A07 Project movie
A07
In project A08, we will investigate astrocyte-neuron and neuron-neuron communication downstream of cAMP signaling, and its role in hippocampal signaling deficits in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. By imaging cAMP signals using genetically encoded cAMP indicators we will characterize receptor-mediated cAMP signaling in astrocytes of healthy and EAE mice. Using the photoactivatable adenylate cyclase PACmn, the role of increased cAMP on astrocyte physiology and astrocyte-dependent regulation of EAE, immediate early genes and synaptic plasticity will be tested.
Dr. Christine Gee
E-Mail: christine.gee©zmnh.uni-hamburg.de
WWW: Dept. of Synaptic Physiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Prof. Dr. Christian Lohr
E-Mail: christian.lohr©uni-hamburg.de
WWW: Division of Neurophysiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg
Dr Christine E. Gee
Selected publications (*equal contribution)
- Yang S*, Constantin OM*, Sachidanandan D*, Hofmann H, Kunz TC, Kozjak-Pavlovic V, Oertner TG, Nagel G, Kittel RJ, Gee CE*, Gao S* (2021) PACmn for improved optogenetic control of intracellular cAMP. BMC Biol 19, 227.
- Wiegert JS, Pulin M, Gee CE, Oertner TG (2018) The fate of hippocampal synapses depends on the sequence of plasticity-inducing events. eLife 7:e39151.
- Scheib U, Broser M, Constantin OM, Yang S, Gao S, Mukherjee S, Stehfest K, Nagel G, Gee CE*, Hegemann P* (2018) Rhodopsin-cyclases for photocontrol of cGMP/cAMP and 2.3 Å structure of the adenylyl cyclase domain. Nat Commun 9:2046
- Scheib U*, Stehfest K*, Gee CE*, Körschen HG, Fudim R, Oertner TG, Hegemann P (2015) The rhodopsin-guanylyl cyclase of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii enables fast optical control of cGMP signaling. Sci Signal 8:rs8. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aab0611. *equal contribution
- Gee CE*, Peterlik D*, Neuhäuser C, Bouhelal R, Kaupmann K, Laue G, Uschold-Schmidt N, Feuerbach D, Zimmermann K, Ofner S, Cryan JF, van der Putten H, Fendt M, Vranesic I, Glatthar R & Flor PJ. (2014) Blocking metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 (mGlu7) via the venus flytrap domain (VFTD) inhibits amygdala plasticity, stress and anxiety-related behavior. J Biol Chem 289:1097510987.
- Hoyer D, Dürst T, Fendt M, Jacobson LH, Betschart C, Hintermann S, Behnke D, Cotesta S, Laue G, Ofner S, Legangneux E & Gee CE (2013) Distinct effects of IPSU and suvorexant on mouse sleep architecture. Frontiers in Neurosci 7:235.
- Fendt, M, Imobersteg S, Peterlik D, Chaperon F, Mattes C, Wittmann C, Olpe H-R, Mosbacher J, Vranesic I, van der Putten PH, McAllister KH, Flor PJ & Gee CE (2013) Differential roles of mGlu7 and mGlu8 in amygdala-dependent behavior and physiology. Neuropharmacology 72:215-233.
- Mang GM, Dürst T, Bürki H, Imobersteg S, Abramowski D, Schuepbach E, Hoyer D, Fendt M & Gee CE (2012) The dual orexin receptor antagonist almorexant induces sleep and decreases orexin induced locomotion by blocking orexin 2 receptors. SLEEP 35:1625-1635.
- Matsumoto-Miyai K, Sololowska E, Zurlinden A, Gee CE, Lüscher D, Hettwer S, Wölfel J, Ladner AP, Ster J, Gerber U, Rülicke T, Kunz B & P Sonderegger (2009) Coincident pre- and postsynaptic activation induces dendritic filopodia via neurotrypsin-dependent agrin cleavage. Cell 136:1161-1171.
- Gee CE, Benquet P, Gerber U (2003) Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors activate a calcium-sensitive transient receptor potential-like conductance in rat hippocampus. J Physiol 546:655-64.
Prof. Dr Christian Lohr
Selected publications (*equal contribution)
- Fischer T, Prey J, Eschholz L, Rotermund N, Lohr C (2021) Norepinephrine-induced calcium signaling and store-operated calcium entry in olfactory bulb astrocytes. Front Cell Neurosci 15:639754.
- Beiersdorfer A, Wolburg H, Grawe J, Scheller A, Kirchhoff F, Lohr C (2020) Sublamina-specific organization of the blood brain barrier in the mouse olfactory nerve layer. Glia 68:631-645
- Beiersdorfer A, Scheller A, Kirchhoff F, Lohr C (2019) Panglial gap junctions between astrocytes and olfactory ensheathing cells mediate transmission of Ca2+ transients and neurovascular coupling. GLIA 67:1385-1400.
- Rotermund N, Winandy S, Fischer T, Schulz K, Fregin T, Alstedt N, Buchta M, Bartels J, Carlström M, Lohr C, Hirnet D (2018) Adenosine A1 receptor activates background potassium channels and modulates information processing in olfactory bulb mitral cells. J Physiol 596:717-733
- Stavermann M, Meuth P, Doengi M, Thyssen A, Deitmer JW, Lohr C (2015) Calcium-induced calcium release and gap junctions mediate large-scale calcium waves in olfactory ensheathing cells in situ. Cell Calcium 58:215-225.
- Thyssen A, Hirnet D, Wolburg H, Schmalzing G, Deitmer JW, Lohr C (2010) Ectopic vesicular neurotransmitter release along sensory axons mediates neurovascular coupling via glial calcium signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA107:15258-15263
- Doengi M, Hirnet D, Coulon P, Pape HC, Deitmer JW, Lohr C (2009) GABA uptake-dependent Ca2+ signaling in olfactory bulb astrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:17570-17575.
- Doengi M, Deitmer JW, Lohr C (2008) New evidence for purinergic signaling in the olfactory bulb: A2A and P2Y1 receptors mediate intracellular calcium release in astrocytes. FASEB J 22:2368-2378.
- Singaravelu K, Lohr C, Deitmer JW. Regulation of store-operated calcium entry by calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in rat cerebellar astrocytes. J Neurosci. 2006; 26, 9579-9592.
- Lohr C, Heil JE, Deitmer JW. Blockage of voltage-gated calcium signaling impairs migration of glial cells in vivo. GLIA 2005; 50, 198-211.
Our Team

Prof. Dr Christian Lohr
Universität Hamburg
Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department Biology
Institute of Zoology
Neurophysiology
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
20146 Hamburg

Dr. Christine Gee
Dept. of Synaptic Physiology
Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH)
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)

M.Sc. Oana Constantin
Dept. of Synaptic Physiology
Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH)
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)