Description:

“The Autisms: Molecules to Model Systems”

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by repetitive behavior, restricted range of interests, and atypical social interaction and communication. Our lab has characterized multiple genetic models for ASD, and the seminar will summarize some previous findings and highlight unpublished work on the Cul3 gene. CUL3, coding for a Cullin family scaffold protein mediating assembly of ubiquitin ligase complexes through BTB domain substrate-recruiting adaptors, has been identified as a high-risk gene for autism. Although complete knockout of Cul3 results in embryonic lethality, Cul3 heterozygous mice have reduced CUL3 protein, demonstrate no differences in body weight, and have minimal behavioral differences including decreased spatial object recognition memory. This seminar will present findings in Cul3 mutant mouse models as well as findings from conditional Cul3 mutant neuronal cultures. Included will be neuronal morphology, synaptic electrophysiology, proteomics, and behavioral approaches to understanding the function of CUL3 in the central nervous system. Overall, our data replicate some and question other previously published effects of Cul3 deletion on the brain and behavior.

Thursday April 27, 2023  
CAN Seminar Series 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM  
Location: Ward 5-230

Craig Powell, MD, PhD
Professor and Director of Neurobiology
Civitan International Research Center Chair
Virginia B. Spencer Endowed Chair
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine

Research Areas
Autism, intellectual disability, cognitive dysfunction