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Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Development

Group leaders: Mgr. Marie Macůrková, Ph.D., RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

 

Our laboratory is interested in intracellular transport and its impact on signal transduction. We strive to understand the role of actin cytoskeleton in vesicular transport of mammalian cells. We are also studying how microtubules and actin filaments coordinate growth and the correct directionality of neural processes (called axons). Better insight into these phenomena could open up new avenues in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.

Our main focus is on the signaling cascade driven by protein Wnt. It plays an indispensable role in the development of multicellular organisms and its impairment often leads to carcinogenesis. We study proteins which play a role either in secretion of Wnt from a producing cell or influence signal transduction in a Wnt-receiving cell. Besides cell culture experiments, we also take advantage of the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It enables us to test the role of individual genes by using modern gene editing techniques and observing its impact in the context of a whole body.

>> Presentation card of our laboratory (English) 

Microscopic pictures taken during a practical course in cell biology. Top: U-2 OS FUCCI cell line expressing markers of cell cycle. Bottom left: Cells expressing LifeAct-GFP, which binds to F-actin and enables live imaging of actin cytoskeleton. Bottom right: Cells stained with MitoTracker which stains mitochondria in live cells.

We co-organize the Cytoskeletal Brew meetings, where we share our enthusiasm for all things cytoskeletal with other Prague-based scientists.

Contact

Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Development
Viničná 7

Group leaders and postdocs:
ground floor, room P48
+420 22195 1780

Students:
ground –1, room S36
+420 22195 1948

 

Lab members

Group leaders:

RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.
lenka.libusova@natur.cuni.cz

Mgr. Marie Macůrková, Ph.D.
marie.macurkova@natur.cuni.cz

Postdocs:

Mgr. Lenka Doubravská, Ph.D.
lenka.doubravska@natur.cuni.cz

Mgr. Eva Žatecká, Ph.D.
eva.zatecka@ibt.cas.cz

Ph.D. students:

Mgr. Vojtěch Dostál
vojtech.dostal@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

Mgr. Filip Knop
filip.knop@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: Mgr. Marie Macůrková, Ph.D.

Mgr. Tereza Humhalová
tereza.ziskalova@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

Mgr. Štěpánka Tomášová
stepanka.tomasova@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

Master's students:

Bc. Václav Bočan
vaclav.bocan@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

Bc. Aneta Holšteinová
aneta.holsteinova@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: Mgr. Lenka Doubravská, Ph.D.

Bc. Kristýna Zavadilová
kristyna.zavadilova@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: Mgr. Marie Macůrková, Ph.D.

Bc. Pavla Beránková
pavla.berankova@natur.cuni.cz
Supervisor: RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.

Technician:

Mgr. Jitka Velčevová
velcevoj@natur.cuni.cz

Publications

Čermák V, Dostál V, Jelínek M, Libusová L, Kovář J, Rösel D, Brábek J. Microtubule-targeting agents and their impact on cancer treatment. Eur J Cell Biol. 2020 May;99(4):151075. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2020.151075. Epub 2020 May 1. PMID: 32414588.

Dostál VLibusová LMicrotubule drugs: action, selectivity, and resistance across the kingdoms of life. Protoplasma. 2014 Sep;251(5):991-1005. doi: 10.1007/s00709-014-0633-0. Epub 2014 Mar 21. PMID: 24652407.

Pramanik G, Keprova A, Valenta J, Bocan V, Kvaková K, Libusova L, Cigler P. Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications. J Vis Exp. 2020 Mar 22;(157). doi: 10.3791/60388. PMID: 32250349.

Doubravská L, Dostál V, Knop F, Libusová L, Macůrková M. Human myotubularin-related protein 9 regulates ER-to-Golgi trafficking and modulates WNT3A secretion. Exp Cell Res. 2020 Jan 1;386(1):111709. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111709. Epub 2019 Nov 6. PMID: 31704058.

Schwarzerová K, Bellinvia E, Martinek J, Sikorová L, Dostál VLibusová L, Bokvaj P, Fischer L, Schmit AC, Nick P. Tubulin is actively exported from the nucleus through the Exportin1/CRM1 pathway. Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 5;9(1):5725. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42056-6. PMID: 30952896; PMCID: PMC6451007.

Lorenowicz MJ, Macurkova M, Harterink M, Middelkoop TC, de Groot R, Betist MC, Korswagen HC. Inhibition of late endosomal maturation restores Wnt secretion in Caenorhabditis elegans vps-29 retromer mutants. Cell Signal. 2014 Jan;26(1):19-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.09.013. Epub 2013 Sep 20. PMID: 24056045.

de Groot RE, Farin HF, Macůrková M, van Es JH, Clevers HC, Korswagen HC. Retromer dependent recycling of the Wnt secretion factor Wls is dispensable for stem cell maintenance in the mammalian intestinal epithelium. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 9;8(10):e76971. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076971. PMID: 24130821; PMCID: PMC3793972.

Harterink M, Port F, Lorenowicz MJ, McGough IJ, Silhankova M, Betist MC, van Weering JRT, van Heesbeen RGHP, Middelkoop TC, Basler K, Cullen PJ, Korswagen HC. A SNX3-dependent retromer pathway mediates retrograde transport of the Wnt sorting receptor Wntless and is required for Wnt secretion. Nat Cell Biol. 2011 Jul 3;13(8):914-923. doi: 10.1038/ncb2281. PMID: 21725319; PMCID: PMC4052212.

Libusova L, Stemmler MP, Hierholzer A, Schwarz H, Kemler R. N-cadherin can structurally substitute for E-cadherin during intestinal development but leads to polyp formation. Development. 2010 Jul;137(14):2297-305. doi: 10.1242/dev.048488. Epub 2010 Jun 9. PMID: 20534673.

Libusová L, Dráber P. Multiple tubulin forms in ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena and Paramecium species. Protoplasma. 2006 May;227(2-4):65-76. doi: 10.1007/s00709-005-0152-0. Epub 2006 May 30. PMID: 16736248.

Libusová L, Sulimenko T, Sulimenko V, Janisch R, Hozák P, Dráber P. Distinct localization of a beta-tubulin epitope in the Tetrahymena thermophila and Paramecium caudatum cortex. Protoplasma. 2005 Oct;225(3-4):157-67. doi: 10.1007/s00709-005-0097-3. Epub 2005 Oct 5. PMID: 16228897.

Libusová L, Sulimenko T, Sulimenko V, Hozák P, Dráber P. gamma-Tubulin in Leishmania: cell cycle-dependent changes in subcellular localization and heterogeneity of its isoforms. Exp Cell Res. 2004 May 1;295(2):375-86. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.01.009. PMID: 15093737.

Kratzerová L, Dráberová E, Juliano C, Viklický V, Fiori PL, Cappuccinelli P, Dráber P. Cell cycle-dependent changes in localization of a 210-kDa microtubule-interacting protein in Leishmania. Exp Cell Res. 2001 Jun 10;266(2):270-8. doi: 10.1006/excr.2001.5225. PMID: 11399055.

Silhankova M, Port F, Harterink M, Basler K, Korswagen HC. Wnt signalling requires MTM-6 and MTM-9 myotubularin lipid-phosphatase function in Wnt-producing cells. EMBO J. 2010 Dec 15;29(24):4094-105. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2010.278. Epub 2010 Nov 12. PMID: 21076391; PMCID: PMC3018790.

Yang PT, Lorenowicz MJ, Silhankova M, Coudreuse DY, Betist MC, Korswagen HC. Wnt signaling requires retromer-dependent recycling of MIG-14/Wntless in Wnt-producing cells. Dev Cell. 2008 Jan;14(1):140-7. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2007.12.004. Epub 2007 Dec 20. PMID: 18160347.

Silhankova M, Korswagen HC. Migration of neuronal cells along the anterior-posterior body axis of C. elegans: Wnts are in control. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2007 Aug;17(4):320-5. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2007.05.007. Epub 2007 Jul 20. PMID: 17644372.

Asahina M, Valenta T, Silhankova M, Korinek V, Jindra M. Crosstalk between a nuclear receptor and beta-catenin signaling decides cell fates in the C. elegans somatic gonad. Dev Cell. 2006 Aug;11(2):203-11. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2006.06.003. PMID: 16890160.

Silhánková M, Jindra M, Asahina M. Nuclear receptor NHR-25 is required for cell-shape dynamics during epidermal differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Cell Sci. 2005 Jan 1;118(Pt 1):223-32. doi: 10.1242/jcs.01609. PMID: 15615786.

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