Dr. Sabina Tahirovic
Group Leader
The Neuronal Cell Core Facility is associated to Prof. Dr. Herms chair
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
Schillerstr. 44
80336 Munich
sabina.tahirovic@dzne.de
+49 (0) 89 / 2180-75410 (office)
+49 (0) 89 / 2180-75358 (lab)
+49 (0) 89 / 2180-75415
More information
Areas of investigation/research focus
- Immunofluorescent image of cultured cerebellar granule neurons co-stained with rhodamine-phalloidin (magenta) to visualize actin cytoskeleton and an antibody against actin regulatory protein WAVE (green).
The aim of the Neuronal Core Facility is to provide state-of-the-art techniques in culturing cells from nervous tissues. Functional analysis of the cultured primary neurons has become a crucial research tool in understanding physiological and pathological changes in the central nervous system (CNS).
Our priority is to facilitate research projects aimed at understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular focusing on Alzheimer, Parkinson and Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). We offer assistance in culturing various nervous cells such as dissociated hippocampal, cortical, cerebellar or motor neurons as well as primary astrocytes or microglia. The advantage of these primary cellular systems is that particular nerve cells are isolated and cultured under defined conditions.
- Immunofluorescent image of a cultured cerebellar explant immunostained with an antibody against Tuj1 to visualize migrating neurons.
The Neuronal Core Facility also provides training and assistance in real-time video microscopy of cultured neurons. This technique is beneficial in analyzing neuronal dynamics and axonal transport which, when perturbed, may contribute to neurodegeneration. Additionally, we provide expertise in explant and organotypic slice cultures in which nervous cells stay interconnected and where parts of their physiological neuronal networks remain intact.
- Immunofluorescent image of cultured hippocampal neurons co-stained with rhodamine-phalloidin (red) to visualize actin cytoskeleton and an antibody against neuronal marker Tuj1 (green).
Furthermore, we aim at improving available tools and techniques to efficiently transfect primary neurons. Currently, this is a limiting step in manipulating gene expression. In our studies, we would like to combine the functional analysis of the cultured neurons with the phenotypic analysis of the loss- or gain-of-function transgenic animal models. Both systems are valuable for understanding the physiological function of genes involved in neurodegenerative diseases. This basic understanding will help in revealing new targets and developing disease modifying drugs.
Publications
Book
Neuronal polarity.
Tahirovic, S and Bradke F, 2009, Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 1(3), Review.
Peer-reviewed articles
Electrical activity suppresses axon growth through Ca(v)1.2 channels in adult primary sensory neurons.
Enes J, Langwieser N, Ruschel J, Carballosa-Gonzalez MM, Klug A, Traut MH, Ylera B, Tahirovic S, Hofmann F, Stein V, Moosmang S, Hentall ID, Bradke F, 2010, Curr Biol. 20 (13), 1154-64
Rac1 regulates neuronal polarization through the WAVE complex.
Tahirovic S, Hellal F, Neukirchen D, Hindges R, Garvalov BK, Flynn KC, Stradal TE, Chrostek-Grashoff A, Brakebusch C, Bradke F, 2010, J Neurosci. 30 (20), 6930-43
Chronically CNS-Injured Adult Sensory Neurons Gain Regenerative Competence upon a Lesion of their Peripheral Axon.
Ylera B, Ertürk A, Hellal F, Nadrigny F, Hurtado A, Tahirovic S, Oudega M, Kirchhoff F, Bradke F, 2009, Curr. Biol. 19 (11), 930-6
Inactivation of the phosphoinositide phosphatases Sac1 and Inp54 leads to accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate on vacuole membranes and vacuolar fusion defects.
Wiradjaja F, Ooms LM, Tahirovic S, Kuhne E, Devenish RJ, Munn AL, Piper RC, Mayinger P, Mitchell CA. 2007, JBC, 282 (22), 16295-307
Phosphoinositide synthesis and degradation in isolated rat liver peroxisomes.
Jeynov B, Lay D, Schmidt F, Tahirovic S, Just WW, 2006, FEBS Lett. 580 (25), 5917-5924
Cell growth-dependent coordination of lipid signaling and glycosylation is mediated by interactions between Sac1p and Dpm1p.
Faulhammer, F., Konrad G., Brankatschk B., Tahirovic S., Knödler A and Mayinger P, 2005, JCB. 168, 185-191
Regulation of intracellular phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate by the Sac1 lipid phosphatase.
Tahirovic, S., Schorr M. and Mayinger, P, 2005, Traffic 6, 116-130
Role for lipid signaling and the cell integrity MAP kinase cascade in yeast septum biogenesis.
Tahirovic, S., Schorr M., Then A., Berger J., Schwarz H. and Mayinger, P, 2003, Curr. Genet. 43, 71-78
The phosphoinositide phosphatase Sac1 regulates secretion at the Golgi.
Schorr, M., Then, A. R., Tahirovic, S., Hug, N. and Mayinger, P, 2001, Curr. Biol. 11, 1421-1426