@article{SendtnerCarrollHoltmannetal.1994,
  author    = {Sendtner, Michael and Carroll, P. and Holtmann, B and Hughes, R. A. and Thoenen, H.},
  title     = {Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-42545},
  year      = {1994},
  abstract  = {No abstract available},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Pei2000,
  author    = {Pei, Geng},
  title     = {The Role of Raf-mediated Signalling Pathways for Motoneuron},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-1846},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2000},
  abstract  = {The transmission of proliferative and developmental signals from activated cell-surface receptors to initiation of cellular responses in the nucleus is synergically controlled by the coordinated action of a diverse set of intracellular signalling proteins. The Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK signalling pathway has been shown to control the expression of genes which are crucial for the physiological regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Within this signalling cascade, the Raf protein family of serine/threonine kinases serves as a central intermediate which connects to many of other signal transduction pathways. To elucidate the signalling functions of the different Raf kinases in motoneurons during development, the expression, distribution and subcellular localization of Rafs in the spinal cord and the facial nucleus in brainstem of mice at various embryonic and postnatal stages were investigated. Moreover, we have investigated the intracellular redistribution of Raf molecules in isolated motoneurons from 13 or 14 day old mouse embryos, after addition or withdrawal of neurotrophic factors to induce Raf kinases activation in vitro. Furthermore, in order to investigate the potential anti-apoptotic function of Raf kinases on motoneurons, we isolated motoneurons from B-raf-/- and c-raf-1-/- mouse embryos and analysed the survival and differentiation effects of neurotrophic factors in motoneurons lacking B-Raf and c-Raf-1. We provide evidence here that all three Raf kinases are expressed in mouse spinal motoneurons. Their expression increases during the period of naturally occurring cell death of motoneurons. In sections of embryonic and postnatal spinal cord, motoneurons express exclusively B-Raf and c-Raf-1, but not A-Raf, and subcellularly Raf kinases are obviously colocalized with mitochondria. In isolated motoneurons, most of the B-Raf or c-Raf-1 immunoreactivity is located in the perinuclear space but also in the nucleus, especially after activation by addition of CNTF and BDNF in vitro. We found that c-Raf-1 translocation from the cytosol into the nucleus of motoneurons after its activation by neurotrophic factors is a distinct event. As a central finding of our study, we observed that the viability of isolated motoneurons from B-raf but not c-raf-1 knockout mice is lost even in the presence of CNTF and other neurotrophic factors. This indicates that B-Raf but not c-Raf-1, which is still present in B-raf deficient motoneurons, plays a crucial role in mediating the survival effect of neurotrophic factors during development. In order to prove that B-Raf is an essential player in this scenario, we have re-expressed B-Raf in mutant sensory and motor neurons by transfection. The motoneurons and the sensory neurons from B-raf knockout mouse which were transfected with exogenous B-raf gene revealed the same viability in the presence of neurotrophic factors as primary neurons from wild-type mice. Our results suggest that Raf kinases have important signalling functions in motoneurons in mouse CNS. In vitro, activation causes redistribution of Raf protein kinases, particularly for c-Raf-1, from motoneuronal cytoplasm into the nucleus. This redistribution of c-Raf-1, however, is not necessary for the survival effect of neurotrophic factors, given that B-raf-/- motor and sensory neurons can not survive despite the presence of c-Raf-1. We hypothesize that c-Raf-1 nuclear translocation may play a direct role in transcriptional regulation as a consequence of neurotrophic factor induced phosphorylation and activation of c-Raf-1 in motoneurons. Moreover, the identification of target genes for nuclear translocated c-Raf-1 and of specific cellular functions initiated by this mechanism awaits its characterization.},
  subject      = {Maus},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Schweizer2002,
  author    = {Schweizer, Ulrich},
  title     = {Genetische Untersuchungen zur Rolle von Cytochrom C und Stat3 bei der Regulation des embryonalen Zelltods von Motoneuronen der Maus},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-3732},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2002},
  abstract  = {Genetische Inaktivierung des somatischen Cytochrom C Gens der Maus Cytochrom C wurde als ein Interaktionspartner im Apoptosom beschrieben. Ziel dieses Projektes war es, die Rolle von Cytochrom C bei der Apoptose von Nervenzellen in vivo durch genetische Inaktivierung in der Maus zu untersuchen. Die homozygote Deletion des Cytochrom C Gens f{\"u}hrt jedoch zu einem sehr fr{\"u}hen Entwicklungsdefekt: Schon am 8. Embryonaltag findet man nur noch Embryonen ohne erkennbare K{\"o}rperachse. Im weiteren wurden daher heterozygote Tiere untersucht, die in bestimmten Geweben, wie Gehirn und R{\"u}ckenmark, eine Reduktion der Menge von Cytochrom C aufweisen. Am ersten Tag nach der Geburt konnten keine Unterschiede zwischen Tieren mit einem oder zwei Cytochrom C Genen in Bezug die Anzahl von Motoneuronen gefunden werden. Auch nach perinataler Fazialisl{\"a}sion war die Rate des Zelltods bei Tieren mit heterozygoter Deletion des Cytochrom C Gens unver{\"a}ndert. In vitro zeigte sich jedoch eine erh{\"o}hte Resitenz von Motoneuronen gegen{\"u}ber Fas-induzierter Apoptose. Bei der Analyse der Apoptose von Thymozyten zeigte sich ein Trend, der eine kleine, aber reproduzierbare Verz{\"o}gerung einer sp{\"a}ten Zelltodphase nach UV-induzierter Apoptose nahelegt. Erste Experimente deuten außerdem auf einen Effekt der Cytochrom C Gendosis auf den Verlauf einer Experimentellen Autoimmunencephalitis (EAE) hin. Charakterisierung der NFL-Cre Maus Die zelltypspezifische Genablation mit dem Cre/loxP System umgeht einige der gr{\"o}ßten Probleme der klassischen Methode der Geninaktivierung in M{\"a}usen, indem nur in bestimmten Geweben oder Zelltypen, eventuell sogar nur ab einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt, ein Gen gezielt ausgeschaltet werden kann. Allerdings h{\"a}ngt das Cre/loxP System von der Verf{\"u}gbarkeit von brauchbaren Cre-transgenen Mauslinien mit entsprechenden Expressionsmustern und -kinetiken ab. Wir haben eine transgene Mauslinie etabliert und analysiert, die die Cre Rekombinase unter der Kontrolle des humanen Neurofilament-L Promotors exprimiert. Das Expressionsmuster von Cre wurde in mehreren Geweben mit RT-PCR und durch Verkreuzung mit einer Reportergenmaus untersucht. Im Gehirn wurden Cre exprimierende Zelltypen mit in-situ Hybridisierung, Immunhistochemie und wiederum mit Hilfe der Reportermaus identifiziert. Dabei zeigte sich eine spezifische Cre Expression in bestimmten Neuronpopulationen wie hippocampalen Pyramidenzellen und spinalen und cranialen Motoneuronen. Unsere NFL-Cre Maus besitzt einige Eigenschaften, die bisher publizierte Cre-Linien nicht aufweisen, so z.B.eine starke Cre Expression in hippocampalen Pyramidenzellen, aber nicht in K{\"o}rnerzellen des Gyrus dentatus; Expression in cortikalen Pyramidenzellen, aber keine Expression im Striatum; Expression in zerebell{\"a}ren Purkinje-, aber nicht K{\"o}rnerzellen; sowie die Expression in spinalen und cranialen Motoneuronen, aber nicht in angrenzenden Interneuronen. Die Rolle von Stat3 f{\"u}r das {\"U}berleben von Motoneuronen Die Mitglieder der CNTF/LIF/Cardiotrophin Genfamilie sind potente {\"U}berlebensfaktoren f{\"u}r embryonale und l{\"a}dierte Motoneurone sowohl in vitro als auch in vivo. Diese Faktoren binden an Rezeptorkomplexe, die gp130 und LIFR als signaltransduzierende Komponenten enthalten. Im Gegensatz zu den Rezeptoren f{\"u}r andere neurotrophe Faktoren, f{\"u}hrt die Aktivierung von gp130 und LIFR zur Phosphorylierung und Aktivierung des Transkriptionsfaktors Stat3. Es war aber zu Beginn dieser Arbeiten unklar, ob die Aktivierung von Stat3 f{\"u}r den {\"U}berlebenseffekt der neuropoietischen Zytokine notwendig ist. Um diese Frage zu beantworten, wurde Stat3 in Motoneuronen mit Hilfe des Cre/loxP Systems konditional inaktiviert. Stat3 ist nicht f{\"u}r das {\"U}berleben embryonaler Motoneurone essentiell, obwohl man in vitro eine Verschiebung der Dosis-Wirkungskurve f{\"u}r CNTF findet. In vivo hingegen kann kein erh{\"o}hter Zelltod von Motoneuronen nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz dazu, kommt es bei adulten Tieren mit Inaktivierung von Stat3 in Motoneuronen zu einem erh{\"o}hten Zelltod nach Fazialisl{\"a}sion. Diese Neurone k{\"o}nnen wiederum durch die Applikation neurotropher Faktoren, einschließlich CNTF, gerettet werden. Durch semiquantitative RT-PCR kann man zeigen, daß Stat3-regulierte Gene, deren Expression nach Nervenl{\"a}sion induziert wird, in Neuronen mit Inaktivierung von Stat3 weniger stark exprimiert werden. Zu diesen Genen geh{\"o}ren Reg-2, ein Mitogen f{\"u}r Schwannzellen, das von regenerierenden Neuronen exprimiert wird, und Bcl-xL, ein Gen, welches direkt in die Apoptoseregulation eingreift. Diese Daten zeigen, daß Stat3 Aktivierung eine essentielle Rolle f{\"u}r das {\"U}berleben nach L{\"a}sion von postnatalen Motoneuronen spielt, aber nicht w{\"a}hrend der Embryonalentwicklung. Das bedeutet, daß die Signalwege ein und desselben neurotrophen Faktors sich w{\"a}hrend der Entwicklung und reifung des Organismus ver{\"a}ndern k{\"o}nnen.},
  subject      = {Cytochrom c},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Subramanian2011,
  author    = {Subramanian, Narayan},
  title     = {Role of NaV1.9 in activity dependent axon growth in embryonic cultured motoneurons},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-57536},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Spontaneous neural activity has been shown to regulate crucial events in neurite growth including axonal branching and path finding. In animal models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) cultured embryonic mouse motoneurons show distinct defect in axon elongation and neural activity. This defect is governed by abnormal clustering of Ca2+ channels in the axonal regions and the protruding growth cone area. The mechanisms that regulate the opening of calcium channels in developing motoneurons are not yet clear. The question was addressed by blocking neural activity in embryonic cultured motoneurons by pharmacological inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) by saxitoxin (STX) and tetrodotoxin (TTX). Low dosages of STX resulted in significant reduction of axon growth and neural activity in cultured motoneurons. This pharmacological treatment did not affect survival of motoneurons in comparison to control motoneurons that was grown in the presence of survival neurotrophic factors BDNF and CNTF. It was also found that STX was 10 times more potent than TTX a common inhibitor of VGSC with a reduced activity on the TTX-insensitive sodium channels NaV1.5, NaV1.8 and NaV1.9. Reverse Transcriptase-PCR experiments revealed the presence of NaV1.9 as the likely candidate that begins to express from embryonic stage sixteen in the mouse spinal cord. Immunolabelling experiments showed that the channel is expressed in the axonal compartments and axonal growth cones in cultured motoneurons. Suppression of NaV1.9 in cultured motoneurons by lentivirus mediated short hairpin-RNA (shRNA) resulted in shorter axon length in comparison with uninfected and scrambled constructs. Further, embryonic motoneurons cultured from NaV1.9 knockout mice also showed a significant reduction in neural activity and axon growth. The findings of this work highlight the role of NaV1.9 as an important contender in regulating activity dependent axon growth in embryonic cultured motoneurons. NaV1.9 could therefore be considered as a prospective molecule that could play an important role in regulating axon growth in motoneuron disease models like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).},
  subject      = {Axon},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Wetzel2013,
  author    = {Wetzel, Andrea},
  title     = {The role of TrkB and NaV1.9 in activity-dependent axon growth in motoneurons},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-92877},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {W{\"a}hrend der Entwicklung des Nervensystems lassen sich bei Motoneuronen aktivit{\"a}tsabh{\"a}ngige Kalziumstr{\"o}me eobachten, die das Axonwachstum regulieren. Diese Form der neuronalen Spontanaktivit{\"a}t sowie das Auswachsen von Axonen sind bei Motoneuronen, die aus Tiermodellen der Spinalen Muskelatrophie isoliert werden, gest{\"o}rt. Experimente aus unserer Arbeitsgruppe haben gezeigt, dass spontane Erregbarkeit und aktivit{\"a}tsabh{\"a}ngiges Axonwachstum von kultivierten Motoneuronen auch unter Verwendung von Toxinen beeintr{\"a}chtigt sind, welche die Aktivit{\"a}t von spannungsabh{\"a}ngigen Natriumkan{\"a}len blockieren. In diesen Versuchen war die Wirkung von Saxitoxin effizienter als die Wirkung von Tetrodotoxin. Wir identifizierten den Saxitoxin-sensitiven/Tetrodotoxin-insensitiven spannungsabh{\"a}ngigen Natriumkanal NaV1.9 als Trigger f{\"u}r das {\"O}ffnen spannungsabh{\"a}ngiger Kalziumkan{\"a}le. Die Expression von NaV1.9 in Motoneuronen konnte {\"u}ber quantitative RT-PCR nachgewiesen werden und antik{\"o}rperf{\"a}rbungen offenbarten eine Anreicherung des Kanals im axonalen Wachstumskegel sowie an Ranvier'schen Schn{\"u}rringen von isolierten Nervenfasern wildtypischer M{\"a}use. Motoneurone von NaV1.9 knock-out M{\"a}usen zeigen reduzierte Spontanaktivit{\"a}t und eine Reduktion des Axonwachstums, welche durch NaV1.9 {\"U}berexpression normalisiert werden kann. In Motoneuronen von Smn-defizienten M{\"a}usen konnte keine Abweichung der NaV1.9 Proteinverteilung nachgewiesen werden. K{\"u}rzlich wurden Patienten identifiziert, die eine missense-Mutation im NaV1.9 kodierenden SCN11A Gen tragen. Diese Patienten k{\"o}nnen keinerlei Schmerz empfinden und leiden zudem an Muskelschw{\"a}che in Kombination mit einer verz{\"o}gerten motorischen Entwicklung. Im Rahmen dieser Doktorarbeit konnten molekularbiologische Untersuchungen an M{\"a}usen, welche die Mutation im orthologen Scn11a Gen tragen, zur Aufkl{\"a}rung des Krankheitsmechanismus beitragen. Die Kooperationsstudie zeigte, dass eine gesteigerte Funktion von NaV1.9 diese spezifische Kanalerkrankung ausl{\"o}st, was die Wichtigkeit von NaV1.9 in menschlichen Motoneuronen unterstreicht. Eine fr{\"u}here Studie beschrieb an hippocampalen Neuronen, dass die Rezeptortyrosinkinase tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) den NaV1.9 Kanal {\"o}ffnen kann. Im Wachstumskegel von Motoneuronen ist TrkB nachweisbar und folglich in r{\"a}umlicher N{\"a}he zu NaV1.9 zu finden. Um zu pr{\"u}fen, ob TrkB in die spontane Erregbarkeit von Motoneuronen involviert ist, wurden TrkB knock-out M{\"a}use untersucht. Isolierte Motoneurone von TrkB knock-out M{\"a}usen weisen eine Reduktion der Spontanaktivit{\"a}t und eine Verringerung des Axonwachstums auf. Ob TrkB und NaV1.9 hierbei funktionell gekoppelt sind, ist Gegenstand k{\"u}nftiger Forschung.},
  subject      = {Motoneuron},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BeckEhmannAndlaueretal.2015,
  author    = {Beck, Katherina and Ehmann, Nadine and Andlauer, Till F. M. and Ljaschenko, Dmitrij and Strecker, Katrin and Fischer, Matthias and Kittel, Robert J. and Raabe, Thomas},
  title     = {Loss of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome-associated gene RSK2 alters ERK activity, synaptic function and axonal transport in Drosophila motoneurons},
  series = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms},
  doi       = {10.1242/dmm.021246},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145185},
  pages     = {1389-1400},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Plastic changes in synaptic properties are considered as fundamental for adaptive behaviors. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated signaling has been implicated in regulation of synaptic plasticity. Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) acts as a regulator and downstream effector of ERK. In the brain, RSK2 is predominantly expressed in regions required for learning and memory. Loss-of-function mutations in human RSK2 cause Coffin-Lowry syndrome, which is characterized by severe mental retardation and low IQ scores in affected males. Knockout of RSK2 in mice or the RSK ortholog in Drosophila results in a variety of learning and memory defects. However, overall brain structure in these animals is not affected, leaving open the question of the pathophysiological consequences. Using the fly neuromuscular system as a model for excitatory glutamatergic synapses, we show that removal of RSK function causes distinct defects in motoneurons and at the neuromuscular junction. Based on histochemical and electrophysiological analyses, we conclude that RSK is required for normal synaptic morphology and function. Furthermore, loss of RSK function interferes with ERK signaling at different levels. Elevated ERK activity was evident in the somata of motoneurons, whereas decreased ERK activity was observed in axons and the presynapse. In addition, we uncovered a novel function of RSK in anterograde axonal transport. Our results emphasize the importance of fine-tuning ERK activity in neuronal processes underlying higher brain functions. In this context, RSK acts as a modulator of ERK signaling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Surrey2020,
  author    = {Surrey, Verena},
  title     = {Identification of affected cellular targets, mechanisms and signaling pathways in a mouse model for spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1)},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-17638},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176386},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is a fatal monogenic motoneuron disease in children with unknown etiology caused by mutations in the immunoglobulin μ-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2) gene coding for DNA/RNA ATPase/helicase. Despite detailed knowledge of the underlying genetic changes, the cellular mechanisms leading to this disease are not well understood. In the Nmd2J ("neuromuscular disorder") mouse, the mouse model for the juvenile form of SMARD1 patients, in which similar pathological features as diaphragmatic paralysis and skeletal muscle atrophy are observed. Ex vivo studies in Nmd2J mice showed that loss of the motor axon precedes atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle and does not correlate with neurotransmission defects in the motor endplate. The already described independent myogenic anomalies in the diaphragm and heart of the Nmd2J mouse raised the question whether spinal motoneuron degeneration develops cell autonomously. Ighmbp2 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and seems to bind to ribosomes and polysomes, suggesting a role in mRNA metabolism. In this Ph.D. thesis, morphological and functional analyses of isolated Ighmbp2-deficient (Ighmbp2-def.) motoneurons were performed to answer the question whether the SMARD1 phenotype results from dysregulation of protein biosynthesis. Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons show only negligible morphological alterations with respect to a slight increase in axonal branches. This observation is consistent with only minor changes of transcriptome based on RNA sequencing data from Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons. Only the mRNA of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1) showed significant up-regulation in Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons. Furthermore, no global aberrations at the translational level could be detected using pulsed SILAC (Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in cell culture), AHA (L-azidohomoalanine) labeling and SUnSET (SUrface SEnsing of Translation) methods. However, a reduced β-actin protein level was observed at the growth cones of Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons, which was accompanied with a reduced level of Imp1 protein, a known β-actin mRNA interactor. Live-cell imaging studies using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) showed translational down-regulation of eGFPmyr-β-actin 3'UTR mRNA in the growth cones and the cell bodies, although the amount of β-actin mRNA and the total protein amount in Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons showed no aberrations. This compartment-specific reduction of β-actin protein occurred independently of a non-existent direct IGHMBPF2 binding to β-actin mRNA. Fgfr1, which was upregulated on the RNA level, did not show an increased protein amount in Ighmbp2-deficient motoneurons, whereas a reduced amount could be detected. Interestingly, a correlation could be found between the reduced amount of the Imp1 protein and the increased Fgfr1 mRNA, since the IMP1 protein binds the FGFR1 mRNA and thus could influence the transport and translation of FGFR1 mRNA. In summary, all data suggest that Ighmbp2 deficiency leads to a local but modest disturbance of protein biosynthesis, which might contribute to the motoneuron defects of SMARD1.},
  subject      = {Spinale Muskelatrophie},
  language  = {en}
}