@phdthesis{Wagner2021,
  author    = {Wagner, Rabea Marie},
  title     = {The Bacterial Exo- and Endo-Cytoskeleton Spatially Confines Functional Membrane Microdomain Dynamics in \(Bacillus\) \(subtilis\)},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-21745},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-217458},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Cellular membranes form a boundary to shield the inside of a cell from the outside. This is of special importance for bacteria, unicellular organisms whose membranes are in direct contact with the environment. The membrane needs to allow the reception of information about beneficial and harmful environmental conditions for the cell to evoke an appropriate response. Information gathering is mediated by proteins that need to be correctly organized in the membrane to be able to transmit information. Several principles of membrane organization are known that show a heterogeneous distribution of membrane lipids and proteins. One of them is functional membrane microdomains (FMM) which are platforms with a distinct lipid and protein composition. FMM move within the membrane and their integrity is important for several cellular processes like signal transduction, membrane trafficking and cellular differentiation. FMM harbor the marker proteins flotillins which are scaffolding proteins that act as chaperones in tethering protein cargo to FMM. This enhances the efficiency of cargo protein oligomerization or complex formation which in turn is important for their functionality. The bacterium Bacillus subtilis contains two flotillin proteins, FloA and FloT. They form different FMM assemblies which are structurally similar, but differ in the protein cargo and thus in the specific function. In this work, the mobility of FloA and FloT assemblies in the membrane was dissected using live-cell fluorescence microscopy techniques coupled to genetic, biochemical and molecular biological methods. A characteristic mobility pattern was observed which revealed that the mobility of both flotillins was spatially restricted. Restrictions were bigger for FloT resulting in a decreased diffusion coefficient compared to FloA. Flotillin mobility depends on the interplay of several factors. Firstly, the intrinsic properties of flotillins determine the binding of different protein interaction partners. These proteins directly affect the mobility of flotillins. Additionally, binding of interaction partners determines the assembly size of FloA and FloT. This indirectly affects the mobility, as the endo-cytoskeleton spatially restricts flotillin mobility in a size-dependent manner. Furthermore, the extracellular cell wall plays a dual role in flotillin mobility: its synthesis stimulates flotillin mobility, while at the same time its presence restricts flotillin mobility. As the intracellular flotillins do not have spatial access to the exo-cytoskeleton, this connection is likely mediated indirectly by their cell wall-associated protein interaction partners. Together the exo- and the endo-cytoskeleton restrict the mobility of FloA and FloT. Similar structural restrictions of flotillin mobility have been reported for plant cells as well, where the actin cytoskeleton and the cell wall restrict flotillin mobility. These similarities between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells indicate that the restriction of flotillin mobility might be a conserved mechanism.},
  subject      = {Heubacillus},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Spindler2020,
  author    = {Spindler, Markus},
  title     = {The role of the adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein (ADAP) in platelet production},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-20097},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200977},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Bone marrow (BM) megakaryocytes (MKs) produce platelets by extending proplatelets into sinusoidal blood vessels. Although this process is fundamental to maintain normal platelet counts in circulation only little is known about the regulation of directed proplatelet formation. As revealed in this thesis, ADAP (adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein) deficiency (constitutive as well as MK and platelet-specific) resulted in a microthrombocytopenia in mice, recapitulating the clinical hallmark of patients with mutations in the ADAP gene. The thrombocytopenia was caused by a combination of an enhanced removal of platelets from the circulation by macrophages and a platelet production defect. This defect led to an ectopic release of (pro)platelet-like particles into the bone marrow compartment, with a massive accumulation of such fragments around sinusoids. In vitro studies of cultured BM cell-derived MKs revealed a polarization defect of the demarcation membrane system, which is dependent on F-actin dynamics. ADAP-deficient MKs spread on collagen and fibronectin displayed a reduced F-actin content and podosome density in the lowest confocal plane. In addition, ADAP-deficient MKs exhibited a reduced capacity to adhere on Horm collagen and in line with that the activation of beta1-integrins in the lowest confocal plane of spread MKs was diminished. These results point to ADAP as a novel regulator of terminal platelet formation. Beside ADAP-deficient mice, three other knockout mouse models (deficiency for profilin1 (PFN1), Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome protein (WASP) and Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (ARPC2)) exist, which display ectopic release of (pro)platelet-like particles. As shown in the final part of the thesis, the pattern of the ectopic release of (pro)platelet-like particles in these genetically modified mice (PFN1 and WASP) was comparable to ADAP-deficient mice. Furthermore, all tested mutant MKs displayed an adhesion defect as well as a reduced podosome density on Horm collagen. These results indicate that similar mechanisms might apply for ectopic release.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{SchellergebBirkholz2020,
  author    = {Scheller [geb. Birkholz], Inga},
  title     = {Studies on the role of actin-binding proteins in platelet production and function in mice},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-16858},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168582},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Platelet activation and aggregation at sites of vascular injury involves massive cytoskeletal re-organization, which is required for proper platelet function. Moreover, the cytoskeleton plays central roles in megakaryo- and thrombopoiesis. Thus, cytoskeletal protein aberrations can be the underlying reason for many pathological phenotypes. Although intensive research is carried out to identify the key players involved in cytoskeletal reorganization, the signaling cascades orchestrating these complex processes are still poorly understood. This thesis investigates the role of three actin-binding proteins, Coactosin-like (Cotl) 1, Profilin (Pfn) 1 and Thymosin (T) β4, in platelet formation and function using genetically modified mice. ADF-H-containing proteins such as Twinfilin or Cofilin are well characterized as regulators of thrombopoesis and cytoskeletal reorganization. Although Cotl1 belongs to the ADF-H protein family, lack of Cotl1 did not affect platelet count or cytoskeletal dynamics. However, Cotl1-deficiency resulted in significant protection from arterial thrombus formation and ischemic stroke in vivo. Defective GPIb-vWF interactions and altered second wave mediator release present potential reasons for the beneficial effect of Cotl1-deficiency. These results reveal an unexpected function of Cotl1 as a regulator of thrombosis and hemostasis, establishing it as a potential target for a safe therapeutic therapy to prevent arterial thrombosis or ischemic stroke. Recent studies showed that the organization of the circumferential actin cytoskeleton modulates calpain-mediated αIIbβ3 integrin closure, thereby also controlling αIIbβ3 integrin localization. The second part of this thesis identified the actin-sequestering protein Pfn1 as a central regulator of platelet integrin function as Pfn1-deficient platelets displayed almost abolished αIIbβ3 integrin signaling. This translated into a profound protection from arterial thrombus formation and prolonged tail bleeding times in vivo which was caused by enhanced calpain-dependent integrin closure. These findings further emphasize the importance of a functional actin cytoskeleton for intact platelet function in vitro and in vivo. Tβ4 is a moonlighting protein, acting as one of the major actin-sequestering proteins in cells of higher eukaryotes and exerting various paracrine functions including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic effects. Although excessively studied, its role for cytoskeletal dynamics, the distinction between endo- and exogenous protein function and its uptake and release mechanisms are still poorly understood. Constitutive Tβ4-deficiency resulted in thrombocytopenia accompanied by a largely diminished G-actin pool in platelets and divergent effects on platelet reactivity. Pre-incubation of platelets with recombinant Tβ4 will help to understand the function of endo- and exogenous protein, which is under current investigation.},
  subject      = {Thrombozyt},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Wenzel2014,
  author    = {Wenzel, Jens},
  title     = {Regulation of TLR-induced macrophage responses by cytoskeleton-associated phosphoproteins},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-98843},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Toll-like receptors (TLR) are pattern recognition receptors (PRR) by which macrophages (M{\O}) sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the PAMP of gram negative bacteria, by TLR4 triggers signaling cascades and leads to the pro-inflammatory activation of the cells. A recent quantitative and kinetic analysis of the phosphoproteome of LPS-activated primary macrophages highlighted the cytoskeleton as a cell compartment with an enriched protein phosphorylation. In total 44 cytoskeleton-associated proteins were regulated by this post-translational modification and thus might be involved in the control and regulation of key macrophage functions like spreading, motility and phagocytosis. To investigate the control of cytoskeleton-associated cell functions by TLR4 activation, we first developed a method to quantitatively measure the spreading response of bone marrow M{\O} after stimulation with LPS. Fluorescence microscopy was used for cell imaging and visualisation of the M{\O} contact area. In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute Erlangen, we developed and validated a software tool for the semi-automated segmentation and quantitation of M{\O} fluorescence microscopy data, which allowed fast, robust and objective image analysis. Using this method, we observed that LPS caused time-dependent spreading, which was detectable after 1-2 h and maximal after 24 h. Next, the impact of genetic or pharmacological inhibition of known TLR signaling components was investigated. Deficiency in the adapter protein MYD88 strongly reduced spreading activity at the late time points, but had no impact early after LPS-stimulation. A similar effect was observed upon pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling, indicating that ERK1/2 mediates MYD88-dependent M{\O} spreading. In contrast, M{\O} lacking the MAPK p38 were impaired in the initial spreading response but responded normally 8-24 h after stimulation. The genetic deletion of the MAPK phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP16 resulted in impaired late spreading, corroborating the essential role for functional MAPK signaling in TLR4-driven M{\O} spreading. To identify the contribution of other cytoskeletal phosphoproteins to M{\O} spreading, siRNA knockdown of selected candidate genes in primary murine M{\O} was employed and combined with automated quantitative image analysis. These experiments revealed a functional role for the Myosins MYO1e and MYO1f in M{\O} spreading. These motor proteins are strongly phosphorylated in LPS-activated M{\O}. Because of their ability to simultaneously bind to actin filaments and cell membrane or other proteins, we investigated their role in phagocytosis, cytokine production and antigen presentation. Phagocytosis and killing of bacteria were not affected in Myo1e-/- macrophages. However, MYO1e plays a role in chemokine secretion and antigen presentation processes. MCP1 (CCL2) release was selectively increased in Myo1e-deficient M{\O} and dendritic cells (DC), while cytokine secretion was unaffected. Furthermore, macrophages and DCs lacking MYO1e showed lower levels of MHC-II on the cell surface. However, mRNA levels of CCL2 and of MHC-II were unaltered. These data suggest a role for MYO1e in the transport of selected chemokines and of MHC-II molecules to the cell surface. MHC-II-restricted antigen presentation assays revealed an impaired capacity of macrophages and DC lacking MYO1e to stimulate antigen-specific T cells, suggesting that the reduced MHC-II expression is functionally relevant. Taken together, in this study first a quantitative image analysis method was developed which allows the unbiased, robust and efficient investigation of the macrophage spreading response. Combination of this method with siRNA knockdown of selected cytoskeleton-associated phosphoproteins led to the identification of MYO1e and MYO1f as regulators of macrophage spreading. Furthermore, we identified MYO1e in M{\O} and DC to be essential for the intracellular transport of CCL2 and MHC-II to the cell surface and for optimal stimulation of antigen-specific CD4 T cells.},
  subject      = {Toll-like-Rezeptoren},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Mueller2006,
  author    = {M{\"u}ller, Nora},
  title     = {Masern Virus Interferenz mit T-Zell-Aktivierung : Einfluß auf Zytoskelettdynamik, Mobilit{\"a}t und Interaktion mit Dendritischen Zellen},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-17953},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Der Kontakt humaner T-Zellen mit dem MV Glykoproteinkomplex interferiert mit der CD3/CD28 stimulierten Aktivierung von PI3/Akt-Kinase Signalwegen. Damit verbunden ist der ineffiziente Transport PH-Dom{\"a}nen-enthaltender Proteine in Membran-rafts, wie der Akt-Kinase und Vav, den Guaninnukleotid-Austauschfaktor von Rho GTPasen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass infolge des MV-Kontaktes die CD3/CD28 stimulierte Aktivit{\"a}t der Rho GTPasen Cdc42 und Rac1 inhibiert ist. Dagegen war in MV-behandelten Zellen eine leichte RhoA Aktivierung festzustellen. Rho GTPasen spielen eine kritische Rolle in der Regulation von Zytoskelettorganisation von T-Lymphozyten. {\"U}bereinstimmend damit wurde gezeigt, dass der Kontakt mit MV die CD3/CD28 costimulierte Aktivierung und Polymerisation des F-Aktins inhibiert. Damit verbunden ist die reduzierte F{\"a}higkeit MV-behandelter T-Zellen auf Fibronektin- und mit CD3/CD28 Antik{\"o}rpern-beschichteten Objekttr{\"a}gern zu polarisieren. Die Ausbildung F-Aktin-getriebener morphologischer Ver{\"a}nderungen, wie Filopodien, Lamellipodien und Uropodien, ist drastisch reduziert. Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Auf-nahmen zeigten in nicht-stimulierten und CD3/CD28 costimulierten MV-behandelten T-Zellen einen nahezu kompletten Verlust an Mikrovilli und Lamellipodien. Die Bindung von MV induziert die Dephosphorylierung des F-Aktin-bindenden Proteins Cofilin und der ERM-Proteine. Es konnte demonstriert werden, dass der MV-Kontakt die Ausbildung einer reifen immunologischen Synapse st{\"o}rt. Trotz der morphologischen Ver{\"a}nderungen konjugieren MV-behandelte T-Zellen mit DCs. Die Anzahl MV-behandelter T-Zellen, die mit DCs inter-agieren, ist vergleichbar mit der mock-behandelter T-Zellen. Allerdings zeigt die 3-dimensionale Rekonstruktion der DC/T-Zell-Kontaktzone, dass in MV-behandelten T-Zellen die zentrale Akkumulation und Clusterbildung des CD3-Molek{\"u}ls gest{\"o}rt ist und keine monozentrische Synapse ausbildet wird. Desweiteren erfolgt die Relokalisation des MTOC in T-Zellen in Richtung der DC unvollst{\"a}ndig. Zusammenfassend kann gesagt werden, dass der MV Glykoproteinkomplex mit essentiellen Schritten einer erfolgreichen T-Zell-Aktivierung w{\"a}hrend der APC/T-Zell-Interaktion interferiert.},
  subject      = {Masernvirus},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Beland2002,
  author    = {Beland, Heidi},
  title     = {Molekulare Charakterisierung eines Tropomodulin-Homologen des Fuchsbandwurms E. multilocularis},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-6168},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2002},
  abstract  = {Zusammenfassend konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erstmals ein Tropomodulin- homologer Faktor aus einem Plathelminthen auf molekularer Ebene charakterisiert werden. Zudem wurde die Interaktion des kodierten Faktors mit einem k{\"u}rzlich isolierten Tropomyosin- Homologen aus E. multilocularis nachgewiesen. Basierend auf diesen Daten ist es nun m{\"o}glich, die biologische Signifikanz der Interaktion von Elp mit EmTY weiterf{\"u}hrend zu untersuchen. Sollte sich in diesen Studien herausstellen, daß der ERM- Faktor Elp in der Tat mit dem Tropomodulin- Tropomyosin- System der E. multilocularis- Zelle interferiert, k{\"o}nnte dies ein wichtiger Beitrag zu unserem Verst{\"a}ndnis des signaltransduktorischen Geschehens zwischen der Plasmamembran und dem Zytoskelett bei E. multilocularis sein.},
  language  = {de}
}