neuronal plasticity. Understanding this particular pathway is crucial to understand how the IPN is able to react to external stimuli. In particular, our experiments focused on understanding the role of Valosin-Containing Protein (p97) within the MHb-IPN pathway. Studies have shown that p97 plays a vital role in regulating the AMPAR receptors in hippocampal neurons. Thus, our study aimed to identify how p97 expression changes based on nicotine exposure. We hypothesized that expression of p97 would vary depending on nicotine exposure. To test this, we used cDNA synthesis to create DNA from the IPN of mouse brain. A PCR was performed to visualize the presence of the p97 protein within nicotine dependent, nicotine withdrawn and naive mice.
The Impacts of p97 on AMPA Receptors Within the Medial Hebanula
A131
The brain’s medial habenula (MHb-IPN) pathway has been shown to be significant in regulating both nicotine intake and withdrawal. Within this pathway are calcium-permeable AMPA receptors which are activated by Glutamate binding. When these AMPA receptors are open, their is an influx of Calcium ions within the cell that can activate downstream processes such as Long-Term Potentiation, activation of Protein Kinase II (CaMKII), and can impact neuronal plasticity. Understanding this particular pathway is crucial to understand how the IPN is able to react to external stimuli. In particular, our experiments focused on understanding the role of Valosin-Containing Protein (p97) within the MHb-IPN pathway. Studies have shown that p97 plays a vital role in regulating the AMPAR receptors in hippocampal neurons. Thus, our study aimed to identify how p97 expression changes based on nicotine exposure. We hypothesized that expression of p97 would vary depending on nicotine exposure. To test this, we used cDNA synthesis to create DNA from the IPN of mouse brain. A PCR was performed to visualize the presence of the p97 protein within nicotine dependent, nicotine withdrawn and naive mice.