Research Topic
Our research addresses the mechanisms of how nerve cells communicate with each other, a fundamental process that occurs at chemical synapses. Specifically, we work on the regulation of synaptic function by cell-adhesion molecules such as neurexins and their ligands, and how these molecules determine neurotransmission and differentiation of synapses. These are important processes that not only form the basis of any sensation or cognition in the normal brain but can also be impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism or schizophrenia. In current projects, we investigate, for example, the trafficking of neurexins and neurexophilins to synaptic terminals, and how their mobility impacts synaptic function. In addition, we intensely work on the regulation of high voltage-gated calcium channels by neurexins, and how the alpha2delta auxiliary subunits of VGCC are involved in this regulation.
Selected Publications
- Bikbaev A., Ciuraszkiewicz-Wojciech A., Heck J., Klatt O., Freund R., Mitlöhner J., Lacalle S.E., Sun M., Repetto D., Frischknecht R., Ablinger C., Rohlmann A., Missler M., Obermair G.J., Di Biase V., Heine M. (2020) Auxiliary a2d1 and a2d3 Subunits of Calcium Channels Drive Excitatory and Inhibitory Neuronal Network Development; J Neuroscience 40(25):4824-4841.
- Brockhaus J., Brüggen B., Missler M. (2019) Imaging and analysis of presynaptic calcium influx in cultured neurons using synGCaMP6f; Front Synaptic Neurosci 11:12.
- Brockhaus J., Schreitmüller M., Repetto D., Klatt O., Reissner C., Elmslie K., Heine M., Missler M. (2018) α-Neurexins together with α2δ-1 auxiliary subunits regulate Ca2+ influx through CaV2.1 channels; J Neuroscience 38(38):8277-8294.
- Martinelli, D.C., Chew, K.S., Rohlmann, A., Lum, M.Y., Ressl, S., Hattar, S., Brunger, A.T., Missler, M., and Südhof, T.C. (2016) Expression of C1ql3 in discrete neuronal populations controls efferent synapse numbers and diverse behaviors. Neuron 91, 1-18.
- Neupert, C., Schneider, R., Klatt, O., Reissner, C., Repetto, D., Biermann, B., Niesmann, K., Missler, M., and Heine, M. (2015) Regulated dynamic trafficking of neurexins inside and outside of synaptic terminals. J Neuroscience 35, 13629-47.
- Born, G., Breuer, D., Wang, S., Rohlmann, A., Coulon, P., Vakili, P., Reissner, C., Kiefer, F., Heine, M., Pape, H.C., and Missler, M. (2014). Modulation of synaptic function through the alpha-neurexin-specific ligand neurexophilin-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111, E1274-1283.
- Reissner, C., Runkel, F., and Missler, M. (2013). Neurexins. Genome Biol 14, 213
- Niesmann, K., Breuer, D., Brockhaus, J., Born, G., Wolff, I., Reissner, C., Kilimann, M.W., Rohlmann, A., and Missler, M. (2011). Dendritic spine formation and synaptic function require neurobeachin. Nature Commun 2, e557.
- Reissner, C., Klose, M., Fairless, R., and Missler, M. (2008). Mutational analysis of the neurexin/neuroligin complex reveals essential and regulatory components. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105, 15124-15129.
- Missler, M., Zhang, W., Rohlmann, A., Kattenstroth, G., Hammer, R.E., Gottmann, K., and Südhof, T.C. (2003). Alpha-neurexins couple Ca2+ channels to synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Nature 423, 939-948.