Mary B. Rheuben

     

 

rheuben@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-4754
Home Department: Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation
Home Page Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation

Professor of Neuroscience, Ph.D., 1971,  University of California-San Diego

 

 

Our research projects focus on the molecular and structural specializations that are involved in synapse function. In particular we are examining the multiple mechanisms involved in synaptic vesicle recycling. Mutant Drosophila defective in the ability to learn also exhibit defects in the vesicle recycling process related to cAMP levels. We are analyzing the development and functioning of the nerve terminal using normal and mutant Drosophila , and methods such as immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, electrophysiology, and mathematical modelling. Understanding the complex interaction between pre- and postsynaptic cells that govern the insertion of populations of functionally complex molecules is important in understanding changes secondary to abnormal motor neurones in disease states.

Selected Publications

 

Rheuben, M.B., M. Yoshihara, and Y. Kidokoro. 1992. Degenerative changes in the structure of the neuromuscular junctions of Manduca during metamorphosis. J. Exp. Biol., 167:119-154.

 

Yoshihara, M., M.B. Rheuben, Y. Kidokoro. 1997. Transition from growth cone to functional motor nerve terminal in Drosophila embryos. J. Neuroscience, 17:8408-8426. 

 

Rheuben, M.B., M. Yoshihara, and Y. Kidokoro. 1999. Ultrastructural correlates of neuromuscular junction development. Intl. Rev. of Neurobiology. 43:69-92.

 

Takasu-Ishikawa, E., M. Yoshihara, A. Ueda, M. B. Rheuben, Y. Hotta, and Y. Kidokoro. 2001.  Screening for synaptic defects revealed a locus involved in presynaptic and postsynaptic functions in Drosophila embryos. .J. Neurobiol 48: 101-119.

Rheuben, M, Yoshihara, M., Kuromi, H., Kidokoro, Y.  (2001) Ultrastructural analysis of endocytosis in Drosophila larvae. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. Vol. 27.

Xu, Y.F., D.M. Autio, M.B. Rheuben and W.D. Atchison.  (2002) Impairment of synaptic vesicle trafficking at motor nerve terminals of mice treated with 2,4-dithiobiuret.  J. Neurophysiol.  88:3243-3258. 

Rheuben, M.B., Kuromi, H. Kidokoro, Y.  (2003).  Labeling of vesicular structures during endocytosis in stimulated larval motor nerve terminals:  electron microscope observations.  Neurobiology of Drosophila Cold Spring Harbor Meeting.

Rheuben, M. B., Autio, D. M., Xu, Y.F., and Atchison, W. D.  (2004) Morphometric characterization of the neuromuscular junction of rodents intoxicated with 2,4-dithiobiuret: evidence that nerve terminal recycling processes contribute to muscle weakness.  J. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 196:266-286.

Verzi, D. W., Rheuben, M. B., Baer, S. M. (2004) The impact of time dependent changes in spine density and spine shape on the input-output properties of a dendritic branch:  A computational study.  J. Neurophysiol.. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 15590735.

Back to CMB Faculty