Sören Merker
Dr. Sören Merker, Dipl.-Biol.
Full member: January 2010 - December 2012
Dissertation title: Development and characterization of Lphn3 cKO mice as a new mammalian model for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Abstract: The aim of my project is to develop and characterize a new mouse line conditionally knocked-out (cKO) regarding the gene Latrophilin 3 (Lphn3) which encodes a brain-specific transmembrane protein. In the last years, a potential clinical aspect of LPHN3 came into play since an implication of LPHN3 in the pathogenesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was suggested by Gene linkage analyses. ADHD is the most common psychiatric disorder during adolescence and many affected patients also suffer from emotional dysfunctions. In case of conditional Lphn3 knockout, the purpose is to obtain mice lacking this gene exclusively in dopamine cells. Among other reasons, this neuron type will be selected because impaired dopaminergic pathways are supposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD.
Principal investigator:
Current position:
Projektmanager für Klinische Prüfungen
Dr. August Wolff GmbH, Bielefeld
Publications:
Moulédous L, Merker S, Neasta J, Roux B, Zajac JM, Mollereau C (2008). Neuropeptide FF-sensitive confinement of mu opioid receptor does not involve lipid rafts in SH-SY5Y cells. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communication, 373, 80-84.
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Lange M, Norton W, Coolen M, Chaminade M, Merker S, Proft F, Schmitt A, Vernier P, Lesch K-P, Bally-Cuif L (2012). The ADHD-susceptibility gene lphn3.1 modulates dopaminergic neuron formation and locomotor activity during zebrafish development. Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.29
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