@article{GuptaSrivastavaMinochaetal.2021,
  author    = {Gupta, Shishir K. and Srivastava, Mugdha and Minocha, Rashmi and Akash, Aman and Dangwal, Seema and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Alveolar regeneration in COVID-19 patients: a network perspective},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {20},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms222011279},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284307},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {A viral infection involves entry and replication of viral nucleic acid in a host organism, subsequently leading to biochemical and structural alterations in the host cell. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, over-activation of the host immune system may lead to lung damage. Albeit the regeneration and fibrotic repair processes being the two protective host responses, prolonged injury may lead to excessive fibrosis, a pathological state that can result in lung collapse. In this review, we discuss regeneration and fibrosis processes in response to SARS-CoV-2 and provide our viewpoint on the triggering of alveolar regeneration in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LiangRiosMiguelJaricketal.2021,
  author    = {Liang, Chunguang and Rios-Miguel, Ana B. and Jarick, Marcel and Neurgaonkar, Priya and Girard, Myriam and Fran{\c{c}}ois, Patrice and Schrenzel, Jacques and Ibrahim, Eslam S. and Ohlsen, Knut and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Staphylococcus aureus transcriptome data and metabolic modelling investigate the interplay of Ser/Thr kinase PknB, its phosphatase Stp, the glmR/yvcK regulon and the cdaA operon for metabolic adaptation},
  series = {Microorganisms},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Microorganisms},
  number    = {10},
  issn      = {2076-2607},
  doi       = {10.3390/microorganisms9102148},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-248459},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Serine/threonine kinase PknB and its corresponding phosphatase Stp are important regulators of many cell functions in the pathogen S. aureus. Genome-scale gene expression data of S. aureus strain NewHG (sigB\(^+\)) elucidated their effect on physiological functions. Moreover, metabolic modelling from these data inferred metabolic adaptations. We compared wild-type to deletion strains lacking pknB, stp or both. Ser/Thr phosphorylation of target proteins by PknB switched amino acid catabolism off and gluconeogenesis on to provide the cell with sufficient components. We revealed a significant impact of PknB and Stp on peptidoglycan, nucleotide and aromatic amino acid synthesis, as well as catabolism involving aspartate transaminase. Moreover, pyrimidine synthesis was dramatically impaired by stp deletion but only slightly by functional loss of PknB. In double knockouts, higher activity concerned genes involved in peptidoglycan, purine and aromatic amino acid synthesis from glucose but lower activity of pyrimidine synthesis from glucose compared to the wild type. A second transcriptome dataset from S. aureus NCTC 8325 (sigB\(^-\)) validated the predictions. For this metabolic adaptation, PknB was found to interact with CdaA and the yvcK/glmR regulon. The involved GlmR structure and the GlmS riboswitch were modelled. Furthermore, PknB phosphorylation lowered the expression of many virulence factors, and the study shed light on S. aureus infection processes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LiangBencurovaPsotaetal.2021,
  author    = {Liang, Chunguang and Bencurova, Elena and Psota, Eric and Neurgaonkar, Priya and Prelog, Martina and Scheller, Carsten and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Population-predicted MHC class II epitope presentation of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins correlates to the case fatality rates of COVID-19 in different countries},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {5},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms22052630},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-258936},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {We observed substantial differences in predicted Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHCII) epitope presentation of SARS-CoV-2 proteins for different populations but only minor differences in predicted MHCI epitope presentation. A comparison of this predicted epitope MHC-coverage revealed for the early phase of infection spread (till day 15 after reaching 128 observed infection cases) highly significant negative correlations with the case fatality rate. Specifically, this was observed in different populations for MHC class II presentation of the viral spike protein (p-value: 0.0733 for linear regression), the envelope protein (p-value: 0.023), and the membrane protein (p-value: 0.00053), indicating that the high case fatality rates of COVID-19 observed in some countries seem to be related with poor MHC class II presentation and hence weak adaptive immune response against these viral envelope proteins. Our results highlight the general importance of the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins in immunological control in early infection spread looking at a global census in various countries and taking case fatality rate into account. Other factors such as health system and control measures become more important after the early spread. Our study should encourage further studies on MHCII alleles as potential risk factors in COVID-19 including assessment of local populations and specific allele distributions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DandekarBencurovaOsmanogluetal.2021,
  author    = {Dandekar, Thomas and Bencurova, Elena and Osmanoglu, {\"O}zge and Naseem, Muhammad},
  title     = {Klimapflanzen und biologische Wege zu negativen Kohlendioxidemissionen},
  series = {BIOspektrum},
  volume    = {27},
  journal   = {BIOspektrum},
  number    = {7},
  issn      = {1868-6249},
  doi       = {10.1007/s12268-021-1677-2},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-270067},
  pages     = {769-772},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Climate plants are critical to prevent global warming as all efforts to save carbon dioxide are too slow and climate disasters on the rise. For best carbon dioxide harvesting we compare algae, trees and crop plants and use metagenomic analysis of environmental samples. We compare different pathways, carbon harvesting potentials of different plants as well as synthetic modifications including carbon dioxide flux balance analysis. For implementation, agriculture and modern forestry are important.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{OthmanFathyBekhitetal.2021,
  author    = {Othman, Eman M. and Fathy, Moustafa and Bekhit, Amany Abdlrehim and Abdel-Razik, Abdel-Razik H. and Jamal, Arshad and Nazzal, Yousef and Shams, Shabana and Dandekar, Thomas and Naseem, Muhammad},
  title     = {Modulatory and toxicological perspectives on the effects of the small molecule kinetin},
  series = {Molecules},
  volume    = {26},
  journal   = {Molecules},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {1420-3049},
  doi       = {10.3390/molecules26030670},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223064},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Plant hormones are small regulatory molecules that exert pharmacological actions in mammalian cells such as anti-oxidative and pro-metabolic effects. Kinetin belongs to the group of plant hormones cytokinin and has been associated with modulatory functions in mammalian cells. The mammalian adenosine receptor (A2a-R) is known to modulate multiple physiological responses in animal cells. Here, we describe that kinetin binds to the adenosine receptor (A2a-R) through the Asn253 residue in an adenosine dependent manner. To harness the beneficial effects of kinetin for future human use, we assess its acute toxicity by analyzing different biochemical and histological markers in rats. Kinetin at a dose below 1 mg/kg had no adverse effects on the serum level of glucose or on the activity of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes in the kinetin treated rats. Whereas, creatinine levels increased after a kinetin treatment at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Furthermore, 5 mg/kg treated kinetin rats showed normal renal corpuscles, but a mild degeneration was observed in the renal glomeruli and renal tubules, as well as few degenerated hepatocytes were also observed in the liver. Kinetin doses below 5 mg/kg did not show any localized toxicity in the liver and kidney tissues. In addition to unraveling the binding interaction between kinetin and A2a-R, our findings suggest safe dose limits for the future use of kinetin as a therapeutic and modulatory agent against various pathophysiological conditions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AudretschGrataniWolzetal.2021,
  author    = {Audretsch, Christof and Gratani, Fabio and Wolz, Christiane and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Modeling of stringent-response reflects nutrient stress induced growth impairment and essential amino acids in different Staphylococcus aureus mutants},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-021-88646-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260313},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Stapylococcus aureus colonises the nose of healthy individuals but can also cause a wide range of infections. Amino acid (AA) synthesis and their availability is crucial to adapt to conditions encountered in vivo. Most S. aureus genomes comprise all genes required for AA biosynthesis. Nevertheless, different strains require specific sets of AAs for growth. In this study we show that regulation inactivates pathways under certain conditions which result in these observed auxotrophies. We analyzed in vitro and modeled in silico in a Boolean semiquantitative model (195 nodes, 320 edges) the regulatory impact of stringent response (SR) on AA requirement in S. aureus HG001 (wild-type) and in mutant strains lacking the metabolic regulators RSH, CodY and CcpA, respectively. Growth in medium lacking single AAs was analyzed. Results correlated qualitatively to the in silico predictions of the final model in 92\% and quantitatively in 81\%. Remaining gaps in our knowledge are evaluated and discussed. This in silico model is made fully available and explains how integration of different inputs is achieved in SR and AA metabolism of S. aureus. The in vitro data and in silico modeling stress the role of SR and central regulators such as CodY for AA metabolisms in S. aureus.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{OthmanBekhitAnanyetal.2021,
  author    = {Othman, Eman M. and Bekhit, Amany A. and Anany, Mohamed A. and Dandekar, Thomas and Ragab, Hanan M. and Wahid, Ahmed},
  title     = {Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Screening for Repurposed Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivatives on Four Mammalian Cancer Cell Lines},
  series = {Molecules},
  volume    = {26},
  journal   = {Molecules},
  number    = {10},
  issn      = {1420-3049},
  doi       = {10.3390/molecules26102961},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239734},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The present study reports the synthesis of new purine bioisosteres comprising a pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold linked to mono-, di-, and trimethoxy benzylidene moieties through hydrazine linkages. First, in silico docking experiments of the synthesized compounds against Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Ki67, p21, and p53 were performed in a trial to rationalize the observed cytotoxic activity for the tested compounds. The anticancer activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro against Caco-2, A549, HT1080, and Hela cell lines. Results revealed that two (5 and 7) of the three synthesized compounds (5, 6, and 7) showed high cytotoxic activity against all tested cell lines with IC50 values in the micro molar concentration. Our in vitro results show that there is no significant apoptotic effect for the treatment with the experimental compounds on the viability of cells against A549 cells. Ki67 expression was found to decrease significantly following the treatment of cells with the most promising candidate: drug 7. The overall results indicate that these pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives possess anticancer activity at varying doses. The suggested mechanism of action involves the inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cells.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LiPradaDaminelietal.2021,
  author    = {Li, Kunkun and Prada, Juan and Damineli, Daniel S. C. and Liese, Anja and Romeis, Tina and Dandekar, Thomas and Feij{\´o}, Jos{\´e} A. and Hedrich, Rainer and Konrad, Kai Robert},
  title     = {An optimized genetically encoded dual reporter for simultaneous ratio imaging of Ca\(^{2+}\) and H\(^{+}\) reveals new insights into ion signaling in plants},
  series = {New Phytologist},
  volume    = {230},
  journal   = {New Phytologist},
  number    = {6},
  doi       = {10.1111/nph.17202},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239847},
  pages     = {2292 -- 2310},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Whereas the role of calcium ions (Ca\(^{2+}\)) in plant signaling is well studied, the physiological significance of pH-changes remains largely undefined. Here we developed CapHensor, an optimized dual-reporter for simultaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) and pH ratio-imaging and studied signaling events in pollen tubes (PTs), guard cells (GCs), and mesophyll cells (MCs). Monitoring spatio-temporal relationships between membrane voltage, Ca\(^{2+}\)- and pH-dynamics revealed interconnections previously not described. In tobacco PTs, we demonstrated Ca\(^{2+}\)-dynamics lag behind pH-dynamics during oscillatory growth, and pH correlates more with growth than Ca\(^{2+}\). In GCs, we demonstrated abscisic acid (ABA) to initiate stomatal closure via rapid cytosolic alkalization followed by Ca2+ elevation. Preventing the alkalization blocked GC ABA-responses and even opened stomata in the presence of ABA, disclosing an important pH-dependent GC signaling node. In MCs, a flg22-induced membrane depolarization preceded Ca2+-increases and cytosolic acidification by c. 2 min, suggesting a Ca\(^{2+}\)/pH-independent early pathogen signaling step. Imaging Ca2+ and pH resolved similar cytosol and nuclear signals and demonstrated flg22, but not ABA and hydrogen peroxide to initiate rapid membrane voltage-, Ca\(^{2+}\)- and pH-responses. We propose close interrelation in Ca\(^{2+}\)- and pH-signaling that is cell type- and stimulus-specific and the pH having crucial roles in regulating PT growth and stomata movement.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BreitenbachHelfrichFoersterDandekar2021,
  author    = {Breitenbach, Tim and Helfrich-F{\"o}rster, Charlotte and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {An effective model of endogenous clocks and external stimuli determining circadian rhythms},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-021-95391-y},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261655},
  pages     = {16165},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Circadian endogenous clocks of eukaryotic organisms are an established and rapidly developing research field. To investigate and simulate in an effective model the effect of external stimuli on such clocks and their components we developed a software framework for download and simulation. The application is useful to understand the different involved effects in a mathematical simple and effective model. This concerns the effects of Zeitgebers, feedback loops and further modifying components. We start from a known mathematical oscillator model, which is based on experimental molecular findings. This is extended with an effective framework that includes the impact of external stimuli on the circadian oscillations including high dose pharmacological treatment. In particular, the external stimuli framework defines a systematic procedure by input-output-interfaces to couple different oscillators. The framework is validated by providing phase response curves and ranges of entrainment. Furthermore, Aschoffs rule is computationally investigated. It is shown how the external stimuli framework can be used to study biological effects like points of singularity or oscillators integrating different signals at once. The mathematical framework and formalism is generic and allows to study in general the effect of external stimuli on oscillators and other biological processes. For an easy replication of each numerical experiment presented in this work and an easy implementation of the framework the corresponding Mathematica files are fully made available. They can be downloaded at the following link: https://www.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de/bioinfo/computing/circadian/.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShityakovSkorbFoersteretal.2021,
  author    = {Shityakov, Sergey and Skorb, Ekaterina V. and F{\"o}rster, Carola Y. and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Scaffold Searching of FDA and EMA-Approved Drugs Identifies Lead Candidates for Drug Repurposing in Alzheimer's Disease},
  series = {Frontiers in Chemistry},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Chemistry},
  issn      = {2296-2646},
  doi       = {10.3389/fchem.2021.736509},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-248703},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Clinical trials of novel therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have consumed a significant amount of time and resources with largely negative results. Repurposing drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), or Worldwide for another indication is a more rapid and less expensive option. Therefore, we apply the scaffold searching approach based on known amyloid-beta (Aβ) inhibitor tramiprosate to screen the DrugCentral database (n = 4,642) of clinically tested drugs. As a result, menadione bisulfite and camphotamide substances with protrombogenic and neurostimulation/cardioprotection effects were identified as promising Aβ inhibitors with an improved binding affinity (ΔGbind) and blood-brain barrier permeation (logBB). Finally, the data was also confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations using implicit solvation, in particular as Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) model. Overall, the proposed in silico pipeline can be implemented through the early stage rational drug design to nominate some lead candidates for AD, which will be further validated in vitro and in vivo, and, finally, in a clinical trial.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GuptaSrivastavaOsmanogluetal.2021,
  author    = {Gupta, Shishir K. and Srivastava, Mugdha and Osmanoglu, {\"O}zge and Xu, Zhuofei and Brakhage, Axel A. and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Aspergillus fumigatus versus genus Aspergillus: conservation, adaptive evolution and specific virulence genes},
  series = {Microorganisms},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Microorganisms},
  number    = {10},
  issn      = {2076-2607},
  doi       = {10.3390/microorganisms9102014},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246318},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Aspergillus is an important fungal genus containing economically important species, as well as pathogenic species of animals and plants. Using eighteen fungal species of the genus Aspergillus, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of conserved genes and their evolution. This also allows us to investigate the selection pressure driving the adaptive evolution in the pathogenic species A. fumigatus. Among single-copy orthologs (SCOs) for A. fumigatus and the closely related species A. fischeri, we identified 122 versus 50 positively selected genes (PSGs), respectively. Moreover, twenty conserved genes of unknown function were established to be positively selected and thus important for adaption. A. fumigatus PSGs interacting with human host proteins show over-representation of adaptive, symbiosis-related, immunomodulatory and virulence-related pathways, such as the TGF-β pathway, insulin receptor signaling, IL1 pathway and interfering with phagosomal GTPase signaling. Additionally, among the virulence factor coding genes, secretory and membrane protein-coding genes in multi-copy gene families, 212 genes underwent positive selection and also suggest increased adaptation, such as fungal immune evasion mechanisms (aspf2), siderophore biosynthesis (sidD), fumarylalanine production (sidE), stress tolerance (atfA) and thermotolerance (sodA). These genes presumably contribute to host adaptation strategies. Genes for the biosynthesis of gliotoxin are shared among all the close relatives of A. fumigatus as an ancient defense mechanism. Positive selection plays a crucial role in the adaptive evolution of A. fumigatus. The genome-wide profile of PSGs provides valuable targets for further research on the mechanisms of immune evasion, antimycotic targeting and understanding fundamental virulence processes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AlnusaireSayedElmaidomyetal.2021,
  author    = {Alnusaire, Taghreed S. and Sayed, Ahmed M. and Elmaidomy, Abeer H. and Al-Sanea, Mohammad M. and Albogami, Sarah and Albqmi, Mha and Alowaiesh, Bassam F. and Mostafa, Ehab M. and Musa, Arafa and Youssif, Khayrya A. and Refaat, Hesham and Othman, Eman M. and Dandekar, Thomas and Alaaeldin, Eman and Ghoneim, Mohammed M. and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan},
  title     = {An in vitro and in silico study of the enhanced antiproliferative and pro-oxidant potential of Olea europaea L. cv. Arbosana leaf extract via elastic nanovesicles (spanlastics)},
  series = {Antioxidants},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Antioxidants},
  number    = {12},
  issn      = {2076-3921},
  doi       = {10.3390/antiox10121860},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-250064},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The olive tree is a venerable Mediterranean plant and often used in traditional medicine. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Olea europaea L. cv. Arbosana leaf extract (OLE) and its encapsulation within a spanlastic dosage form on the improvement of its pro-oxidant and antiproliferative activity against HepG-2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 human cancer cell lines. The LC-HRESIMS-assisted metabolomic profile of OLE putatively annotated 20 major metabolites and showed considerable in vitro antiproliferative activity against HepG-2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cell lines with IC\(_{50}\) values of 9.2 ± 0.8, 7.1 ± 0.9, and 6.5 ± 0.7 µg/mL, respectively. The encapsulation of OLE within a (spanlastic) nanocarrier system, using a spraying method and Span 40 and Tween 80 (4:1 molar ratio), was successfully carried out (size 41 ± 2.4 nm, zeta potential 13.6 ± 2.5, and EE 61.43 ± 2.03\%). OLE showed enhanced thermal stability, and an improved in vitro antiproliferative effect against HepG-2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 (IC\(_{50}\) 3.6 ± 0.2, 2.3 ± 0.1, and 1.8 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively) in comparison to the unprocessed extract. Both preparations were found to exhibit pro-oxidant potential inside the cancer cells, through the potential inhibitory activity of OLE against glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase (IC\(_{50}\) 1.18 ± 0.12 and 2.33 ± 0.19 µg/mL, respectively). These inhibitory activities were proposed via a comprehensive in silico study to be linked to the presence of certain compounds in OLE. Consequently, we assume that formulating such a herbal extract within a suitable nanocarrier would be a promising improvement of its therapeutic potential.},
  language  = {en}
}
@techreport{Dandekar2021,
  type      = {Working Paper},
  author    = {Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {A new cosmology of a crystallization process (decoherence) from the surrounding quantum soup provides heuristics to unify general relativity and quantum physics by solid state physics},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-23076},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230769},
  pages     = {42 Seiten},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {We explore a cosmology where the Big Bang singularity is replaced by a condensation event of interacting strings. We study the transition from an uncontrolled, chaotic soup ("before") to a clearly interacting "real world". Cosmological inflation scenarios do not fit current observations and are avoided. Instead, long-range interactions inside this crystallization event limit growth and crystal symmetries ensure the same laws of nature and basic symmetries over our domain. Tiny mis-arrangements present nuclei of superclusters and galaxies and crystal structure leads to the arrangement of dark (halo regions) and normal matter (galaxy nuclei) so convenient for galaxy formation. Crystals come and go, allowing an evolutionary cosmology where entropic forces from the quantum soup "outside" of the crystal try to dissolve it. These would correspond to dark energy and leads to a big rip scenario in 70 Gy. Preference of crystals with optimal growth and most condensation nuclei for the next generation of crystals may select for multiple self-organizing processes within the crystal, explaining "fine-tuning" of the local "laws of nature" (the symmetry relations formed within the crystal, its "unit cell") to be particular favorable for self-organizing processes including life or even conscious observers in our universe. Independent of cosmology, a crystallization event may explain quantum-decoherence in general: The fact, that in our macroscopic everyday world we only see one reality. This contrasts strongly with the quantum world where you have coherence, a superposition of all quantum states. We suggest that a "real world" (so our everyday macroscopic world) happens only in our domain, i.e. inside a crystal. "Outside" of our domain and our observable universe there is the quantum soup of boiling quantum foam and superposition of all possibilities. In our crystallized world the vacuum no longer boils but is cooled down by the crystallization event and hence is 10**20 smaller, exactly as observed in our everyday world. As we live in a "solid" state, within a crystal, the different quanta which build our world have all their different states nicely separated. This theory postulates there are only n quanta and m states available for them (there is no Everett-like ever splitting multiverse after each decision). In the solid state we live in, there is decoherence, the states are nicely separated. The arrow of entropy for each edge of the crystal forms one fate, one worldline or clear development of a world, while the layers of the crystal are different system states. Some mathematical leads from loop quantum gravity point to required interactions and potentials. A complete mathematical treatment of this unified theory is far too demanding currently. Interaction potentials for strings or membranes of any dimension allow a solid state of quanta, so allowing decoherence in our observed world are challenging to calculate. However, if we introduce here the heuristic that any type of physical interaction of strings corresponds just to a type of calculation, there is already since 1898 the Hurwitz theorem showing that then only 1D, 2D, 4D and 8D (octonions) allow complex or hypercomplex number calculations. No other hypercomplex numbers and hence dimensions or symmetries are possible to allow calculations without yielding divisions by zero. However, the richest solution allowed by the Hurwitz theorem, octonions, is actually the observed symmetry of our universe, E8.  },
  subject      = {Kosmologie},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KuehnemundtLeifeldSchergetal.2021,
  author    = {K{\"u}hnemundt, Johanna and Leifeld, Heidi and Scherg, Florian and Schmitt, Matthias and Nelke, Lena C. and Schmitt, Tina and Bauer, Florentin and G{\"o}ttlich, Claudia and Fuchs, Maximilian and Kunz, Meik and Peindl, Matthias and Br{\"a}hler, Caroline and Kronenthaler, Corinna and Wischhusen, J{\"o}rg and Prelog, Martina and Walles, Heike and Dandekar, Thomas and Dandekar, Gudrun and Nietzer, Sarah L.},
  title     = {Modular micro-physiological human tumor/tissue models based on decellularized tissue for improved preclinical testing},
  series = {ALTEX},
  volume    = {38},
  journal   = {ALTEX},
  doi       = {10.14573/altex.2008141},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231465},
  pages     = {289-306},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {High attrition-rates entailed by drug testing in 2D cell culture and animal models stress the need for improved modeling of human tumor tissues. In previous studies our 3D models on a decellularized tissue matrix have shown better predictivity and higher chemoresistance. A single porcine intestine yields material for 150 3D models of breast, lung, colorectal cancer (CRC) or leukemia. The uniquely preserved structure of the basement membrane enables physiological anchorage of endothelial cells and epithelial-derived carcinoma cells. The matrix provides different niches for cell growth: on top as monolayer, in crypts as aggregates and within deeper layers. Dynamic culture in bioreactors enhances cell growth. Comparing gene expression between 2D and 3D cultures, we observed changes related to proliferation, apoptosis and stemness. For drug target predictions, we utilize tumor-specific sequencing data in our in silico model finding an additive effect of metformin and gefitinib treatment for lung cancer in silico, validated in vitro. To analyze mode-of-action, immune therapies such as trispecific T-cell engagers in leukemia, as well as toxicity on non-cancer cells, the model can be modularly enriched with human endothelial cells (hECs), immune cells and fibroblasts. Upon addition of hECs, transmigration of immune cells through the endothelial barrier can be investigated. In an allogenic CRC model we observe a lower basic apoptosis rate after applying PBMCs in 3D compared to 2D, which offers new options to mirror antigen-specific immunotherapies in vitro. In conclusion, we present modular human 3D tumor models with tissue-like features for preclinical testing to reduce animal experiments.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchererFleishmanJonesetal.2021,
  author    = {Scherer, Marc and Fleishman, Sarel J. and Jones, Patrik R. and Dandekar, Thomas and Bencurova, Elena},
  title     = {Computational Enzyme Engineering Pipelines for Optimized Production of Renewable Chemicals},
  series = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
  issn      = {2296-4185},
  doi       = {10.3389/fbioe.2021.673005},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-240598},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {To enable a sustainable supply of chemicals, novel biotechnological solutions are required that replace the reliance on fossil resources. One potential solution is to utilize tailored biosynthetic modules for the metabolic conversion of CO2 or organic waste to chemicals and fuel by microorganisms. Currently, it is challenging to commercialize biotechnological processes for renewable chemical biomanufacturing because of a lack of highly active and specific biocatalysts. As experimental methods to engineer biocatalysts are time- and cost-intensive, it is important to establish efficient and reliable computational tools that can speed up the identification or optimization of selective, highly active, and stable enzyme variants for utilization in the biotechnological industry. Here, we review and suggest combinations of effective state-of-the-art software and online tools available for computational enzyme engineering pipelines to optimize metabolic pathways for the biosynthesis of renewable chemicals. Using examples relevant for biotechnology, we explain the underlying principles of enzyme engineering and design and illuminate future directions for automated optimization of biocatalysts for the assembly of synthetic metabolic pathways.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{OsmanogluKhaledAlSeiariAlKhoorietal.2021,
  author    = {Osmanoglu, {\"O}zge and Khaled AlSeiari, Mariam and AlKhoori, Hasa Abduljaleel and Shams, Shabana and Bencurova, Elena and Dandekar, Thomas and Naseem, Muhammad},
  title     = {Topological Analysis of the Carbon-Concentrating CETCH Cycle and a Photorespiratory Bypass Reveals Boosted CO\(_2\)-Sequestration by Plants},
  series = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
  issn      = {2296-4185},
  doi       = {10.3389/fbioe.2021.708417},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-249260},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Synthetically designed alternative photorespiratory pathways increase the biomass of tobacco and rice plants. Likewise, some in planta-tested synthetic carbon-concentrating cycles (CCCs) hold promise to increase plant biomass while diminishing atmospheric carbon dioxide burden. Taking these individual contributions into account, we hypothesize that the integration of bypasses and CCCs will further increase plant productivity. To test this in silico, we reconstructed a metabolic model by integrating photorespiration and photosynthesis with the synthetically designed alternative pathway 3 (AP3) enzymes and transporters. We calculated fluxes of the native plant system and those of AP3 combined with the inhibition of the glycolate/glycerate transporter by using the YANAsquare package. The activity values corresponding to each enzyme in photosynthesis, photorespiration, and for synthetically designed alternative pathways were estimated. Next, we modeled the effect of the crotonyl-CoA/ethylmalonyl-CoA/hydroxybutyryl-CoA cycle (CETCH), which is a set of natural and synthetically designed enzymes that fix CO₂ manifold more than the native Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle. We compared estimated fluxes across various pathways in the native model and under an introduced CETCH cycle. Moreover, we combined CETCH and AP3-w/plgg1RNAi, and calculated the fluxes. We anticipate higher carbon dioxide-harvesting potential in plants with an AP3 bypass and CETCH-AP3 combination. We discuss the in vivo implementation of these strategies for the improvement of C3 plants and in natural high carbon harvesters.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BalkenholKaltdorfMammadovaBachetal.2020,
  author    = {Balkenhol, Johannes and Kaltdorf, Kristin V. and Mammadova-Bach, Elmina and Braun, Attila and Nieswandt, Bernhard and Dittrich, Marcus and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Comparison of the central human and mouse platelet signaling cascade by systems biological analysis},
  series = {BMC Genomics},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {BMC Genomics},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12864-020-07215-4},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230377},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background Understanding the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation and aggregation is of high interest for basic and clinical hemostasis and thrombosis research. The central platelet protein interaction network is involved in major responses to exogenous factors. This is defined by systemsbiological pathway analysis as the central regulating signaling cascade of platelets (CC). Results The CC is systematically compared here between mouse and human and major differences were found. Genetic differences were analysed comparing orthologous human and mouse genes. We next analyzed different expression levels of mRNAs. Considering 4 mouse and 7 human high-quality proteome data sets, we identified then those major mRNA expression differences (81\%) which were supported by proteome data. CC is conserved regarding genetic completeness, but we observed major differences in mRNA and protein levels between both species. Looking at central interactors, human PLCB2, MMP9, BDNF, ITPR3 and SLC25A6 (always Entrez notation) show absence in all murine datasets. CC interactors GNG12, PRKCE and ADCY9 occur only in mice. Looking at the common proteins, TLN1, CALM3, PRKCB, APP, SOD2 and TIMP1 are higher abundant in human, whereas RASGRP2, ITGB2, MYL9, EIF4EBP1, ADAM17, ARRB2, CD9 and ZYX are higher abundant in mouse. Pivotal kinase SRC shows different regulation on mRNA and protein level as well as ADP receptor P2RY12. Conclusions Our results highlight species-specific differences in platelet signaling and points of specific fine-tuning in human platelets as well as murine-specific signaling differences.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NaseemOsmanoğluKaltdorfetal.2020,
  author    = {Naseem, Muhammad and Osmanoğlu, {\"O}zge and Kaltdorf, Martin and Alblooshi, Afnan Ali M. A. and Iqbal, Jibran and Howari, Fares M. and Srivastava, Mugdha and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Integrated framework of the immune-defense transcriptional signatures in the Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {16},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms21165745},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285730},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {The growing tips of plants grow sterile; therefore, disease-free plants can be generated from them. How plants safeguard growing apices from pathogen infection is still a mystery. The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is one of the three stem cells niches that give rise to the above ground plant organs. This is very well explored; however, how signaling networks orchestrate immune responses against pathogen infections in the SAM remains unclear. To reconstruct a transcriptional framework of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) pertaining to various SAM cellular populations, we acquired large-scale transcriptome datasets from the public repository Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We identify here distinct sets of genes for various SAM cellular populations that are enriched in immune functions, such as immune defense, pathogen infection, biotic stress, and response to salicylic acid and jasmonic acid and their biosynthetic pathways in the SAM. We further linked those immune genes to their respective proteins and identify interactions among them by mapping a transcriptome-guided SAM-interactome. Furthermore, we compared stem-cells regulated transcriptome with innate immune responses in plants showing transcriptional separation among their DEGs in Arabidopsis. Besides unleashing a repertoire of immune-related genes in the SAM, our analysis provides a SAM-interactome that will help the community in designing functional experiments to study the specific defense dynamics of the SAM-cellular populations. Moreover, our study promotes the essence of large-scale omics data re-analysis, allowing a fresh look at the SAM-cellular transcriptome repurposing data-sets for new questions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BaurNietzerKunzetal.2020,
  author    = {Baur, Florentin and Nietzer, Sarah L. and Kunz, Meik and Saal, Fabian and Jeromin, Julian and Matschos, Stephanie and Linnebacher, Michael and Walles, Heike and Dandekar, Thomas and Dandekar, Gudrun},
  title     = {Connecting cancer pathways to tumor engines: a stratification tool for colorectal cancer combining human in vitro tissue models with boolean in silico models},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers12010028},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193798},
  pages     = {28},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {To improve and focus preclinical testing, we combine tumor models based on a decellularized tissue matrix with bioinformatics to stratify tumors according to stage-specific mutations that are linked to central cancer pathways. We generated tissue models with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (HROC24 and HROC87) and compared treatment responses to two-dimensional (2D) cultures and xenografts. As the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib is—in contrast to melanoma—not effective in CRC, we combined it with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. In general, our 3D models showed higher chemoresistance and in contrast to 2D a more active HGFR after gefitinib and combination-therapy. In xenograft models murine HGF could not activate the human HGFR, stressing the importance of the human microenvironment. In order to stratify patient groups for targeted treatment options in CRC, an in silico topology with different stages including mutations and changes in common signaling pathways was developed. We applied the established topology for in silico simulations to predict new therapeutic options for BRAF-mutated CRC patients in advanced stages. Our in silico tool connects genome information with a deeper understanding of tumor engines in clinically relevant signaling networks which goes beyond the consideration of single drivers to improve CRC patient stratification.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NaseemOthmanFathyetal.2020,
  author    = {Naseem, Muhammad and Othman, Eman M. and Fathy, Moustafa and Iqbal, Jibran and Howari, Fares M. and AlRemeithi, Fatima A. and Kodandaraman, Geema and Stopper, Helga and Bencurova, Elena and Vlachakis, Dimitrios and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Integrated structural and functional analysis of the protective effects of kinetin against oxidative stress in mammalian cellular systems},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-020-70253-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231317},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Metabolism and signaling of cytokinins was first established in plants, followed by cytokinin discoveries in all kingdoms of life. However, understanding of their role in mammalian cells is still scarce. Kinetin is a cytokinin that mitigates the effects of oxidative stress in mammalian cells. The effective concentrations of exogenously applied kinetin in invoking various cellular responses are not well standardized. Likewise, the metabolism of kinetin and its cellular targets within the mammalian cells are still not well studied. Applying vitality tests as well as comet assays under normal and hyper-oxidative states, our analysis suggests that kinetin concentrations of 500 nM and above cause cytotoxicity as well as genotoxicity in various cell types. However, concentrations below 100 nM do not cause any toxicity, rather in this range kinetin counteracts oxidative burst and cytotoxicity. We focus here on these effects. To get insights into the cellular targets of kinetin mediating these pro-survival functions and protective effects we applied structural and computational approaches on two previously testified targets for these effects. Our analysis deciphers vital residues in adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) and adenosine receptor (A2A-R) that facilitate the binding of kinetin to these two important human cellular proteins. We finally discuss how the therapeutic potential of kinetin against oxidative stress helps in various pathophysiological conditions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WhisnantJuergesHennigetal.2020,
  author    = {Whisnant, Adam W. and J{\"u}rges, Christopher S. and Hennig, Thomas and Wyler, Emanuel and Prusty, Bhupesh and Rutkowski, Andrzej J. and L'hernault, Anne and Djakovic, Lara and G{\"o}bel, Margarete and D{\"o}ring, Kristina and Menegatti, Jennifer and Antrobus, Robin and Matheson, Nicholas J. and K{\"u}nzig, Florian W. H. and Mastrobuoni, Guido and Bielow, Chris and Kempa, Stefan and Liang, Chunguang and Dandekar, Thomas and Zimmer, Ralf and Landthaler, Markus and Gr{\"a}sser, Friedrich and Lehner, Paul J. and Friedel, Caroline C. and Erhard, Florian and D{\"o}lken, Lars},
  title     = {Integrative functional genomics decodes herpes simplex virus 1},
  series = {Nature Communications},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Nature Communications},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41467-020-15992-5},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229884},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {The predicted 80 open reading frames (ORFs) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) have been intensively studied for decades. Here, we unravel the complete viral transcriptome and translatome during lytic infection with base-pair resolution by computational integration of multi-omics data. We identify a total of 201 transcripts and 284 ORFs including all known and 46 novel large ORFs. This includes a so far unknown ORF in the locus deleted in the FDA-approved oncolytic virus Imlygic. Multiple transcript isoforms expressed from individual gene loci explain translation of the vast majority of ORFs as well as N-terminal extensions (NTEs) and truncations. We show that NTEs with non-canonical start codons govern the subcellular protein localization and packaging of key viral regulators and structural proteins. We extend the current nomenclature to include all viral gene products and provide a genome browser that visualizes all the obtained data from whole genome to single-nucleotide resolution. Here, using computational integration of multi-omics data, the authors provide a detailed transcriptome and translatome of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), including previously unidentified ORFs and N-terminal extensions. The study also provides a HSV-1 genome browser and should be a valuable resource for further research.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{StelznerWinklerLiangetal.2020,
  author    = {Stelzner, Kathrin and Winkler, Ann-Cathrin and Liang, Chunguang and Boyny, Aziza and Ade, Carsten P. and Dandekar, Thomas and Fraunholz, Martin J. and Rudel, Thomas},
  title     = {Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus Perturbs the Host Cell Ca\(^{2+}\) Homeostasis To Promote Cell Death},
  series = {mBio},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {mBio},
  doi       = {10.1128/mBio.02250-20},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231448},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {The opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus causes serious infectious diseases that range from superficial skin and soft tissue infections to necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis. While classically regarded as an extracellular pathogen, S. aureus is able to invade and survive within human cells. Host cell exit is associated with cell death, tissue destruction, and the spread of infection. The exact molecular mechanism employed by S. aureus to escape the host cell is still unclear. In this study, we performed a genome-wide small hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen and identified the calcium signaling pathway as being involved in intracellular infection. S. aureus induced a massive cytosolic Ca\(^{2+}\) increase in epithelial host cells after invasion and intracellular replication of the pathogen. This was paralleled by a decrease in endoplasmic reticulum Ca\(^{2+}\) concentration. Additionally, calcium ions from the extracellular space contributed to the cytosolic Ca2+ increase. As a consequence, we observed that the cytoplasmic Ca\(^{2+}\) rise led to an increase in mitochondrial Ca\(^{2+}\) concentration, the activation of calpains and caspases, and eventually to cell lysis of S. aureus-infected cells. Our study therefore suggests that intracellular S. aureus disturbs the host cell Ca\(^{2+}\) homeostasis and induces cytoplasmic Ca\(^{2+}\) overload, which results in both apoptotic and necrotic cell death in parallel or succession. IMPORTANCE Despite being regarded as an extracellular bacterium, the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can invade and survive within human cells. The intracellular niche is considered a hideout from the host immune system and antibiotic treatment and allows bacterial proliferation. Subsequently, the intracellular bacterium induces host cell death, which may facilitate the spread of infection and tissue destruction. So far, host cell factors exploited by intracellular S. aureus to promote cell death are only poorly characterized. We performed a genome-wide screen and found the calcium signaling pathway to play a role in S. aureus invasion and cytotoxicity. The intracellular bacterium induces a cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca\(^{2+}\) overload, which results in host cell death. Thus, this study first showed how an intracellular bacterium perturbs the host cell Ca\(^{2+}\) homeostasis."},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SarukhanyanShityakovDandekar2020,
  author    = {Sarukhanyan, Edita and Shityakov, Sergey and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Rational drug design of Axl tyrosine kinase type I inhibitors as promising candidates against cancer},
  series = {Frontiers in Chemistry},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Chemistry},
  number    = {920},
  issn      = {2296-2646},
  doi       = {10.3389/fchem.2019.00920},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199505},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {The high level of Axl tyrosine kinase expression in various cancer cell lines makes it an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we carried out several sets of in silico screening for the ATP-competitive Axl kinase inhibitors based on different molecular docking protocols. The best drug-like candidates were identified, after parental structure modifications, by their highest affinity to the target protein. We found that our newly designed compound R5, a derivative of the R428 patented analog, is the most promising inhibitor of the Axl kinase according to the three molecular docking algorithms applied in the study. The molecular docking results are in agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations using the MM-PBSA/GBSA implicit solvation models, which confirm the high affinity of R5 toward the protein receptor. Additionally, the selectivity test against other kinases also reveals a high affinity of R5 toward ABL1 and Tyro3 kinases, emphasizing its promising potential for the treatment of malignant tumors.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KannKunzHansenetal.2020,
  author    = {Kann, Simone and Kunz, Meik and Hansen, Jessica and Sievertsen, J{\"u}rgen and Crespo, Jose J. and Loperena, Aristides and Arriens, Sandra and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Chagas disease: detection of Trypanosoma cruzi by a new, high-specific real time PCR},
  series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  number    = {5},
  issn      = {2077-0383},
  doi       = {10.3390/jcm9051517},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-205746},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a major burden in Latin America, expanding also to non-endemic countries. A gold standard to detect the CD causing pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi is currently not available. Existing real time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) lack sensitivity and/or specificity. We present a new, highly specific RT-PCR for the diagnosis and monitoring of CD. Material and Methods: We analyzed 352 serum samples from Indigenous people living in high endemic CD areas of Colombia using three leading RT-PCRs (k-DNA-, TCZ-, 18S rRNA-PCR), the newly developed one (NDO-PCR), a Rapid Test/enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence. Eighty-seven PCR-products were verified by sequence analysis after plasmid vector preparation. Results: The NDO-PCR showed the highest sensitivity (92.3\%), specificity (100\%), and accuracy (94.3\%) for T. cruzi detection in the 87 sequenced samples. Sensitivities and specificities of the kDNA-PCR were 89.2\%/22.7\%, 20.5\%/100\% for TCZ-PCR, and 1.5\%/100\% for the 18S rRNA-PCR. The kDNA-PCR revealed a 77.3\% false positive rate, mostly due to cross-reactions with T. rangeli (NDO-PCR 0\%). TCZ- and 18S rRNA-PCR showed a false negative rate of 79.5\% and 98.5\% (NDO-PCR 7.7\%), respectively. Conclusions: The NDO-PCR demonstrated the highest specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy compared to leading PCRs. Together with serologic tests, it can be considered as a reliable tool for CD detection and can improve CD management significantly.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShityakovBencurovaFoersteretal.2020,
  author    = {Shityakov, Sergey and Bencurova, Elena and F{\"o}rster, Carola and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Modeling of shotgun sequencing of DNA plasmids using experimental and theoretical approaches},
  series = {BMC Bioinformatics},
  volume    = {2020},
  journal   = {BMC Bioinformatics},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12859-020-3461-6},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229169},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background Processing and analysis of DNA sequences obtained from next-generation sequencing (NGS) face some difficulties in terms of the correct prediction of DNA sequencing outcomes without the implementation of bioinformatics approaches. However, algorithms based on NGS perform inefficiently due to the generation of long DNA fragments, the difficulty of assembling them and the complexity of the used genomes. On the other hand, the Sanger DNA sequencing method is still considered to be the most reliable; it is a reliable choice for virtual modeling to build all possible consensus sequences from smaller DNA fragments. Results In silico and in vitro experiments were conducted: (1) to implement and test our novel sequencing algorithm, using the standard cloning vectors of different length and (2) to validate experimentally virtual shotgun sequencing using the PCR technique with the number of cycles from 1 to 9 for each reaction. Conclusions We applied a novel algorithm based on Sanger methodology to correctly predict and emphasize the performance of DNA sequencing techniques as well as in de novo DNA sequencing and its further application in synthetic biology. We demonstrate the statistical significance of our results.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GuptaSrivastavaOsmanogluetal.2020,
  author    = {Gupta, Shishir K. and Srivastava, Mugdha and Osmanoglu, Oezge and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Genome-wide inference of the Camponotus floridanus protein-protein interaction network using homologous mapping and interacting domain profile pairs},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-020-59344-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229406},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Apart from some model organisms, the interactome of most organisms is largely unidentified. High-throughput experimental techniques to determine protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are resource intensive and highly susceptible to noise. Computational methods of PPI determination can accelerate biological discovery by identifying the most promising interacting pairs of proteins and by assessing the reliability of identified PPIs. Here we present a first in-depth study describing a global view of the ant Camponotus floridanus interactome. Although several ant genomes have been sequenced in the last eight years, studies exploring and investigating PPIs in ants are lacking. Our study attempts to fill this gap and the presented interactome will also serve as a template for determining PPIs in other ants in future. Our C. floridanus interactome covers 51,866 non-redundant PPIs among 6,274 proteins, including 20,544 interactions supported by domain-domain interactions (DDIs), 13,640 interactions supported by DDIs and subcellular localization, and 10,834 high confidence interactions mediated by 3,289 proteins. These interactions involve and cover 30.6\% of the entire C. floridanus proteome.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GrebinykPrylutskaBuchelnikovetal.2019,
  author    = {Grebinyk, Anna and Prylutska, Svitlana and Buchelnikov, Anatoliy and Tverdokhleb, Nina and Grebinyk, Sergii and Evstigneev, Maxim and Matyshevska, Olga and Cherepanov, Vsevolod and Prylutskyy, Yuriy and Yashchuk, Valeriy and Naumovets, Anton and Ritter, Uwe and Dandekar, Thomas and Frohme, Marcus},
  title     = {C60 fullerene as an effective nanoplatform of alkaloid Berberine delivery into leukemic cells},
  series = {Pharmaceutics},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Pharmaceutics},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {1999-4923},
  doi       = {10.3390/pharmaceutics11110586},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193216},
  pages     = {586},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {A herbal alkaloid Berberine (Ber), used for centuries in Ayurvedic, Chinese, Middle-Eastern, and native American folk medicines, is nowadays proved to function as a safe anticancer agent. Yet, its poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability hinder clinical application. In this study, we have explored a nanosized carbon nanoparticle—C60 fullerene (C60)—for optimized Ber delivery into leukemic cells. Water dispersions of noncovalent C60-Ber nanocomplexes in the 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 molar ratios were prepared. UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) evidenced a complexation of the Ber cation with the negatively charged C60 molecule. The computer simulation showed that π-stacking dominates in Ber and C\(_{60}\) binding in an aqueous solution. Complexation with C\(_{60}\) was found to promote Ber intracellular uptake. By increasing C\(_{60}\) concentration, the C\(_{60}\)-Ber nanocomplexes exhibited higher antiproliferative potential towards CCRF-CEM cells, in accordance with the following order: free Ber < 1:2 < 1:1 < 2:1 (the most toxic). The activation of caspase 3/7 and accumulation in the sub-G1 phase of CCRF-CEM cells treated with C\(_{60}\)-Ber nanocomplexes evidenced apoptosis induction. Thus, this study indicates that the fast and easy noncovalent complexation of alkaloid Ber with C\(_{60}\) improved its in vitro efficiency against cancer cells.},
  language  = {en}
}
@unpublished{Dandekar2019,
  author    = {Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Biological heuristics applied to cosmology suggests a condensation nucleus as start of our universe and inflation cosmology replaced by a period of rapid Weiss domain-like crystal growth},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-183945},
  pages     = {24},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Cosmology often uses intricate formulas and mathematics to derive new theories and concepts. We do something different in this paper: We look at biological processes and derive from these heuristics so that the revised cosmology agrees with astronomical observations but does also agree with standard biological observations. We show that we then have to replace any type of singularity at the start of the universe by a condensation nucleus and that the very early period of the universe usually assumed to be inflation has to be replaced by a period of rapid crystal growth as in Weiss magnetization domains. Impressively, these minor modifications agree well with astronomical observations including removing the strong inflation perturbations which were never observed in the recent BICEP2 experiments. Furthermore, looking at biological principles suggests that such a new theory with a condensation nucleus at start and a first rapid phase of magnetization-like growth of the ordered, physical laws obeying lattice we live in is in fact the only convincing theory of the early phases of our universe that also is compatible with current observations. We show in detail in the following that such a process of crystal creation, breaking of new crystal seeds and ultimate evaporation of the present crystal readily leads over several generations to an evolution and selection of better, more stable and more self-organizing crystals. Moreover, this explains the "fine-tuning" question why our universe is fine-tuned to favor life: Our Universe is so self-organizing to have enough offspring and the detailed physics involved is at the same time highly favorable for all self-organizing processes including life. This biological theory contrasts with current standard inflation cosmologies. The latter do not perform well in explaining any phenomena of sophisticated structure creation or self-organization. As proteins can only thermodynamically fold by increasing the entropy in the solution around them we suggest for cosmology a condensation nucleus for a universe can form only in a "chaotic ocean" of string-soup or quantum foam if the entropy outside of the nucleus rapidly increases. We derive an interaction potential for 1 to n-dimensional strings or quantum-foams and show that they allow only 1D, 2D, 4D or octonion interactions. The latter is the richest structure and agrees to the E8 symmetry fundamental to particle physics and also compatible with the ten dimensional string theory E8 which is part of the M-theory. Interestingly, any other interactions of other dimensionality can be ruled out using Hurwitz compositional theorem. Crystallization explains also extremely well why we have only one macroscopic reality and where the worldlines of alternative trajectories exist: They are in other planes of the crystal and for energy reasons they crystallize mostly at the same time, yielding a beautiful and stable crystal. This explains decoherence and allows to determine the size of Planck´s quantum h (very small as separation of crystal layers by energy is extremely strong). Ultimate dissolution of real crystals suggests an explanation for dark energy agreeing with estimates for the "big rip". The halo distribution of dark matter favoring galaxy formation is readily explained by a crystal seed starting with unit cells made of normal and dark matter. That we have only matter and not antimatter can be explained as there may be right handed mattercrystals and left-handed antimatter crystals. Similarly, real crystals are never perfect and we argue that exactly such irregularities allow formation of galaxies, clusters and superclusters. Finally, heuristics from genetics suggest to look for a systems perspective to derive correct vacuum and Higgs Boson energies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BreitenbachLorenzDandekar2019,
  author    = {Breitenbach, Tim and Lorenz, Kristina and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {How to steer and control ERK and the ERK signaling cascade exemplified by looking at cardiac insufficiency},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {20},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {9},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms20092179},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285164},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Mathematical optimization framework allows the identification of certain nodes within a signaling network. In this work, we analyzed the complex extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) cascade in cardiomyocytes using the framework to find efficient adjustment screws for this cascade that is important for cardiomyocyte survival and maladaptive heart muscle growth. We modeled optimal pharmacological intervention points that are beneficial for the heart, but avoid the occurrence of a maladaptive ERK1/2 modification, the autophosphorylation of ERK at threonine 188 (ERK\(^{Thr188}\) phosphorylation), which causes cardiac hypertrophy. For this purpose, a network of a cardiomyocyte that was fitted to experimental data was equipped with external stimuli that model the pharmacological intervention points. Specifically, two situations were considered. In the first one, the cardiomyocyte was driven to a desired expression level with different treatment strategies. These strategies were quantified with respect to beneficial effects and maleficent side effects and then which one is the best treatment strategy was evaluated. In the second situation, it was shown how to model constitutively activated pathways and how to identify drug targets to obtain a desired activity level that is associated with a healthy state and in contrast to the maleficent expression pattern caused by the constitutively activated pathway. An implementation of the algorithms used for the calculations is also presented in this paper, which simplifies the application of the presented framework for drug targeting, optimal drug combinations and the systematic and automatic search for pharmacological intervention points. The codes were designed such that they can be combined with any mathematical model given by ordinary differential equations.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AkhoonGuptaTiwarietal.2019,
  author    = {Akhoon, Bashir A. and Gupta, Shishir K. and Tiwari, Sudeep and Rathor, Laxmi and Pant, Aakanksha and Singh, Nivedita and Gupta, Shailendra K. and Dandekar, Thomas and Pandey, Rakesh},
  title     = {C. elegans protein interaction network analysis probes RNAi validated pro-longevity effect of nhr-6, a human homolog of tumor suppressor Nr4a1},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-019-51649-0},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202666},
  pages     = {15711},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Protein-protein interaction (PPI) studies are gaining momentum these days due to the plethora of various high-throughput experimental methods available for detecting PPIs. Proteins create complexes and networks by functioning in harmony with other proteins and here in silico network biology hold the promise to reveal new functionality of genes as it is very difficult and laborious to carry out experimental high-throughput genetic screens in living organisms. We demonstrate this approach by computationally screening C. elegans conserved homologs of already reported human tumor suppressor and aging associated genes. We select by this nhr-6, vab-3 and gst-23 as predicted longevity genes for RNAi screen. The RNAi results demonstrated the pro-longevity effect of these genes. Nuclear hormone receptor nhr-6 RNAi inhibition resulted in a C. elegans phenotype of 23.46\% lifespan reduction. Moreover, we show that nhr-6 regulates oxidative stress resistance in worms and does not affect the feeding behavior of worms. These findings imply the potential of nhr-6 as a common therapeutic target for aging and cancer ailments, stressing the power of in silico PPI network analysis coupled with RNAi screens to describe gene function.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FathyFawzyHintzscheetal.2019,
  author    = {Fathy, Moustafa and Fawzy, Michael Atef and Hintzsche, Henning and Nikaido, Toshio and Dandekar, Thomas and Othman, Eman M.},
  title     = {Eugenol exerts apoptotic effect and modulates the sensitivity of HeLa cells to cisplatin and radiation},
  series = {Molecules},
  volume    = {24},
  journal   = {Molecules},
  number    = {21},
  issn      = {1420-3049},
  doi       = {10.3390/molecules24213979},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193227},
  pages     = {3979},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Eugenol is a phytochemical present in different plant products, e.g., clove oil. Traditionally, it is used against a number of different disorders and it was suggested to have anticancer activity. In this study, the activity of eugenol was evaluated in a human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line and cell proliferation was examined after treatment with various concentrations of eugenol and different treatment durations. Cytotoxicity was tested using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme leakage. In order to assess eugenol's potential to act synergistically with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, cell survival was calculated after eugenol treatment in combination with cisplatin and X-rays. To elucidate its mechanism of action, caspase-3 activity was analyzed and the expression of various genes and proteins was checked by RT-PCR and western blot analyses. Eugenol clearly decreased the proliferation rate and increased LDH release in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It showed synergistic effects with cisplatin and X-rays. Eugenol increased caspase-3 activity and the expression of Bax, cytochrome c (Cyt-c), caspase-3, and caspase-9 and decreased the expression of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) indicating that eugenol mainly induced cell death by apoptosis. In conclusion, eugenol showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects via apoptosis and also synergism with cisplatin and ionizing radiation in the human cervical cancer cell line.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SrivastavaBencurovaGuptaetal.2019,
  author    = {Srivastava, Mugdha and Bencurova, Elena and Gupta, Shishir K. and Weiss, Esther and L{\"o}ffler, J{\"u}rgen and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Aspergillus fumigatus challenged by human dendritic cells: metabolic and regulatory pathway responses testify a tight battle},
  series = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology},
  doi       = {10.3389/fcimb.2019.00168},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201368},
  pages     = {168},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen presenting cells which serve as a passage between the innate and the acquired immunity. Aspergillosis is a major lethal condition in immunocompromised patients caused by the adaptable saprophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The healthy human immune system is capable to ward off A. fumigatus infections however immune-deficient patients are highly vulnerable to invasive aspergillosis. A. fumigatus can persist during infection due to its ability to survive the immune response of human DCs. Therefore, the study of the metabolism specific to the context of infection may allow us to gain insight into the adaptation strategies of both the pathogen and the immune cells. We established a metabolic model of A. fumigatus central metabolism during infection of DCs and calculated the metabolic pathway (elementary modes; EMs). Transcriptome data were used to identify pathways activated when A. fumigatus is challenged with DCs. In particular, amino acid metabolic pathways, alternative carbon metabolic pathways and stress regulating enzymes were found to be active. Metabolic flux modeling identified further active enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase, inositol oxygenase and GTP cyclohydrolase participating in different stress responses in A. fumigatus. These were further validated by qRT-PCR from RNA extracted under these different conditions. For DCs, we outlined the activation of metabolic pathways in response to the confrontation with A. fumigatus. We found the fatty acid metabolism plays a crucial role, along with other metabolic changes. The gene expression data and their analysis illuminate additional regulatory pathways activated in the DCs apart from interleukin regulation. In particular, Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling and RIG-I-like receptor signaling were active pathways. Moreover, we identified subnetworks and several novel key regulators such as UBC, EGFR, and CUL3 of DCs to be activated in response to A. fumigatus. In conclusion, we analyze the metabolic and regulatory responses of A. fumigatus and DCs when confronted with each other.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GrebinykPrylutskaGrebinyketal.2019,
  author    = {Grebinyk, Anna and Prylutska, Svitlana and Grebinyk, Sergii and Prylutskyy, Yuriy and Ritter, Uwe and Matyshevska, Olga and Dandekar, Thomas and Frohme, Marcus},
  title     = {Complexation with C\(_{60}\) fullerene increases doxorubicin efficiency against leukemic cells in vitro},
  series = {Nanoscale Research Letters},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Nanoscale Research Letters},
  number    = {61},
  doi       = {10.1186/s11671-019-2894-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228257},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Conventional anticancer chemotherapy is limited because of severe side effects as well as a quickly evolving multidrug resistance of the tumor cells. To address this problem, we have explored a C\(_{60}\) fullerene-based nanosized system as a carrier for anticancer drugs for an optimized drug delivery to leukemic cells.Here, we studied the physicochemical properties and anticancer activity of C\(_{60}\) fullerene noncovalent complexes with the commonly used anticancer drug doxorubicin. C\(_{60}\)-Doxorubicin complexes in a ratio 1:1 and 2:1 were characterized with UV/Vis spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The obtained analytical data indicated that the 140-nm complexes were stable and could be used for biological applications. In leukemic cell lines (CCRF-CEM, Jurkat, THP1 and Molt-16), the nanocomplexes revealed 3.5 higher cytotoxic potential in comparison with the free drug in a range of nanomolar concentrations. Also, the intracellular drug's level evidenced C\(_{60}\) fullerene considerable nanocarrier function.The results of this study indicated that C\(_{60}\) fullerene-based delivery nanocomplexes had a potential value for optimization of doxorubicin efficiency against leukemic cells.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GrebinykPrylutskaChepurnaetal.2019,
  author    = {Grebinyk, Anna and Prylutska, Svitlana and Chepurna, Oksana and Grebinyk, Sergii and Prylutskyy, Yuriy and Ritter, Uwe and Ohulchanskyy, Tymish Y. and Matyshevska, Olga and Dandekar, Thomas and Frohme, Marcus},
  title     = {Synergy of chemo- and photodynamic therapies with C\(_{60}\) Fullerene-Doxorubicin nanocomplex},
  series = {Nanomaterials},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Nanomaterials},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {2079-4991},
  doi       = {10.3390/nano9111540},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193140},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {A nanosized drug complex was explored to improve the efficiency of cancer chemotherapy, complementing it with nanodelivery and photodynamic therapy. For this, nanomolar amounts of a non-covalent nanocomplex of Doxorubicin (Dox) with carbon nanoparticle C\(_{60}\) fullerene (C\(_{60}\)) were applied in 1:1 and 2:1 molar ratio, exploiting C\(_{60}\) both as a drug-carrier and as a photosensitizer. The fluorescence microscopy analysis of human leukemic CCRF-CEM cells, in vitro cancer model, treated with nanocomplexes showed Dox's nuclear and C\(_{60}\)'s extranuclear localization. It gave an opportunity to realize a double hit strategy against cancer cells based on Dox's antiproliferative activity and C\(_{60}\)'s photoinduced pro-oxidant activity. When cells were treated with 2:1 C\(_{60}\)-Dox and irradiated at 405 nm the high cytotoxicity of photo-irradiated C\(_{60}\)-Dox enabled a nanomolar concentration of Dox and C\(_{60}\) to efficiently kill cancer cells in vitro. The high pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic efficiency decreased IC\(_{50}\) 16, 9 and 7 × 10\(^3\)-fold, if compared with the action of Dox, non-irradiated nanocomplex, and C\(_{60}\)'s photodynamic effect, correspondingly. Hereafter, a strong synergy of therapy arising from the combination of C\(_{60}\)-mediated Dox delivery and C\(_{60}\) photoexcitation was revealed. Our data indicate that a combination of chemo- and photodynamic therapies with C\(_{60}\)-Dox nanoformulation provides a promising synergetic approach for cancer treatment.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{YangRajeeveRudeletal.2019,
  author    = {Yang, Manli and Rajeeve, Karthika and Rudel, Thomas and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Comprehensive Flux Modeling of Chlamydia trachomatis Proteome and qRT-PCR Data Indicate Biphasic Metabolic Differences Between Elementary Bodies and Reticulate Bodies During Infection},
  series = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
  number    = {2350},
  issn      = {1664-302X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.02350},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189434},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Metabolic adaptation to the host cell is important for obligate intracellular pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Here we infer the flux differences for Ct from proteome and qRT-PCR data by comprehensive pathway modeling. We compare the comparatively inert infectious elementary body (EB) and the active replicative reticulate body (RB) systematically using a genome-scale metabolic model with 321 metabolites and 277 reactions. This did yield 84 extreme pathways based on a published proteomics dataset at three different time points of infection. Validation of predictions was done by quantitative RT-PCR of enzyme mRNA expression at three time points. Ct's major active pathways are glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycerol-phospholipid (GPL) biosynthesis (support from host acetyl-CoA) and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), while its incomplete TCA and fatty acid biosynthesis are less active. The modeled metabolic pathways are much more active in RB than in EB. Our in silico model suggests that EB and RB utilize folate to generate NAD(P)H using independent pathways. The only low metabolic flux inferred for EB involves mainly carbohydrate metabolism. RB utilizes energy -rich compounds to generate ATP in nucleic acid metabolism. Validation data for the modeling include proteomics experiments (model basis) as well as qRT-PCR confirmation of selected metabolic enzyme mRNA expression differences. The metabolic modeling is made fully available here. Its detailed insights and models on Ct metabolic adaptations during infection are a useful modeling basis for future studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SbieraKunzWeigandetal.2019,
  author    = {Sbiera, Silviu and Kunz, Meik and Weigand, Isabel and Deutschbein, Timo and Dandekar, Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin},
  title     = {The new genetic landscape of Cushing's disease: deubiquitinases in the spotlight},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers11111761},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193194},
  pages     = {1761},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare condition caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing adenomas of the pituitary, which lead to hypercortisolism that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment options in case of persistent or recurrent disease are limited, but new insights into the pathogenesis of CD are raising hope for new therapeutic avenues. Here, we have performed a meta-analysis of the available sequencing data in CD to create a comprehensive picture of CD's genetics. Our analyses clearly indicate that somatic mutations in the deubiquitinases are the key drivers in CD, namely USP8 (36.5\%) and USP48 (13.3\%). While in USP48 only Met415 is affected by mutations, in USP8 there are 26 different mutations described. However, these different mutations are clustering in the same hotspot region (affecting in 94.5\% of cases Ser718 and Pro720). In contrast, pathogenic variants classically associated with tumorigenesis in genes like TP53 and BRAF are also present in CD but with low incidence (12.5\% and 7\%). Importantly, several of these mutations might have therapeutic potential as there are drugs already investigated in preclinical and clinical setting for other diseases. Furthermore, network and pathway analyses of all somatic mutations in CD suggest a rather unified picture hinting towards converging oncogenic pathways.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{CecilGentschevAdelfingeretal.2019,
  author    = {Cecil, Alexander and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Adelfinger, Marion and Dandekar, Thomas and Szalay, Aladar A.},
  title     = {Vaccinia virus injected human tumors: oncolytic virus efficiency predicted by antigen profiling analysis fitted boolean models},
  series = {Bioengineered},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Bioengineered},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1080/21655979.2019.1622220},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200507},
  pages     = {190-196},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Virotherapy on the basis of oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) strains is a promising approach for cancer therapy. Recently, we showed that the oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h68 has a therapeutic potential in treating human prostate and hepatocellular carcinomas in xenografted mice. In this study, we describe the use of dynamic boolean modeling for tumor growth prediction of vaccinia virus-injected human tumors. Antigen profiling data of vaccinia virus GLV-1h68-injected human xenografted mice were obtained, analyzed and used to calculate differences in the tumor growth signaling network by tumor type and gender. Our model combines networks for apoptosis, MAPK, p53, WNT, Hedgehog, the T-killer cell mediated cell death, Interferon and Interleukin signaling networks. The in silico findings conform very well with in vivo findings of tumor growth. Similar to a previously published analysis of vaccinia virus-injected canine tumors, we were able to confirm the suitability of our boolean modeling for prediction of human tumor growth after virus infection in the current study as well. In summary, these findings indicate that our boolean models could be a useful tool for testing of the efficacy of VACV-mediated cancer therapy already before its use in human patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SarukhanyanShityakovDandekar2018,
  author    = {Sarukhanyan, Edita and Shityakov, Sergey and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {In silico designed Axl receptor blocking drug candidates against Zika virus infection},
  series = {ACS Omega},
  volume    = {3},
  journal   = {ACS Omega},
  number    = {5},
  doi       = {10.1021/acsomega.8b00223},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176739},
  pages     = {5281-5290},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {After a large outbreak in Brazil, novel drugs against Zika virus became extremely necessary. Evaluation of virus-based pharmacological strategies concerning essential host factors brought us to the idea that targeting the Axl receptor by blocking its dimerization function could be critical for virus entry. Starting from experimentally validated compounds, such as RU-301, RU-302, warfarin, and R428, we identified a novel compound 2′ (R428 derivative) to be the most potent for this task amongst a number of alternative compounds and leads. The improved affinity of compound 2′ was confirmed by molecular docking as well as molecular dynamics simulation techniques using implicit solvation models. The current study summarizes a new possibility for inhibition of the Axl function as a potential target for future antiviral therapies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KaltdorfTheissMarkertetal.2018,
  author    = {Kaltdorf, Kristin Verena and Theiss, Maria and Markert, Sebastian Matthias and Zhen, Mei and Dandekar, Thomas and Stigloher, Christian and Kollmannsberger, Philipp},
  title     = {Automated classification of synaptic vesicles in electron tomograms of C. elegans using machine learning},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {10},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0205348},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176831},
  pages     = {e0205348},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Synaptic vesicles (SVs) are a key component of neuronal signaling and fulfil different roles depending on their composition. In electron micrograms of neurites, two types of vesicles can be distinguished by morphological criteria, the classical "clear core" vesicles (CCV) and the typically larger "dense core" vesicles (DCV), with differences in electron density due to their diverse cargos. Compared to CCVs, the precise function of DCVs is less defined. DCVs are known to store neuropeptides, which function as neuronal messengers and modulators [1]. In C. elegans, they play a role in locomotion, dauer formation, egg-laying, and mechano- and chemosensation [2]. Another type of DCVs, also referred to as granulated vesicles, are known to transport Bassoon, Piccolo and further constituents of the presynaptic density in the center of the active zone (AZ), and therefore are important for synaptogenesis [3]. To better understand the role of different types of SVs, we present here a new automated approach to classify vesicles. We combine machine learning with an extension of our previously developed vesicle segmentation workflow, the ImageJ macro 3D ART VeSElecT. With that we reliably distinguish CCVs and DCVs in electron tomograms of C. elegans NMJs using image-based features. Analysis of the underlying ground truth data shows an increased fraction of DCVs as well as a higher mean distance between DCVs and AZs in dauer larvae compared to young adult hermaphrodites. Our machine learning based tools are adaptable and can be applied to study properties of different synaptic vesicle pools in electron tomograms of diverse model organisms.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BencurovaGuptaSarukhanyanetal.2018,
  author    = {Bencurova, Elena and Gupta, Shishir K. and Sarukhanyan, Edita and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Identification of antifungal targets based on computer modeling},
  series = {Journal of Fungi},
  volume    = {4},
  journal   = {Journal of Fungi},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {2309-608X},
  doi       = {10.3390/jof4030081},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197670},
  pages     = {81},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic, cosmopolitan fungus that attacks patients with a weak immune system. A rational solution against fungal infection aims to manipulate fungal metabolism or to block enzymes essential for Aspergillus survival. Here we discuss and compare different bioinformatics approaches to analyze possible targeting strategies on fungal-unique pathways. For instance, phylogenetic analysis reveals fungal targets, while domain analysis allows us to spot minor differences in protein composition between the host and fungi. Moreover, protein networks between host and fungi can be systematically compared by looking at orthologs and exploiting information from host-pathogen interaction databases. Further data—such as knowledge of a three-dimensional structure, gene expression data, or information from calculated metabolic fluxes—refine the search and rapidly put a focus on the best targets for antimycotics. We analyzed several of the best targets for application to structure-based drug design. Finally, we discuss general advantages and limitations in identification of unique fungal pathways and protein targets when applying bioinformatics tools.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KaltdorfSchulzeHelmprobstetal.2017,
  author    = {Kaltdorf, Kristin Verena and Schulze, Katja and Helmprobst, Frederik and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Dandekar, Thomas and Stigloher, Christian},
  title     = {Fiji macro 3D ART VeSElecT: 3D automated reconstruction tool for vesicle structures of electron tomograms},
  series = {PLoS Computational Biology},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {PLoS Computational Biology},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005317},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172112},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Automatic image reconstruction is critical to cope with steadily increasing data from advanced microscopy. We describe here the Fiji macro 3D ART VeSElecT which we developed to study synaptic vesicles in electron tomograms. We apply this tool to quantify vesicle properties (i) in embryonic Danio rerio 4 and 8 days past fertilization (dpf) and (ii) to compare Caenorhabditis elegans N2 neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) wild-type and its septin mutant (unc-59(e261)). We demonstrate development-specific and mutant-specific changes in synaptic vesicle pools in both models. We confirm the functionality of our macro by applying our 3D ART VeSElecT on zebrafish NMJ showing smaller vesicles in 8 dpf embryos then 4 dpf, which was validated by manual reconstruction of the vesicle pool. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of C. elegans septin mutant unc-59(e261) on vesicle pool formation and vesicle size. Automated vesicle registration and characterization was implemented in Fiji as two macros (registration and measurement). This flexible arrangement allows in particular reducing false positives by an optional manual revision step. Preprocessing and contrast enhancement work on image-stacks of 1nm/pixel in x and y direction. Semi-automated cell selection was integrated. 3D ART VeSElecT removes interfering components, detects vesicles by 3D segmentation and calculates vesicle volume and diameter (spherical approximation, inner/outer diameter). Results are collected in color using the RoiManager plugin including the possibility of manual removal of non-matching confounder vesicles. Detailed evaluation considered performance (detected vesicles) and specificity (true vesicles) as well as precision and recall. We furthermore show gain in segmentation and morphological filtering compared to learning based methods and a large time gain compared to manual segmentation. 3D ART VeSElecT shows small error rates and its speed gain can be up to 68 times faster in comparison to manual annotation. Both automatic and semi-automatic modes are explained including a tutorial.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KunzGoettlichWallesetal.2017,
  author    = {Kunz, Meik and G{\"o}ttlich, Claudia and Walles, Thorsten and Nietzer, Sarah and Dandekar, Gudrun and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {MicroRNA-21 versus microRNA-34: Lung cancer promoting and inhibitory microRNAs analysed in silico and in vitro and their clinical impact},
  series = {Tumor Biology},
  volume    = {39},
  journal   = {Tumor Biology},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1177/1010428317706430},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-158399},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {MicroRNAs are well-known strong RNA regulators modulating whole functional units in complex signaling networks. Regarding clinical application, they have potential as biomarkers for prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy. In this review, we focus on two microRNAs centrally involved in lung cancer progression. MicroRNA-21 promotes and microRNA-34 inhibits cancer progression. We elucidate here involved pathways and imbed these antagonistic microRNAs in a network of interactions, stressing their cancer microRNA biology, followed by experimental and bioinformatics analysis of such microRNAs and their targets. This background is then illuminated from a clinical perspective on microRNA-21 and microRNA-34 as general examples for the complex microRNA biology in lung cancer and its diagnostic value. Moreover, we discuss the immense potential that microRNAs such as microRNA-21 and microRNA-34 imply by their broad regulatory effects. These should be explored for novel therapeutic strategies in the clinic.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{EwaldBartlDandekaretal.2017,
  author    = {Ewald, Jan and Bartl, Martin and Dandekar, Thomas and Kaleta, Christoph},
  title     = {Optimality principles reveal a complex interplay of intermediate toxicity and kinetic efficiency in the regulation of prokaryotic metabolism},
  series = {PLOS Computational Biology},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {PLOS Computational Biology},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005371},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-180870},
  pages     = {19},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {A precise and rapid adjustment of fluxes through metabolic pathways is crucial for organisms to prevail in changing environmental conditions. Based on this reasoning, many guiding principles that govern the evolution of metabolic networks and their regulation have been uncovered. To this end, methods from dynamic optimization are ideally suited since they allow to uncover optimality principles behind the regulation of metabolic networks. We used dynamic optimization to investigate the influence of toxic intermediates in connection with the efficiency of enzymes on the regulation of a linear metabolic pathway. Our results predict that transcriptional regulation favors the control of highly efficient enzymes with less toxic upstream intermediates to reduce accumulation of toxic downstream intermediates. We show that the derived optimality principles hold by the analysis of the interplay between intermediate toxicity and pathway regulation in the metabolic pathways of over 5000 sequenced prokaryotes. Moreover, using the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli as an example, we show how knowledge about the relation of regulation, kinetic efficiency and intermediate toxicity can be used to identify drug targets, which control endogenous toxic metabolites and prevent microbial growth. Beyond prokaryotes, we discuss the potential of our findings for the development of antifungal drugs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{TemmeFriebeSchmidtetal.2017,
  author    = {Temme, Sebastian and Friebe, Daniela and Schmidt, Timo and Poschmann, Gereon and Hesse, Julia and Steckel, Bodo and St{\"u}hler, Kai and Kunz, Meik and Dandekar, Thomas and Ding, Zhaoping and Akhyari, Payam and Lichtenberg, Artur and Schrader, J{\"u}rgen},
  title     = {Genetic profiling and surface proteome analysis of human atrial stromal cells and rat ventricular epicardium-derived cells reveals novel insights into their cardiogenic potential},
  series = {Stem Cell Research},
  volume    = {25},
  journal   = {Stem Cell Research},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.scr.2017.11.006},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172716},
  pages     = {183-190},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Epicardium-derived cells (EPDC) and atrial stromal cells (ASC) display cardio-regenerative potential, but the molecular details are still unexplored. Signals which induce activation, migration and differentiation of these cells are largely unknown. Here we have isolated rat ventricular EPDC and rat/human ASC and performed genetic and proteomic profiling. EPDC and ASC expressed epicardial/mesenchymal markers (WT-1, Tbx18, CD73,CD90, CD44, CD105), cardiac markers (Gata4, Tbx5, troponin T) and also contained phosphocreatine. We used cell surface biotinylation to isolate plasma membrane proteins of rEPDC and hASC, Nano-liquid chromatography with subsequent mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis identified 396 rat and 239 human plasma membrane proteins with 149 overlapping proteins. Functional GO-term analysis revealed several significantly enriched categories related to extracellular matrix (ECM), cell migration/differentiation, immunology or angiogenesis. We identified receptors for ephrin and growth factors (IGF, PDGF, EGF, anthrax toxin) known to be involved in cardiac repair and regeneration. Functional category enrichment identified clusters around integrins, PI3K/Akt-signaling and various cardiomyopathies. Our study indicates that EPDC and ASC have a similar molecular phenotype related to cardiac healing/regeneration. The cell surface proteome repository will help to further unravel the molecular details of their cardio-regenerative potential and their role in cardiac diseases.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AmpattuHagmannLiangetal.2017,
  author    = {Ampattu, Biju Joseph and Hagmann, Laura and Liang, Chunguang and Dittrich, Marcus and Schl{\"u}ter, Andreas and Blom, Jochen and Krol, Elizaveta and Goesmann, Alexander and Becker, Anke and Dandekar, Thomas and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Schoen, Christoph},
  title     = {Transcriptomic buffering of cryptic genetic variation contributes to meningococcal virulence},
  series = {BMC Genomics},
  volume    = {18},
  journal   = {BMC Genomics},
  number    = {282},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12864-017-3616-7},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157534},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Commensal bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis sometimes cause serious disease. However, genomic comparison of hyperinvasive and apathogenic lineages did not reveal unambiguous hints towards indispensable virulence factors. Here, in a systems biological approach we compared gene expression of the invasive strain MC58 and the carriage strain α522 under different ex vivo conditions mimicking commensal and virulence compartments to assess the strain-specific impact of gene regulation on meningococcal virulence. Results: Despite indistinguishable ex vivo phenotypes, both strains differed in the expression of over 500 genes under infection mimicking conditions. These differences comprised in particular metabolic and information processing genes as well as genes known to be involved in host-damage such as the nitrite reductase and numerous LOS biosynthesis genes. A model based analysis of the transcriptomic differences in human blood suggested ensuing metabolic flux differences in energy, glutamine and cysteine metabolic pathways along with differences in the activation of the stringent response in both strains. In support of the computational findings, experimental analyses revealed differences in cysteine and glutamine auxotrophy in both strains as well as a strain and condition dependent essentiality of the (p)ppGpp synthetase gene relA and of a short non-coding AT-rich repeat element in its promoter region. Conclusions: Our data suggest that meningococcal virulence is linked to transcriptional buffering of cryptic genetic variation in metabolic genes including global stress responses. They further highlight the role of regulatory elements for bacterial virulence and the limitations of model strain approaches when studying such genetically diverse species as N. meningitidis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KunzLiangNillaetal.2016,
  author    = {Kunz, Meik and Liang, Chunguang and Nilla, Santosh and Cecil, Alexander and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {The drug-minded protein interaction database (DrumPID) for efficient target analysis and drug development},
  series = {Database},
  volume    = {2016},
  journal   = {Database},
  doi       = {10.1093/database/baw041},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147369},
  pages     = {baw041},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The drug-minded protein interaction database (DrumPID) has been designed to provide fast, tailored information on drugs and their protein networks including indications, protein targets and side-targets. Starting queries include compound, target and protein interactions and organism-specific protein families. Furthermore, drug name, chemical structures and their SMILES notation, affected proteins (potential drug targets), organisms as well as diseases can be queried including various combinations and refinement of searches. Drugs and protein interactions are analyzed in detail with reference to protein structures and catalytic domains, related compound structures as well as potential targets in other organisms. DrumPID considers drug functionality, compound similarity, target structure, interactome analysis and organismic range for a compound, useful for drug development, predicting drug side-effects and structure-activity relationships.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KaltdorfSrivastavaGuptaetal.2016,
  author    = {Kaltdorf, Martin and Srivastava, Mugdha and Gupta, Shishir K. and Liang, Chunguang and Binder, Jasmin and Dietl, Anna-Maria and Meir, Zohar and Haas, Hubertus and Osherov, Nir and Krappmann, Sven and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Systematic Identification of Anti-Fungal Drug Targets by a Metabolic Network Approach},
  series = {Frontiers in Molecular Bioscience},
  volume    = {3},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Molecular Bioscience},
  doi       = {10.3389/fmolb.2016.00022},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147396},
  pages     = {22},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {New antimycotic drugs are challenging to find, as potential target proteins may have close human orthologs. We here focus on identifying metabolic targets that are critical for fungal growth and have minimal similarity to targets among human proteins. We compare and combine here: (I) direct metabolic network modeling using elementary mode analysis and flux estimates approximations using expression data, (II) targeting metabolic genes by transcriptome analysis of condition-specific highly expressed enzymes, and (III) analysis of enzyme structure, enzyme interconnectedness ("hubs"), and identification of pathogen-specific enzymes using orthology relations. We have identified 64 targets including metabolic enzymes involved in vitamin synthesis, lipid, and amino acid biosynthesis including 18 targets validated from the literature, two validated and five currently examined in own genetic experiments, and 38 further promising novel target proteins which are non-orthologous to human proteins, involved in metabolism and are highly ranked drug targets from these pipelines.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{OthmanNaseemAwadetal.2016,
  author    = {Othman, Eman M. and Naseem, Muhammed and Awad, Eman and Dandekar, Thomas and Stopper, Helga},
  title     = {The Plant Hormone Cytokinin Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress in Mammalian Cells},
  series = {PLoS One},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS One},
  number    = {12},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0168386},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147983},
  pages     = {e0168386},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Modulating key dynamics of plant growth and development, the effects of the plant hormone cytokinin on animal cells gained much attention recently. Most previous studies on cytokinin effects on mammalian cells have been conducted with elevated cytokinin concentration (in the μM range). However, to examine physiologically relevant dose effects of cytokinins on animal cells, we systematically analyzed the impact of kinetin in cultured cells at low and high concentrations (1nM-10μM) and examined cytotoxic and genotoxic conditions. We furthermore measured the intrinsic antioxidant activity of kinetin in a cell-free system using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay and in cells using the dihydroethidium staining method. Monitoring viability, we looked at kinetin effects in mammalian cells such as HL60 cells, HaCaT human keratinocyte cells, NRK rat epithelial kidney cells and human peripheral lymphocytes. Kinetin manifests no antioxidant activity in the cell free system and high doses of kinetin (500 nM and higher) reduce cell viability and mediate DNA damage in vitro. In contrast, low doses (concentrations up to 100 nM) of kinetin confer protection in cells against oxidative stress. Moreover, our results show that pretreatment of the cells with kinetin significantly reduces 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide mediated reactive oxygen species production. Also, pretreatment with kinetin retains cellular GSH levels when they are also treated with the GSH-depleting agent patulin. Our results explicitly show that low kinetin doses reduce apoptosis and protect cells from oxidative stress mediated cell death. Future studies on the interaction between cytokinins and human cellular pathway targets will be intriguing.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KunzWolfSchulzeetal.2016,
  author    = {Kunz, Meik and Wolf, Beat and Schulze, Harald and Atlan, David and Walles, Thorsten and Walles, Heike and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Non-Coding RNAs in Lung Cancer: Contribution of Bioinformatics Analysis to the Development of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tools},
  series = {Genes},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {Genes},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.3390/genes8010008},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147990},
  pages     = {8},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer related mortality due to late diagnosis and limited treatment intervention. Non-coding RNAs are not translated into proteins and have emerged as fundamental regulators of gene expression. Recent studies reported that microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are involved in lung cancer development and progression. Moreover, they appear as new promising non-invasive biomarkers for early lung cancer diagnosis. Here, we highlight their potential as biomarker in lung cancer and present how bioinformatics can contribute to the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools. For this, we discuss several bioinformatics algorithms and software tools for a comprehensive understanding and functional characterization of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AhmedZeeshanDandekar2016,
  author    = {Ahmed, Zeeshan and Zeeshan, Saman and Dandekar, Thomas},
  title     = {Mining biomedical images towards valuable information retrieval in biomedical and life sciences},
  series = {Database - The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation},
  volume    = {2016},
  journal   = {Database - The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation},
  doi       = {10.1093/database/baw118},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162697},
  pages     = {baw118},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Biomedical images are helpful sources for the scientists and practitioners in drawing significant hypotheses, exemplifying approaches and describing experimental results in published biomedical literature. In last decades, there has been an enormous increase in the amount of heterogeneous biomedical image production and publication, which results in a need for bioimaging platforms for feature extraction and analysis of text and content in biomedical images to take advantage in implementing effective information retrieval systems. In this review, we summarize technologies related to data mining of figures. We describe and compare the potential of different approaches in terms of their developmental aspects, used methodologies, produced results, achieved accuracies and limitations. Our comparative conclusions include current challenges for bioimaging software with selective image mining, embedded text extraction and processing of complex natural language queries.},
  language  = {en}
}