Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-02750, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Fournier, Alyson (McGill University)|Fournier, Alyson (Université McGill), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : During development cells in the nervous system wire together to form connections that regulate a multitude of simple and complex behaviors including sensory processing, motor control and cognition. Proper wiring requires nerve cells or neurons to extend processes through a complex environment to correct targets and to establish stable connections with other neurons are target tissues through contacts called synapses. Mutations in proteins required for synapse formation have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. Further, normal remodeling of synapses is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember. Neurons express a host of receptor molecules on their cell surface that permit them to respond to environmental cues to form, stabilize and remodel synaptic connection. The ability of the cell to change its response to the extracellular environment is influenced by the ability of cells to shed cell surface proteins. Shedding of cell surface molecules can desensitize neurons to their environment and can also release bioactive fragments into the neuronal environment. Protein shedding is controlled by a family of proteins calls metalloproteinases that can desensitize neurons to cues in the environment by rapidly remodeling the repertoire of surface proteins. In this way neurons can dynamically regulate their response to the environment in space and time. We are studying the important roles that metalloproteinases play in spatial and temporal regulation of synapse formation. These studies will shed light on the fundamental science underlying synapse formation and remodeling, key processes underlying proper neuronal development and memory formation., program purpose french : During development cells in the nervous system wire together to form connections that regulate a multitude of simple and complex behaviors including sensory processing, motor control and cognition. Proper wiring requires nerve cells or neurons to extend processes through a complex environment to correct targets and to establish stable connections with other neurons are target tissues through contacts called synapses. Mutations in proteins required for synapse formation have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. Further, normal remodeling of synapses is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember. Neurons express a host of receptor molecules on their cell surface that permit them to respond to environmental cues to form, stabilize and remodel synaptic connection. The ability of the cell to change its response to the extracellular environment is influenced by the ability of cells to shed cell surface proteins. Shedding of cell surface molecules can desensitize neurons to their environment and can also release bioactive fragments into the neuronal environment. Protein shedding is controlled by a family of proteins calls metalloproteinases that can desensitize neurons to cues in the environment by rapidly remodeling the repertoire of surface proteins. In this way neurons can dynamically regulate their response to the environment in space and time. We are studying the important roles that metalloproteinases play in spatial and temporal regulation of synapse formation. These studies will shed light on the fundamental science underlying synapse formation and remodeling, key processes underlying proper neuronal development and memory formation., agreement title english : The role of ectodomain shedding in neurodevelopment, agreement title french : The role of ectodomain shedding in neurodevelopment, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 140000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada