@article{SeitzvanEngelsdorpLeonhardt2020, author = {Seitz, Nicola and vanEngelsdorp, Dennis and Leonhardt, Sara D.}, title = {Are native and non-native pollinator friendly plants equally valuable for native wild bee communities?}, series = {Ecology and Evolution}, volume = {10}, journal = {Ecology and Evolution}, number = {23}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.6826}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218439}, pages = {12838-12850}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bees rely on floral pollen and nectar for food. Therefore, pollinator friendly plantings are often used to enrich habitats in bee conservation efforts. As part of these plantings, non-native plants may provide valuable floral resources, but their effects on native bee communities have not been assessed in direct comparison with native pollinator friendly plantings. In this study, we performed a common garden experiment by seeding mixes of 20 native and 20 non-native pollinator friendly plant species at separate neighboring plots at three sites in Maryland, USA, and recorded flower visitors for 2 years. A total of 3,744 bees (120 species) were collected. Bee abundance and species richness were either similar across plant types (midseason and for abundance also late season) or lower at native than at non-native plots (early season and for richness also late season). The overall bee community composition differed significantly between native and non-native plots, with 11 and 23 bee species being found exclusively at one plot type or the other, respectively. Additionally, some species were more abundant at native plant plots, while others were more abundant at non-natives. Native plants hosted more specialized plant-bee visitation networks than non-native plants. Three species out of the five most abundant bee species were more specialized when foraging on native plants than on non-native plants. Overall, visitation networks were more specialized in the early season than in late seasons. Our findings suggest that non-native plants can benefit native pollinators, but may alter foraging patterns, bee community assemblage, and bee-plant network structures.}, language = {en} } @article{SerenGrimmFitzetal.2016, author = {Seren, {\"U}mit and Grimm, Dominik and Fitz, Joffrey and Weigel, Detlef and Nordborg, Magnus and Borgwardt, Karsten and Korte, Arthur}, title = {AraPheno: a public database for Arabidopsis thaliana phenotypes}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {45}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {D1}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkw986}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147909}, pages = {D1054-D1059}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Natural genetic variation makes it possible to discover evolutionary changes that have been maintained in a population because they are advantageous. To understand genotype-phenotype relationships and to investigate trait architecture, the existence of both high-resolution genotypic and phenotypic data is necessary. Arabidopsis thaliana is a prime model for these purposes. This herb naturally occurs across much of the Eurasian continent and North America. Thus, it is exposed to a wide range of environmental factors and has been subject to natural selection under distinct conditions. Full genome sequencing data for more than 1000 different natural inbred lines are available, and this has encouraged the distributed generation of many types of phenotypic data. To leverage these data for meta analyses, AraPheno (https://arapheno.1001genomes.org) provide a central repository of population-scale phenotypes for A. thaliana inbred lines. AraPheno includes various features to easily access, download and visualize the phenotypic data. This will facilitate a comparative analysis of the many different types of phenotypic data, which is the base to further enhance our understanding of the genotype-phenotype map.}, language = {en} } @article{BoetzlKonleKrauss2019, author = {Boetzl, Fabian A. and Konle, Antonia and Krauss, Jochen}, title = {Aphid cards - useful model for assessing predation rates or bias prone nonsense?}, series = {Journal of Applied Entomology}, volume = {144}, journal = {Journal of Applied Entomology}, number = {1-2}, doi = {10.1111/jen.12692}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204798}, pages = {74-80}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Predation on pest organisms is an essential ecosystem function supporting yields in modern agriculture. However, assessing predation rates is intricate, and they can rarely be linked directly to predator densities or functions. We tested whether sentinel prey aphid cards are useful tools to assess predation rates in the field. Therefore, we looked at aphid cards of different sizes on the ground level as well as within the vegetation. Additionally, by trapping ground-dwelling predators, we examined whether obtained predation rates could be linked to predator densities and traits. Predation rates recorded with aphid cards were independent of aphid card size. However, predation rates on the ground level were three times higher than within the vegetation. We found both predatory carabid activity densities as well as community weighted mean body size to be good predictors for predation rates. Predation rates obtained from aphid cards are stable over card type and related to predator assemblages. Aphid cards, therefore, are a useful, efficient method for rapidly assessing the ecosystem function predation. Their use might especially be recommended for assessments on the ground level and when time and resource limitations rule out more elaborate sentinel prey methods using exclosures with living prey animals.}, language = {en} } @article{OttoHahlbrockEichetal.2016, author = {Otto, Christoph and Hahlbrock, Theresa and Eich, Kilian and Karaaslan, Ferdi and J{\"u}rgens, Constantin and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Wiegering, Armin and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike}, title = {Antiproliferative and antimetabolic effects behind the anticancer property of fermented wheat germ extract}, series = {BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine}, number = {160}, doi = {10.1186/s12906-016-1138-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-146013}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) sold under the trade name Avemar exhibits anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanisms of action are divided into antiproliferative and antimetabolic effects. Its influcence on cancer cell metabolism needs further investigation. One objective of this study, therefore, was to further elucidate the antimetabolic action of FWGE. The anticancer compound 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) is the major bioactive compound in FWGE and is probably responsible for its anticancer activity. The second objective of this study was to compare the antiproliferative properties in vitro of FWGE and the DMBQ compound. Methods The IC\(_{50}\) values of FWGE were determined for nine human cancer cell lines after 24 h of culture. The DMBQ compound was used at a concentration of 24 μmol/l, which is equal to the molar concentration of DMBQ in FWGE. Cell viability, cell cycle, cellular redox state, glucose consumption, lactic acid production, cellular ATP levels, and the NADH/NAD\(^+\) ratio were measured. Results The mean IC\(_{50}\) value of FWGE for the nine human cancer cell lines tested was 10 mg/ml. Both FWGE (10 mg/ml) and the DMBQ compound (24 μmol/l) induced massive cell damage within 24 h after starting treatment, with changes in the cellular redox state secondary to formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Unlike the DMBQ compound, which was only cytotoxic, FWGE exhibited cytostatic and growth delay effects in addition to cytotoxicity. Both cytostatic and growth delay effects were linked to impaired glucose utilization which influenced the cell cycle, cellular ATP levels, and the NADH/NAD\(^+\) ratio. The growth delay effect in response to FWGE treatment led to induction of autophagy. Conclusions FWGE and the DMBQ compound both induced oxidative stress-promoted cytotoxicity. In addition, FWGE exhibited cytostatic and growth delay effects associated with impaired glucose utilization which led to autophagy, a possible previously unknown mechanism behind the influence of FWGE on cancer cell metabolism.}, language = {en} } @article{BonaScheerBautz1981, author = {Bona, Marion and Scheer, Ulrich and Bautz, Ekkehard K. F.}, title = {Antibodies to RNA polymerase II (B) inhibit transcription in lampbrush chromosomes after microinjection into living amphibian oocytes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-33128}, year = {1981}, abstract = {Antibodies directed against RNA polymerase II (B) from Drosophila melanogaster were obtained from rabbit sera and, as monoclonal immunoglobulins, from mouse hybridomas and shown to cross-react with the amphibian enzyme protein. Localization by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the association of this enzyme with chromatin of interphase nuclei of amphibian cells and its absence in nucleoli. Purified immunoglobulins were microinjected in to nuclei ofliving vitellogenic oocytes of Ple1lrodeles waltlii and X enopus laevis and their effects on transcriptional processes were monitored by biochemical and light and electron microscopic stud ies. RNA polymerase II antibodies from rabbit sera caused a rapid and almost complete release of nascent transcripts from the chromatin axis of the loops of lampbrush chromosomes, followed by collapse of the loops and their retraction on the main chromosome axis. Monoclonal murine antibodies to the Iarge RNA polymerase II subunits also inhibited transcription in chromosome Ioops but appeared to inhibit initiation rather than elongation events. Activities of class land III RNA polymerases were not significantly affected by injection of antibodies to polymerase II, indicating immunological differences between the three RNA polymerases. The potential value of the in vitro test system described , as a very sensitive assay for detecting proteins involved in transcription in living cells, is discussed. 1}, language = {en} } @article{ColizziBeerCutietal.2021, author = {Colizzi, Francesca Sara and Beer, Katharina and Cuti, Paolo and Deppisch, Peter and Mart{\´i}nez Torres, David and Yoshii, Taishi and Helfrich-F{\"o}rster, Charlotte}, title = {Antibodies Against the Clock Proteins Period and Cryptochrome Reveal the Neuronal Organization of the Circadian Clock in the Pea Aphid}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.705048}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242909}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Circadian clocks prepare the organism to cyclic environmental changes in light, temperature, or food availability. Here, we characterized the master clock in the brain of a strongly photoperiodic insect, the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, immunohistochemically with antibodies against A. pisum Period (PER), Drosophila melanogaster Cryptochrome (CRY1), and crab Pigment-Dispersing Hormone (PDH). The latter antibody detects all so far known PDHs and PDFs (Pigment-Dispersing Factors), which play a dominant role in the circadian system of many arthropods. We found that, under long days, PER and CRY are expressed in a rhythmic manner in three regions of the brain: the dorsal and lateral protocerebrum and the lamina. No staining was detected with anti-PDH, suggesting that aphids lack PDF. All the CRY1-positive cells co-expressed PER and showed daily PER/CRY1 oscillations of high amplitude, while the PER oscillations of the CRY1-negative PER neurons were of considerable lower amplitude. The CRY1 oscillations were highly synchronous in all neurons, suggesting that aphid CRY1, similarly to Drosophila CRY1, is light sensitive and its oscillations are synchronized by light-dark cycles. Nevertheless, in contrast to Drosophila CRY1, aphid CRY1 was not degraded by light, but steadily increased during the day and decreased during the night. PER was always located in the nuclei of the clock neurons, while CRY was predominantly cytoplasmic and revealed the projections of the PER/CRY1-positive neurons. We traced the PER/CRY1-positive neurons through the aphid protocerebrum discovering striking similarities with the circadian clock of D. melanogaster: The CRY1 fibers innervate the dorsal and lateral protocerebrum and putatively connect the different PER-positive neurons with each other. They also run toward the pars intercerebralis, which controls hormone release via the neurohemal organ, the corpora cardiaca. In contrast to Drosophila, the CRY1-positive fibers additionally travel directly toward the corpora cardiaca and the close-by endocrine gland, corpora allata. This suggests a direct link between the circadian clock and the photoperiodic control of hormone release that can be studied in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{BeierGaetschenbergerAzzamietal.2013, author = {Beier, Hildburg and G{\"a}tschenberger, Heike and Azzami, Klara and Tautz, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Antibacterial Immune Competence of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) Is Adapted to Different Life Stages and Environmental Risks}, series = {PLoS ONE}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0066415}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96895}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The development of all honey bee castes proceeds through three different life stages all of which encounter microbial infections to a various extent. We have examined the immune strength of honey bees across all developmental stages with emphasis on the temporal expression of cellular and humoral immune responses upon artificial challenge with viable Escherichia coli bacteria. We employed a broad array of methods to investigate defence strategies of infected individuals: (a) fate of bacteria in the haemocoel; (b) nodule formation and (c) induction of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Newly emerged adult worker bees and drones were able to activate efficiently all examined immune reactions. The number of viable bacteria circulating in the haemocoel of infected bees declined rapidly by more than two orders of magnitude within the first 4-6 h post-injection (p.i.), coinciding with the occurrence of melanised nodules. Antimicrobial activity, on the other hand, became detectable only after the initial bacterial clearance. These two temporal patterns of defence reactions very likely represent the constitutive cellular and the induced humoral immune response. A unique feature of honey bees is that a fraction of worker bees survives the winter season in a cluster mostly engaged in thermoregulation. We show here that the overall immune strength of winter bees matches that of young summer bees although nodulation reactions are not initiated at all. As expected, high doses of injected viable E.coli bacteria caused no mortality in larvae or adults of each age. However, drone and worker pupae succumbed to challenge with E.coli even at low doses, accompanied by a premature darkening of the pupal body. In contrast to larvae and adults, we observed no fast clearance of viable bacteria and no induction of AMPs but a rapid proliferation of E.coli bacteria in the haemocoel of bee pupae ultimately leading to their death.}, language = {en} } @article{BecamWalterBurgertetal.2017, author = {Becam, J{\´e}r{\^o}me and Walter, Tim and Burgert, Anne and Schlegel, Jan and Sauer, Markus and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra}, title = {Antibacterial activity of ceramide and ceramide analogs against pathogenic Neisseria}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-18071-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-159367}, pages = {17627}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Certain fatty acids and sphingoid bases found at mucosal surfaces are known to have antibacterial activity and are thought to play a more direct role in innate immunity against bacterial infections. Herein, we analysed the antibacterial activity of sphingolipids, including the sphingoid base sphingosine as well as short-chain C\(_{6}\) and long-chain C\(_{16}\)-ceramides and azido-functionalized ceramide analogs against pathogenic Neisseriae. Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) demonstrated that short-chain ceramides and a ω-azido-functionalized C\(_{6}\)-ceramide were active against Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae, whereas they were inactive against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Kinetic assays showed that killing of N. meningitidis occurred within 2 h with ω-azido-C\(_{6}\)-ceramide at 1 X the MIC. Of note, at a bactericidal concentration, ω-azido-C\(_{6}\)-ceramide had no significant toxic effect on host cells. Moreover, lipid uptake and localization was studied by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and revealed a rapid uptake by bacteria within 5 min. CLSM and super-resolution fluorescence imaging by direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy demonstrated homogeneous distribution of ceramide analogs in the bacterial membrane. Taken together, these data demonstrate the potent bactericidal activity of sphingosine and synthetic short-chain ceramide analogs against pathogenic Neisseriae.}, language = {en} } @article{DopplerSchusterAppeltshauseretal.2019, author = {Doppler, Kathrin and Schuster, Yasmin and Appeltshauser, Luise and Biko, Lydia and Villmann, Carmen and Weishaupt, Andreas and Werner, Christian and Sommer, Claudia}, title = {Anti-CNTN1 IgG3 induces acute conduction block and motor deficits in a passive transfer rat model}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {16}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {73}, doi = {10.1186/s12974-019-1462-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200476}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background: Autoantibodies against the paranodal protein contactin-1 have recently been described in patients with severe acute-onset autoimmune neuropathies and mainly belong to the IgG4 subclass that does not activate complement. IgG3 anti-contactin-1 autoantibodies are rare, but have been detected during the acute onset of disease in some cases. There is evidence that anti-contactin-1 prevents adhesive interaction, and chronic exposure to anti-contactin-1 IgG4 leads to structural changes at the nodes accompanied by neuropathic symptoms. However, the pathomechanism of acute onset of disease and the pathogenic role of IgG3 anti-contactin-1 is largely unknown. Methods: In the present study, we aimed to model acute autoantibody exposure by intraneural injection of IgG of patients with anti-contacin-1 autoantibodies to Lewis rats. Patient IgG obtained during acute onset of disease (IgG3 predominant) and IgG from the chronic phase of disease (IgG4 predominant) were studied in comparison. Results: Conduction blocks were measured in rats injected with the "acute" IgG more often than after injection of "chronic" IgG (83.3\% versus 35\%) and proved to be reversible within a week after injection. Impaired nerve conduction was accompanied by motor deficits in rats after injection of the "acute" IgG but only minor structural changes of the nodes. Paranodal complement deposition was detected after injection of the "acute IgG". We did not detect any inflammatory infiltrates, arguing against an inflammatory cascade as cause of damage to the nerve. We also did not observe dispersion of paranodal proteins or sodium channels to the juxtaparanodes as seen in patients after chronic exposure to anti-contactin-1. Conclusions: Our data suggest that anti-contactin-1 IgG3 induces an acute conduction block that is most probably mediated by autoantibody binding and subsequent complement deposition and may account for acute onset of disease in these patients. This supports the notion of anti-contactin-1-associated neuropathy as a paranodopathy with the nodes of Ranvier as the site of pathogenesis.}, language = {en} } @article{WohlwendCravenWeigeltetal.2021, author = {Wohlwend, Michael R. and Craven, Dylan and Weigelt, Patrick and Seebens, Hanno and Winter, Marten and Kreft, Holger and Zurell, Damaris and Sarmento Cabral, Juliano and Essl, Franz and van Kleunen, Mark and Pergl, Jan and Pyšek, Petr and Knight, Tiffany M.}, title = {Anthropogenic and environmental drivers shape diversity of naturalized plants across the Pacific}, series = {Diversity and Distributions}, volume = {27}, journal = {Diversity and Distributions}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1111/ddi.13260}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239925}, pages = {1120 -- 1133}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Aim The Pacific exhibits an exceptional number of naturalized plant species, but the drivers of this high diversity and the associated compositional patterns remain largely unknown. Here, we aim to (a) improve our understanding of introduction and establishment processes and (b) evaluate whether this information is sufficient to create scientific conservation tools, such as watchlists. Location Islands in the Pacific Ocean, excluding larger islands such as New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Methods We combined information from the most up-to-date data sources to quantify naturalized plant species richness and turnover across island groups and investigate the effects of anthropogenic, biogeographic and climate drivers on these patterns. In total, we found 2,672 naturalized plant species across 481 islands and 50 island groups, with a total of 11,074 records. Results Most naturalized species were restricted to few island groups, and most island groups have a low number of naturalized species. Island groups with few naturalized species were characterized by a set of widespread naturalized species. Several plant families that contributed many naturalized species globally also did so in the Pacific, particularly Fabaceae and Poaceae. However, many families were significantly over- or under-represented in the Pacific naturalized flora compared to other regions of the world. Naturalized species richness increased primarily with increased human activity and island altitude/area, whereas similarity between island groups in temperature along with richness differences was most important for beta diversity. Main conclusions The distribution and richness of naturalized species can be explained by a small set of drivers. The Pacific region contains many naturalized plant species also naturalized in other regions in the world, but our results highlight key differences such as a stronger role of anthropogenic drivers in shaping diversity patterns. Our results establish a basis for predicting and preventing future naturalizations in a threatened biodiversity hotspot.}, language = {en} } @article{StiebKelberWehneretal.2011, author = {Stieb, Sara Mae and Kelber, Christina and Wehner, R{\"u}diger and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {Antennal-Lobe Organization in Desert Ants of the Genus Cataglyphis}, series = {Brain, Behavior and Evolution}, volume = {77}, journal = {Brain, Behavior and Evolution}, number = {3}, issn = {0006-8977}, doi = {10.1159/000326211}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196815}, pages = {136-146}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Desert ants of the genus Cataglyphis possess remarkable visual navigation capabilities. Although Cataglyphis species lack a trail pheromone system, Cataglyphis fortis employs olfactory cues for detecting nest and food sites. To investigate potential adaptations in primary olfactory centers of the brain of C. fortis, we analyzed olfactory glomeruli (odor processing units) in their antennal lobes and compared them to glomeruli in different Cataglyphis species. Using confocal imaging and 3D reconstruction, we analyzed the number, size and spatial arrangement of olfactory glomeruli in C. fortis, C.albicans, C.bicolor, C.rubra, and C.noda. Workers of all Cataglyphis species have smaller numbers of glomeruli (198-249) compared to those previously found in olfactory-guided ants. Analyses in 2 species of Formica - a genus closely related to Cataglyphis - revealed substantially higher numbers of olfactory glomeruli (c. 370), which is likely to reflect the importance of olfaction in these wood ant species. Comparisons between Cataglyphis species revealed 2 special features in C. fortis. First, with c. 198 C. fortis has the lowest number of glomeruli compared to all other species. Second, a conspicuously enlarged glomerulus is located close to the antennal nerve entrance. Males of C. fortis possess a significantly smaller number of glomeruli (c. 150) compared to female workers and queens. A prominent male-specific macroglomerulus likely to be involved in sex pheromone communication occupies a position different from that of the enlarged glomerulus in females. The behavioral significance of the enlarged glomerulus in female workers remains elusive. The fact that C. fortis inhabits microhabitats (salt pans) that are avoided by all other Cataglyphis species suggests that extreme ecological conditions may not only have resulted in adaptations of visual capabilities, but also in specializations of the olfactory system.}, language = {en} } @article{KimAmoresKangetal.2019, author = {Kim, Bo-Mi and Amores, Angel and Kang, Seunghyun and Ahn, Do-Hwan and Kim, Jin-Hyoung and Kim, Il-Chan and Lee, Jun Hyuck and Lee, Sung Gu and Lee, Hyoungseok and Lee, Jungeun and Kim, Han-Woo and Desvignes, Thomas and Batzel, Peter and Sydes, Jason and Titus, Tom and Wilson, Catherine A. and Catchen, Julian M. and Warren, Wesley C. and Schartl, Manfred and Detrich, H. William III and Postlethwait, John H. and Park, Hyun}, title = {Antarctic blackfin icefish genome reveals adaptations to extreme environments}, series = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, volume = {3}, journal = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, doi = {10.1038/s41559-019-0812-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325811}, pages = {469-478}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Icefishes (suborder Notothenioidei; family Channichthyidae) are the only vertebrates that lack functional haemoglobin genes and red blood cells. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and linkage map for the Antarctic blackfin icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus, highlighting evolved genomic features for its unique physiology. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Antarctic fish of the teleost suborder Notothenioidei, including icefishes, diverged from the stickleback lineage about 77 million years ago and subsequently evolved cold-adapted phenotypes as the Southern Ocean cooled to sub-zero temperatures. Our results show that genes involved in protection from ice damage, including genes encoding antifreeze glycoprotein and zona pellucida proteins, are highly expanded in the icefish genome. Furthermore, genes that encode enzymes that help to control cellular redox state, including members of the sod3 and nqo1 gene families, are expanded, probably as evolutionary adaptations to the relatively high concentration of oxygen dissolved in cold Antarctic waters. In contrast, some crucial regulators of circadian homeostasis (cry and per genes) are absent from the icefish genome, suggesting compromised control of biological rhythms in the polar light environment. The availability of the icefish genome sequence will accelerate our understanding of adaptation to extreme Antarctic environments.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerSebaldOschkinat1994, author = {M{\"u}ller, T. and Sebald, Walter and Oschkinat, H.}, title = {Antagonist design through forced electrostatic mismatch}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-62408}, year = {1994}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Biochemie}, language = {en} } @article{ScheerFranke1972, author = {Scheer, Ulrich and Franke, Werner W.}, title = {Annulate lamellae in plant cells: formation during microsporogenesis and pollen development in Canna generalis Bailey}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32160}, year = {1972}, abstract = {The occurrence of stacked annulate tamellae is documented for a plant cell system, namely for pollen mother cells and developing pollen grains of Canna generalis. Their structural subarchiteeture and relationship to endoplasmie reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope cisternae is described in detail. The results demonstrate structural homology between plant and animal annulate lamellae and are compatible with, though do not prove, the view that annulate lamcllar cisternae may originate as a degenerative form of endoplasmic retieulum.}, language = {en} } @article{Linsenmair1972, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Anemomenotactic orientation in beetles and scorpions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78118}, year = {1972}, abstract = {Scorpions, living in North African semideserts are - in spite of disrupting experimental interferences - able to maintain a certain direction in their natural environment in the dark on a plane surface. Under comparable laboratory conditions, excluding the possibility of light or gravity orientation, they can orient themselves if a directed air current passes over the "arena." In most cases the scorpions do not run necessarily with or against the wind, but rather maintain constant angles to the air current for anywhere from minutes to many hours. They are running anemomenotactically (ref. 1). Under identical conditions many species of beetles also orient themselves to air currents (refs. 2 to 4). The main problems to be solved in the study of anemomenotactic orientation are: (1) Which physical qualities of the air current have an influence on the anemomenotaxis? (2) With which sense organs do beetles and scorpions perceive wind directions? (3) Which physiological mechanism is the basis of anemomenotactic orientation? (4) What is the biological significance of anemomenotaxis in beetles and scorpions? With respect to these problems, more study has been done on beetles than on scorpions. Therefore, due to lack of space, I shall discuss mainly some of the results obtained in experiments with dung beetles (Geotrupes silvaticus, G. ,Stercorarius, G. armifrons, G. niger, Scarabaeus variolosus) and tenebrionid beetles (Tenebrio molitor, Pimelia grossa, P. tenuicomis, Scaurus dubius).}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{BrehmKoziolKrohne2013, author = {Brehm, Klaus and Koziol, Uriel and Krohne, Georg}, title = {Anatomy and development of the larval nervous system in Echinococcus multilocularis}, series = {Frontiers in Zoology}, journal = {Frontiers in Zoology}, doi = {10.1186/1742-9994-10-24}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96504}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background The metacestode larva of Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda: Taeniidae) develops in the liver of intermediate hosts (typically rodents, or accidentally in humans) as a labyrinth of interconnected cysts that infiltrate the host tissue, causing the disease alveolar echinococcosis. Within the cysts, protoscoleces (the infective stage for the definitive canid host) arise by asexual multiplication. These consist of a scolex similar to that of the adult, invaginated within a small posterior body. Despite the importance of alveolar echinococcosis for human health, relatively little is known about the basic biology, anatomy and development of E. multilocularis larvae, particularly with regard to their nervous system. Results We describe the existence of a subtegumental nerve net in the metacestode cysts, which is immunoreactive for acetylated tubulin-α and contains small populations of nerve cells that are labeled by antibodies raised against several invertebrate neuropeptides. However, no evidence was found for the existence of cholinergic or serotoninergic elements in the cyst wall. Muscle fibers occur without any specific arrangement in the subtegumental layer, and accumulate during the invaginations of the cyst wall that form brood capsules, where protoscoleces develop. The nervous system of the protoscolex develops independently of that of the metacestode cyst, with an antero-posterior developmental gradient. The combination of antibodies against several nervous system markers resulted in a detailed description of the protoscolex nervous system, which is remarkably complex and already similar to that of the adult worm. Conclusions We provide evidence for the first time of the existence of a nervous system in the metacestode cyst wall, which is remarkable given the lack of motility of this larval stage, and the lack of serotoninergic and cholinergic elements. We propose that it could function as a neuroendocrine system, derived from the nervous system present in the bladder tissue of other taeniids. The detailed description of the development and anatomy of the protoscolex neuromuscular system is a necessary first step toward the understanding of the developmental mechanisms operating in these peculiar larval stages.}, language = {en} } @article{ZirkelCecilSchaeferetal.2012, author = {Zirkel, J. and Cecil, A. and Sch{\"a}fer, F. and Rahlfs, S. and Ouedraogo, A. and Xiao, K. and Sawadogo, S. and Coulibaly, B. and Becker, K. and Dandekar, T.}, title = {Analyzing Thiol-Dependent Redox Networks in the Presence of Methylene Blue and Other Antimalarial Agents with RT-PCR-Supported in silico Modeling}, series = {Bioinformatics and Biology Insights}, volume = {6}, journal = {Bioinformatics and Biology Insights}, doi = {10.4137/BBI.S10193}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123751}, pages = {287-302}, year = {2012}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In the face of growing resistance in malaria parasites to drugs, pharmacological combination therapies are important. There is accumulating evidence that methylene blue (MB) is an effective drug against malaria. Here we explore the biological effects of both MB alone and in combination therapy using modeling and experimental data. RESULTS: We built a model of the central metabolic pathways in P. falciparum. Metabolic flux modes and their changes under MB were calculated by integrating experimental data (RT-PCR data on mRNAs for redox enzymes) as constraints and results from the YANA software package for metabolic pathway calculations. Several different lines of MB attack on Plasmodium redox defense were identified by analysis of the network effects. Next, chloroquine resistance based on pfmdr/and pfcrt transporters, as well as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine resistance (by mutations in DHF/DHPS), were modeled in silico. Further modeling shows that MB has a favorable synergism on antimalarial network effects with these commonly used antimalarial drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Theoretical and experimental results support that methylene blue should, because of its resistance-breaking potential, be further tested as a key component in drug combination therapy efforts in holoendemic areas.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuKinoshitaAdolfietal.2019, author = {Liu, Ruiqi and Kinoshita, Masato and Adolfi, Mateus C. and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {Analysis of the role of the Mc4r system in development, growth, and puberty of medaka}, series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, doi = {10.3389/fendo.2019.00213}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201472}, pages = {213}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In mammals the melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) signaling system has been mainly associated with the regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis. In fish of the genus Xiphophorus (platyfish and swordtails) puberty onset is genetically determined by a single locus, which encodes the mc4r. Wild populations of Xiphophorus are polymorphic for early and late-maturing individuals. Copy number variation of different mc4r alleles is responsible for the difference in puberty onset. To answer whether this is a special adaptation of the Mc4r signaling system in the lineage of Xiphophorus or a more widely conserved mechanism in teleosts, we studied the role of Mc4r in reproductive biology of medaka (Oryzias latipes), a close relative to Xiphophorus and a well-established model to study gonadal development. To understand the potential role of Mc4r in medaka, we characterized the major features of the Mc4r signaling system (mc4r, mrap2, pomc, agrp1). In medaka, all these genes are expressed before hatching. In adults, they are mainly expressed in the brain. The transcript of the receptor accessory protein mrap2 co-localizes with mc4r in the hypothalamus in adult brains indicating a conserved function of modulating Mc4r signaling. Comparing growth and puberty between wild-type and mc4r knockout medaka revealed that absence of Mc4r does not change puberty timing but significantly delays hatching. Embryonic development of knockout animals is retarded compared to wild-types. In conclusion, the Mc4r system in medaka is involved in regulation of growth rather than puberty.}, language = {en} } @article{GrohRoessler2020, author = {Groh, Claudia and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee}, series = {Insects}, volume = {11}, journal = {Insects}, number = {1}, issn = {2075-4450}, doi = {10.3390/insects11010043}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200774}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Mushroom bodies (MBs) are multisensory integration centers in the insect brain involved in learning and memory formation. In the honeybee, the main sensory input region (calyx) of MBs is comparatively large and receives input from mainly olfactory and visual senses, but also from gustatory/tactile modalities. Behavioral plasticity following differential brood care, changes in sensory exposure or the formation of associative long-term memory (LTM) was shown to be associated with structural plasticity in synaptic microcircuits (microglomeruli) within olfactory and visual compartments of the MB calyx. In the same line, physiological studies have demonstrated that MB-calyx microcircuits change response properties after associative learning. The aim of this review is to provide an update and synthesis of recent research on the plasticity of microcircuits in the MB calyx of the honeybee, specifically looking at the synaptic connectivity between sensory projection neurons (PNs) and MB intrinsic neurons (Kenyon cells). We focus on the honeybee as a favorable experimental insect for studying neuronal mechanisms underlying complex social behavior, but also compare it with other insect species for certain aspects. This review concludes by highlighting open questions and promising routes for future research aimed at understanding the causal relationships between neuronal and behavioral plasticity in this charismatic social insect.}, language = {en} } @article{AlsheimerLinkLeubneretal.2014, author = {Alsheimer, Manfred and Link, Jana and Leubner, Monika and Schmitt, Johannes and G{\"o}b, Eva and Benavente, Ricardo and Jeang, Kuan-Teh and Xu, Rener}, title = {Analysis of Meiosis in SUN1 Deficient Mice Reveals a Distinct Role of SUN2 in Mammalian Meiotic LINC Complex Formation and Function}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1004099}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-111355}, year = {2014}, abstract = {LINC complexes are evolutionarily conserved nuclear envelope bridges, composed of SUN (Sad-1/UNC-84) and KASH (Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne/homology) domain proteins. They are crucial for nuclear positioning and nuclear shape determination, and also mediate nuclear envelope (NE) attachment of meiotic telomeres, essential for driving homolog synapsis and recombination. In mice, SUN1 and SUN2 are the only SUN domain proteins expressed during meiosis, sharing their localization with meiosis-specific KASH5. Recent studies have shown that loss of SUN1 severely interferes with meiotic processes. Absence of SUN1 provokes defective telomere attachment and causes infertility. Here, we report that meiotic telomere attachment is not entirely lost in mice deficient for SUN1, but numerous telomeres are still attached to the NE through SUN2/KASH5-LINC complexes. In Sun12/2 meiocytes attached telomeres retained the capacity to form bouquetlike clusters. Furthermore, we could detect significant numbers of late meiotic recombination events in Sun12/2 mice. Together, this indicates that even in the absence of SUN1 telomere attachment and their movement within the nuclear envelope per se can be functional. Author summary: Correct genome haploidization during meiosis requires tightly regulated chromosome movements that follow a highly conserved choreography during prophase I. Errors in these movements cause subsequent meiotic defects, which typically lead to infertility. At the beginning of meiotic prophase, chromosome ends are tethered to the nuclear envelope (NE). This attachment of telomeres appears to be mediated by well-conserved membrane spanning protein complexes within the NE (LINC complexes). In mouse meiosis, the two main LINC components SUN1 and SUN2 were independently described to localize at the sites of telomere attachment. While SUN1 has been demonstrated to be critical for meiotic telomere attachment, the precise role of SUN2 in this context, however, has been discussed controversially in the field. Our current study was targeted to determine the factual capacity of SUN2 in telomere attachment and chromosome movements in SUN1 deficient mice. Remarkably, although telomere attachment is impaired in the absence of SUN1, we could find a yet undescribed SUN1-independent telomere attachment, which presumably is mediated by SUN2 and KASH5. This SUN2 mediated telomere attachment is stable throughout prophase I and functional in moving telomeres within the NE. Thus, our results clearly indicate that SUN1 and SUN2, at least partially, fulfill redundant meiotic functions.}, language = {en} } @article{WinklerHongWittbrodtetal.1992, author = {Winkler, Christoph and Hong, Yunhan and Wittbrodt, Joachim and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {Analysis of heterologous and homologous promoters and enhancers in vitro and in vivo by gene transfer into Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) and Xiphophorus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86796}, year = {1992}, abstract = {Efficient expression systems are required for analysis of gene regulation and function in teleost fish. To develop such systems, a nurober of inducible or constitutive promoter and enhancer sequences of fish or higher vertebrate origin were tested for activity in a variety of fish celllines andin embryos of the Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) and Xiphophorus. The activity of the different promoterenhancer combinations were quantitated. Considerable differences were found for some constructs if tested in vitro or in vivo. From the data obtained, a set of expression vectors for basic research as weH as for aquaculture purposes were established.}, subject = {Schwertk{\"a}rpfling}, language = {en} } @article{MaierhoferFlunkertDittrichetal.2017, author = {Maierhofer, Anna and Flunkert, Julia and Dittrich, Marcus and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Schindler, Detlev and Nanda, Indrajit and Haaf, Thomas}, title = {Analysis of global DNA methylation changes in primary human fibroblasts in the early phase following X-ray irradiation}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0177442}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170895}, pages = {e0177442}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Epigenetic alterations may contribute to the generation of cancer cells in a multi-step process of tumorigenesis following irradiation of normal body cells. Primary human fibroblasts with intact cell cycle checkpoints were used as a model to test whether X-ray irradiation with 2 and 4 Gray induces direct epigenetic effects (within the first cell cycle) in the exposed cells. ELISA-based fluorometric assays were consistent with slightly reduced global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, however the observed between-group differences were usually not significant. Similarly, bisulfite pyrosequencing of interspersed LINE-1 repeats and centromeric α-satellite DNA did not detect significant methylation differences between irradiated and non-irradiated cultures. Methylation of interspersed ALU repeats appeared to be slightly increased (one percentage point; p = 0.01) at 6 h after irradiation with 4 Gy. Single-cell analysis showed comparable variations in repeat methylation among individual cells in both irradiated and control cultures. Radiation-induced changes in global repeat methylation, if any, were much smaller than methylation variation between different fibroblast strains. Interestingly, α-satellite DNA methylation positively correlated with gestational age. Finally, 450K methylation arrays mainly targeting genes and CpG islands were used for global DNA methylation analysis. There were no detectable methylation differences in genic (promoter, 5' UTR, first exon, gene body, 3' UTR) and intergenic regions between irradiated and control fibroblast cultures. Although we cannot exclude minor effects, i.e. on individual CpG sites, collectively our data suggest that global DNA methylation remains rather stable in irradiated normal body cells in the early phase of DNA damage response.}, language = {en} } @article{FoernzlerWittbrodtSchartl1991, author = {F{\"o}rnzler, Dorothee and Wittbrodt, Joachim and Schartl, M.anfred}, title = {Analysis of an esterase linked to a locus involved in the regulation of the melanoma oncogene and isolation of polymorphic marker sequences in Xiphophorus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61726}, year = {1991}, abstract = {Melanoma formation in Xiphophorus hybrids is mediated by a growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene encoded by the Tu locus. In the wild-type parental fish no tumors occur due to the activity of a locus that regulates the activity of the melanoma oncogene. Molecu/ar identification of this regulatory locus (R) requires a precise physical map of the chromosomal region. Therefore we studied esterase isozymes in Xiphophorus, two of which have been previously reported to be linked to locus R. We confinn that ES 1 is a distant marker for R ( approx. 30cM), and contrary to earlier studies, we show that this isozyme is present in all species of the genus and at similar activity Ievels in all organs tested. ES4, which has also been reported to be linked to R, was found to be a misclassification of liver ES1. In an attempt to identify markersthat bridge the large distance between ESl and R, we have generated DNA probes which are highly polymorphic. They will be useful in finding Iandmarks on a physical map of the R-containing chromosomal region.}, subject = {Physiologische Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{ChipperfieldDythamHovestadt2011, author = {Chipperfield, Joseph D. and Dytham, Calvin and Hovestadt, Thomas}, title = {An Updated Algorithm for the Generation of Neutral Landscapes by Spectral Synthesis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68938}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Patterns that arise from an ecological process can be driven as much from the landscape over which the process is run as it is by some intrinsic properties of the process itself. The disentanglement of these effects is aided if it possible to run models of the process over artificial landscapes with controllable spatial properties. A number of different methods for the generation of so-called 'neutral landscapes' have been developed to provide just such a tool. Of these methods, a particular class that simulate fractional Brownian motion have shown particular promise. The existing methods of simulating fractional Brownian motion suffer from a number of problems however: they are often not easily generalisable to an arbitrary number of dimensions and produce outputs that can exhibit some undesirable artefacts. Methodology: We describe here an updated algorithm for the generation of neutral landscapes by fractional Brownian motion that do not display such undesirable properties. Using Monte Carlo simulation we assess the anisotropic properties of landscapes generated using the new algorithm described in this paper and compare it against a popular benchmark algorithm. Conclusion/Significance: The results show that the existing algorithm creates landscapes with values strongly correlated in the diagonal direction and that the new algorithm presented here corrects this artefact. A number of extensions of the algorithm described here are also highlighted: we describe how the algorithm can be employed to generate landscapes that display different properties in different dimensions and how they can be combined with an environmental gradient to produce landscapes that combine environmental variation at the local and macro scales.}, subject = {Landschaft}, language = {en} } @article{HigginsSmilinichSaitetal.1994, author = {Higgins, M. J. and Smilinich, N. J. and Sait, S. and Koenig, A. and Pongratz, J. and Gessler, Manfred and Richard III., C. W. and James, M. R. and Sanford, J. P. and Kim, B.-W. and Cattelane, J. and Nowak, N. J. and Winterpacht, A. and Zabel, B. U. and Munroe, D. J. and Bric, E. and Housman, D. E. and Jones, C. and Nakamura, Y. and Gerhard, D. S. and Shows, T. B.}, title = {An Ordered NotI Fragment Map of Human Chromosome Band 11p15}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-45766}, year = {1994}, abstract = {An ordered NotI fragment map containing over 60 loci and encompassing approximately 17 Mb has been constructed for human chromosome band llpl5. Forty-two probes, including 11 NotI-linking cosmids, were subregionaUy mapped to llpl5 using a subset of the Jl-deletion hybrids. These and 23 other probes defining loci previously mapped to 11p15 were hybridized to genomic DNA digested with NotI and 5 other infrequently cleaving restriction enzymes and separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Thirty-nine distinct NotI fragments were detected encompassing approximately 85\% of the estimated length of llp15. The predicted order of the gene loci used is cenMYODI- PTH-CALCA-ST5-RBTNI-HPX-HBB-RRMlTH/ INS!1GF2-H19-CTSD-MUC2-DRD4-HRAS-RNHtel. This map wiu allow higher resolution mapping of new Ilp15 markers, facilitate positional cloning of disease genes, and provide a framework for the physical mapping of llp15 in clone contigs.}, subject = {Genom / Genkartierung / Genanalyse}, 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{HornickRichterHarpoleetal.2022, author = {Hornick, Thomas and Richter, Anett and Harpole, William Stanley and Bastl, Maximilian and Bohlmann, Stephanie and Bonn, Aletta and Bumberger, Jan and Dietrich, Peter and Gemeinholzer, Birgit and Grote, R{\"u}diger and Heinold, Bernd and Keller, Alexander and Luttkus, Marie L. and M{\"a}der, Patrick and Motivans Švara, Elena and Passonneau, Sarah and Punyasena, Surangi W. and Rakosy, Demetra and Richter, Ronny and Sickel, Wiebke and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf and Theodorou, Panagiotis and Treudler, Regina and Werchan, Barbora and Werchan, Matthias and Wolke, Ralf and Dunker, Susanne}, title = {An integrative environmental pollen diversity assessment and its importance for the Sustainable Development Goals}, series = {Plants, People, Planet}, volume = {4}, journal = {Plants, People, Planet}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/ppp3.10234}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-276487}, pages = {110 -- 121}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Societal Impact Statement Pollen relates to many aspects of human and environmental health, which protection and improvement are endorsed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By highlighting these connections in the frame of current challenges in monitoring and research, we discuss the need of more integrative and multidisciplinary pollen research related to societal needs, improving health of humans and our ecosystems for a sustainable future. Summary Pollen is at once intimately part of the reproductive cycle of seed plants and simultaneously highly relevant for the environment (pollinators, vector for nutrients, or organisms), people (food safety and health), and climate (cloud condensation nuclei and climate reconstruction). We provide an interdisciplinary perspective on the many and connected roles of pollen to foster a better integration of the currently disparate fields of pollen research, which would benefit from the sharing of general knowledge, technical advancements, or data processing solutions. We propose a more interdisciplinary and holistic research approach that encompasses total environmental pollen diversity (ePD) (wind and animal and occasionally water distributed pollen) at multiple levels of diversity (genotypic, phenotypic, physiological, chemical, and functional) across space and time. This interdisciplinary approach holds the potential to contribute to pressing human issues, including addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering social and political awareness of these tiny yet important and fascinating particles.}, 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} } @article{OsmanStigloherMuelleretal.2020, author = {Osman, Mohamed and Stigloher, Christian and Mueller, Martin J. and Waller, Frank}, title = {An improved growth medium for enhanced inoculum production of the plant growth-promoting fungus Serendipita indica}, series = {Plant Methods}, volume = {16}, journal = {Plant Methods}, doi = {10.1186/s13007-020-00584-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229186}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background The plant endophytic fungus Serendipita indica colonizes roots of a wide range of plant species and can enhance growth and stress resistance of these plants. Due to its ease of axenic cultivation and its broad host plant range including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and numerous crop plants, it is widely used as a model fungus to study beneficial fungus-root interactions. In addition, it was suggested to be utilized for commercial applications, e.g. to enhance yield in barley and other species. To produce inoculum, S. indica is mostly cultivated in a complex Hill-Kafer medium (CM medium), however, growth in this medium is slow, and yield of chlamydospores, which are often used for plant root inoculation, is relatively low. Results We tested and optimized a simple vegetable juice-based medium for an enhanced yield of fungal inoculum. The described vegetable juice (VJ) medium is based on commercially available vegetable juice and is easy to prepare. VJ medium was superior to the currently used CM medium with respect to biomass production in liquid medium and hyphal growth on agar plates. Using solid VJ medium supplemented with sucrose (VJS), a high amount of chlamydospores developed already after 8 days of cultivation, producing significantly more spores than on CM medium. Use of VJ medium is not restricted to S. indica, as it also supported growth of two pathogenic fungi often used in plant pathology experiments: the ascomycete Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight disease on wheat and barley, and Verticillium longisporum, the causal agent of verticillium wilt. Conclusions The described VJ medium is recommended for streamlined and efficient production of inoculum for the plant endophytic fungus Serendipita indica and might prove superior for the propagation of other fungi for research purposes.}, language = {en} } @article{HovestadtMitesserElmesetal.2007, author = {Hovestadt, Thomas and Mitesser, Oliver and Elmes, Graham and Thomas, Jeremy A. and Hochberg, Michael E.}, title = {An Evolutionarily Stable Strategy model for the evolution of dimorphic development in the butterfly Maculinea rebeli, a social parasite of Myrmica Ant Colonies}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-48165}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Caterpillars of the butterfly Maculinea rebeli develop as parasites inside ant colonies. In intensively studied French populations, about 25\% of caterpillars mature within 1 year (fast-developing larvae [FDL]) and the others after 2 years (slow-developing larvae [SDL]); all available evidence indicates that this ratio is under the control of egg-laying females. We present an analytical model to predict the evolutionarily stable fraction of FDL (pESS). The model accounts for added winter mortality of SDL, general and kin competition among caterpillars, a competitive advantage of SDL over newly entering FDL (priority effect), and the avoidance of renewed infection of ant nests by butterflies in the coming season (segregation). We come to the following conclusions: (1) all factors listed above can promote the evolution of delayed development; (2) kin competition and segregation stabilize pESS near 0.5; and (3) a priority effect is the only mechanism potentially selecting for. However, given the empirical data, pESS is predicted to fall closer to 0.5 than to the 0.25 that has been observed. In this particular system, bet hedging cannot explain why more than 50\% of larvae postpone growth. Presumably, other fitness benefits for SDL, for example, higher fertility or longevity, also contribute to the evolution of delayed development. The model presented here may be of general applicability for systems where maturing individuals compete in small subgroups.}, 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{SenecalIsabelleFritzleretal.2014, author = {Senecal, Jean-Luc and Isabelle, Catherine and Fritzler, Marvin J. and Targoff, Ira N. and Goldstein, Rose and Gagne, Michel and Raynauld, Jean-Pierre and Joyal, France and Troyanov, Yves and Dabauvalle, Marie-Christine}, title = {An Autoimmune Myositis-Overlap Syndrome Associated With Autoantibodies to Nuclear Pore Complexes Description and Long-Term Follow-up of the Anti-Nup Syndrome}, series = {Medicine}, volume = {93}, journal = {Medicine}, number = {24}, issn = {0025-7974}, doi = {10.1097/MD.0000000000000223}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114829}, pages = {361-372}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Autoimmune myositis encompasses various myositis-overlap syndromes, each being identified by the presence of serum marker autoantibodies. We describe a novel myositis-overlap syndrome in 4 patients characterized by the presence of a unique immunologic marker, autoantibodies to nuclear pore complexes. The clinical phenotype was characterized by prominent myositis in association with erosive, anti-CCP, and rheumatoid factor-positive arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, mild interstitial lung disease, Raynaud phenomenon, and weight loss. The myositis was typically chronic, relapsing, and refractory to corticosteroids alone, but remitted with the addition of a second immuno-modulating drug. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence for liver disease. The prognosis was good with 100\% long-term survival (mean follow-up 19.5 yr). By indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells, sera from all 4 patients displayed a high titer of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) with a distinct punctate peripheral (rim) fluorescent pattern of the nuclear envelope characteristic of nuclear pore complexes. Reactivity with nuclear pore complexes was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. In a cohort of 100 French Canadian patients with autoimmune myositis, the nuclear pore complex fluorescent ANA pattern was restricted to these 4 patients (4\%). It was not observed in sera from 393 adult patients with systemic sclerosis (n = 112), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 35), systemic lupus (n = 94), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 45), or other rheumatic diseases (n = 107), nor was it observed in 62 normal adults. Autoantibodies to nuclear pore complexes were predominantly of IgG isotype. No other IgG autoantibody markers for defined connective tissue diseases or overlap syndromes were present, indicating a selective and highly focused immune response. In 3 patients, anti-nuclear pore complex autoantibody titers varied in parallel with myositis activity, suggesting a pathogenic link to pathophysiology. The nuclear pore complex proteins, that is, nucleoporins (nup), recognized by these sera were heterogeneous and included Nup358/RanBP2 (n = 2 patients), Nup90 (n = 1), Nup62 (n = 1), and gp210 (n = 1). Taken together the data suggest that nup autoantigens themselves drive the anti-nup autoimmune response. Immunogenetically, the 4 patients shared the DQA1*0501 allele associated with an increased risk for autoimmune myositis. In conclusion, we report an apparent novel subset of autoimmune myositis in our population of French Canadian patients with connective tissue diseases. This syndrome is recognized by the presence of a unique immunologic marker, autoantibodies to nuclear pore complexes that react with nups, consistent with an "anti-nupsyndrome.''}, language = {en} } @article{HoppeSebald1980, author = {Hoppe, J. and Sebald, Walter}, title = {Amino acid sequence of the proteolipid subunit of the proton-translocating ATPase complex from the thermophilic bacterium PS-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-62754}, year = {1980}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Biochemie}, language = {en} } @article{VeloursEsparzaHoppeetal.1984, author = {Velours, J. and Esparza, M. and Hoppe, J. and Sebald, Walter and Guerin, B.}, title = {Amino acid sequence of a new mitochondrially synthesized proteolipid of the ATP synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-62695}, year = {1984}, abstract = {The purification and the amino acid sequence of a proteolipid translated on ribosomes in yeast mitochondria is reported. This protein, which is a subunit of the A TP synthase, was purified by extraction with chloroform/methanol (2/1) and subsequent chromatography on phosphocellulose and reverse phase h.p.l.c. A mol. wt. of 5500 was estimated by chromatography on Bio-Gel P-30 in 8011/o fonnie acid. The complete amino acid sequence of this protein was determined by automated solid phase Edman degradation of the whole protein and of fragments obtained after cleavage with cyanogen bromide. The sequence analysis indicates a length of 48 amino acid residues. The calculated mol. wt. of 5870 corresponds to the value found by gel chromatography. This polypeptide contains three basic residues and no negatively charged side chain. The three basic residues are clustered at the C terminus. The primary structure of this protein is in full agreement with the predicted amino acid sequence of the putative polypeptide encoded by the mitochondrial aap1 gene recently discovered in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, this protein shows 5011/o homology with the amino acid sequence of a putative polypeptide encoded by an unidentified reading frame also discovered near the mitochondrial ATPase subunit 6 genein Aspergillus nidulans.}, subject = {Biochemie}, language = {en} } @article{DandekarArgos1994, author = {Dandekar, Thomas and Argos, Patrick}, title = {Amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na\(^+\) channel is made of three homologous subunits}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-29734}, year = {1994}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzTamuriKultysetal.2016, author = {Schwarz, Roland F. and Tamuri, Asif U. and Kultys, Marek and King, James and Godwin, James and Florescu, Ana M. and Schultz, J{\"o}rg and Goldman, Nick}, title = {ALVIS: interactive non-aggregative visualization and explorative analysis of multiple sequence alignments}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {44}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkw022}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166374}, pages = {e77}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Sequence Logos and its variants are the most commonly used method for visualization of multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) and sequence motifs. They provide consensus-based summaries of the sequences in the alignment. Consequently, individual sequences cannot be identified in the visualization and covariant sites are not easily discernible. We recently proposed Sequence Bundles, a motif visualization technique that maintains a one-to-one relationship between sequences and their graphical representation and visualizes covariant sites. We here present Alvis, an open-source platform for the joint explorative analysis of MSAs and phylogenetic trees, employing Sequence Bundles as its main visualization method. Alvis combines the power of the visualization method with an interactive toolkit allowing detection of covariant sites, annotation of trees with synapomorphies and homoplasies, and motif detection. It also offers numerical analysis functionality, such as dimension reduction and classification. Alvis is user-friendly, highly customizable and can export results in publication-quality figures. It is available as a full-featured standalone version (http://www.bitbucket.org/rfs/alvis) and its Sequence Bundles visualization module is further available as a web application (http://science-practice.com/projects/sequence-bundles).}, language = {en} } @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{DegenHovestadtMitesseretal.2017, author = {Degen, Tobias and Hovestadt, Thomas and Mitesser, Oliver and H{\"o}lker, Franz}, title = {Altered sex-specific mortality and female mating success: ecological effects and evolutionary responses}, series = {Ecosphere}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecosphere}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/ecs2.1820}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170953}, pages = {e01820}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Theory predicts that males and females should often join the mating pool at different times (sexual dimorphism in timing of emergence [SDT]) as the degree of SDT affects female mating success. We utilize an analytical model to explore (1) how important SDT is for female mating success, (2) how mating success might change if either sex's mortality (abruptly) increases, and (3) to what degree evolutionary responses in SDT may be able to mitigate the consequences of such mortality increase. Increasing male pre-mating mortality has a non-linear effect on the fraction of females mated: The effect is initially weak, but at some critical level a further increase in male mortality has a stronger effect than a similar increase in female mortality. Such a change is expected to impose selection for reduced SDT. Increasing mortality during the mating season has always a stronger effect on female mating success if the mortality affects the sex that emerges first. This bias results from the fact that enhancing mortality of the earlier emerging sex reduces female-male encounter rates. However, an evolutionary response in SDT may effectively mitigate such consequences. Further, if considered independently for females and males, the predicted evolutionary response in SDT could be quite dissimilar. The difference between female and male evolutionary response in SDT leads to marked differences in the fraction of fertilized females under certain conditions. Our model may provide general guidelines for improving harvesting of populations, conservation management of rare species under altered environmental conditions, or maintaining long-term efficiency of pest-control measures.}, language = {en} } @article{KernerKraussMaihoffetal.2023, author = {Kerner, Janika M. and Krauss, Jochen and Maihoff, Fabienne and Bofinger, Lukas and Classen, Alice}, title = {Alpine butterflies want to fly high: Species and communities shift upwards faster than their host plants}, series = {Ecology}, volume = {104}, journal = {Ecology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/ecy.3848}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312015}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Despite sometimes strong codependencies of insect herbivores and plants, the responses of individual taxa to accelerating climate change are typically studied in isolation. For this reason, biotic interactions that potentially limit species in tracking their preferred climatic niches are ignored. Here, we chose butterflies as a prominent representative of herbivorous insects to investigate the impacts of temperature changes and their larval host plant distributions along a 1.4-km elevational gradient in the German Alps. Following a sampling protocol of 2009, we revisited 33 grassland plots in 2019 over an entire growing season. We quantified changes in butterfly abundance and richness by repeated transect walks on each plot and disentangled the direct and indirect effects of locally assessed temperature, site management, and larval and adult food resource availability on these patterns. Additionally, we determined elevational range shifts of butterflies and host plants at both the community and species level. Comparing the two sampled years (2009 and 2019), we found a severe decline in butterfly abundance and a clear upward shift of butterflies along the elevational gradient. We detected shifts in the peak of species richness, community composition, and at the species level, whereby mountainous species shifted particularly strongly. In contrast, host plants showed barely any change, neither in connection with species richness nor individual species shifts. Further, temperature and host plant richness were the main drivers of butterfly richness, with change in temperature best explaining the change in richness over time. We concluded that host plants were not yet hindering butterfly species and communities from shifting upwards. However, the mismatch between butterfly and host plant shifts might become a problem for this very close plant-herbivore relationship, especially toward higher elevations, if butterflies fail to adapt to new host plants. Further, our results support the value of conserving traditional extensive pasture use as a promoter of host plant and, hence, butterfly richness.}, language = {en} } @article{RajabBisminSchwarzeetal.2021, author = {Rajab, Suhaila and Bismin, Leah and Schwarze, Simone and Pinggera, Alexandra and Greger, Ingo H. and Neuweiler, Hannes}, title = {Allosteric coupling of sub-millisecond clamshell motions in ionotropic glutamate receptor ligand-binding domains}, series = {Communications Biology}, volume = {4}, journal = {Communications Biology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s42003-021-02605-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261678}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate signal transmission in the brain and are important drug targets. Structural studies show snapshots of iGluRs, which provide a mechanistic understanding of gating, yet the rapid motions driving the receptor machinery are largely elusive. Here we detect kinetics of conformational change of isolated clamshell-shaped ligand-binding domains (LBDs) from the three major iGluR sub-types, which initiate gating upon binding of agonists. We design fluorescence probes to measure domain motions through nanosecond fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. We observe a broad kinetic spectrum of LBD dynamics that underlie activation of iGluRs. Microsecond clamshell motions slow upon dimerization and freeze upon binding of full and partial agonists. We uncover allosteric coupling within NMDA LBD hetero-dimers, where binding of L-glutamate to the GluN2A LBD stalls clamshell motions of the glycine-binding GluN1 LBD. Our results reveal rapid LBD dynamics across iGluRs and suggest a mechanism of negative allosteric cooperativity in NMDA receptors.}, language = {en} } @article{MatosMachadoSchartletal.2019, author = {Matos, Isa and Machado, Miguel P. and Schartl, Manfred and Coelho, Maria Manuela}, title = {Allele-specific expression variation at different ploidy levels in Squalius alburnoides}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-40210-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200910}, pages = {3688}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Allopolyploid plants are long known to be subject to a homoeolog expression bias of varying degree. The same phenomenon was only much later suspected to occur also in animals based on studies of single selected genes in an allopolyploid vertebrate, the Iberian fish Squalius alburnoides. Consequently, this species became a good model for understanding the evolution of gene expression regulation in polyploid vertebrates. Here, we analyzed for the first time genome-wide allele-specific expression data from diploid and triploid hybrids of S. alburnoides and compared homoeolog expression profiles of adult livers and of juveniles. Co-expression of alleles from both parental genomic types was observed for the majority of genes, but with marked homoeolog expression bias, suggesting homoeolog specific reshaping of expression level patterns in hybrids. Complete silencing of one allele was also observed irrespective of ploidy level, but not transcriptome wide as previously speculated. Instead, it was found only in a restricted number of genes, particularly ones with functions related to mitochondria and ribosomes. This leads us to hypothesize that allelic silencing may be a way to overcome intergenomic gene expression interaction conflicts, and that homoeolog expression bias may be an important mechanism in the achievement of sustainable genomic interactions, mandatory to the success of allopolyploid systems, as in S. alburnoides.}, language = {en} } @article{WegenerChen2022, author = {Wegener, Christian and Chen, Jiangtian}, title = {Allatostatin A signalling: progress and new challenges from a paradigmatic pleiotropic invertebrate neuropeptide family}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2022.920529}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-278749}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Neuropeptides have gained broad attraction in insect neuroscience and physiology, as new genetic tools are increasingly uncovering their wide-ranging pleiotropic functions with high cellular resolution. Allatostatin A (AstA) peptides constitute one of the best studied insect neuropeptide families. In insects and other panarthropods, AstA peptides qualify as brain-gut peptides and have regained attention with the discovery of their role in regulating feeding, growth, activity/sleep and learning. AstA receptor homologs are found throughout the protostomia and group with vertebrate somatostatin/galanin/kisspeptin receptors. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the evolution and the pleiotropic and cell-specific non-allatostatic functions of AstA. We speculate about the core functions of AstA signalling, and derive open questions and challengesfor future research on AstA and invertebrate neuropeptides in general.}, language = {en} } @article{ChenReiherHermannLuibletal.2016, author = {Chen, Jiangtian and Reiher, Wencke and Hermann-Luibl, Christiane and Sellami, Azza and Cognigni, Paola and Kondo, Shu and Helfrich-F{\"o}rster, Charlotte and Veenstra, Jan A. and Wegener, Christian}, title = {Allatostatin A Signalling in Drosophila Regulates Feeding and Sleep and Is Modulated by PDF}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1006346}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-178170}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Feeding and sleep are fundamental behaviours with significant interconnections and cross-modulations. The circadian system and peptidergic signals are important components of this modulation, but still little is known about the mechanisms and networks by which they interact to regulate feeding and sleep. We show that specific thermogenetic activation of peptidergic Allatostatin A (AstA)-expressing PLP neurons and enteroendocrine cells reduces feeding and promotes sleep in the fruit fly Drosophila. The effects of AstA cell activation are mediated by AstA peptides with receptors homolog to galanin receptors subserving similar and apparently conserved functions in vertebrates. We further identify the PLP neurons as a downstream target of the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF), an output factor of the circadian clock. PLP neurons are contacted by PDF-expressing clock neurons, and express a functional PDF receptor demonstrated by cAMP imaging. Silencing of AstA signalling and continuous input to AstA cells by tethered PDF changes the sleep/activity ratio in opposite directions but does not affect rhythmicity. Taken together, our results suggest that pleiotropic AstA signalling by a distinct neuronal and enteroendocrine AstA cell subset adapts the fly to a digestive energy-saving state which can be modulated by PDF.}, language = {en} } @article{CavariHongFunkensteinetal.1993, author = {Cavari, Benzion and Hong, Yunhan and Funkenstein, Bruria and Moav, Boaz and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {All-fish gene constructs for growth hormone gene transfer in fish}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61612}, year = {1993}, abstract = {In order to develop all-fish expression vectors for microinjection into fertilized fish eggs, we have prepared the following cunstructs: rainbow trout metallothionein a/b and the gilthead seabream growth hormone cDNA (ptMTa-gbsGHcDNA, ptMTb-gsbGHcDNA), carp ß-actin gilthead seabream GH cDNA (pcAßgsbGHcDNA). The inducible metallothionein promoters a and b were cloned from rainbow trout, and the constitutive promoter ß-actin was isolated from carp. The metallothionein promoters were cloned by using the PCR technique. The tMTa contains 430 bp, while the tMTb contains 260 bp (Hong et al. 1992). These two promoters were introduced to pGEM-3Z containing the GH cDNA of Sparus aurata to form ptMTa-gsbGH and ptMTb-gsbGH, respectively. The carp cytoplasmic ß-actin gene was chosen as a source for isolating strong constitutive regulatory sequences. One of these regulatory sequences in pUC118 was Iigated to GH cDNA of S. aurata to form the pcAß-gsbGHcDNA. Expression of the constructs containing the metallothionein promoters was tested in fish cell culture and was found tobe induced effectively by zinc. The ptMTa gsb-GH cDNA construct was microinjected into fertilized carp eggs, and integration in the genome of carp was detected in the DNA isolated from fins at the age of two months.}, subject = {Physiologische Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{VikukFuchsKrischkeetal.2020, author = {Vikuk, Veronika and Fuchs, Benjamin and Krischke, Markus and Mueller, Martin J. and Rueb, Selina and Krauss, Jochen}, title = {Alkaloid Concentrations of Lolium perenne Infected with Epichlo{\"e} festucae var. lolii with Different Detection Methods—A Re-Evaluation of Intoxication Risk in Germany?}, series = {Journal of Fungi}, volume = {6}, journal = {Journal of Fungi}, number = {3}, issn = {2309-608X}, doi = {10.3390/jof6030177}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-213171}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Mycotoxins in agriculturally used plants can cause intoxication in animals and can lead to severe financial losses for farmers. The endophytic fungus Epichlo{\"e} festucae var. lolii living symbiotically within the cool season grass species Lolium perenne can produce vertebrate and invertebrate toxic alkaloids. Hence, an exact quantitation of alkaloid concentrations is essential to determine intoxication risk for animals. Many studies use different methods to detect alkaloid concentrations, which complicates the comparability. In this study, we showed that alkaloid concentrations of individual plants exceeded toxicity thresholds on real world grasslands in Germany, but not on the population level. Alkaloid concentrations on five German grasslands with high alkaloid levels peaked in summer but were also below toxicity thresholds on population level. Furthermore, we showed that alkaloid concentrations follow the same seasonal trend, regardless of whether plant fresh or dry weight was used, in the field and in a common garden study. However, alkaloid concentrations were around three times higher when detected with dry weight. Finally, we showed that alkaloid concentrations can additionally be biased to different alkaloid detection methods. We highlight that toxicity risks should be analyzed using plant dry weight, but concentration trends of fresh weight are reliable.}, language = {en} } @article{BreezeVaissiereBommarcoetal.2014, author = {Breeze, Tom D. and Vaissiere, Bernhard E. and Bommarco, Riccardo and Petanidou, Theodora and Seraphides, Nicos and Kozak, Lajos and Scheper, Jeroen and Biesmeijer, Jacobus C. and Kleijn, David and Gyldenk{\ae}rne, Steen and Moretti, Marco and Holzschuh, Andrea and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf and Stout, Jane C. and P{\"a}rtel, Meelis and Zobel, Martin and Potts, Simon G.}, title = {Agricultural Policies Exacerbate Honeybee Pollination Service Supply-Demand Mismatches Across Europe}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {1}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0082996}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117692}, pages = {e82996}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Declines in insect pollinators across Europe have raised concerns about the supply of pollination services to agriculture. Simultaneously, EU agricultural and biofuel policies have encouraged substantial growth in the cultivated area of insect pollinated crops across the continent. Using data from 41 European countries, this study demonstrates that the recommended number of honeybees required to provide crop pollination across Europe has risen 4.9 times as fast as honeybee stocks between 2005 and 2010. Consequently, honeybee stocks were insufficient to supply >90\% of demands in 22 countries studied. These findings raise concerns about the capacity of many countries to cope with major losses of wild pollinators and highlight numerous critical gaps in current understanding of pollination service supplies and demands, pointing to a pressing need for further research into this issue.}, language = {en} } @article{LaswayPetersNjovuetal.2022, author = {Lasway, Julius V. and Peters, Marcell K. and Njovu, Henry K. and Eardley, Connal and Pauly, Alain and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf}, title = {Agricultural intensification with seasonal fallow land promotes high bee diversity in Afrotropical drylands}, series = {Journal of Applied Ecology}, volume = {59}, journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.14296}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311877}, pages = {3014 -- 3026}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The exponential increase in the human population in tandem with increased food demand has caused agriculture to be the global-dominant form of land use. Afrotropical drylands are currently facing the loss of natural savannah habitats and agricultural intensification with largely unknown consequences for bees. Here we investigate the effects of agricultural intensification on bee assemblages in the Afrotropical drylands of northern Tanzania. We disentangled the direct effects of agricultural intensification and temperature on bee richness from indirect effects mediated by changes in floral resources. We collected data from 24 study sites representing three levels of management intensity (natural savannah, moderate intensive and highly intensive agriculture) spanning an extensive gradient of mean annual temperature (MAT) in northern Tanzania. We used ordinary linear models and path analysis to test the effects of agricultural intensity and MAT on bee species richness, bee species composition and body-size variation of bee communities. We found that bee species richness increased with agricultural intensity and with increasing temperature. The effects of agricultural intensity and temperature on bee species richness were mediated by the positive effects of agriculture and temperature on the richness of floral resources used by bees. During the off-growing season, agricultural land was characterized by an extensive period of fallow land holding a very high density of flowering plants with unique bee species composition. The increase in bee diversity in agricultural habitats paralleled an increasing variation of bee body sizes with agricultural intensification that, however, diminished in environments with higher temperatures. Synthesis and applications. Our study reveals that bee assemblages in Afrotropical drylands benefit from agricultural intensification in the way it is currently practiced. However, further land-use intensification, including year-round irrigated crop monocultures and excessive use of agrochemicals, is likely to exert a negative impact on bee diversity and pollination services, as reported in temperate regions. Moreover, several bee species were restricted to natural savannah habitats. To conserve bee communities and guarantee pollination services in the region, a mixture of savannah and agriculture, with long periods of fallow land should be maintained.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerKucharskiRoessleretal.2016, author = {Becker, Nils and Kucharski, Robert and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang and Maleszka, Ryszard}, title = {Age-dependent transcriptional and epigenomic responses to light exposure in the honey bee brain}, series = {FEBS Open Bio}, volume = {6}, journal = {FEBS Open Bio}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1002/2211-5463.12084}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147080}, pages = {622-639}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Light is a powerful environmental stimulus of special importance in social honey bees that undergo a behavioral transition from in-hive to outdoor foraging duties. Our previous work has shown that light exposure induces structural neuronal plasticity in the mushroom bodies (MBs), a brain center implicated in processing inputs from sensory modalities. Here, we extended these analyses to the molecular level to unravel light-induced transcriptomic and epigenomic changes in the honey bee brain. We have compared gene expression in brain compartments of 1- and 7-day-old light-exposed honey bees with age-matched dark-kept individuals. We have found a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), both novel and conserved, including several genes with reported roles in neuronal plasticity. Most of the DEGs show age-related changes in the amplitude of light-induced expression and are likely to be both developmentally and environmentally regulated. Some of the DEGs are either known to be methylated or are implicated in epigenetic processes suggesting that responses to light exposure are at least partly regulated at the epigenome level. Consistent with this idea light alters the DNA methylation pattern of bgm, one of the DEGs affected by light exposure, and the expression of microRNA miR-932. This confirms the usefulness of our approach to identify candidate genes for neuronal plasticity and provides evidence for the role of epigenetic processes in driving the molecular responses to visual stimulation.}, language = {en} } @article{DandekarGramschHoughtonetal.1985, author = {Dandekar, Thomas and Gramsch, Christian and Houghton, Richard A. and Schultz, R{\"u}diger}, title = {Affinity purification of \(\beta\)-endorphin-like material from NG108CC15 cells by means of the monoclonal \(\beta\)-endorphin antibody 3-E7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-29896}, year = {1985}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{RiedmeierDecarolisHaubitzetal.2021, author = {Riedmeier, Maria and Decarolis, Boris and Haubitz, Imme and M{\"u}ller, Sophie and Uttinger, Konstantin and B{\"o}rner, Kevin and Reibetanz, Joachim and Wiegering, Armin and H{\"a}rtel, Christoph and Schlegel, Paul-Gerhardt and Fassnacht, Martin and Wiegering, Verena}, title = {Adrenocortical carcinoma in childhood: a systematic review}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {13}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {21}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers13215266}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-248507}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Adrenocortical tumors are rare in children. This systematic review summarizes the published evidence on pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) to provide a basis for a better understanding of the disease, investigate new molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and define which patients may benefit from a more aggressive therapeutic approach. We included 137 studies with 3680 ACC patients (~65\% female) in our analysis. We found no randomized controlled trials, so this review mainly reflects retrospective data. Due to a specific mutation in the TP53 gene in ~80\% of Brazilian patients, that cohort was analyzed separately from series from other countries. Hormone analysis was described in 2569 of the 2874 patients (89\%). Most patients were diagnosed with localized disease, whereas 23\% had metastasis at primary diagnosis. Only 72\% of the patients achieved complete resection. In 334 children (23\%), recurrent disease was reported: 81\% — local recurrence, 19\% (n = 65) — distant metastases at relapse. Patients < 4 years old had a different distribution of tumor stages and hormone activity and better overall survival (p < 0.001). Although therapeutic approaches are typically multimodal, no consensus is available on effective standard treatments for advanced ACC. Thus, knowledge regarding pediatric ACC is still scarce and international prospective studies are needed to implement standardized clinical stratifications and risk-adapted therapeutic strategies.}, language = {en} }