© Raphael Schleutker

Research Topic

Our research addresses the mechanisms of how nerve cells communicate with each other, a fundamental process that occurs at chemical synapses. Specifically, we work on the regulation of synaptic function by cell-adhesion molecules such as neurexins and their ligands, and how these molecules determine neurotransmission and differentiation of synapses. These are important processes that not only form the basis of any sensation or cognition in the normal brain but can also be impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism or schizophrenia. In current projects, we investigate, for example, the trafficking of neurexins and neurexophilins to synaptic terminals, and how their mobility impacts synaptic function. In addition, we intensely work on the regulation of high voltage-gated calcium channels by neurexins, and how the alpha2delta auxiliary subunits of VGCC are involved in this regulation.

Selected Publications

  • Brockhaus, J., Kahl, I., Ahmad, M., Repetto, D., Reissner, C., and Missler, M. (2024). Conditional knockout of neurexins alters the contribution of calcium channel subtypes to presynaptic Ca2+ influx. Cells, 13(11):981. doi.org/10.3390/cells13110981.
  • Mohrmann, L., Seebach, J., Missler, M.*, and Rohlmann, A.* (2024). Distinct alterations in dendritic spine morphology in the absence of β-neurexins. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(2): 1285. doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021285. *: co-last authors.
  • Ferdos, S., Brockhaus, J., Missler, M.*, and Rohlmann, A.* (2022). Deletion of beta-neurexins in mice alters the distribution of dense-core vesicles in presynapses of hippocampal and cerebellar neurons. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 15: 757017. doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2021.757017. *: co-last authors.
  • Klatt, O., Repetto, D., Brockhaus, J., Reissner, C., El Khallouqi, A., Rohlmann, A., Heine, M., and Missler, M. (2021). Endogenous beta-neurexins on axons and within synapses show regulated dynamic behavior. Cell Reports, 35(11): 109266. doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109266.
  • Schopf, C.L., Ablinger, C., Geisler, S.M., Stanika, R.I., Campiglio, M., Kaufmann, W.A., Nimmervoll, B., Schlick, B., Brockhaus, J., Missler, M., et al. (2021). Presynaptic alpha2delta subunits are key organizers of glutamatergic synapses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 118(14): e1920827118. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1920827118.