We are interested in neuronal development and axoglial interactions during myelination.

Neuronal development: We study the genetic, molecular and cellular bases of neurogenesis, neuronal migration and axon guidance. We focus on:
1) the function of the immunoglobulin superfamily protein TAG-1/Contactin-2 and its partners in axon guidance and neuronal migration in mice and C. elegans
2) the role of small GTPases in cortical interneuron development

Axoglial interactions during myelination: Myelinated fibers are organized into distinct functional domains as a consequence of their interactions with glial cells. How is the molecular organization and functional architecture of myelinated fibers achieved? How is it perturbed in de-myelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis? We study how TAG-1 and its partners, expressed at specific sites of myelin/axon interactions, contribute to these interactions and how deregulation of these proteins' function is involved in de-myelinating diseases. In parallel, we study Drosophila permeability barriers to further dissect basic molecular and cellular aspects of tissue insulation.

Experimental approaches: We use a combination of genetic, molecular, biochemical and cellular approaches: transgenic animal models, ex-vivo transplantation systems, genetic analysis in invertebrates, RNA microarray analysis, real time-PCR, imaging, cultures, and protein biochemistry. Electrophysiological and behavioural analysis of transgenic mice is undertaken through collaborations.

Selected Publications

Savvaki M, Theodorakis K, Zoupi L, Stamatakis A, Tivodar S, Kyriacou K, Stylianopoulou F, Karagogeos D. (2010) The Expression of TAG-1 in Glial Cells is Sufficient  for the Formation of the Juxtaparanodal Complex and the Phenotypic  Rescue of Tag-1 Homozygous Mutants in the CNS. J. Neurosci 30: 13943-54.

Ma QH, Futagawa T, Yang WL, Jiang XD, Zeng L, Takeda Y, Xu RX, Bagnard D, Schachner M, Furley AJ, Karagogeos D, Watanabe K, Dawe GS, Xiao ZC. (2008) A TAG1-APP signalling pathway through Fe65 negatively modulates neurogenesis. Nat Cell Biol. 10: 283-94

Strigini M., Cantera R, Morin X, Bastiani M, Bate M, Karagogeos D. (2006) The IgLON protein Lachesin, is required for the blood-brain barrier in Drosophila. Mol Cell Neurosci 32 :91-101.

Denaxa M, Kyriakopoulou K, Theodorakis K, Trichas G, Vidaki M, Takeda Y, Watanabe K, Karagogeos D. (2005) The adhesion molecule TAG-1 is required for proper migration of the superficial migratory stream in the medulla but not of cortical interneurons. Dev. Biol. 288: 87-99.

Traka M, Goutebroze L, Denisenko N, Bessa M, Nifli F, Havaki S, Iwakura Y, Fukamauchi F, Watanabe K, Girault J.A. Karagogeos D. (2003) TAG-1 associates with Caspr-2 and is essential for the molecular organization of juxtaparanodal regions of myelinated fibers. J Cell Biol 162: 1161-1172.