Scientific Focus
We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that control the generation of different types of neurons from pluripotent precursor cells during development. Our studies aim to characterize the cell lineage from neural stem cells to distinct neuronal phenotypes and to identify differentiation factors and transcriptional control mechanisms involved in neuron phenotype specification and differentiation. We also address the question to which extent these signalling molecules are also required in the mature nervous system for the maintenance of differentiated properties and neuronal function. These questions are analysed in different parts of the vertebrate nervous system, focussing on the generation and differentiation of noradrenergic and cholinergic autonomic neurons.
Methods
To identify signaling molecules and to characterize their in vivo role we use a combination of molecular, cellular and embryological approaches. Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is used for gene expression profiling of neurons at defined developmental stages. In vivo transgenic approaches in mouse and zebrafish, retroviral expression in chick embryos and in vitro cultures of avian neural crest and peripheral ganglia are established for gain- and loss-of-function studies.
Selected Publications
Stanke, M., Junghans, D., Goridis, C., Ernsberger, U., Rohrer, H. (1999) The Phox paired homeodomain proteins are sufficient to promote the development of sympathetic neurons. Development 126, 4087-4094.
Schneider, C., Wicht, H., Enderich, J., Wegner, M., Rohrer, H. (1999) Bone morphogenetic proteins are required in vivo for the generation of sympathetic neurons. Neuron 24, 861-870.
Howard, M., Stanke, M., Schneider, C., Wu, X., Rohrer, H. (2000) The transcription factor dHand is a downstream effector of BMPs in sympathetic neuron specification. Development 127, 4073-4081.
Vogel-Höpker, A., Momose, T., Rohrer, H., Yasuda, K., Ishihara, L., and Rapaport, D.H. (2000) Multiple functions of fibroblast growth factor-8 (FGF-8) in chick eye development. Mech. Dev. 94, 25-36.
Hashino, E., Shero, M., Junghans, D., Rohrer, H., Milbrandt, J., and Johnson, Jr., E.M. (2001) GDNF and neurturin are target-derived neurotrophic factors essential for cranial parasympathetic neuron development. Development 128, 3773-3782.
Vogel-Höpker, A., and Rohrer, H. (2002) The development of noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons depends on bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) Development 129, 983-991
Duong, C.V., Geissen, M., and Rohrer, H. (2002) VIP-expression in cholinergic sympathetic neurons is mediated by a LIFRß-containing receptor complex. Development 129, 1387-1396.
Goridis, C., and Rohrer, H. (2002) Specification of catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 3, 531-541.
Müller, F., and Rohrer, H. (2002) Molecular control of ciliary neuron development:BMPs and downstream transcriptional control in the parasympathetic lineage. Development, 129, 5707-5717.
Rohrer, H. (2003) The role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in sympathetic neuron development. Drug News & Perspectives,16, 589-596.
Stanke, M., Stubbusch, J., and Rohrer, H. (2004) Interaction of Mash1 and Phox2b in sympathetic neuron development. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 25, 374-382.
Tsarovina, K., Pattyn, A., Stubbusch, J., Müller, F., van der Wees, J., Schneider, C., Brunet, J.-F., and Rohrer, H. (2004) Essential role of Gata transcription factors in sympathetic neuron development. Development 131, 4775-4786.
Ernsberger, U., and Rohrer, H. (2005) Phox2a and Phox2b – essential transcription factors for neuron specification and differentiation. In ‚Transcription Factors in the Nervous System – development, Brain Function and Disease’, Thiel, G. Ed., Wiley-Vch, Weinheim,. pp53-73
Stanke, M., Duong, C.V., Pape, M., Geissen, M., Deller, T., Parlato, R., Schütz, G., and Rohrer, H. (2006) Target-dependent specification of neurotransmitter phenotype: In vivo cholinergic differentiation of sympathetic neurons is mediated by gp130 signaling, Development, 133, 141-150.
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