Project A6 Raabe
Cooperative and distinct functions of the protein kinases CK2 and RSK in regulation of the circadian clock and synaptic plasticity of Drosophila
Summary
Although the key components of the molecular circadian oscillator have been identified, there is an increasing complexity at the level of regulatory proteins, which integrate cell-intrinsic or extrinsic information in order to elicit physiological and behavioral responses at the appropriate time of day. Reversible modification of proteins by phosphorylation is an important adaptive mechanism to change their activity, localization, stability or interaction with other proteins. This application builds on our previous findings and has as its major objective in the elucidation of putative unique and cooperative functions of the protein kinases CK2 and RSK. In particular, we want to investigate these kinases in the context of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated signaling processes in the regulation of the molecular circadian oscillator and in time-dependent plasticity at synapses by combining genetic, cell biological and behavioral approaches.
