Lindner Lab

Lindner Lab

In outer retinal photoreceptors silent Kv-subunits, namely Kv8.2, contribute to a voltage-dependent outward K+ conductance termed IK,x that activates at potentials close to the resting potential of photoreceptors. Thereby, Kv8.2 subunits are involved in counterbalancing the continuous cation flux into rod/cone outer segments in darkness, thus fine-tuning and probably bandpass-filtering photoreceptor light-responses. Mutations in the KCNV2, the gene coding for Kv8.2 cause an inherited form of blindness termed Cone Dystrophy with Supernormal Rod Responses (CDSRR) making Kv8.2 the only silent Kv with an established pathophysiological relevance.

Today, a robust body of evidence suggests that Kv8.2 performs its role by interacting with channels form the Kv2 family. Yet, this interaction cannot account for all features observed in IK,x and several other Kv channels have been proposed to contribute. In this project, we aim to elucidate whether – and if so: which – other Kv channels interact with Kv8.2 to form IK,x, and what therapeutic consequences this might have.

Interestingly, Kv8.2 is not the only silent Kv with an apparent relevance in the retina. Kv6.4 is selectively expressed in alpha-Retinal ganglion cells. In collaboration with our partners, we aim to provide first insight into the role of Kv6.4 in this special type of ganglion cells using a combination of immunohistochemistry and ex-vivo electrophysiological techniques.

We are always seeking for highly motivated individuals interested in joining us in our research!

Links: Lindnerlab.de - ResearchGate - Twitter - NDCN - Inst. for Physiology Marburg

Selected publications

          
Lindner M, Gilhooley MJ, Hughes S, Hankins MW (2022)
Optogenetics for visual restoration: From proof of principle to translational challenges.
Progress in retinal and eye research 91(): 101089. Pubmed
Gilhooley MJ, Lindner M, Palumaa T, Hughes S, Peirson SN, Hankins MW (2022)
A systematic comparison of optogenetic approaches to visual restoration.
Molecular therapy. Methods & clinical development 25(): 111-123. Pubmed
Lindner M (2022)
The thin line between seeing risks and venturing scientific progress.
Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie 260(8): 2773-2774. Pubmed
Kinder L, Palumaa T, Lindner M (2022)
[Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells].
Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft 119(4): 358-366. Pubmed
Gilhooley MJ, Hickey DG, Lindner M, Palumaa T, Hughes S, Peirson SN, MacLaren RE, Hankins MW (2021)
ON-bipolar cell gene expression during retinal degeneration: Implications for optogenetic visual restoration.
Experimental eye research 207(): 108553. Pubmed
Lindner M, Gilhooley MJ, Peirson SN, Hughes S, Hankins MW (2021)
The functional characteristics of optogenetic gene therapy for vision restoration.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 78(4): 1597-1613. Pubmed
Lindner M, Gilhooley MJ, Palumaa T, Morton AJ, Hughes S, Hankins MW (2020)
Expression and Localization of Kcne2 in the Vertebrate Retina.
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 61(3): 33. Pubmed
Leitner MG, Michel N, Behrendt M, Dierich M, Dembla S, Wilke BU, Konrad M, Lindner M, Oberwinkler J, Oliver D (2016)
Direct modulation of TRPM4 and TRPM3 channels by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122.
British journal of pharmacology 173(16): 2555-69. Pubmed
Wilke BU, Lindner M, Greifenberg L, Albus A, Kronimus Y, Bünemann M, Leitner MG, Oliver D (2014)
Diacylglycerol mediates regulation of TASK potassium channels by Gq-coupled receptors.
Nature communications 5(): 5540. Pubmed
Lindner M, Leitner MG, Halaszovich CR, Hammond GR, Oliver D (2011)
Probing the regulation of TASK potassium channels by PI4,5P₂ with switchable phosphoinositide phosphatases.
The Journal of physiology 589(Pt 13): 3149-62. Pubmed