# Investigating How Chromatin Remodeling Affects Endocytosis and Synaptic Organization

> **NIH NIH R15** · SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV AT EDWARDSVILLE · 2022 · $422,873

## Abstract

Chromatin remodeling proteins work in complexes to regulate the accessibility of DNA thereby
determining whether transcription occurs. Chromatin remodeling is important for all cellular
processes but how chromatin remodeling proteins work cooperatively with or in opposition to
additional proteins to influence synaptic activity is not well understood. Chromatin remodeling
proteins, including the chromodomain helicase binding domain (CHD) protein family, are
implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases.
The goals of the proposed work are to better understand how the CHD protein, Kismet (Kis),
regulates synaptic structure and function. Kis influences endocytosis, the localization of multiple
synaptic proteins, neurotransmission, and memory in Drosophila. To better understand how Kis’
transcriptional activity regulates synaptic structure and function, we will first determine whether
Kis exerts its synaptic effects by influencing key synaptic organizational proteins including Rab11
and its interacting proteins. Next, we will determine if Kis acts in unique protein complexes to
affect transcription of genes important for synapse structure and function including appl, endoB,
nlg2, and rab11. These experiments will provide valuable research experiences for Master’s and
undergraduate students. They will also provide mechanistic insight to better uncover how
chromatin remodeling regulates neurotransmission and protein localization thereby informing our
understanding of synaptic physiology and pathology. Effective novel treatments for
neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases will require additional knowledge
of how chromatin remodeling helps execute synaptic events.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10438398
- **Project number:** 2R15NS101608-02A1
- **Recipient organization:** SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV AT EDWARDSVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** FAITH L LIEBL
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $422,873
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10438398

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10438398, Investigating How Chromatin Remodeling Affects Endocytosis and Synaptic Organization (2R15NS101608-02A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10438398. Licensed CC0.

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