Publications by authors named "Marcos Schaan Profes"

Neurexins are highly spliced transmembrane cell adhesion molecules that bind an array of partners via their extracellular domains. However, much less is known about the signaling pathways downstream of neurexin's largely invariant intracellular domain (ICD). Caenorhabditis elegans contains a single neurexin gene that we have previously shown is required for presynaptic assembly and stabilization.

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Mesodiencephalic dopamine neurons play central roles in the regulation of a wide range of brain functions, including voluntary movement and behavioral processes. These functions are served by distinct subtypes of mesodiencephalic dopamine neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area, which form the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical pathways. Until now, mechanisms involved in dopaminergic circuit formation remained largely unknown.

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The LIM-homeodomain transcription factors Lmx1a and Lmx1b play critical roles during the development of midbrain dopaminergic progenitors, but their functions in the adult brain remain poorly understood. We show here that sustained expression of Lmx1a and Lmx1b is required for the survival of adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Strikingly, inactivation of Lmx1a and Lmx1b recreates cellular features observed in Parkinson's disease.

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Unlabelled: The role of synaptic activity during early formation of neural circuits is a topic of some debate; genetic ablation of neurotransmitter release by deletion of the Munc18-1 gene provides an excellent model to answer the question of whether such activity is required for early circuit formation. Previous analysis of Munc18-1(-/-) mouse mutants documented their grossly normal nervous system, but its molecular differentiation has not been assessed. Munc18-1 deletion in mice also results in widespread neurodegeneration that remains poorly characterized.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Marcos Schaan Profes"

  • - Recent research by Marcos Schaan Profes centers on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the development and functioning of neural circuits, specifically focusing on neurexin interactions and dopaminergic neuron regulation.
  • - His studies highlight the significance of the LIM-homeodomain transcription factors Lmx1a and Lmx1b in sustaining the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and their potential links to neurodegenerative processes like Parkinson's disease.
  • - Schaan's work also investigates the impact of synaptic proteins, such as Munc18-1, on early neural circuit formation and the implications of their absence on neurodegeneration, contributing to the understanding of synaptic activity in developmental stages.

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