Rare disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders
RNA-binding proteins
Alzheimer’s disease
Autophagy
Epilepsy
Axons
Dendrites
Synapses
To characterize the role of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) in rare neurodevelopmental disorders
To study the role of intra-axonal autophagy in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Research in Autophagy and RNA binding proteins-related Etiologies - RARE Biology Lab
The laboratory investigates intra-axonal and dendritic signalling pathways in rat hippocampal and cortical neurons under both physiological and pathological conditions. In particular, our research focuses on how intra-axonal autophagy dysfunction contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and on elucidating the roles of RNA-binding proteins in rare neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy.
Our experimental approaches integrate a broad range of techniques, including primary neuronal cultures, in vivo nucleic acid transfection (in utero electroporation), in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, biochemical assays, immunocytochemistry, and confocal (live) imaging. We also employ molecular tools such as protein molecular replacement strategies to dissect the functional consequences of disease-associated mutations and to restore normal protein activity in cellular and animal models.
Through these complementary strategies, we aim to advance the understanding of neuronal development and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, ultimately contributing to the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches.
Information about journal articles, updated at 12-10-2025, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor -induced regulation of RNA metabolism in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity
Rui O. Costa; Luís F. Martins; Emanuel Tahiri; Carlos B. Duarte, 2022. WIREs RNA. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/wrna.1713 . 10.1002/wrna.1713 . WIREs RNA
Isolation and Culture of Chick Ciliary Ganglion Neurons
Costa, Filipa J.; Dias, Marta S.; Costa, Rui O.; Pedro, Joana R.; Almeida, Ramiro D., 2020. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 162. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.3791/61431 . 10.3791/61431 . Journal of Visualized Experiments
Synaptogenesis Stimulates a Proteasome-Mediated Ribosome Reduction in Axons
Costa, Rui O.; Martins, Helena; Martins, Luís F.; Cwetsch, Andrzej W.; Mele, Miranda; Pedro, Joana R.; Tomé, Diogo; et al, 2019. Cell Reports. 864 - 876.e6. 4. 28. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.080 . 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.080 . Cell Reports
Alterations in GABAA-Receptor Trafficking and Synaptic Dysfunction in Brain Disorders
Mele, Miranda; Costa, Rui O.; Duarte, Carlos B., 2019. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 13. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00077 . 10.3389/fncel.2019.00077 . Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
Mesenchymal stem cells secretome-induced axonal outgrowth is mediated by BDNF
Martins, L.F.; Costa, R.O.; Pedro, J.R.; Aguiar, P.; Serra, S.C.; Teixeira, F.G.; Sousa, N.; Salgado, A.J.; Almeida, R.D., 2017. Scientific Reports. 1. 7. 2017. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85021292472&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1038/s41598-017-03592-1 . Scientific Reports
The RNA-Binding Protein hnRNP K Mediates the Effect of BDNF on Dendritic mRNA Metabolism and Regulates Synaptic NMDA Receptors in Hippocampal Neurons
Graciano Leal; Diogo Comprido; Pasqualino de Luca; Eduardo Morais; Luís Rodrigues; Miranda Mele; Ana R. Santos; et al, 2017. eneuro. ENEURO.0268 - 17.2017. 6. 4. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0268-17.2017 . 10.1523/ENEURO.0268-17.2017 . eneuro
Preparation of Primary Cultures of Embryonic Rat Hippocampal and Cerebrocortical Neurons
Salazar, Ivan; Mele, Miranda; Caldeira, Margarida; Costa, Rui; Correia, Bárbara; Frisari, Simone; Duarte, Carlos; Costa RO, 2017. BIO-PROTOCOL. 18. 7. 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.21769/bioprotoc.2551 . 10.21769/bioprotoc.2551 . BIO-PROTOCOL
PROneurotrophins and CONSequences
Costa, R.O.; Perestrelo, T.; Almeida, R.D., 2017. Molecular Neurobiology. 1 - 18. 2017. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85018273843&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1007/s12035-017-0505-7 . Molecular Neurobiology
Visualizing K48 ubiquitination during presynaptic formation by ubiquitination-induced fluorescence complementation (UiFC)
Pinto, M.J.; Pedro, J.R.; Costa, R.O.; Almeida, R.D., 2016. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. JUNE. 9. 2016. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84978476683&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00043 . Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Oxidative stress involving changes in Nrf2 and ER stress in early stages of Alzheimer's disease
Costa, R.O.; Mota, S.I.; Ferreira, I.L.; Santana, I.; Caldeira, G.L.; Padovano, C.; Fonseca, A.C.; et al, 2015. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease. 1428 - 1441. 7. 1852. 2015. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84928128412&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.03.015 . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
Inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase potentiates Aß-induced ER stress and cell death in cortical neurons
Costa, R.O.; Ferreiro, E.; Oliveira, C.R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2013. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. 1 - 8. 52. 2013. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84870349573&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.mcn.2012.09.005 . Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Leptin and ghrelin prevent hippocampal dysfunction induced by Aß oligomers
Martins, I.; Gomes, S.; Costa, R.O.; Otvos, L.; Oliveira, C.R.; Resende, R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2013. Neuroscience. 41 - 51. 241. 2013. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84876430099&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.02.062 . Neuroscience
Endoplasmic reticulum stress occurs downstream of GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in mature hippocampal cultures treated with amyloid-ß oligomers
Costa, R.O.; Lacor, P.N.; Ferreira, I.L.; Resende, R.; Auberson, Y.P.; Klein, W.L.; Oliveira, C.R.; Rego, A.C.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2012. Aging Cell. 823 - 833. 5. 11. 2012. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84866452758&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2012.00848.x . Aging Cell
Amyloid ß-induced ER stress is enhanced under mitochondrial dysfunction conditions
Costa, R.O.; Ferreiro, E.; Martins, I.; Santana, I.; Cardoso, S.M.; Oliveira, C.R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2012. Neurobiology of Aging. 4. 33. 2012. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84856951448&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.04.011 . Neurobiology of Aging
Mitochondrial- and endoplasmic reticulum-associated oxidative stress in alzheimers disease: From pathogenesis to biomarkers
Ferreiro, E.; Baldeiras, I.; Ferreira, I.L.; Costa, R.O.; Rego, A.C.; Pereira, C.F.; Oliveira, C.R., 2012. International Journal of Cell Biology. 2012. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84863688106&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1155/2012/735206 . International Journal of Cell Biology
ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway induced by aß peptide requires the presence of functional mitochondria
Costa, R.O.; Ferreiro, E.; Cardoso, S.M.; Oliveira, C.R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2010. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 625 - 636. 2. 20. 2010. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77954516455&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.3233/JAD-2010-091369 . Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Involvement of mitochondria in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic cell death pathway triggered by the prion peptide PrP 106-126
Ferreiro, E.; Costa, R.; Marques, S.; Cardoso, S.M.; Oliveira, C.R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2008. Journal of Neurochemistry. 766 - 776. 3. 104. 2008. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-38049162500&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05048.x . Journal of Neurochemistry
An endoplasmic-reticulum-specific apoptotic pathway is involved in prion and amyloid-beta peptides neurotoxicity
Ferreiro, E.; Resende, R.; Costa, R.; Oliveira, C.R.; Pereira, C.M.F., 2006. Neurobiology of Disease. 669 - 678. 3. 23. 2006. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33747195017&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.nbd.2006.05.011 . Neurobiology of Disease
5 18 out of 18 Publications
Research Grant, FCT – "Understanding RNA-Binding Protein hnRNPH2 Mutations: Implications for Synaptic Function and Neurodevelopmental Disorders."
FCT call IC&DT/2023, project no. 15671 - COMPETE2030-FEDER-00676600
Best Oral Presentation, 36th National Epileptology Meeting (ENE) – "The RNA-binding protein hnRNPH2: A Novel Player in Epileptogenesis."
Scientific Incentive Grant, Portuguese Epilepsy Foundation (LPCE) – "The RNA-binding protein hnRNPH2: A Novel Player in Epileptogenesis.
Exploratory Research Grant, FCT – "Mechanisms Underlying Ribosomal Regulation in Axonal Development.
EXPL/NEU-NMC/0541/2012
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