@phdthesis{Gehring2017,
  author    = {Gehring, Jennifer},
  title     = {Functional analysis of the latrophilin homolog dCirl in Drosophila melanogaster},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-101061},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Latrophilin, alternatively named calcium-independent receptor of α-latrotoxin (CIRL), resembles a prototype of the adhesion class G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Initially identified as a high-affinity receptor for α-latrotoxin, a component of the black widow spider, latrophilins are now associated with various distinct functions, such as synaptic exocytosis, tissue polarity and fertility (Tobaben et al., 2002; Langenhan et al., 2009; Promel et al., 2012). Despite these exploratory efforts the precise subcellular localisation as well as the endogenous ligand of CIRL still remains elusive. In this work genetic experiments, imaging approaches and behavioural studies have been used to unravel the localisation and physiological function of the latrophilin homolog dCirl in Drosophila melanogaster. Containing only one latrophilin homolog together with its genetic accessibility and well-established transgenic approaches, Drosophila seemed an ideally suited model organism. The present study showed that dCirl is widely expressed in the larval central nervous system including moto- and sensory neurons. Further, this work revealed that removal of the latrophilin homolog does not greatly affect synaptic transmission but it seems that aspects of the postsynaptic structural layout are controlled by dCIRL in the fruit fly. Additionally, dCirl expression at the transcriptional level was confirmed in larval and adult chordotonal organs, specialised mechanosensors implicated in proprioception (Eberl, 1999). Expression of dCIRL at the protein level could not yet been confirmed in moto- and sensory neurons likely due to low endogenous expression. However, behavioural studies using dCirl knockout mutant larvae indicated a putative mechanosensory function of dCIRL regarding touch sensitivity and locomotion behaviour. The second part of this thesis presents a strategy to examine interactions between several presynaptic proteins in living cells. The attempt described in this work is based on the discovery that GFP when split into two non-fluorescent fragments can form a fluorescent complex. The association of the fragments can be facilitated by fusing them to two proteins that interact with each other. Therefore, the split GFP method enables direct visualization of synaptic protein interactions in living cells. In initial experiments I could show that full length reporter protein fusions with n-Synaptobrevin (n-Syb), Synaptotagmin (Syt) and Syntaxin (Syx) allow expression in Drosophila and confirmed that fusion to either end of each synaptic protein did not impair expression or influence the viability of transgenic flies. Further, transgenes containing protein fusions of Syx, Syt, and n-Syb with split GFP fragments were established in previous studies (Gehring, 2010). The present work characterises the interaction of these protein fusions during different stages of synaptic vesicle turnover at active zones such as synaptic vesicle docking at the presynaptic membrane and vesicle fusion. These results suggest that the spGFP assay seems only partly suitable for resolving fast and transient protein-protein interactions at larval Drosophila active zones in vivo.},
  subject      = {Taufliege},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Dolles2018,
  author    = {Dolles, Dominik},
  title     = {Development of Hybrid GPCR Ligands: Photochromic and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibiting Human Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonists},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-163445},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {While life expectancy increases worldwide, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD becomes a major task for industrial and academic research. Currently, a treatment of AD is only symptomatical and limited to an early stage of the disease by inhibiting AChE. A cure for AD might even seem far away. A rethinking of other possible targets is therefore necessary. Addressing targets that can influence AD even at later stages might be the key. Even if it is not possible to find a cure for AD, it is of great value for AD patients by providing an effective medication. The suffering of patients and their families might be relieved and remaining years may be spent with less symptoms and restrictions. It was shown that a combination of hCB2R agonist and BChE inhibitor might exactly be a promising approach to combat AD. In the previous chapters, a first investigation of dual-acting compounds that address both hCB2R and BChE was illustrated (figure 6.1). A set of over 30 compounds was obtained by applying SARs from BChE inhibitors to a hCB2R selective agonist developed by AstraZeneca. In a first in vitro evaluation compounds showed selectivity over hCB1R and AChE. Further investigations could also prove agonism and showed that unwanted off-target affinity to hMOP receptor could be designed out. The development of a homology model for hCB2R (based on a novel hCB1R crystal) could further elucidate the mode of action of the ligand binding. Lastly, first in vivo studies showed a beneficial effect of selected dual-acting compounds regarding memory and cognition. Since these first in vivo studies mainly aim for an inhibition of the BChE, it should be the aim of upcoming projects to proof the relevance of hCB2R agonism in vivo as well. In addition, pharmacokinetic as well as solubility studies may help to complete the overall picture. Currently, hybrid-based dual-acting hCB2R agonists and selective BChE inhibitors are under investigation in our lab. First in vitro evaluations showed improved BChE inhibition and selectivity over AChE compared to tacrine.78 Future in vitro and in vivo studies will clarify their usage as drug molecules with regard to hepatotoxicity and blood-brain barrier penetration. Since the role of hCB2R is not yet completely elucidated, the use of photochromic toolcompounds becomes an area of interest. These tool-compounds (and their biological effect) can be triggered upon irradiation with light and thus help to investigate time scales and ligand binding. A set of 5-azobenzene benzimidazoles was developed and synthesized. In radioligand binding studies, affinity towards hCB2R could be increased upon irradiation with UV-light (figure 6.2). This makes the investigated compounds the first GPCR ligands that can be activated upon irradiation (not vice versa). The aim of upcoming research will be the triggering of a certain intrinsic activity by an "efficacy-switch". For this purpose, several attempts are currently under investigation: an introduction of an azobenzene moiety at the 2-position of the benzimidazole core already led to a slight difference in efficacy upon irradiation with UV light. Another approach going on in our lab is the development of hCB1R switches based on the selective hCB1R inverse agonist rimonabant. First in vitro results are not yet available (figure 6.3).},
  subject      = {Ligand <Biochemie>},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Hermann2019,
  author    = {Hermann, Stephanie},
  title     = {Adenosindiphosphat-vermittelte Funktion und Expression von purinergen Rezeptoren in gewaschenen humanen Thrombozyten},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-18520},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-185201},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Nach der Pr{\"a}paration von gewaschenen Thrombozyten, einem wichtigen Ausgangsmaterial f{\"u}r die experimentelle Forschung oder f{\"u}r die Transfusionsmedizin, tritt bekannterweise ein zunehmender Verlust der ADP-vermittelten Aggregationsf{\"a}higkeit ein. Die verminderte Funktionsf{\"a}higkeit von Thromboyzten nach dem Waschvorgang kann somit auch experimentelle Ergebnisse beeinflussten. Allerdings sind die daf{\"u}r verantwortlichen molekularen Mechanismen bisher nicht aufgekl{\"a}rt, sodass in dieser Dissertationsarbeit molekulare sowie auch funktionelle Vorg{\"a}nge untersucht wurden, die zum bekannten Ph{\"a}nomen des raschen Verlustes der ADP-vermittelten Aggregationsf{\"a}higkeit gewaschener Thrombozyten f{\"u}hren. Die Wirkung von ADP wird {\"u}ber die drei purinergen Rezeptoren P2Y1, P2X1 und P2Y12 vermittelt wird. Daher wurde zun{\"a}chst die ADP-induzierte Aggregationsf{\"a}higkeit alleine bzw. unter Kostimulation mit Epinephrin oder Serotonin - zwei Induktoren, deren Rezeptoren mit analogen Signalwegen wie die ADP-Rezeptoren P2Y1 bzw. P2Y12 gekoppelt sind - bestimmt. Um Hinweise zu erhalten, wie die Abnahme der ADP-vermittelten Reaktivit{\"a}t von gewaschenen Thrombozyten mit der purinergen Rezeptorexpression und -distribution sowie mit der nachgeschalteten Signalweiterleitung im Zusammenhang steht, wurde zudem die Expression purinerger Rezeptoren auf der Thrombozytenoberfl{\"a}che bzw. die Konzentration von purinergen Rezeptoren im Zytosol gewaschener Thrombozyten mittels Durchflusszytometrie bzw. ELISA gemessen. Es zeigte sich, dass die Funktion der den purinergen Rezeptoren nachgeschalteten Signalwege w{\"a}hrend der Lagerungszeit zunehmend beeintr{\"a}chtigt wird, aber zumindest teilweise erhalten bleibt, wie anhand von Effekten durch Kostimulation mit den Induktoren Epinephrin und Serotonin gezeigt werden konnte. Die Distribution der Rezeptoren zwischen der Thrombozytenoberfl{\"a}che und den intrazellul{\"a}ren Kompartimenten unterliegt komplexen Prozessen, die induktorabh{\"a}ngig reguliert sind. Eine initiale Zunahme der Expression von ADP-Rezeptoren w{\"a}hrend der Lagerung von gewaschenen Thrombozyten geht dabei nicht einher mit der Aufrechterhaltung der ADP-induzierten Aggregation. In der Schlussfolgerung ist die fortschreitende Degeneration der ADP-vermittelten Aggregation - neben einem R{\"u}ckgang der Rezeptorexpression nach mehr als einer Stunde Lagerungszeit - vor allem auf einen funktionellen Verlust der purinergen Rezeptoren zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren.},
  subject      = {ADP},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Agnetta2019,
  author    = {Agnetta, Luca},
  title     = {Novel Photoswitchable and Dualsteric Ligands Acting on Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors for Receptor Function Investigation},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-18717},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-187170},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {G protein-coupled receptor research looks out for new technologies to elucidate the complex processes of receptor activation, function and downstream signaling with spatiotemporal resolution, preferably in living cells and organisms. A thriving approach consists in making use of the unsurpassed properties of light, including its high precision in space and time, noninvasiveness and high degree of orthogonality regarding biological processes. This is realized by the incorporation of molecular photoswitches, which are able to effectively respond to light, such as azobenzene, into the structure of a ligand of a given receptor. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors belong to class A GPCRs and have received special attention in this regard due to their role as a prototypic pharmacological system and their therapeutic potential. They mediate the excitatory and inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and thus regulate diverse important biological processes, especially many neurological functions in our brain. In this work, the application of photopharmacological tool compounds to muscarinic receptors is presented, consisting of pharmacophores extended with azobenzene as light-responsive motif. Making use of the dualsteric concept, such photochromic ligands can be designed to bind concomitantly to the orthosteric and allosteric binding site of the receptor, which is demonstrated for BQCAAI (M1) and PAI (M2) and may lead to subtype- and functionalselective photoswitchable ligands, suitable for further ex vivo and in vivo studies. Moreover, photoswitchable ligands based on the synthetic agonist iperoxo were investigated extensively with regard to their photochemical behavior and pharmacological profile, outlining the advantages and challenges of using red-shifted molecular photoswitches, such as tetraortho- fluoro azobenzene. For the first time on a GPCR it was examined, which impact the different substitution pattern has on both the binding and the activity on the M1 receptor. Results show that substituted azobenzenes in photopharmacological compounds (F4-photoiperoxo and F4-iper-azo-iper) not just represent analogs with other photophysical properties but can exhibit a considerably different biological profile that has to be investigated carefully. The achievements gained in this study can give important new insights into the binding mode and time course of activation processes, enabling precise spatial and temporal resolution of the complex signaling pathway of muscarinic receptors. Due to their role as exemplary model system, these findings may be useful for the investigation into other therapeutically relevant GPCRs.},
  subject      = {Muscarinrezeptor},
  language  = {en}
}