@phdthesis{Offner2017,
  author    = {Offner, Kristin},
  title     = {SH3-mediated protein interactions of Mena and VASP},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-154481},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Regulation of actin cytoskeletal turnover is necessary to coordinate cell movement and cell adhesion. Proteins of the Enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (Ena/VASP) family are important mediators in cytoskeleton control, linking cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways to actin assembly. In mammals, the Ena/VASP family consists of mammalian Enabled (Mena), VASP, and Ena-VASP-like (EVL). The family members share a tripartite domain organization, consisting of an N-terminal Ena/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domain, a central proline-rich region (PRR), and a C-terminal EVH2 domain. The EVH1 domain mediates binding to the focal adhesion proteins vinculin and zyxin, the PRR interacts with the actin-binding protein profilin and with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains, and the EVH2 domain mediates tetramerization and actin binding. Endothelial cells line vessel walls and form a semipermeable barrier between blood and the underlying tissue. Endothelial barrier function depends on the integrity of cell-cell junctions and defective sealing of cell-cell contacts results in vascular leakage and edema formation. In a previous study, we could identify a novel interaction of the PRR of VASP with αII-spectrin. VASP-targeting to endothelial cell-cell contacts by interaction with the αII-spectrin SH3 domain is sufficient to initiate perijunctional actin filament assembly, which in turn stabilizes cell-cell contacts and decreases endothelial permeability. Conversely, barrier function of VASP-deficient endothelial cells and microvessels of VASP- null mice is defective, demonstrating that αII-spectrin/VASP complexes regulate endothelial barrier function in vivo. The aim of the present study was to characterize the structural aspects of the binding of Ena/VASP proteins to αII-spectrin in more detail. These data are highly relevant to understand the cardiovascular function of VASP and its subcellular targeting. In the present study, the following points were experimentally addressed: 1. Comparison of the interaction between αII-spectrin and Mena, VASP, or EVL In contrast to the highly conserved EVH1/EVH2 domains, the PRR is the most divergent part within the Ena/VASP proteins and may differ in binding modes and mechanisms of regulation. More specifically, VASP contains a triple GP5 motif, whereas EVL and Mena contain one or more GP6 motifs or even longer proline stretches. In the present study, we used peptide scans and competitive αII-spectrin SH3 pull-down assays with the recombinant Mena, VASP, and VASP mutants to investigate the relative binding efficiency. Our results indicate that binding of the αII-spectrin SH3 domain to GP6 motifs is superior to GP5 motifs, giving a rationale for a stronger interaction of αII-spectrin with EVL and Mena than with VASP. 2. Interaction of SH3i with Ena/VASP proteins In the mammalian heart, an αII-spectrin splice variant exists (SH3i), which contains a 20 amino acid insertion C-terminal to the SH3 domain. We used GST-fusion proteins of αII-spectrin, comprising the SH3 domain with or without the alternatively spliced amino acids, to pull-down recombinant Mena, VASP or VASP mutants. The results demonstrate a substantially increased binding of the C-terminal extended SH3 domain as compared to the general αII-spectrin isoform without the 20 amino acid insertion. These findings were also confirmed in pull-down experiments with heart lysates and purified Mena from heart muscle. The increased binding was not due to an alternative, SH3-independent binding interface because a pointmutation of the SH3 domain (W1004R) in the alternatively spliced αII-spectrin isoform completely abrogated the interaction. To analyze the interaction of SH3i and Ena/VASP proteins in living cells, we expressed the extended SH3 domain as GFP fusion proteins in endothelial cells. Here, we observed an extensive co-localization with Mena and VASP at the leading edge of lamellipodia confirming the in vivo relevance of the interaction with potential impact on cell migration and angiogenesis. 3. Binding affinity and influence of the Ena/VASP tetramerization domain We also determined the binding affinity of the general and the alternatively spliced αII-spectrin SH3 with Ena/VASP proteins by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) using a peptide from the PRR of Mena (collaboration with Dr. Stephan Feller, University of Oxford). Surprisingly, the binding affinity of the general SH3 domain was low (~900 μM) as compared to other SH3 domain- mediated interactions, which commonly display binding constants in the low micromolar range. Furthermore and in contrast to the pull-down assays, we could not detect an increased binding affinity of the C-terminally extended SH3 domain. This could be either explained by the existence of a third protein, which "bridges" the Mena/αII-spectrin complex in the pull-down assays, or, more likely, by the small size of the Mena peptide, which lacks major parts of the Mena protein, including the tetramerization domain. Indeed, it has been previously shown that the tetramerization of Ena is crucial for the interaction with the Abl- SH3 domain, although no SH3 binding sites are found in the tetramerization domain. To address this point experimentally, we used a VASP mutant that lacks the tetramerization domain in pull-down assays. Neither the general nor the alternatively spliced SH3 domain bound to the monomeric VASP, demonstrating the crucial (indirect) impact of Ena/VASP tetramerization on the interaction with αII-spectrin. In summary, we conclude that the αII-spectrin SH3 domain binds to the proline- rich region of all Ena/VASP proteins. However, binding to EVL and Mena, which both possess one or more GP6 motifs, is substantially more efficient than VASP, which only contains GP5 motifs. The C-terminally extended SH3 domain, which is present in the αII-spectrin splice variant SH3i, binds stronger to the Ena/VASP proteins than the general isoform and expression of the isolated domain is sufficient for co-localization with Ena/VASP in living endothelial cells. Finally, the tetramerization of the Ena/VASP proteins is indispensable for the interaction with either isoform of αII-spectrin.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WangorschButtMarketal.2011,
  author    = {Wangorsch, Gaby and Butt, Elke and Mark, Regina and Hubertus, Katharina and Geiger, J{\"o}rg and Dandekar, Thomas and Dittrich, Marcus},
  title     = {Time-resolved in silico modeling of fine-tuned cAMP signaling in platelets: feedback loops, titrated phosphorylations and pharmacological modulation},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-69145},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background: Hemostasis is a critical and active function of the blood mediated by platelets. Therefore, the prevention of pathological platelet aggregation is of great importance as well as of pharmaceutical and medical interest. Endogenous platelet inhibition is predominantly based on cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) elevation and subsequent cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase (PKA, PKG) activation. In turn, platelet phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and protein phosphatases counterbalance their activity. This main inhibitory pathway in human platelets is crucial for countervailing unwanted platelet activation. Consequently, the regulators of cyclic nucleotide signaling are of particular interest to pharmacology and therapeutics of atherothrombosis. Modeling of pharmacodynamics allows understanding this intricate signaling and supports the precise description of these pivotal targets for pharmacological modulation. Results: We modeled dynamically concentration-dependent responses of pathway effectors (inhibitors, activators, drug combinations) to cyclic nucleotide signaling as well as to downstream signaling events and verified resulting model predictions by experimental data. Experiments with various cAMP affecting compounds including antiplatelet drugs and their combinations revealed a high fidelity, fine-tuned cAMP signaling in platelets without crosstalk to the cGMP pathway. The model and the data provide evidence for two independent feedback loops: PKA, which is activated by elevated cAMP levels in the platelet, subsequently inhibits adenylyl cyclase (AC) but as well activates PDE3. By multi-experiment fitting, we established a comprehensive dynamic model with one predictive, optimized and validated set of parameters. Different pharmacological conditions (inhibition, activation, drug combinations, permanent and transient perturbations) are successfully tested and simulated, including statistical validation and sensitivity analysis. Downstream cyclic nucleotide signaling events target different phosphorylation sites for cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA, PKG) in the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). VASP phosphorylation as well as cAMP levels resulting from different drug strengths and combined stimulants were quantitatively modeled. These predictions were again experimentally validated. High sensitivity of the signaling pathway at low concentrations is involved in a fine-tuned balance as well as stable activation of this inhibitory cyclic nucleotide pathway. Conclusions: On the basis of experimental data, literature mining and database screening we established a dynamic in silico model of cyclic nucleotide signaling and probed its signaling sensitivity. Thoroughly validated, it successfully predicts drug combination effects on platelet function, including synergism, antagonism and regulatory loops.},
  subject      = {Vasodilatator-stimuliertes Phosphoprotein},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Merkel2011,
  author    = {Merkel, Carla Jennifer},
  title     = {Characterisation of Mena Promoter Activity and Protein Expression in Wild-type and Gene-trapped Mice},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70414},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Proteins of the Ena/VASP protein family are important regulators of actin and participate in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions. To date, the physiological importance of Ena/VASP proteins for integrity of the cardiovascular system has remained unclear. To study cardiovascular functions of Mena and VASP, we used an established VASP knockout mouse in combination with a novel gene-trap-based model to ablate Mena function. In the mutated Mena mouse, the endogenous Mena gene is disrupted by the insertion of a β-galactosidase construct and β-galactosidase expression is under the control of the endogenous Mena promoter. X-gal staining of mouse organs revealed Mena promoter activity in smooth muscle layers of vessels, intestines and bronchioles, but also in cells of the brain, in cardiomyocytes and in the respiratory epithelium of bronchioles. In wild-type mice, Western blotting revealed differing protein expression patterns of VASP and Mena. Mena expression was observed in almost every tissue, predominantly in heart, lung, stomach, large intestine, testis, brain and eye. Additionally, the neuronalspecific Mena isoform was expressed in brain, eye, and slightly in heart and stomach. VASP protein, in contrast, was predominantly detected in spleen and thrombocytes. In gene-trapped mice, Mena expression was largely reduced in heart, lung and stomach but only slightly decreased in brain and testis. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed colocalisation of Mena and F-actin at intercalated discs of cardiomyocytes and strong colocalisation of Mena and α- smooth-muscle-actin in vessels and bronchioles. Functional analysis of Mena/VASP-mutated and wild-type mice using electrocardiography suggested that the depletion of either Mena or VASP does not interfere with normal heart function. However, in double-deficient mice, the resting heart rate was significantly increased, probably reflecting a mechanism to compensate defects in ventricle contraction and to maintain a normal cardiac output. In agreement, cardiac catheter investigations suggested dilated cardiomyopathy in doubledeficient mice. Thus, although Western blot analysis showed differing protein expression patterns of Mena and VASP, these findings suggest that Mena and VASP mutually compensate for each other. Concerning Mena, we propose an important role of the protein in vessel walls, cardiomyocytes and bronchioles.},
  subject      = {Spectrin},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Tjahyadi2011,
  author    = {Tjahyadi, Budy},
  title     = {Etablierung und Anwendung eines Proteinphosphorylierungs-Assays zur Quantifizierung der Wirkung von Endothelfaktoren auf Thrombozyten},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-54155},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Anhand der im Rahmen dieser Arbeit durchgef{\"u}hrten Experimente l{\"a}sst sich feststellen, dass der VASP-POD-Assay eine sensitive Methode zur Erfassung der Aktivit{\"a}t humaner Thrombozyten ist. Mithilfe einer Antigen-Antik{\"o}rper-Reaktion kann der hemmende Effekt zahlreicher Vasodilatoren auf Thrombozytenaktivit{\"a}t quantitativ in-vitro erfasst werden. VASP, das Zielantigen dieser Reaktion, spielt eine Schl{\"u}sselrolle. Der Phospho¬rylierungszustand dieses Proteins beeinflusst die Thrombozytenaktivierung bzw. Hemmung der Thrombozytenaktivit{\"a}t. Die Phosphorylierung von VASP wiederum bedingt sowohl eine intrazellul{\"a}re NO/cGMP- als auch PGI2/cAMP-Signalkaskade. Die cAMP bzw. cGMP abh{\"a}ngigen Signalkaskaden k{\"o}nnen durch VASP-Phorylierung an Serin 157 und Serin 239 quantifiziert werden. Die Verwendung von mit Meerretich¬peroxidase konjugierten Antik{\"o}rpern erlaubt eine quantitative Messung von Phospho-VASP Anteil am Gesamt-VASP. Diese markiert den phosphorylierten Serinrest des VASP. Ebengenanntes Verh{\"a}ltnis von Phospho-VASP zum Gesamt-VASP korreliert wiederum mit Hemmung der Thrombozytenaggregation. Die thrombozyten¬aggregationshemmende Wirkung von vasodilatierenden Substanzen - wie z.B. NO und PGI2 - kann durch die Messung der VASP-Phosphorylierung mithilfe VASP-POD-Assay quantifiziert werden. Diese Substanzen entfalten ihre Wirkung durch intrazellul{\"a}re Erh{\"o}hung von zyklischen Nukleotiden (cAMP und cGMP). Die thrombozyt{\"a}re VASP-Phosphorylierung unter Wirkung von NO bzw. PGI2. wurden in-vitro in unterschiedlichen Bedingungen - sowohl in gewaschenen Thrombozyten als auch in Vollblut - ermittelt. Somit ist P-VASP als biochemischer Marker f{\"u}r das Monitoring der NO/cGMP- bzw. PGI2/cAMP-Signalkaskade in humanen Thrombozyten geeignet. Eine Interaktion zwischen Thrombozyten und Endothelzellen kann außerdem mithilfe von VASP-POD-Assay ermittelt werden. In einem vereinfachten Modell des humanen, geschlossenen Kreislaufsystems wurden gewaschene Thrombozyten und Endothelzellen mit verschiedenen Substanzen, die endotheliale NO-Synthese stimulieren und somit die NO-Bioverf{\"u}gbarkeit erh{\"o}hen, inkubiert. Die Erh{\"o}hung der extrazellul{\"a}ren NO-Bioverf{\"u}gbarkeit korreliert mit dem intrazellul{\"a}ren Anstieg des P-VASP Anteils am Gesamt-VASP in Thrombozyten. Durch die Messung der intrathrombozyt{\"a}ren VASP-Phosphorylierung in VASP-POD-Assay kann man indirekt R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse auf die Wirkung dieser Substanzen auf die Thrombozytenaktivit{\"a}t und die Interaktion zwischen humanen Thrombozyten und Endothelzellen ziehen. Zur Verifizierung der Empfindlichkeit dieser Analysenmethode wurde der VASP-Phosphorylierungsgrad von Thrombozyten gesunder Probanden mit der an Diabetes Mellitus erkrankten Probanden verglichen. Die gesteigerte Thrombozytenaktivit{\"a}t von erkrankten Probanden kann unter Verwendung dieses Verfahrens (VASP-POD-Assay) diagnostiziert und quantifiziert werden. VASP-Assay erm{\"o}glicht eine schnelle, leichte und reproduzierbare Quantifizierung der Interaktion zwischen Thrombozyten und Endothelzellen. Somit wird das gesetzte Ziel der Entwicklung dieser Messmethode erreicht, n{\"a}mlich die Fr{\"u}herkennung gest{\"o}rter Interaktion zwischen humanen Thrombozyten und Endothel¬zellen und folglich die pathologische Ver{\"a}nderung des Funktionszustandes humaner Thrombozyten bei Diabetes Mellitus in Fr{\"u}hstadium. Unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung des thrombozytenaggregationshemmenden Effekts des P-VASP kann die Stimulation zur Phosphorylierung von VASP einerseits als protektive Maßnahme und andererseits als m{\"o}glicher Angriffspunkt der zuk{\"u}nftigen Medikation betrachtet werden.},
  subject      = {VASP},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Brich2009,
  author    = {Brich, Sonja, geb. Heeg},
  title     = {Regulation der Proliferation und Differenzierung h{\"a}matopoetischer Vorl{\"a}uferzellen durch zyklische Nukleotide},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-40873},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {In dieser Arbeit wurde in humanen CD34-positiven Stammzellen die PK-G, PK-A sowie ihr Substratprotein VASP nachgewiesen. Dabei liegt VASP in unstimulierten Zellen in nicht-phosphorylierter Form vor. Die VASP-Phosphorylierung kann durch die aus anderen Zellsystemen bekannten cAMP- und cGMP- abh{\"a}ngigen Signalkaskaden auch im Zellkultursystem von humanen CD34-positiven Stammzellen reguliert werden. Ein weiterer Teilaspekt war der Einfluss des cGMP-erh{\"o}henden Stickstoffmonoxyd-Donors DEA/NO auf das Proliferations,- und Differenzierungsverhalten humaner CD34-positiver Stammzellen. Hierbei fand sich ein dualer konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngiger Effekt von cGMP: niedrige Konzentrationen zeigten einen hemmenden Einfluss auf die Proliferation undgleichzeitig einen aktivierenden Effekt auf die Differenzierung der h{\"a}matopeotischen Zellen zu CD41-positiven Megakaryozyten. Die h{\"o}here Konzentration von DEA/NO beinflusst zwar das Zellwachstum positiv, die Differenzierung der CD34-positiven Zellen hingegen wird gehemmt. Eine Zelldifferenzierung von humanen CD34-positiven Stammzellen zu CD15-positiven Granulozyten /Monozyten unter DEA/NO war nicht zu beobachten. Zusammenfassend konnte in der vorliegenden Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass Signalwege, die {\"u}ber zyklische Nukleotide reguliert werden, eine wichtige Rolle in Proliferations- und Differenzierungsvorg{\"a}ngen humaner h{\"a}matopoetischer Progenitorzellen spielen. Damit stehen diese Signalwege prinzipiell als Grundlage f{\"u}r neue pharmakologische Therapieoptionen zu Verf{\"u}gung.},
  subject      = {Cyclonucleotide},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Thumati2008,
  author    = {Thumati, Naresh Reddy},
  title     = {Characterization of new protein kinases of the EVH1 domain containing protein VASP and identification of binding partners for a new EVH1 domain of the Spred2 protein : A case study on protein interactions of EVH1 domain containing proteins},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-26617},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2008},
  abstract  = {Protein interactions as mediated by catalytic or non-catalytic protein domains contribute to cellular signal transduction processes by covalent protein modification of or non-covalent binding to interaction partners. Ena/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domains are found in different signal transduction proteins as N-terminal non-catalytic adaptor modules of ~ 115 amino acids sharing a common fold. By targeting their host proteins to subcellular sites of action they are involved in several signalling cascades which include protein phosphorylation and cytoskeletal reorganisation. In this study, protein interactions of the two EVH1 domain containing proteins VASP and Spred2 were studied according to their involvement in different and non-overlapping signal transduction pathways of the cell. EVH1 domains were first described in the Ena/VASP protein family with the Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein VASP being its founding member. As a cytoskeleton-associated protein VASP not only interacts with different proteins of the actin network but it is also a substrate for cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. However the full complement of protein kinases targeting VASP as their substrate is still unknown. Here we used mouse cardiac fibroblast (MCFB) cells in order to study the phosphorylation status of VASP and identify new candidate protein kinases involved after serum stimulation of these cells. Using phosphosite-specific antibodies we found that serum stimulation induces a phosphorylation of VASP at Ser-157 in a time-dependent manner reaching its maximum after 90 min of stimulation. We developed an interaction graph model of possible candidate protein kinases involved. Using a pharmacological perturbation analysis with different combinations of specific protein kinase inhibitors and activators we excluded any contribution of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and Rho kinases to this process and identified a combined action of classical isoforms of PKCs and PKA in serum-stimulated VASP phosphorylation at Ser-157 positioning PKC upstream of PKA in this signalling pathway. We hypothesise that PKC receives an external stimulatory signal upon serum stimulation of MCFB cells which is passed either directly or indirectly to PKA which finally phosphorylates VASP at Ser-157. A new EVH1 domain has been described recently in the Spred proteins (Sprouty related proteins containing an EVH1 domain) which are inhibitors of the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway. Our laboratory has been involved in the elucidation of the atomic structure of the human Spred2 EVH1 domain by protein NMR spectroscopy (PDB 2JP2; 2007). A positively charged binding interface of this EVH1 domain suggests an interaction with negatively charged ligands; however no interaction partners of this domain have been described so far. In the second part of this study, we used different genetic and biochemical screening methods to search for ligands of the Spred2 EVH1 domain. A bacterial two-hybrid system was established using a physically well characterized interaction of the VASP EVH1 domain with a panel of its ActA binding peptides as positive controls to screen a human brain cDNA expression library at different stringencies for candidate Spred2 EVH1 interaction partners. However none of the clones isolated could be genetically and physically validated to support Spred2 EVH1 specific interactions. An in-vitro screening of a 9-mer phage display peptide library using purified GST-Spred2 EVH1 fusion protein was performed together with a Fyn-SH3 fusion protein as a positive control. In contrast to the Fyn-SH3 domain the majority of phages isolated with the Spred2 EVH1 domain either carried no inserts or inserts with stop codons suggesting a highly non-specific interaction of the phage coat protein with the latter domain but neither the Fyn-SH3 domain nor the GST moiety. Isolation of a 13-mer proline-rich sequence was particularly surprising in this context. In order to address possible interactions of the Spred2 EVH1 domain with non-peptidergic ligands protein-lipid interaction assays were performed. Quantitative binding studies to purified Spred2 EVH1 using a liposome sedimentation assay however excluded any interaction of candidate phospholipids of the phosphatidyl inositol phosphate class with the Spred2 EVH1 domain. A natively folded and thus binding-competent conformation of the purified proteins used was assessed independently by 1H protein NMR spectroscopy. In summary the cumulative evidence of our genetic and biochemical screening experiments suggests that the still elusive Spred2 EVH1 ligand(s) may be formed of hydrophobic peptide epitopes larger than nine amino acids in size and carrying negative charge(s). A phosphorylation of Spred2 EVH1 binding epitopes by a post-translational modification should be seriously considered in future experiments.},
  subject      = {VASP},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Firnschild2007,
  author    = {Firnschild, Andreas},
  title     = {Verbesserung der Endothelfunktion bei herzinsuffizienten Ratten durch den HMG-CoA-Reduktase-Inhibitor Rosuvastatin},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-26194},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Wirkungen einer 10-w{\"o}chigen Therapie mit dem 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoenzymA-(HMG-CoA)-Reduktase-Inhibitor Rosuvasta-tin auf die endotheliale Funktion, die Stickstoffmonoxid (NO)-Bioverf{\"u}gbarkeit und die Phosphorylierung des „vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein" (VASP) in Thrombozy-ten im Rattenmodell der chronischen Herzinsuffizienz (CHF) nach Koronarligatur un-tersucht. Die Phenylephrin-induzierte Vasokonstriktion war in Gef{\"a}ßringen von Versuchstieren mit CHF im Vergleich zu Tieren ohne Herzinsuffizienz deutlich verst{\"a}rkt, was sich auf eine Reduktion der tonischen NO-Freisetzung in Aortenringen von CHF-Ratten zur{\"u}ck-f{\"u}hren ließ. Die Behandlung mit Rosuvastatin erh{\"o}hte die NO-Freisetzung und normali-sierte die gesteigerte Kontraktionsantwort bei CHF-Tieren. Die durch Acetylcholin in-duzierte endothelabh{\"a}ngige Vasorelaxation war bei CHF signifikant beeintr{\"a}chtigt und wurde durch die Behandlung mit Rosuvastatin ebenfalls deutlich verbessert. Da sich keine Unterschiede in der endothelunabh{\"a}ngigen Relaxation nach Gabe eines NO-Donors zwischen den Untersuchungsgruppen zeigten, ist die Reduktion der Acetylcho-lin-Antwort demnach eindeutig endothelial bedingt und l{\"a}sst sich nicht auf eine vermin-derte NO-Sensitivit{\"a}t der Muskelzellen zur{\"u}ckf{\"u}hren. Diese endotheliale Dysfunktion scheinen Statine zumindest teilweise normalisieren zu k{\"o}nnen. Die Bildung von Super-oxidanionen in Aorten von CHF-Tieren war im Vergleich zu Tieren ohne Herzinsuffi-zienz signifikant gesteigert. Durch chronische Therapie mit Rosuvastatin konnte dies signifikant reduziert werden. Passend hierzu war die intraluminale NO-Bioverf{\"u}gbarkeit, gemessen als basale VASP-Phosphorylierung an Ser239 in Thrombo-zyten, bei CHF-Tieren erniedrigt und wurde durch die Rosuvastatin-Behandlung nor-malisiert. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass es durch chronische Therapie mit dem HMG-CoA-Reduktase-Inhibitor Rosuvastatin zu einer Steigerung der NO-Bioverf{\"u}gbarkeit und damit zu einer Verbesserung der Endothelfunktion bei Ratten mit Herzinsuffizienz kommt.},
  subject      = {Herzinsuffizienz},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Benz2007,
  author    = {Benz, Peter Michael},
  title     = {Cytoskeleton assembly at endothelial cell-cell contacts is regulated by Alpha-II-spectrin/vasp complexes},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-23802},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {Directed cortical actin assembly is the driving force for intercellular adhesion. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) participates in actin-fiber formation and VASP activity is regulated by phosphorylations. We screened for endothelial cell proteins, which bind to VASP dependent on its phosphorylation status. Differential proteomics identified \&\#945;II-spectrin as novel VASP-interacting protein. \&\#945;II-spectrin binds to the triple GP5-motif in VASP via its SH3 domain. cAMP-dependent protein kinase-mediated VASP phosphorylation at Ser157 inhibits \&\#945;II-spectrin/VASP complex formation. VASP becomes dephosphorylated upon formation of cell-cell contacts and in confluent but not in sparse endothelial cells \&\#945;II-spectrin colocalizes with non-phosphorylated VASP at cell-cell junctions. Ectopic expression of the \&\#945;II-spectrin SH3 domain fused to claudin-5 translocates VASP to cell-cell contacts and is sufficient to initiate the formation of cortical actin cytoskeletons. \&\#945;II-spectrin SH3 domain overexpression stabilizes cell-cell contacts and decreases endothelial permeability. Conversely, permeability of VASP-deficient endothelial cells is elevated. In a skin edema model, microvascular leakage is increased in VASP-deficient over wild-type mice. We propose that \&\#945;II-spectrin/VASP complexes regulate cortical actin cytoskeleton assembly with implications for formation of endothelial cell-cell contacts and regulation of vascular permeability.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Krohne2005,
  author    = {Krohne, Katharina},
  title     = {Die Rolle des Proteins VASP f{\"u}r die Proliferation und Differenzierung h{\"a}matopoetischer Stammzellen},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-15639},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {Im Rahmen der Arbeit wurden in mehreren Teilprojekten die Eigenschaften und Funktionen des Vasodilatator stimulierenden Phosphoproteins (VASP) untersucht. Es wurde ein neuer Antik{\"o}rper (5C6) charakterisiert, der f{\"u}r an Serin157 phosphoryliertes VASP spezifisch sein sollte. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass der 5C6 Antik{\"o}rper spezifisch VASP erkennt, welches an der Stelle Serin157 phosphoryliert ist. Auch konnten mit dem neuen Antik{\"o}rper Ergebnisse best{\"a}tigt werden, die vorher mit anderen Methoden erhoben wurden, n{\"a}mlich, dass Serin157 sowohl cAMP- als auch cGMP-vermittelt phosphoryliert wird. Der Antik{\"o}rper 5C6 stellte sich als ein guter Marker f{\"u}r die Phosphorylierung von VASP an Serin157 durch die PKA dar und erm{\"o}glichte, die Zeitkinetik der VASP-Phosphorylierung zu beschreiben. In einem weiteren Projekt wurde die Rolle des Proteins VASP bei der Proliferation und Differenzierung von Knochenmark-Stammzellen zu Megakaryozyten und Thrombozyten untersucht. Die Stammzellen wurden zus{\"a}tzlich zu Wachstumsfaktoren mit unterschiedlichen Dosen eines cGMP-Analogons stimuliert. Es zeigte sich hierbei, dass 8-pCPT-cGMP einen dualen, konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngigen Effekt auf die Proliferation und die Differenzierung h{\"a}matopoetischer Stammzellen von Wildtypm{\"a}usen hat. Niedrige Dosen hemmten die Proliferation und f{\"o}rderten die Differenzierung, dagegen hatten h{\"o}here Konzentrationen einen proliferationsf{\"o}rdernden und differenzierungshemmenden Effekt auf die Stammzellen. Im Vergleich hierzu ergab eine Stimulation mit 8-pCPT-cGMP bei VASP knock out M{\"a}usen immer einen proliferationsf{\"o}rdernden Effekt, hingegen einen hemmenden Effekt auf die Differenzierung der h{\"a}matopoetischen Stammzellen. Bei den knock out Zellen f{\"u}hrten h{\"o}here Konzentrationen lediglich zu einer st{\"a}rkeren Reaktion als niedrige.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Hartensuer2004,
  author    = {Hartensuer, Ren{\´e}},
  title     = {Bedeutung des "vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein" (VASP) f{\"u}r die Entwicklung des H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gens von S{\"a}ugetieren - eine experimentelle Studie an M{\"a}usen -},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-13067},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2004},
  abstract  = {Das „vasodilator-stimulated phosphorprotein" (VASP), ein Mitglied der Ena/VASP Proteinfamilie, gilt als ein entscheidender Faktor bei der Regulation von Aktindynamik. Es ist an Zellbeweglichkeit und -adh{\"a}sion, unter anderem in Filopodien und dem Wachstumskegel auswachsender Neurone beteiligt. Anhand dieser Beobachtung wurde die Rolle von VASP f{\"u}r das H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gen und der H{\"o}rentwicklung der S{\"a}ugetiere an einem Mausmodel evaluiert. Dies konnte in der vorliegenden Arbeit durch Analyse von VASP-defizienten-M{\"a}usen (VASP(-/-)) erreicht werden. Einerseits wurde das H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gen und der H{\"o}rbeginn von VASP-defizienten-Tieren mit dem von Wildtypen (WT) elektrophysiologisch anhand der Hirnstammaudiometrie verglichen, anderseits das Wachstumsverhalten von Spiralganglienzellexplantaten der WT- und VASP(-/-)-Tiere in Zellkultur auf Lamininbeschichtung und unter NT-3 Stimulation analysiert. Bei den elektrophysiologischen Untersuchungen zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede im H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gen adulter Tiere. Bei einer Verlaufstudie der H{\"o}rentwicklung wurden Differenzen des H{\"o}rbeginns zwischen dem 11. und 14. postnatalen Tag beobachtet. Der H{\"o}rbeginn war bei den VASP(-/-)-M{\"a}usen in dieser Phase signifikant verz{\"o}gert. Die Entwicklung des H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gens von VASP(-/-)-Tieren war in den ersten zwei Lebenswochen verz{\"o}gert, erreichte danach aber normale Werte. Bei der Analyse des Wachstums der Spiralganglienneuriten zeigten sich keine statistisch signifikanten Differenzen bez{\"u}glich der Anzahl der auswachsenden Forts{\"a}tze. Unterschiede der Neuritenl{\"a}nge beider Gruppen, waren auf Laminin und unter NT-3 Stimulation zu beobachten. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung deuten darauf hin, dass VASP an der H{\"o}rentwicklung des S{\"a}ugetieres beteiligt ist, f{\"u}r das adulte H{\"o}rverm{\"o}gen jedoch von untergeordneter Bedeutung zu sein scheint.},
  language  = {de}
}