# New Proteomic and Genome Engineering Approaches to Decipher Astrocyte Function at Synapses

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $730,640

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the human brain. Interactions of astrocytes with synapses via thin
perisynaptic astrocytic processes are critical for proper synaptic connectivity and function. Each mouse astrocyte
sends out an extensive array of processes that are estimated to contact over 100,000 synapses. The number of
astrocytes and the extent of their interactions with synapses have increased throughout evolution, indicating a
close link between astrocytes and cognition. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that dysfunction of
astrocyte-synapse interactions contributes to a variety of brain disorders. In contrast to neuronal synaptic
structures, however, we are largely blind to the molecular composition and mechanisms of the astrocytic
perisynaptic structures. Moreover, there is currently very little understanding of how mutations that disrupt
astrocyte-synapse interactions lead to synaptic pathologies. This is in large part because, unlike neuronal
synaptic structures, it has not been possible to purify and identify proteins enriched at subcellular regions of
astrocytes. In this project, we will develop and utilize innovative proteomic and genome editing approaches to
solve these problems, revealing the proteins and inner workings of astrocyte processes that associate with and
modulate synapses. We anticipate these data will provide a new and unparalleled molecular framework for future
studies on astrocyte- neuron interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955242
- **Project number:** 5R01DA047258-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cagla Eroglu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $730,640
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955242

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955242, New Proteomic and Genome Engineering Approaches to Decipher Astrocyte Function at Synapses (5R01DA047258-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955242. Licensed CC0.

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