Nicoletta Plotegher
 | Nicoletta PlotegherAssistant Professor - Department of BiologyPhone: 049/8276337 |
Research description
Neuronal morphology and function is determined by the coordinated regulation of different cellular processes and pathways. The maintenance of neuronal homeostasis is crucial to keep neurons healthy,functional and to prevent neurodegeneration. In Plotegher lab, we study the molecular mechanisms that shape neuronal homeostasis, with a special focus on proteostasis, autophagic-lysosomal pathway and lipid metabolism. The impact of these processes on calcium signalling and neuronal activity is investigated to understand what is their role in neurodegenerative diseases, as Parkinson’s disease, Lysosomal Storage Disorders and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, and to identify novel possible therapeutic targets.
Relevant publications
Kedariti M., Frattini E., Baden P., Cogo S., Civiero L., Ziviani E., Aureli M., Kaganovich A., Cookson M. R., Stefanis L., Surface M., Deleidi M., Di Fonzo A., Alcalay R. N., Rideout H., Greggio E., Plotegher N. (2022) The activities of LRRK2 and GCase are positively correlated in clinical biospecimens and experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. NPJ Parkinsons Disease 8(1):92
Agostini F., Agostinis R., Medina D., Bisaglia M., Greggio E., Plotegher N. The regulation of MiTF/TFE transcription factors across model organisms: from brain physiology to implication for neurodegeneration. Molecular neurobiology 59(8):5000-5023
Plotegher N., Perocheau D., Ferrazza R., Massaro G., Bhosale G., Zambon F., Rahim A. A., Guella G.,Waddington S. N., Szabadkai G., Duchen M. R. (2020) Impaired cellular bioenergetics caused by GBA1 depletion sensitises neurons to calcium overload. Cell Death and Differentiation 27(5):1588-160.
Plotegher N. and Duchen M. R. (2017) Mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration in lysosomal storage disorders. Trends in Molecular Medicine 23(2):116-134.
Plotegher N., Berti G., Ferrari E., Tessari I., Zanetti M., Lunelli L., Greggio E., Bisaglia M., Veronesi M., Girotto S., Dalla Serra M., Perego C., Casella L., Bubacco L. (2017) DOPAL derived alpha-synuclein oligomers impair synaptic vesicles physiological function. Scientific Reports 7:40699.
