# Experience-dependent Cellular Plasticity Mechanisms

> **NIH NIH R01** · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · 2023 · $683,732

## Abstract

Brain activity is essential for the development and plasticity of neurons and circuits, however our
understanding of the mechanisms by which activity generates functional circuits is incomplete. This lack of
knowledge impedes our ability to take advantage of activity-dependent mechanisms to facilitate circuit
plasticity. Plasticity-inducing stimuli induce neuronal protein dynamics, including regulated increases and
decreases in protein synthesis. We recently conducted a quantitative in vivo proteomic analysis which
identified changes in newly synthesized proteins in the Xenopus tadpole visual system in response to
plasticity-inducing visual stimulation. We identified numerous candidate plasticity proteins (CPPs), including
several that regulate protein synthesis, whereas others have diverse cellular and synaptic functions. Here
we will probe the model that plasticity-inducing stimuli initiate a cascade of protein synthesis-dependent
events, beginning with de novo synthesis of upstream translational regulators and culminating in the
regulated synthesis of diverse effector proteins, in visual experience dependent circuit plasticity in Xenopus,
using proteomics, electrophysiology, in vivo structural and functional imaging, and behavioral assays.
Classical studies have revealed circuit-rewiring events in response to CNS damage. We have shown that
local damage to the optic tectum impairs visual avoidance behavior in Xenopus and that treating injured
animals with brief bouts of visual experience facilitates recovery of the injured circuit. To probe the flexibility
of experience-dependent plasticity mechanisms, we will test whether newly synthesized candidate plasticity
proteins are required for the visual experience-dependent rehabilitation of the injured visuomotor circuit.
Results of these experiments may identify novel mechanisms contributing to experience-dependent
plasticity in developing nervous systems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10540335
- **Project number:** 5R01EY031597-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** HOLLIS T. CLINE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $683,732
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10540335

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10540335, Experience-dependent Cellular Plasticity Mechanisms (5R01EY031597-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10540335. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*