Subject Area
Biology
Description
The phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) is a critical regulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which governs cellular growth and metabolic balance. Mutations in the PTEN gene are strongly linked to macrocephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in humans. While PTEN deficiency is known to cause neuronal hypertrophy and metabolic stress, its impact on the< endogenous circadian clock, the internal timing system that regulates daily physiological cycles, remains poorly understood. Proper circadian function is vital for metabolic homeostasis, which may be dysregulated in PTEN-deficient models.
In this poster, we compare PTEN conditional knockout mice with CRE controls to test whether PTEN-related cerebellar dysfunction alters entrainment to a light-dark cycle, free-running period in constant conditions, and food-anticipatory activity in age-matched animals between approximately 130 and 180 days. Together, these studies aim to clarify how Purkinje cell metabolic abnormalities influence circadian timing and the cerebellum’s role in anticipating daily feeding.
Publisher
Providence College
Date
Spring 4-22-2026
Start Date
4-22-2026 11:00 AM
Type
Poster
Format
Text
.pdf (text under image)
Language
English
