Prof. Dr. Dorothea Schulte
Neurologisches Institut (Edinger Institut)
Neuroscience Center
Heinrich-Hoffmann Str. 7
60528 Frankfurt
Tel +49-(0)69-6301-84159
Fax +49-(0)-69-6301-84150
E-Mail: dorothea.schulte@kgu.de
Scientific Focus
Our group investigates cell intrinsic mechanisms in cell fate specification and differentiation of adult and embryonic stem- and progenitor cells in the brain. In particular, we are interested in the molecular mechanisms, which balance progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation and govern the progressive maturation of neural stem- and progenitor cells into different types of neurons. A major current research focus of the lab is the TALE-HD (three amino acid loop homeodomain) family of transcription factors, an atypical class of homeodomain containing proteins. We study their activities during development, homeostasis and disease of the vertebrate brain, and focus on different brain regions, in order to identify both common principles and cell type-specific variations in TALE-HD function. We also characterize the composition of homeodomain containing nuclear protein complexes, address the question of how their activity is regulated by extracellular signals and study their interaction with pathways, which regulate chromatin dynamics.
Methods
We use mouse and chick as model organisms, including different genetically modified mouse lines, together with primary cell culture systems to study gene function in defined neural cell populations. We employ a broad panel of molecular, biochemical and cell biology methods including retroviral gene transfer in vivo and in vitro, RNAi, and purification of tagged and untagged nuclear proteins.
Selected Publications
Hau AC, Grebbin BM, Agoston Z, Anders-Maurer M, Müller T, Groß A, Kolb J, Langer JD, Döring C, Schulte D, “MEIS homeodomain proteins facilitate chromatin opening through PARP1/ARTD1-mediated eviction of histone H1”, Journal of Cell Biology (2017), published online July 24 2017.
Ilina EI, Armento A, Garea L, Penski C, Jennewein L, Harter PN, Zukunft S, Fleming I, Schulte D, Le Guerroue F, Behrends C, Ronellenfitsch MW, Naumann U, Mittelbronn M, “Soluble CPE regulates glioma cell migration via mTOR activation and enhanced glucose flux”, Oncotarget (2017) doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.18747
Grebbin BM, Hau AC, Groß A, Anders-Maurer M, Schramm J, Koss M, Wille C, Mittelbronn M, Selleri L, Schulte D, “Pbx1 is required for adult SVZ neurogenesis”, Development (2016), 143(13):2281-91. (covered by ‘In this issue’ primer, Development (2016), 143: e1301)
Risolino M, Mandia N, Iavarone F, Dardaei L, Longobardi E, Fernandez S, Talotta F, Bianchi F, Pisati F, Spaggiari L, Harter PN, Mittelbronn M, Schulte D, Incoronato M, Di Fiore PP, Blasi F, Verde P, “Transcription factor PREP1 induces EMT and metastasis by controlling the TGF-beta-SMAD3 pathway in non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma”, PNAS (2014) 111(36):E3775-84.
Agoston Z, Heine P, Brill MS, Grebbin BM, Hau AC, Kallenborn-Gerhardt W, Schramm J, Götz M, Schulte D, “Meis2 is a Pax6-cofactor in neurogenesis and dopaminergic periglomerular fate specification in the adult olfactory bulb„ Development (2014), 141:28-38.