Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Head: Prof. Małgorzata Kossut
e-mail: m.kossut@nencki.gov.pl
The Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology is composed of eight independent laboratories headed by Anna Filipek, Leszek Kaczmarek, Małgorzata Kossut, Katarzyna Łukasiuk, Katarzyna Nałęcz, Krzysztof Pawłowski, Jolanta Skangiel-Kramska and Krzysztof Turlejski. Individual research programs in the laboratories are all complementary and interdependent within the common research area of molecular and cellular neurobiology.
The group led by Anna Filipek is focused on studying the regulation of calcium homeostasis and its impact on processes related to cell proliferation and differentiation. In particular, the group studies the role of a calcium binding protein, S100A6, and its ligands: Sgt1, CacyBP/SIP and p53 in ubiquitination, cytoskeletal organization and cellular response to stress. Another topic concerns transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of expression as well as posttrans- lational modifications of the above proteins in relation to their function.
Leszek Kaczmarek and his colleagues study the molecular bases of persistent neuronal responses such as: neural plasticity, including learning and memory formation, and neurodegeneration bearing features of apoptosis. Transcription factors and their target genes are the major focus of this investigation.
The group led by Katarzyna Łukasiuk works on molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis and is interested in the role of alterations in gene expression leading to epilepsy and in designing new strategies for modifying disease development and severity.
The research of Małgorzata Kossut and her team concerns systemic and neuronal mechanisms of learning and plasticity in adult and ageing brain. The models of plasticity developed in this laboratory serve to measure the effects of genetic modifications, brain disease and trauma upon functioning of the cerebral cortex. A group within her lab investigates behavioral, cellular and molecular aspects of developmental plasticity of cat visual system.
The group led by Katarzyna Nałęcz investigates differences in function and expression of various transport systems. In particular, the expression of carnitine and amino acid transporters in highly specialized brain cells, including those making the blood-brain barrier. Other research topics cover carnitine and palmitoylcarnitine and their role in signal transduction pathways in differentiating neural cells.
The laboratory led by Krzysztof Pawłowski researches the structure and function predictions for proteins implicated in human disease, in particular uncharacterised transmembrane proteins. Another field of work is applying systems biology approaches to analysis of gene expression data and evolutionary analysis of gene expression profiles.
The group led by Jolanta Skangiel-Kramska examines cortical plasticity during postnatal development and in the adult brain. The barrel cortex of rodents is used as a model system, and plastic changes are induced by modifications in sensory input patterns. Other areas of interest are neuronal plasticity occurring after cerebral stroke in the adult brain and repopulation therapies with endo-and exogenous neural precursors. Specific research concerns the study of neurotransmitter receptors, synaptic zinc and markers of presynaptic terminals and perineuronal nets.
Krzysztof Turlejski’s group investigates development of the nervous system in the laboratory opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Another research interest of the group is the comparative investigation of neurogenesis and its regulation in adult mammals (opossum, insectivores, rodents, carnivores, bats). The third important research line is the influence of prenatal and neonatal stress on development of the nervous system, emotionality and learning abilities in mice.
The Department holds weekly seminars and journal clubs. It is also actively involved in the organization of scientific symposia, meetings, workshops and research schools, actively cooperating with the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), European Brain and Behaviour Society and Polish Neuroscience Society.
Selected publications of the Department
Pitkänen A., Łukasiuk K. (2011) Mechanisms of epileptogenesis and potential treatment targets. Lancet Neurology, 10: 173-186.
Karetko-Sysa M., Skangiel-Kramska J., Nowicka D. (2011) Disturbance of perineuronal nets in the perilesional area after photothrombosis is not associated with neuronal death. Experimental Neurology, 231: 113-126.
Dębowska W., Liguz-Lęcznar M., Kossut M. (2011) Bilateral plasticity of vibrissae SII representation induced by classical conditioning in mice. Journal of Neuroscience, 31: 5447-5453.
Kilańczyk E., Filipek S., Filipek A. (2011) ERK1/2 is dephosphorylated by a novel phosphatase-CacyBP/SIP. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 404: 179-183.
Bartkowska K., Turlejski K., Grabiec M., Ghazaryan A., Yavruoyan E., Djavadian R.L. (2010) Adult neurogenesis in the hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) and mole (Talpa europaea). Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 76: 128-143.
Michaluk P., Mikasova L., Groc L, Frischknecht R, Choquet D., Kaczmarek L. (2009) Matrix metalloproteinase-9 controls NMDA receptor surface diffusion through integrin b1 signaling. Journal of Neuroscience, 29: 6007-6012.
