Main points of research
Neuronal connectivity is regulated not only during development but also in the adult brain, in response to brain activity. The small GTPase protein Ras is a universal intracellular signaling protein that may mediate such mechanisms of brain plasticity through transient activation of downstream protein phosphorylation signaling cascades. We have developed a synRas animal model expressing permanently activated Val12 Ras, selectively in neurons. Using this model we investigate if neuronal Ras activity is involved in the dynamics of dendritic spine formation in brain neurons, in the regulation of synapse number and their efficiency, in the regulation of neurogenesis in the hippocampus. The latter is thought to mediate working memory processes. We also investigate what is the molecular mechanism of Ras-mediated protection against lesion-induced neuronal degeneration. Formation of intracellular protein-protein interactions involving protein tyrosine phosphatases are studied in vivo and in vitro. The molecular mechanisms are analyzed by protein nuclear magnetic resonance structure determinations and mass spectrometric methods.
News
06.03.2024
Nerve cells in the adult brain do not divide any more. When they die due to diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, they are lost. Researchers from Bochum have tried a new way to save them. In an animal model they were able to show that a mutated protein switch, which induces cell division and prevents cell death, can protect nerve cells. In other cells, the erroneous permanent activation of this switch causes cancer with its typical cell proliferation. From this the research team Dr. Sebastian Neumann, Dr. Konstantin Kuteykin-Teplyakov and Prof. Dr. Rolf Heumann has developed a new method for protecting nerve cells, which was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences on March 6, 2024.
Press Release. Abstract. The complete article is openly accessible.
Showing nerves their growth direction magnetically
31.12.2020
One reason why nerve damage in the brain cannot regenerate easily is that the neurites do not know in which direction they should grow. A team of researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), Sorbonne University Paris, and the Technische Universität Braunschweig is now working on showing them the direction using magnetic nanoparticles. The team led by Professor Rolf Heumann, Senior Researcher for Molecular Neurobiochemistry at RUB, is hoping that this will allow the effects of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's to be alleviated over the long term. The results of the work were published on 31 December 2020 in the journal Scientific Reports. Press Release. Abstract.
31.08.2018
In collaboration with Stephen H. Leppla of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dennis Paliga, Fabian Raudzus, Rolf Heumann, and Sebastian Neumann delivered the transcription factor Nurr1 as a protein in dopaminergic cells using a bacterial toxin. In this way they were able to protect the cells from the toxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine. This cell-permeable Nurr1 protein could be a new approach for the development of a new therapy for treatment of Parkinson's disease. The study has been published in the journal Molecular Neurobiology. Press Release. Abstract. The complete article is openly accessible.
Funding for Horizon 2020 project granted
02.12.2015
The interdisciplinary team of the “Magneuron” project has been granted a 3.5 million Euro funding for four years from the Horizon 2020 programme to develop a new therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. 680.000 Euro go the Ruhr University. Press Release (in German).
Neue Einblicke in die innere Uhr
18.03.2015
Biochemiker der Ruhr-Universität Bochum haben neue Einblicke in die Entstehung des zirkadianen Rhythmus gewonnen. Sie zeigten, daß das Ras-Protein wichtig ist, um die innere Uhr zu stellen. Die Aktivität des Proteins bestimmt die Periodenlänge des zirkadianen Rhythmus. Ras ist auch daran beteiligt, die Periode als Antwort auf externe Zeitgeberreize wie Licht zu verschieben. Das Team um Prof. Dr. Rolf Heumann berichtet in der Zeitschrift „Molecular Neurobiology“. Pressemitteilung.
