Memorial In memoriam: A modest spark of molecular neurobiology fades
It was with deep regret that we said farewell to our respected colleague Dr. Peter Prior, who left us far too early, on 29 May 2023. His death leaves a grievous gap in our community, both professionally and personally.
For a long time, Peter worked at the Center for Molecular Biology at Heidelberg University (ZMBH), first as a graduate student, then as a PhD student and post-doc, and finally as head of the ZMBH teaching laboratory. He was not only a highly valued colleague, but also an inspiring mentor and a kindhearted friend to many of us. His commitment, expressed in his enthusiastic work, was infectious and drove us all to excel. His extraordinary scientific mind and tireless work ethic were instrumental in enriching and advancing the research projects entrusted to him.
Peter has left a mark that will last for generations in the field of molecular neurobiology. During his diploma and doctoral studies, Peter made an outstanding contribution to the field of molecular neurobiology by deciphering the primary structure of the synaptic protein gephyrin. This protein, which was first identified as an important component of the inhibitory glycine receptor complex, has since become one of the most important markers of all inhibitory synapses in the brain (1).
Dr. med. Heinrich Betz (Professor Emeritus University of Heidelberg and Emeritus Max Planck Director), at that time group leader at the ZMBH and doctoral supervisor of Peter Prior, expresses his memory of him: "Peter was not only a cheerful and amiable and always helpful member of our research group at the ZMBH, but also a particularly important one. His protein sequencing during his diploma thesis and dissertation provided the foundation for the cloning of the two glycine receptor subunits (2) and of gephyrin (3) and enabled the verification of the synaptophysin clone isolated in Prof. Franke's lab (4). His results were of significant importance for our laboratory. Peter was a master of methodical and meticulous work. We owe him a lot!"
Prof. Dr. Joachim Kirsch (Heidelberg University): "Peter was always supportive, friendly and competent. In nights of work (to be understood literally) he solved the primary structure of gephyrin, which at that time was still called 93 kDa protein (5). I will not forget him."
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Müller (Heidelberg University): "Peter was very supportive when I came to Heidelberg and was housed at the ZMBH for a short time. He was always friendly and positive, a very kind person."
Prof. em. Dr. Eckart Gundelfinger (Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, Magdeburg): "I only had a short period of overlap with Peter at the ZMBH, but I will always remember his thorough way of working, the tenacity with which he approached and solved experimental problems, and his always friendly and optimistic nature. I was able to read about the success of his precise work in 'Neuron'. Peter sadly left us far too soon."
In addition to his academic fortitude, Peter was a kindhearted friend and colleague. Peter was always willing to generously share his knowledge and help anyone who asked him for advice. His patience, sympathy, compassion and kindness helped many of us through difficult scientific times.
We will always remember Peter Prior with gratitude and carry on his legacy in our scientific community. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
With sincere remembrances,
Dr. Maria Luisa Malosio
Senior Researcher
National Research Council of Italy – Neuroscience Institute
Original Publications
1. Betz H. Gephyrin, a major player in GABAergic postsynaptic membrane assembly? Nat Neurosci. 1998 Nov;1(7):541-3. doi: 10.1038/2777. PMID: 10196557.
2. Grenningloh G, Pribilla I, Prior P, Multhaup G, Beyreuther K, Taleb O, Betz H. Cloning and expression of the 58 kd beta subunit of the inhibitory glycine receptor. Neuron. 1990 Jun;4(6):963-70. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(90)90149-a. PMID: 2163264.
3. Prior P, Schmitt B, Grenningloh G, Pribilla I, Multhaup G, Beyreuther K, Maulet Y, Werner P, Langosch D, Kirsch J, Betz H. 1992 Neuron 8(6), 1161–1170. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(92)90136-2. PMID: 1319186.
4. Leube RE, Kaiser P, Seiter A, Zimbelmann R, Franke WW, Rehm H, Knaus P, Prior P, Betz H, Reinke H. Synaptophysin: molecular organization and mRNA expression as determined from cloned cDNA. EMBO J. 1987 Nov;6(11):3261-8. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb02644.x. PMID: 3123215; PMCID: PMC553778.
5. Kirsch J, Langosch D, Prior P, Littauer UZ, Schmitt B, Betz H. The 93-kDa glycine receptor-associated protein binds to tubulin. J Biol Chem. 1991 Nov 25;266(33):22242-5. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9258(18)54560-9. PMID: 1657993.