@phdthesis{Zhang2014, author = {Zhang, Yi}, title = {Regulation of Agrobacterial Oncogene Expression in Host Plants}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-102578}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Virulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains transfer and integrate a DNA region of the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid, the T-DNA, into the plant genome and thereby cause crown gall disease. The most essential genes required for crown gall development are the T-DNA-encoded oncogenes, IaaH (indole-3-acetamide hydrolase), IaaM (tryptophan monooxygenase) for auxin, and Ipt (isopentenyl transferase) for cytokinin biosynthesis. When these oncogenes are expressed in the host cell, the levels of auxin and cytokinin increase and cause cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to unravel the molecular mechanisms, which regulate expression of the agrobacterial oncogenes in plant cells. Transcripts of the three oncogenes were expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana crown galls induced by A. tumefaciens strain C58 and the intergenic regions (IGRs) between their coding sequences (CDS) were proven to have promoter activity in plant cells. These promoters possess eukaryotic sequence structures and contain cis-regulatory elements for the binding of plant transcription factors. The high-throughput protoplast transactivation (PTA) system was used and identified the Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors WRKY18, WRKY40, WRKY60 and ARF5 to activate the Ipt oncogene promoter. No transcription factor promoted the activity of the IaaH and IaaM promoters, despite the fact that the sequences contained binding elements for type B ARR transcription factors. Likewise, the treatment of Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts with cytokinin (trans-zeatin) and auxin (1-NAA) exerted no positive effect on IaaH and IaaM promoter activity. In contrast, the Ipt promoter strongly responded to a treatment with auxin and only modestly to cytokinin. The three Arabidopsis WRKYs play a role in crown gall development as the wrky mutants developed smaller crown galls than wild-type plants. The WRKY40 and WRKY60 genes responded very quickly to pathogen infection, two and four hours post infection, respectively. Transcription of the WRKY18 gene was induced upon buffer infiltration, which implicates a response to wounding. The three WRKY proteins interacted with ARF5 and with each other in the plant nucleus, but only WRKY40 together with ARF5 increased activation of the Ipt promoter. Moreover, ARF5 activated the Ipt promoter in an auxin-dependent manner. The severe developmental phenotype of the arf5 mutant prevented studies on crown gall development, nevertheless, the reduced crown gall growth on the transport inhibitor response 1 (TIR1) tir1 mutant, lacking the auxin sensor, suggested that auxin signaling is required for optimal crown gall development. In conclusion, A. tumefaciens recruits the pathogen defense related WRKY40 pathway to activate Ipt expression in T-DNA-transformed plant cells. IaaH and IaaM gene expression seems not to be controlled by transcriptional activators, but the increasing auxin levels are signaled via ARF5. The auxin-depended activation of ARF5 boosts expression of the Ipt gene in combination with WRKY40 to increase cytokinin levels and induce crown gall development.}, subject = {Agrobacterium tumefaciens}, language = {en} } @article{ZhangLeeWehneretal.2015, author = {Zhang, Yi and Lee, Chil-Woo and Wehner, Nora and Imdahl, Fabian and Svetlana, Veselova and Weiste, Christoph and Dr{\"o}ge-Laser, Wolfgang and Deeken, Rosalia}, title = {Regulation of Oncogene Expression in T-DNA-Transformed Host Plant Cells}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1004620}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125256}, pages = {e1004620}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Virulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains integrate their T-DNA into the plant genome where the encoded agrobacterial oncogenes are expressed and cause crown gall disease. Essential for crown gall development are IaaH (indole-3-acetamide hydrolase), IaaM (tryptophan monooxygenase) and Ipt (isopentenyl transferase), which encode enzymes for the biosynthesis of auxin (IaaH, IaaM) and cytokinin (Ipt). Although these oncogenes are well studied as the tumor-inducing principle, nothing is known about the regulation of oncogene expression in plant cells. Our studies show that the intergenic regions (IGRs) between the coding sequences (CDS) of the three oncogenes function as promoters in plant cells. These promoters possess a eukaryotic sequence organization and cis-regulatory elements for the binding of plant transcription factors. WRKY18, WRKY40, WRKY60 and ARF5 were identified as activators of the Ipt promoter whereas IaaH and IaaM is constitutively expressed and no transcription factor further activates their promoters. Consistent with these results, the wrky triple mutant plants in particular, develops smaller crown galls than wild-type and exhibits a reduced Ipt transcription, despite the presence of an intact ARF5 gene. WRKY40 and WRKY60 gene expression is induced by A. tumefaciens within a few hours whereas the ARF5 gene is transcribed later during crown gall development. The WRKY proteins interact with ARF5 in the plant nucleus, but only WRKY40 together with ARF5 synergistically boosts the activation of the Ipt promoter in an auxin-dependent manner. From our data, we propose that A. tumefaciens initially induces WRKY40 gene expression as a pathogen defense response of the host cell. The WRKY protein is recruited to induce Ipt expression, which initiates cytokinin-dependent host cell division. With increasing auxin levels triggered by ubiquitous expression of IaaH and IaaM, ARF5 is activated and interacts with WRKY40 to potentiate Ipt expression and balance cytokinin and auxin levels for further cell proliferation.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Attaran2010, author = {Attaran, Elham}, title = {Regulation of pathogen-inducible volatile compounds in Arabidopsis and their role in plant defense}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-46715}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Plants are constantly attacked by pathogenic microbes. As a result, they have evolved a plethora of constitutive and inducible defense responses to defend against attempted pathogen infection. Although volatile organic compounds have been implicated in plant defense, direct evidence of their function in plant resistance is still lacking. I have examined the role of VOCs in Arabidopsis defense against the hemibiotrophic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. The obtained results show that the vegetative parts of Arabidopsis produces and emits the volatile phenylpropanoid MeSA and three kinds of terpenoids, (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT), alpha-ionon and beta-farnesen, upon avirulent and virulent P. syringae inoculation. Whereas the most abundant volatiles, MeSA and TMTT, are already produced at early stages of infection in the compatible and incompatible interaction, enhanced emission of alpha-ionon and beta-farnesen can only be detected in later stages of the compatible interaction. It was revealed that pathogen-induced synthesis of TMTT in Arabidopsis requires the JA signaling pathway but occurs independently of SA defense signaling. Similarly, the production of MeSA is dependent on JA signaling but not on the SA defense signaling pathway. Furthermore, production of MeSA is dependent on the function of ISOCHORISMATE SYNTHASE1, which produces its precursor SA. Upon inoculation with avirulent P. syringae, endogenously produced JA activates the JA signalling pathway to mediate MeSA and TMTT synthesis. By contrast, in the compatible Arabidopsis-Psm interaction, production of MeSA predominantly depends on the P. syringea the virulence factor coronatine, which activates JA downstream signaling. To learn more about the role of inducible VOCs in plant defense responses, I have identified an Arabidopsis T-DNA insertions line with a defect in the TERPENE SYNTHASE4 (TPS4) gene. Emission profiles from this mutant revealed that the induced production of TMTT but not of alpha-ionone, beta-farnesene or MeSA are abolished, demonstrating that TPS4 specifically regulates the P. syringae-induced synthesis of TMTT in Arabidopsis. The lack of TMTT in tps4 mutants, however, does not affect plant defense responses and resistance induction against P. syringae. This excludes a role of the terpenoid as an effective phytoalexin in Arabidopsis leaves against the bacterial pathogen. Moreover, tps4 mutant plants are still able to mount a SAR response, excluding a signaling function of TMTT during SAR. An important aim of our studies was to address the defensive role of MeSA, the major VOC emitted from P. syringae-inoculated Arabidopsis leaves. MeSA has been recently proposed as a critical long distance signal in the development of SAR. I found that two independent T-DNA insertions lines with defects in expression of the pathogen-inducible SA methyl transferase gene BSMT1 are completely devoid of pathogen-induced production of MeSA. However, bsmt1 mutant plants are capable to increase the level of SA in systemic, non-infected leaves of Arabodopsis and develop SAR like wild-type plants upon local P. syringae-inoculation. Thus, MeSA does not function as a critical SAR signal in Arabidopsis. Further experiments showed that SA accumulation in distant leaves occurs due to de novo synthesis through isochorismate synthase. In addition, we also ruled out a critical defensive role of MeSA at inoculation sites, because bsmt1 mutants are able to build up SA-dependent defense responses and local resistance in a wild-type-like manner. The conversion of SA to MeSA and subsequently emission of MeSA from the plant might help the plant to detoxify an excess of SA. This process is regulated by the JA pathway and might be one means to mediate negative crosstalk between JA and SA signaling. Moreover, the COR-triggered conversion of SA to MeSA and emission of the volatile methyl ester could be a way by which virulent P. syringae is able to attenuate the SA-defense pathway.}, subject = {Ackerschmalwand}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Lambour2023, author = {Lambour, Benjamin}, title = {Regulation of sphingolipid long-chain bases during cell death reactions and abiotic stress in \(Arabidopsis\) \(thaliana\)}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32591}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325916}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Sphingobasen (LCBs) sind die Bausteine der Biosynthese von Sphingolipiden. Sie werden als Strukturelemente der pflanzlichen Zellmembran definiert und spielen eine wichtige Rolle f{\"u}r das Schicksal der Zellen. Komplexe Ceramide machen einen wesentlichen Teil der gesamten Sphingolipide aus, die einen großen Teil der eukaryotischen Membranen bilden. Gleichzeitig sind LCBs bekannte Signalmolek{\"u}le f{\"u}r zellul{\"a}re Prozesse in Eukaryonten und sind an Signal{\"u}bertragungswegen in Pflanzen beteiligt. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass hohe LCB-Konzentrationen mit der Induktion des programmierten Zelltods sowie mit dem durch Pathogene ausgel{\"o}sten Zelltod in Verbindung stehen. Mehrere Studien haben die regulierende Funktion der Sphingobasen beim programmierten Zelltod (PCD) in Pflanzen best{\"a}tigt: (i) Spontaner PCD und ver{\"a}nderte Zelltodreaktionen, die durch mutierte verwandte Gene des Sphingobasen-Stoffwechsels verursacht werden. (ii) Zelltodbedingungen erh{\"o}hen den Gehalt an LCBs. (iii) PCD aufgrund eines gest{\"o}rten Sphingolipid-Stoffwechsels, der durch von nekrotrophen Krankheitserregern produzierte Toxine wie Fumonisin B1 (FB1) hervorgerufen wird. Um den Zelltod zu verhindern und die Zelltodreaktion zu kontrollieren, kann daher die Regulierung des Gehalts an freien LCBs entscheidend sein. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie stellten das Verst{\"a}ndnis der Sphingobasen und Sphingolipidspiegel w{\"a}hrend der PCD in Frage. Wir lieferten eine detaillierte Analyse der Sphingolipidspiegel, die Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen bestimmten Sphingolipidarten und dem Zelltod aufzeigte. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus erm{\"o}glichte uns die Untersuchung der Sphingolipid-Biosynthese ein Verst{\"a}ndnis des Fluxes nach Akkumulation hoher LCB-Konzentrationen. Weitere Analysen von Abbauprodukten oder Sphingolipid-Mutantenlinien w{\"a}ren jedoch erforderlich, um vollst{\"a}ndig zu verstehen, wie die Pflanze mit hohen Mengen an Sphingobasen umgeht.}, subject = {Ackerschmalwand}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{CarmonaArana2015, author = {Carmona Arana, Jos{\´e} Antonio}, title = {Regulation Tumornekrosefaktor (TNF) Rezeptor assoziierter Signalwege durch das Adapterprotein TRAF1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128735}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {TWEAK ist ein zu der TNF-Superfamilie (Tumor Necrosis Factor) zugeh{\"o}riges Zytokin, welches in Form l{\"o}slicher und membranst{\"a}ndiger Molek{\"u}le vorkommt. Beide Formen des Liganden k{\"o}nnen an den Rezeptor (Fn14) binden. Viele verschiedene intrazellul{\"a}re Signalwege werden durch den Fn14 aktiviert, beispielweise Erk1/2, JNK, Jun und STAT3, vor allem jedoch das NFkB. L{\"o}sliches und membranst{\"a}ndiges TWEAK zeigen eine {\"a}hnliche Aktivierungseffizienz bez{\"u}glich des alternativen NFkB-Signalwegs, wohingegen membranst{\"a}ndiges TWEAK weit besser als l{\"o}sliches TWEAK den klassischen NFkB-Signalweg aktiviert. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde zun{\"a}chst die TWEAK-vermittelte Induzierbarkeit von verschiedenen Zielgenen des NFkB-Systems untersucht. L{\"o}sliches TWEAK zeigte einen weit schw{\"a}cheren aktivierenden Effekt auf den klassischen NFkB-Signalweg als TNF, das ein sehr guter Aktivator des klassischen NFkB-Systems ist (Abb. 5, 6). Nichtsdestotrotz war TWEAK imstande eine st{\"a}rkere TRAF1-Induktion als TNF herbeizuf{\"u}hren (Abbildung 7, 8). TRAF1 ist ein durch NFkB-System stark reguliertes Gen. Um posttranskriptionelle TRAF1-Modifikationen als Ursache f{\"u}r die unerwartet gute TRAF1-Induktion durch l{\"o}sliches TWEAK auszuschließen, wurde die TRAF1-Expression nach Proteasom- und Caspasen-Inhibition untersucht (Abbildung 9). Dies ergab keinen Hinweis auf einen Einfluss dieser Prozessen auf der TRAF1-Expression. Mittels des IKK2-spezifischen Inhibitor TPCA-1 wurde die TWEAK-vermittelte TRAF1-Induktion Zelltyp-abh{\"a}ngig gehemmt, wohingegen die TNF-vermittelte Induktion von TRAF1 in allen Zelllinien vollst{\"a}ndig inhibiert wurde (Abbildung 13). Versuche mit dem NEDD8-aktivierenden Enzym (NAE) Inhibitor MLN4924, resultierten in einer totalen Inhibition der TRAF1-Expression in allen TWEAK- und TNF-stimulierten Zellen (Abbildung 14). Diese Befunde sprechen daf{\"u}r, dass bei der TWEAK-vermittelten TRAF1-Expression beide Zweige des NFkB-Signalwegs Zelltyp-abh{\"a}ngig beteiligt sind. Die Oligomerisierung der Liganden der TNF-Familie verst{\"a}rkt oft ihre Aktivit{\"a}t. Oligomerisiertes TWEAK imitiert die biologische Aktivit{\"a}t von membranst{\"a}ndigem TWEAK. L{\"o}sliches TWEAK wurde mit einem anti-Flag Antik{\"o}rper oligomerisiert und die TRAF1-Induktion durch den alternativen NFkB-Signalweg wurde analysiert Oligomerisiertes TWEAK aktivierte Zelltyp-unabh{\"a}ngig den klassischen NFkB-Signalweg st{\"a}rker als l{\"o}sliches TWEAK, wohingegen kein Effekt auf die TRAF1-Induktion oder auf die Aktivierung den alternativen NFkB-Signalweg festgestellt wurde (Abbildung 11, 12). TWEAK ist imstande die TRAF2-vermittelte CD40-Induktion des klassischen NFkB-Signalwegs zu hemmen (Abbildung 16, 17). Um den Beitrag von TWEAK-Induziertem TRAF1 zur CD40-Inhibition zu herauszufinden, wurden TRAF1-stabil transfizierte 786O- und U2OS-Zellen hergestellt (Abbildung 19). Die CD40-Induzierte IkBa-Degradation und IL8/6 Produktion war in den TRAF1-Transfektanten als auch in mit l{\"o}slichem TWEAK vorbehandelte Zellen stark inhibiert (Abbildung 21, 22), wobei die CD40-Expression und CD40/CD40L-Interaktion unver{\"a}ndert blieb (Abbildung 20). Diese Ergebnisse sprechen f{\"u}r einen wichtigen Beitrag des Adaptorprotein TRAF1 in der TWEAK-vermittelte Inhibition der CD40-induzierte Aktivierung des klassischen NFkB-Signalwegs.}, subject = {Antigen CD40}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Stuhlfelder2004, author = {Stuhlfelder, Christiane}, title = {Reinigung, Klonierung und heterologe Expression der Methyljasmonat-Esterase aus Lycopersicon esculentum}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-8433}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Aus Lycopersicon esculentum Zellsuspensionskulturen konnte ein bisher unbekanntes Enzym isoliert und beschrieben werden, das die Hydrolyse von Methyljasmonat (MeJA) zu Jasmons{\"a}ure (JA) katalysiert. Das Enzym wurde als Methyljasmonat-Esterase (MeJA-Esterase) bezeichnet. Mittels Methyl-[2-14C]JA und [Methyl-3H]MeJA wurden qualitative und quantitative Enzymtestsysteme etabliert, welche die Reinigung und Charakterisierung des Enzyms erlaubten. Methyljasmonat-Esterase Aktivit{\"a}t konnte in 18 taxonomisch unterschiedlichen Zellsuspensionskulturen h{\"o}herer Pflanzen sowie in differenziertem Gewebe (Bl{\"u}te, Wurzel, Stengel und Blatt) von Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker nachgewiesen werden. In einem 6-stufigen Reinigungsverfahren wurde das native Enzym mit einer Ausbeute von 2.2 \% bis zur Homogenit{\"a}t 767-fach angereichert. Die native MeJA-Esterase kommt nativ als monomeres 26 kDa großes Protein vor. Unter denaturierenden Bedingungen konnte ein Molekulargewicht von 28 kDa bestimmt werden. Eine Analyse mittels ESI-TOF-Massenspektrometrie ergab ein Molekulargewicht von 28547 Da. Die native MeJA-Esterase hatte ein basisches pH-Optimum von 9.0. Optimale katalytische Aktivit{\"a}t zeigte die MeJA-Esterase bei einer Reaktionstemperatur von 40 \&\#61616;C. Der isoelektrische Punkt lag bei pH 4.7. Eine vollst{\"a}ndige und irreversible Hemmung der MeJA-Esterase konnte durch 5 mM Phenylmethylsulfonylfluorid (PMSF), einem Serinprotease-Inhibitor erzielt werden. Dieses Ergebnis lieferte einen Hinweis darauf, dass die MeJA-Esterase eine katalytische Triade mit einem reaktiven Serin-Rest besitzt. N-Methylmaleimid, Iodacetamid, Bestatin, Pepstatin und Leupeptin konnten die MeJA-Esterase nicht inhibieren. Nach der Reinigung der MeJA-Esterase wurde das Protein partiell mit der Endoproteinase LysC verdaut. Mittels Sequenzierung der Spaltpeptide und N-terminaler Sequenzierung der MeJA-Esterase konnte von vier Peptiden die Sequenz bestimmt werden. Ein Datenbankvergleich (SwissProt und EMBL) dieser Peptide mit bekannten Sequenzen zeigte eine hohe Homologie (bis zu 80 \%) zu verschiedenen Esterasen und \&\#945;-Hydroxynitrillyasen. Die Peptide konnten somit eindeutig als Bestandteile einer Esterase identifiziert werden. Zur Identifizierung des MeJA-Esterase Gens wurden aus den Peptidsequenzen degenerierte Primer abgeleitet und zur weiteren Klonierung verwendet. {\"U}ber eine Reverse Transkription mit anschließender PCR wurde ein internes cDNA-Fragment (513 bp) amplifiziert. Mittels RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) konnten das 5´-und 3´-Ende der MeJA-Esterase cDNA ermittelt werden. Die Nucleotidsequenz umfasste einen offenen Leserahmen von 786 bp. Die davon abgeleitete Aminos{\"a}uresequenz codierte ein offenes Leseraster f{\"u}r ein Protein von 262 Aminos{\"a}uren. Datenbankvergleiche der vollst{\"a}ndigen Aminos{\"a}uresequenz zeigten Homologien von 33 - 47 \% zu Esterasen und \&\#945;-Hydroxynitrillyasen. Die Aminos{\"a}uren der katalytischen Triade, die in den homologen Proteinen hochkonserviert waren, konnten bei der MeJA-Esterase als Serin-83, Asparagins{\"a}ure-211 und Histidin-240 ermittelt werden. Diese drei Aminos{\"a}uren bilden vermutlich das katalytische Zentrum der MeJA-Esterase. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus konnte eine hochkonservierte Signatur, die allen Lipasen gemeinsam ist in der Aminos{\"a}uresequenz der MeJA-Esterase identifziert werden. Diese Ergebnisse erlauben eine Einordnung der MeJA-Esterase in die Superfamilie der „alpha/beta-Fold"-Hydrolasen. Untersuchungen der Prim{\"a}rstruktur der MeJA-Esterase legten den Schluss nahe, dass es sich um ein cytosolisches Enzym handelt. Eine Southern-Blot Analyse mit genomischer DNA aus L. esculentum wurde zur Absch{\"a}tzung der Kopienzahl der zum Protein der MeJA-Esterase korresporendierenden Gene durchgef{\"u}hrt. Dabei wurden zwei bis sieben DNA-Abschnitte ermittelt, die mit der Volll{\"a}nge-Sonde der MeJA-Esterase hybridisierten. Dieses Ergebnis l{\"a}sst vermuten, dass die MeJA-Esterase zu einer Genfamilie geh{\"o}rt. Unklar bleibt jedoch, ob es sich um mehrere homologe Gene handelt, oder ob eine Hybridisierung der Volll{\"a}nge-Sonde mit Pseudogenen erfolgte. Die heterologe Expression der MeJA-Esterase cDNA wurde erfolgreich durchgef{\"u}hrt. Hierdurch wurde der Beweis erbracht werden, dass die klonierte cDNA tats{\"a}chlich f{\"u}r das Gen der MeJA-Esterase codierte. Nach Klonierung der cDNA in den pQE70-Expressionsvektor und Transformation in kompetente E. coli (M15) konnte im Proteinrohextrakt eine spezifische Enzymaktivit{\"a}t von 1.64 pkat/mg detektiert werden. In einem 4-stufigen Reinigungsverfahren wurde das heterolog exprimierte Enzym mit einer Ausbeute von 0.8 \% bis zur Homogenit{\"a}t 283-fach angereichert. Untersuchungen zur Substratspezifit{\"a}t zeigten, dass native und heterolog exprimierte MeJA-Esterase Methyljasmonat zu Jasmons{\"a}ure hydrolysierten. In beiden F{\"a}llen handelte es sich jedoch um kein hochspezifisches Enzym. F{\"u}r die native MeJA-Esterase konnte ein KM-Wert von 14.7 ± 0.8 µM und f{\"u}r die heterolog exprimierte MeJA-Esterase ein KM-Wert von 24.3 ± 2.3 µM ermittelt werden.}, subject = {Tomate}, language = {de} } @article{PanduranganPajakMolnaretal.2012, author = {Pandurangan, Sudhakar and Pajak, Agnieszka and Molnar, Stephen J. and Cober, Elroy R. and Dhaubhadel, Sangeeta and Hern{\´a}ndez-Sebasti{\`a}, Cinta and Kaiser, Werner M. and Nelson, Randall L. and Huber, Steven C. and Marsolais, Fr{\´e}d{\´e}ric}, title = {Relationship between asparagine metabolism and protein concentration in soybean seed}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {63}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/ers039}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126900}, pages = {3173-3184}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The relationship between asparagine metabolism and protein concentration was investigated in soybean seed. Phenotyping of a population of recombinant inbred lines adapted to Illinois confirmed a positive correlation between free asparagine levels in developing seeds and protein concentration at maturity. Analysis of a second population of recombinant inbred lines adapted to Ontario associated the elevated free asparagine trait with two of four quantitative trait loci determining population variation for protein concentration, including a major one on chromosome 20 (linkage group I) which has been reported in multiple populations. In the seed coat, levels of asparagine synthetase were high at 50 mg and progressively declined until 150 mg seed weight, suggesting that nitrogenous assimilates are pre-conditioned at early developmental stages to enable a high concentration of asparagine in the embryo. The levels of asparaginase B1 showed an opposite pattern, being low at 50 mg and progressively increased until 150 mg, coinciding with an active phase of storage reserve accumulation. In a pair of genetically related cultivars, ∼2-fold higher levels of asparaginase B1 protein and activity in seed coat, were associated with high protein concentration, reflecting enhanced flux of nitrogen. Transcript expression analyses attributed this difference to a specific asparaginase gene, ASPGB1a. These results contribute to our understanding of the processes determining protein concentration in soybean seed.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Isasa2024, author = {Isasa, Emilie}, title = {Relationship between wood properties, drought-induced embolism and environmental preferences across temperate diffuse-porous broadleaved trees}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30356}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303562}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In the scope of climate warming and the increase in frequency and intensity of severe heat waves in Central Europe, identification of temperate tree species that are suited to cope with these environmental changes is gaining increasing importance. A number of tree physiological characteristics are associated with drought-stress resistance and survival following severe heat, but recent studies have shown the importance of plant hydraulic and anatomical traits for predicting drought-induced tree mortality, such as vessel diameter, and their potential to predict species distribution in a changing climate. A compilation of large global datasets is required to determine traits related to drought-induced embolism and test whether embolism resistance can be determined solely by anatomical traits. However, most measurements of plant hydraulic traits are labour-intense and prone to measurement artefacts. A fast, accurate and widely applicable technique is necessary for estimating xylem embolism resistance (e.g., water potential at 50\% loss of conductivity, P50), in order to improve forecasts of future forest changes. These traits and their combination must have evolved following the selective pressure of the environmental conditions in which each species occurs. Describing these environmental-trait relationships can be useful to assess potential responses to environmental change and mitigation strategies for tree species, as future warmer temperatures may be compounded by drier conditions.}, subject = {Pflanzen{\"o}kologie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Graefe2001, author = {Gr{\"a}fe, Eva Ulrike}, title = {Relative systemische Verf{\"u}gbarkeit und Pharmakokinetik von Quercetin und Quercetinglykosiden (Quercetin-4'-0-glucosid und Quercetin-3-0-rutinosid) im Menschen}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-1333}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2001}, abstract = {Aufgrund seiner potentiell gesundheitsfoerdernden Wirkung wurde das Falvonol Quercetin in den letzten Jahren intensiv untersucht. Daten zur Bioverfuegbarkeit nach oraler Applikation sind jedoch selten und widerspruechlich. Fruehere Untersuchungen deuteten darauf hin, dass die Disposition von Quercetin von der Zuckerkomponente des Glykosids oder der Pflanzenmatrix abhaengen koennte. Um den Einfluss der Zuckerkomponente oder der Matrix auf die Resorption von Quercetin festzustellen, wurden zwei isolierte Quercetinglykoside sowie zwei Pflanzenextrakte in einer vierarmigen, randomisierten cross-over Studie an 12 gesunden Probanden getestet. Jeder Proband erhielt eine Zwiebelzubereitung oder Quercetin-4'-O-glucosid, jeweils entsprechend 100 mg Quercetinaglykon, sowie Quercetin-3-O-rutinosid oder Buchweizenkrauttee entsprechend 200 mg Quercetinaglykon. Die Proben wurden mittels HPLC und Coulometrischer Arraydetektion analysiert. Im Plasma wurden ausschliesslich Quercetinglucuronide detektiert. Freies Quercetin und die Glykoside waren nicht nachweisbar. Die Bioverfuegbarkeit und Pharmakokinetik nach Applikation von Zwiebeln und Quercetin-4'-glucosid zeigte keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Maximale Plasmakonzentrationen von 2.3±1.5 µg·mL-1 and 2.1±1.6 µg·mL-1 (MW±SD) wurden nach 0.7±0.2 h und 0.7±0.3 h erreicht. Nach Einnahme von Buchweizenkraut und Rutin wurden maximale Plasmakonzentrationen (trotz der doppelten Dosis) von nur 0.6±0.7 µg·mL-1 und 0.3±0.3 µg·mL-1 nach 4.3±1.8 h bzw. 7.0±2.9 h erreicht. Die terminale Halbwertszeit lag bei ca. 11 h fuer alle vier Pruefpraeparate. Die Disposition von Quercetin ist daher primaer von der Zuckerkomponente abhaengig. Zu einem geringern Anteil beeinflusst die Pflanzenmatrix im Falle von Buchweizenkrauttee sowohl Geschwindigkeit als auch Ausmass der Resorption. Der Resorptionsort scheint fuer Quercetin-4'-O-glucoside und Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside unterschiedlich zu sein. Die bedeutung spezifischer carrier fuer die Resorption von Quercetinglykosiden sowie von intestinalen ß-Glucosidasen muss in weiteren Untersuchungen geklaert werden.}, subject = {Mensch}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Hartmann2014, author = {Hartmann, Sonja}, title = {Relevance of antibodies targeting the beta1-adrenergic receptor for renal function}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-106285}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Functionally active (conformational) autoantibodies directed against the β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) are supposed to have a pathogenic relevance in human heart failure, particularly in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Prevalence of anti-β1-autoantibodies (anti-β1-aabs) in the healthy population is almost negligible, whereas it amounts to up to 30\% in heart failure patients with idiopathic DCM. As β1-ARs are not restricted to the heart and are also highly expressed in particular segments of the nephron, it is conceivable that such autoantibodies might also affect kidney function to some extent through the activation of renal β1-ARs. In the kidney, β1-ARs are highly abundant in the juxtaglomerular apparatus, the distal convoluted tubules, the collecting duct, and the renal arteries. However, the functional significance of β1-ARs at these particular sites along the nephron is poorly understood, as are the effects of conformational stimulating anti-β1-aabs on renal β1-ARs. From the available literature, it is well known that the β1-adrenergic system is involved in, e.g., the regulation of renin-secretion from juxtaglomerular cells. In addition, the β1-adrenergic system is thought to be involved in the regulation of the urine pH via type B-intercalated cells in the collecting duct. In contrast, the regulation of salt- and fluid-secretion in the medullary collecting duct appears to occur independently from the SNS. As a consequence, the present work aimed to unravel the potential pathophysiological links between renal function, alterations in the cardiovascular system, and circulating agonist-like anti- β1-abs. We analyzed possible renal effects of anti-β1-abs in a human-analogous rat model. After immunization with a GST-fusion protein containing the second extracellular loop (β1-ECII) of the human β1-AR, Lewis-rats develop functionally active, stimulating, conformational anti-β1-ECII-abs. Within the first 6 months, anti-β1-ECII-ab-positive animals develop a hypertensive phenotype, which after 9 months evolves into a DCM phenotype. In n=40 GST/ β1-ECII-immunized Lewis rats and n=40 age-matched, 0.9\% NaCl-injected control animals, we sequentially (i.e. at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 after start of immunization) analyzed the changes in renal function on a molecular, functional, and structural level. We could show that the presence of stimulating anti-β1-ECII-abs - even though having detrimental effects on the heart - has only a minor impact on kidney function and structure. Within the first 3 months after induction of anti-β1-ECII-abs, the levels and activity of renin were significantly increased in immunized compared to corresponding control animals, which was confirmed by experiments on isolated perfused kidneys, in which anti-β1-ECII-abs were able to directly induce the liberation of renin. However, within several weeks the initial anti-β1-ECII-ab-mediated RAAS activation was counter-regulated by auto-regulatory mechanisms activated in the kidney. Similarly, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) were initially decreased in the presence of the stimulating anti-β1-ECII-abs, but returned to control values within 3 months after immunization of the animals. Although expression of several pro-fibrotic markers was significantly up-regulated in anti-β1-ECII-ab-positive rats, no significant differences were noted on a histomorphological level with regard to the occurrence of renal fibrosis, glomerular damage, tubular damage, and perivascular fibrosis. Only a mild decrease in glomerular filtration function was observed in the kidneys of anti-β1-ECII-ab-positive animals from immunization-month 12 on, apparent by increased levels of urinary protein. Even though anti-β1-ECII-abs were able to induce mild changes in renal function, their effects were not strong enough to critically damage the kidneys in our rat-model. Differences between immunized anti-β1-ECII-ab-positive and corresponding control rats at later time-points (that is, from immunization-month 12 on) are most likely secondary to the progressive heart failure phenotype that immunized animals develop in the course of the experiment. The present study is the first to focus on the effects of stimulating anti-β1-ECII-abs on the kidney, and on the prevalence of these effects for the heart (referred to as cardio-renal crosstalk). Although our results were obtained in a rat model, they might contribute to better understand the situation in anti-β1-AR-aab-positive human patients. Following the results of our experiments, treatment of such patients should focus on direct and specific neutralization/elimination of stimulating anti-β1-ECII-aab or at least comprise therapeutic strategies that counteract the anti-β1-ECII-aab-effects on the heart by standard treatment for heart failure (i.e. ACE inhibitors, AT1-receptor blockers, and β-blockers) according to current guidelines.}, subject = {Nierenfunktion}, language = {en} } @article{ScheibBroserConstantinetal.2018, author = {Scheib, Ulrike and Broser, Matthias and Constantin, Oana M. and Yang, Shang and Gao, Shiqiang and Mukherjee, Shatanik and Stehfest, Katja and Nagel, Georg and Gee, Christine E. and Hegemann, Peter}, title = {Rhodopsin-cyclases for photocontrol of cGMP/cAMP and 2.3 {\AA} structure of the adenylyl cyclase domain}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {9}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-04428-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228517}, pages = {2046, 1-15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are important second messengers that orchestrate fundamental cellular responses. Here, we present the characterization of the rhodopsinguanylyl cyclase from Catenaria anguillulae (CaRhGC), which produces cGMP in response to green light with a light to dark activity ratio > 1000. After light excitation the putative signaling state forms with tau = 31 ms and decays with tau = 570 ms. Mutations (up to 6) within the nucleotide binding site generate rhodopsin-adenylyl cyclases (CaRhACs) of which the double mutated YFP-CaRhAC (E497K/C566D) is the most suitable for rapid cAMP production in neurons. Furthermore, the crystal structure of the ligand-bound AC domain (2.25 angstrom) reveals detailed information about the nucleotide binding mode within this recently discovered class of enzyme rhodopsin. Both YFP-CaRhGC and YFP-CaRhAC are favorable optogenetic tools for non-invasive, cell-selective, and spatio-temporally precise modulation of cAMP/cGMP with light.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Huang2023, author = {Huang, Shouguang}, title = {Role of ABA-induced Ca\(^{2+}\) signals, and the Ca\(^{2+}\)-controlled protein kinase CIPK23, in regulation of stomatal movements}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20473}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204737}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Stomata are pores in the leaf surface, formed by pairs of guard cells. The guard cells modulate the aperture of stomata, to balance uptake of CO2 and loss of water vapor to the atmosphere. During drought, the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) provokes stomatal closure, via a signaling chain with both Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent branches. Both branches are likely to activate SLAC1-type (Slow Anion Channel Associated 1) anion channels that are essential for initiating the closure of stomata. However, the importance of the Ca2+-dependent signaling branch is still debated, as the core ABA signaling pathway only possesses Ca2+-independent components. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to address the role of the Ca2+-dependent branch in the ABA signaling pathway of guard cells. In the first part of the thesis, the relation between ABA-induced Ca2+ signals and stomatal closure was studied, with guard cells that express the genetically encoded Ca2+-indicator R-GECO1-mTurquoise. Ejection of ABA into the guard cell wall rapidly induced stomatal closure, however, only in ¾ of the guard cells ABA evoked a cytosolic Ca2+ signal. A small subset of stomata (¼ of the experiments) closed without Ca2+ signals, showing that the Ca2+ signals are not essential for ABA-induced stomatal closure. However, stomata in which ABA evoked Ca2+ signals closed faster as those in which no Ca2+ signals were detected. Apparently, ABA-induced Ca2+ signals enhance the velocity of stomatal closure. In addition to ABA, hyperpolarizing voltage pulses could also trigger Ca2+ signals in wild type guard cells, which in turn activated S-type anion channels. However, these voltage pulses failed to elicit S-type anion currents in the slac1/slah3 guard cells, suggesting that SLAC1 and SLAH3 contribute to Ca2+-activated conductance. Taken together, our data indicate that ABA-induced Ca2+ signals enhance the activity of S-type anion channels, which accelerates stomatal closure. The second part of the thesis deals with the signaling pathway downstream of the Ca2+ signals. Two types of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase modules (CPKs and CBL/CIPKs) have been implicated in guard cells. We focused on the protein kinase CIPK23 (CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase 23), which is activated by the Ca2+-dependent protein CBL1 or 9 (Calcineurin B-Like protein 1 or 9) via interacting with the NAF domain of CIPK23. The CBL1/9-CIPK23 complex has been shown to affect stomatal movements, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. We addressed this topic by using an estrogen-induced expression system, which specifically enhances the expression of wild type CIPK23, a phosphomimic CIPK23T190D and a kinase dead CIPK23K60N in guard cells. Our data show that guard cells expressing CIPK23T190D promoted stomatal opening, while CIPK23K60N enhanced ABA-induced stomatal closure, suggesting that CIPK23 is a negative regulator of stomatal closure. Electrophysiological measurements revealed that the inward K+ channel currents were similar in guard cells that expressed CIPK23, CIPK23T190D or CIPK23K60N, indicating that CIPK23-mediated inward K+ channel AKT1 does not contribute to stomatal movements. Expression of CIPK23K60N, or loss of CIPK23 in guard cells enhanced S-type anion activity, while the active CIPK23T190D inhibited the activity of these anion channels. These results are in line with the detected changes in stomatal movements and thus indicate that CIPK23 regulates stomatal movements by inhibiting S-type anion channels. CIPK23 thus serves as a brake to control anion channel activity. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CIPK23-mediated stomatal movements do not depend on CIPK23-AKT1 module, instead, it is achieved by regulating S-type anion channels SLAC1 and SLAH3. In sum, the data presented in this thesis give new insights into the Ca2+-dependent branch of ABA signaling, which may help to put forward new strategies to breed plants with enhanced drought stress tolerance, and in turn boost agricultural productivity in the future.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Naseem2009, author = {Naseem, Muhammad}, title = {Role of cytokinins in plant immunity}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-37555}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Phytohormone spielen eine zentrale Rolle in der Regelung normalen Wachstums, der Entwicklung und der Mitwirkung an Abwehrmechanismen in Pflanzen. Allgemein betrachtet k{\"o}nnen Phytohormone in zwei Klassen unterteilt werden - in solche, die in Beziehung zu Stressreaktionen stehen und in jene, die das Wachstum beg{\"u}nstigen. Salizyls{\"a}ure, und Jasmons{\"a}ure sind in erster Linie an der Stressresonanz, Ethylen, Auxine, Cytokinine (CKs) und Gibberilline an Entwicklungsprozessen beteiligt. In den letzten Jahrzehnten wurde den Phytohormonen aus diesem Betrachtungswinkel starke Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet und heute stehen ihre wechselseitigen Beeinflussungen im Fokus. Die Tatsache, dass Pflanzenpathogene ein hormonelles Ungleichgewicht an der Wirtspflanzen-Pathogen Schnittstelle bedingen und es begleitend zu physiologischen Ver{\"a}nderungen kommt, wird dabei als Werkzeug f{\"u}r Erforschungen in Pflanzengeweben genutzt. Abgesehen von der bekannten Bedeutung, die Cytokinine f{\"u}r Wachstum und Entwicklung haben, sind sie bisher am meisten vernachl{\"a}ssigt worden und eher als Konsequenz denn als Grund von Pathogeninfektionen angesehen worden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit basieren auf der Hyphothese, dass erh{\"o}hte Gehalte an CKs die Pflanzen mit einer Resistenz gegen hemibiotrophe Pathogene ausstatten. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden transgenetische Pflanzen untersucht, in welchen das bakterielle Gen IPT {\"u}berexpremiert wurde. Kontrolliert wurde die Expression durch einen pathogen-induzierbaren, einen tetracyclin-induzierbaren oder durch einen wachstumsabh{\"a}ngigen Promotor. F{\"u}r die weitere Validierung der an den transgenetischen Pflanzen gewonnenen Ergebnisse wurden unterschiedliche Cytokinin von abgeschnittenen Tabakbl{\"a}tter aufgenommen. Alle transgenetischen Ans{\"a}tze und exogen applizierten Cytokiningaben zeigten {\"a}hnliche verringerte Krankheitsanzeichen. Diese Art der Resistenz wurde im Weiteren mit verschiedenen zellul{\"a}ren, biochemischen, mikrobiellen Techniken sowie durch Signalwirkungstests fundiert. Die Gehalte von SA und JA blieben unver{\"a}ndert, w{\"a}hrend die Expression des Gens PR1 in Proben mit erh{\"o}htem Cytokiningehalt stark hoch reguliert wurde. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus konnte eine verringerte Akkumulation von ROS in IPT exprimierenden Bl{\"a}ttern gegen{\"u}ber der entsprechende Kontrolle beobachtet wurden. Zus{\"a}tzlich konnte weder ein direkter Effekt im Wachstum von P. syringae pv. tabaci noch die Pr{\"a}senz von antimikrobiellen Peptiden in Cytokinin-angereicherten Extrakten festgestellt werden. Interessanterweise ist die verst{\"a}rkte Akkumulation von Phytoalexinen bei erh{\"o}htem CKs-Status der Pflanze als ein m{\"o}gliches Anzeichen f{\"u}r die Gef{\"a}hrdung durch die Ausbreitung von Pathogenen belegt. Im Gegensatz dazu konnten wir keine Wachstumsverlangsamung f{\"u}r Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Bl{\"a}ttern mit erh{\"o}hten CKs-Gehalten feststellen. Neben der Wirt-Pathogen Interaktion im Hinblick auf erh{\"o}hte CK-Gehalte wurden die Auswirkungen eines modulierten Kohlenstoffhaushalts auf das Wachstum von Pathogenen untersucht. Daf{\"u}r wurden zuvor generierte transgenetische Tabakpflanzen, basierend auf ein regulierbarem Invertase Enzym verwendet. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass induzierte und nicht-induzierte Expression von CIN1 unter der Kontrolle des Tet-Promotors das Wachstum von P. syringae pv. tabaci nicht beeinflusst. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus zeigten Linien, welche den Invertaseinhibitor NtCIF unter Kontrolle desselben Tet-Promotors exprimieren, keine differenzielle Ver{\"a}nderung des Wachstums von P. syringae pv. tabaci bei induziertem und nicht-induziertem Status der Pflanze. {\"A}hnlich waren die Resultate in der transgenetischen Tomaten-Linie Lin6::NtCIF f{\"u}r P.syringae pv. tomato DC 3000. Interessanterweise zeigten die Bl{\"a}tter von Lin6::NtCIF Tomatenpflanzen starke Symptome nach Behandlung mit Botrytis cinerea verglichen zum Wildtyp. Eine m{\"o}gliche Verbindung zwischen Cytokininen und Zuckermetabolismus im Bezug auf die Wirt-Pathogen Beziehung wurde ebenfalls untersucht. Die Expression des IPT-Gens unter der Kontrolle des pathogeninduzierbaren Promotors (4xJERE::IPT) im transgenetischen Hintergrund von Tet::CIN1 ergab lokale Unterschiede in der Entwicklung der Symptom von P. syringae pv. tabaci. Bei exogen appliziertem Kinetin an abgeschnittenen Tabakbl{\"a}ttern von Tet::CIN1 verz{\"o}gerte sich ebenfalls das Wachstum von P. syringae pv. Tabaci im Vergleich zu Tet-induzierten Bl{\"a}ttern. Diese Ergebnisse f{\"u}hren zu der Schlussfolgerung, dass die extrazellul{\"a}re Invertase keine essentielle Rolle in der Cytokinin-vermittelten Resistenz gegen hemibiotrophe Pathogene spielt.}, subject = {Pflanzenhormon}, language = {en} } @article{JoensuuAltimirHakolaetal.2016, author = {Joensuu, Johanna and Altimir, Nuria and Hakola, Hannele and Rost{\´a}s, Michael and Raivonen, Maarit and Vestenius, Mika and Aaltonen, Hermanni and Riederer, Markus and B{\"a}ck, Jaana}, title = {Role of needle surface waxes in dynamic exchange of mono- and sesquiterpenes}, series = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {16}, journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, number = {12}, doi = {10.5194/acp-2015-1024}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171324}, pages = {7813-7823}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) produced by plants have a major role in atmospheric chemistry. The different physicochemical properties of BVOCs affect their transport within and out of the plant as well as their reactions along the way. Some of these compounds may accumulate in or on the waxy surface layer of conifer needles and participate in chemical reactions on or near the foliage surface. The aim of this work was to determine whether terpenes, a key category of BVOCs produced by trees, can be found on the epicuticles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and, if so, how they compare with the terpenes found in shoot emissions of the same tree. We measured shoot-level emissions of pine seedlings at a remote outdoor location in central Finland and subsequently analysed the needle surface waxes for the same compounds. Both emissions and wax extracts were clearly dominated by monoterpenes, but the proportion of sesquiterpenes was higher in the wax extracts. There were also differences in the terpene spectra of the emissions and the wax extracts. The results, therefore, support the existence of BVOC associated to the epicuticular waxes. We briefly discuss the different pathways for terpenes to reach the needle surfaces and the implications for air chemistry.}, language = {en} } @article{JoensuuAltimirHakolaetal.2016, author = {Joensuu, Johanna and Altimir, Nuria and Hakola, Hannele and Rost{\´a}s, Michael and Raivonen, Maarit and Vestenius, Mika and Aaltonen, Hermanni and Riederer, Markus and B{\"a}ck, Jaana}, title = {Role of needle surface waxes in dynamic exchange of mono- and sesquiterpenes}, series = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {16}, journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, doi = {10.5194/acp-16-7813-2016}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-198547}, pages = {7813-7823}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) produced by plants have a major role in atmospheric chemistry. The different physicochemical properties of BVOCs affect their transport within and out of the plant as well as their reactions along the way. Some of these compounds may accumulate in or on the waxy surface layer of conifer needles and participate in chemical reactions on or near the foliage surface. The aim of this work was to determine whether terpenes, a key category of BVOCs produced by trees, can be found on the epicuticles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and, if so, how they compare with the terpenes found in shoot emissions of the same tree. We measured shoot-level emissions of pine seedlings at a remote outdoor location in central Finland and subsequently analysed the needle surface waxes for the same compounds. Both emissions and wax extracts were clearly dominated by monoterpenes, but the proportion of sesquiterpenes was higher in the wax extracts. There were also differences in the terpene spectra of the emissions and the wax extracts. The results, therefore, support the existence of BVOC associated to the epicuticular waxes. We briefly discuss the different pathways for terpenes to reach the needle surfaces and the implications for air chemistry.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Marten2008, author = {Marten, Holger}, title = {Rolle und Regulation von Anionenkan{\"a}len w{\"a}hrend der Stomabewegung als Reaktion auf Licht, CO2 und Wasserstress}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-29349}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Die Stomata in der Epidermis von Pflanzen sind Poren, die den Gasaustausch mit der Atmosph{\"a}re regulieren. Die {\"O}ffnungsweite der Stomata kann ver{\"a}ndert werden, was eine Optimierung der CO2 Aufnahme f{\"u}r die Photosynthese erm{\"o}glicht und gleichzeitig den Wasserverlust durch Transpiration minimiert. Um diese Funktion zu erf{\"u}llen, k{\"o}nnen Stomata verschiedene Stimuli wie Wasserstress (durch Abscisins{\"a}ure), Licht und CO2 wahrnehmen. Die oben genannten Reize f{\"u}hren dann zu einer Aufnahme oder Abgabe von osmotisch aktiven Substanzen in zwei Schließzellen, welche die Stoma{\"o}ffnung kontrollieren. Die Rezeptoren zur Wahrnehmung dieser Stimuli, die intrazellul{\"a}ren Signalwege und die beteiligten Ionentransportproteine in den Schließzellen sind nur l{\"u}ckenhaft bekannt. In dieser Arbeit lag ein Hauptaugenmerk auf der Rolle von Anionenkan{\"a}len der Plasmamembran bei Stomabewegungen, sowie auf den Signalwegen welche diese Kan{\"a}le steuern. Die Aktivit{\"a}t der Anionenkan{\"a}le wurde mit der DEVC (Double Electrode Voltage Clamp) Einstich-Methode in Schließzellen in der intakten Pflanze gemessen, kombiniert mit Calcium Imaging durch den Ca2+ Indikator Farbstoff FURA2. Stomaschlussreaktionen werden durch Abscisins{\"a}ure (ABA), CO2 und Dunkelheit induziert und bei allen drei Stimuli konnten wir in Nicotiana tabacum eine Aktivierung von Anionenkan{\"a}len beobachten. Das f{\"u}hrt zu Anionenefflux aus den Schließzellen und einer Depolarisation der Plasmamembran, was wiederum Kalium-Efflux-Kan{\"a}le spannungsabh{\"a}ngig aktiviert. Der resultierende Verlust osmotisch aktiver Teilchen f{\"u}hrt dann zu Turgorabnahme der Schließzellen und Stomaschluss. Das zeitliche Muster der Anionenkanalaktivit{\"a}t bei dem Stomaschluss, ausgel{\"o}st durch CO2, Dunkelheit und ABA war bei allen Reizen {\"a}hnlich. Es zeigte sich eine charakteristische transiente starke und darauf folgende schw{\"a}chere Anionenkanalaktivit{\"a}t. Dieses konservierte Muster l{\"a}sst {\"U}berschneidungen bei der Signaltransduktion der verschiedenen Stimuli vermuten. Die gesteigerte Aktivit{\"a}t der Anionenkan{\"a}le w{\"a}hrend der Reaktion auf ABA und Dunkelheit wurde in ungef{\"a}hr der H{\"a}lfte der Antworten von einem Anstieg der zytosolischen Ca2+ Konzentration begleitet. Bei beiden Stimuli scheinen somit Ca2+ abh{\"a}ngig und unabh{\"a}ngig Signale intrazellul{\"a}r weitergeleitet zu werden. Allerdings war der Effekt der Ca2+ Signale auf die Aktivit{\"a}t der Anionenkan{\"a}le bei den beiden Stimuli unterschiedlich. Eine zytosolisch erh{\"o}hte Ca2+ Konzentration konnte bei Antworten auf ABA nicht mit einer erh{\"o}hten Anionenkanalaktivit{\"a}t in Verbindung gebracht werden, bei Dunkelheit hingegen wurde die Aktivit{\"a}t der Anionenkan{\"a}le in Anwesenheit von Ca2+ gesteigert. Die wichtige Rolle von Anionenkan{\"a}len beim Stomaschluss l{\"a}sst vermuten, dass ihre Deaktivierung eine Vorraussetzung f{\"u}r eine Stoma{\"o}ffnung ist. Blaulicht f{\"u}hrt bei niedrigen Photonen-Fluss Raten zu Stoma{\"o}ffnung und sollte daher Anionenkan{\"a}le inhibieren. {\"U}bereinstimmend damit konnten wir tats{\"a}chlich zeigen, dass Blaulicht in Schließzellen von Vicia faba und Arabidopsis thaliana Anionenkan{\"a}le deaktiviert. Diese Deaktivierung ist von den Phototropin-Blaulichtrezeptoren abh{\"a}ngig, da die Deaktivierung der Anionenkan{\"a}le in Arabidopsis thaliana phot1/phot2 Doppelmutanten nicht beobachtet werden konnte. Neben einer Blaulicht spezifischen Antwort {\"o}ffnen Stomata auch in Antwort auf photosynthetisch aktive Strahlung (PAR). Die PAR Wahrnehmung scheint zu einem wesentlichen Teil {\"u}ber Ver{\"a}nderungen der interzellul{\"a}ren CO2 Konzentration, ausgel{\"o}st durch die Photosyntheseaktivit{\"a}t des Mesophylls, stattzufinden (Roelfsema et al., 2002). In {\"U}bereinstimmung mit dieser Hypothese konnten wir in Schließzellen in Albino Blattarealen von Chlorophytum comosum und gebleichten Vicia faba keine Reaktion auf PAR beobachten, obwohl Schließzellen von Chlorophytum comosum in Albino Bereichen funktionierende Chloroplasten besitzen. Die Rolle von CO2 bei der PAR Antwort haben wir des Weiteren in NtMPK4 antisense Pflanzen untersucht. Stomata von NtMPK4 antisense Pflanzen haben nicht auf {\"A}nderungen in der atmosph{\"a}rischen CO2 Konzentration reagiert und zeigten eine stark reduzierte Antwort auf PAR. Diese Ergebnisse best{\"a}tigen die wichtige Rolle der intrazellul{\"a}ren CO2 Konzentration bei der PAR Antwort, sie zeigen aber auch, dass es anscheinend zus{\"a}tzlich zu CO2 noch ein weiteres PAR abh{\"a}ngiges Signal f{\"u}r Stoma{\"o}ffnung gibt.}, subject = {Elektrophysiologie}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Riedel2004, author = {Riedel, Michael}, title = {Rutschige Oberfl{\"a}chen von karnivoren Kannenpflanzen (Nepenthaceae) : Physikalisch-chemische Eigenschaften und mikroskopische Struktur epikutikul{\"a}rer Wachskristalle von Nepenthes alata, N. albomarginata und N. intermedia}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-9467}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Pflanzen der Gattung Nepenthes decken einen erheblichen Anteil ihres N{\"a}hrstoffbedarfs durch den Fang und die Verdauung tierischer Beute, insbesondere von Insekten. Als Fangorgane dienen kannenf{\"o}rmig umgewandelte Blattspreiten. Die Kanneninnenseiten sind in einer breiten Zone dicht mit epikutikul{\"a}ren Wachskristallen besetzt. Die Oberfl{\"a}chen dieser so genannten Gleitzone sind extrem rutschig f{\"u}r die meisten Insekten und spielen eine zentrale Rolle beim Fang und der Zur{\"u}ckhaltung der Beute in der Kanne. Fr{\"u}here Untersuchungen beschrieben die Kristalle dabei als extrem fragil, wodurch diese unter der mechanischen Belastung eines Insekts leicht abrechen und somit der Kontakt zur Pflanzenoberfl{\"a}che verloren geht. Um diese Hypothese zu {\"u}berpr{\"u}fen und den Mechanismus der Rutschigkeit verstehen zu k{\"o}nnen, hatte die vorliegende Arbeit zum Ziel, sowohl die strukturellen als auch die physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften der Wachskristalle in den Kannen von drei Nepenthes-Arten vergleichend zu charakterisieren. Diese Eigenschaften k{\"o}nnen jedoch nur dann bewertet werden, wenn die chemische Zusammensetzung der Wachskristalle verl{\"a}sslich bestimmt werden kann. Um die gaschromatographische Trennung und massenspektrometrische Analyse der Komponenten zu erleichtern, werden hydroxyl-haltige Verbindungen h{\"a}ufig durch eine Derivatisierung mit N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoracetamid (BSTFA) in die entsprechenden Trimethylsilyl-Ether bzw. -Ester {\"u}berf{\"u}hrt. Dabei k{\"o}nnen jedoch auch unerw{\"u}nschten Nebenreaktionen carbonyl-haltiger Verbindungen auftreten, die eine quantitative Analyse der urspr{\"u}nglichen Komponenten erschweren. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit ergab die {\"U}berpr{\"u}fung der Derivatisierungsreaktion, dass aliphatische Aldehyde mit BSTFA zu cis-trans isomeren Alkenyl-Trimethylsilyl-Ethern und Alkenyl-Acetamid-Addukten reagierten. Weiterhin bildeten sich aus Aldehyden und prim{\"a}ren Alkoholen unter den gegebenen Bedingungen, cis-trans isomere Alkenyl-Alkyl-Ether. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine verl{\"a}ssliche und quantitative Bestimmung der urspr{\"u}nglich vorhandenen Aldehyd- und Alkoholmengen nur unter einer Quantifizierung der in den resultierenden Nebenprodukten gebundenen Mengen m{\"o}glich war. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit zeigten rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Gleitzonenoberfl{\"a}chen von drei Nepenthes-Arten, dass die epikutikul{\"a}ren Wachskristalle ein Netzwerk aus glattrandigen Pl{\"a}ttchen bilden und senkrecht aus den Oberfl{\"a}chen herausstehen. Es wurden Methoden etabliert, die eine mechanische Pr{\"a}paration der Wachs-kristalle von den Gleitzonenoberfl{\"a}chen erlaubten. Dabei zeigten die Kristalle eine hohe strukturelle Integrit{\"a}t. Die Beprobungsstrategien erwiesen sich als selektiv f{\"u}r die epikutiku-l{\"a}ren Wachse und somit f{\"u}r die Schnittstelle der Pflanze-Insekten-Wechselwirkung. Die anschließenden chemischen Analysen zeigten deutliche Gradienten zwischen den Zusammen-setzungen der epikutikul{\"a}ren und intrakutikul{\"a}ren Wachskompartimente. Die epikutikul{\"a}ren Kristalle bestanden aus Mischungen aliphatischer Komponenten und waren von sehr lang-kettigen Aldehyden dominiert. Triacontanal war in allen F{\"a}llen die Hauptkomponente und weitgehend f{\"u}r die Kristallbildung verantwortlich. Diese Ergebnisse quantifizierten erstmalig direkt die Zusammensetzung epikutikul{\"a}rer Wachskristalle und best{\"a}tigten die f{\"u}r deren Bildung urspr{\"u}ngliche Hypothese einer spontanen Phasentrennung eines hochkonzentrierten Bestandteils. Die schlechte L{\"o}slichkeit der Kristalle von verschiedenen Nepenthes-Arten in Chloroform wies zudem darauf hin, dass sie polymere Formen der Aldehyde beinhalteten. Diese Vermutung konnte im dritten Teil dieser Arbeit durch ATR-FTIR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen best{\"a}tigt werden. Die Kombination dieser Analysetechnik mit einer der mechanischen Beprobungsstrategien zeigte, dass weder isolierte Kristalle, noch Kristalle auf nativen Oberfl{\"a}chen, monomere Aldehyde beinhalteten. Diese konnten jedoch durch Tempe-raturerh{\"o}hung oder L{\"o}sen in Chloroform unter erh{\"o}hter Temperatur freigesetzt werden. Auf Grund charakteristischer Absorptionseigenschaften, der molekularen Anordnung sowie dem Phasenverhalten der beteiligten Komponenten konnte geschlossen werden, dass die Aldehyde in nativen Kristallen in Form von Polyacetalen vorliegen. Dies l{\"a}sst vermuten, dass die epikutikul{\"a}ren Wachskristalle dadurch nicht nur thermisch und chemisch, sondern auch mechanisch verst{\"a}rkt werden. Werden alle Daten zusammengefasst, k{\"o}nnen die strukturellen sowie physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften der epikutikul{\"a}ren Wachskristalle auf den Gleitzonenoberfl{\"a}chen verschiedener Nepenthes-Arten im Kontext ihrer {\"o}kologischen Funktion neu beurteilt werden. Auf diesen Ergebnissen basierend kann die Hypothese aufgestellt werden, dass die Kristalle im Kr{\"a}ftebereich, den ein Haftorgan eines Insektes auf sie aus{\"u}bt, mechanisch stabil sind und somit andere Mechanismen die Rutschigkeit verursachen.}, subject = {Kannenpflanze}, language = {de} } @article{RasouliKianiPouyaShabalaetal.2021, author = {Rasouli, Fatemeh and Kiani-Pouya, Ali and Shabala, Lana and Li, Leiting and Tahir, Ayesha and Yu, Min and Hedrich, Rainer and Chen, Zhonghua and Wilson, Richard and Zhang, Heng and Shabala, Sergey}, title = {Salinity effects on guard cell proteome in Chenopodium quinoa}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {1}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22010428}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285625}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Epidermal fragments enriched in guard cells (GCs) were isolated from the halophyte quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) species, and the response at the proteome level was studied after salinity treatment of 300 mM NaCl for 3 weeks. In total, 2147 proteins were identified, of which 36\% were differentially expressed in response to salinity stress in GCs. Up and downregulated proteins included signaling molecules, enzyme modulators, transcription factors and oxidoreductases. The most abundant proteins induced by salt treatment were desiccation-responsive protein 29B (50-fold), osmotin-like protein OSML13 (13-fold), polycystin-1, lipoxygenase, alpha-toxin, and triacylglycerol lipase (PLAT) domain-containing protein 3-like (eight-fold), and dehydrin early responsive to dehydration (ERD14) (eight-fold). Ten proteins related to the gene ontology term "response to ABA" were upregulated in quinoa GC; this included aspartic protease, phospholipase D and plastid-lipid-associated protein. Additionally, seven proteins in the sucrose-starch pathway were upregulated in the GC in response to salinity stress, and accumulation of tryptophan synthase and L-methionine synthase (enzymes involved in the amino acid biosynthesis) was observed. Exogenous application of sucrose and tryptophan, L-methionine resulted in reduction in stomatal aperture and conductance, which could be advantageous for plants under salt stress. Eight aspartic proteinase proteins were highly upregulated in GCs of quinoa, and exogenous application of pepstatin A (an inhibitor of aspartic proteinase) was accompanied by higher oxidative stress and extremely low stomatal aperture and conductance, suggesting a possible role of aspartic proteinase in mitigating oxidative stress induced by saline conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{WalperWeisteMuelleretal.2016, author = {Walper, Elisabeth and Weiste, Christoph and Mueller, Martin J. and Hamberg, Mats and Dr{\"o}ge-Laser, Wolfgang}, title = {Screen Identifying Arabidopsis Transcription Factors Involved in the Response to 9-Lipoxygenase-Derived Oxylipins}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0153216}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-146857}, pages = {e0153216}, year = {2016}, abstract = {13-Lipoxygenase-derived oxylipins, such as jasmonates act as potent signaling molecules in plants. Although experimental evidence supports the impact of oxylipins generated by the 9-Lipoxygenase (9-LOX) pathway in root development and pathogen defense, their signaling function in plants remains largely elusive. Based on the root growth inhibiting properties of the 9-LOX-oxylipin 9-HOT (9-hydroxy-10,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid), we established a screening approach aiming at identifying transcription factors (TFs) involved in signaling and/or metabolism of this oxylipin. Making use of the AtTORF-Ex (Arabidopsis thaliana Transcription Factor Open Reading Frame Expression) collection of plant lines overexpressing TF genes, we screened for those TFs which restore root growth on 9-HOT. Out of 6,000 lines, eight TFs were recovered at least three times and were therefore selected for detailed analysis. Overexpression of the basic leucine Zipper (bZIP) TF TGA5 and its target, the monoxygenase CYP81D11 reduced the effect of added 9-HOT, presumably due to activation of a detoxification pathway. The highly related ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORs ERF106 and ERF107 induce a broad detoxification response towards 9-LOX-oxylipins and xenobiotic compounds. From a set of 18 related group S-bZIP factors isolated in the screen, bZIP11 is known to participate in auxin-mediated root growth and may connect oxylipins to root meristem function. The TF candidates isolated in this screen provide starting points for further attempts to dissect putative signaling pathways involving 9-LOX-derived oxylipins.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ali2007, author = {Ali, Walid Wahid}, title = {Screening of plant suspension cultures for antimicrobial activities and characterization of antimicrobial proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-24358}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Die zunehmende Resistenz humanpathogener Mikroorganismen gegen bekannte Antibiotika bedingt die Notwendigkeit, nach neuen Quellen f{\"u}r die Produktion antimikrobieller Stoffe zu suchen. Als eine solche Quelle gelten besonders Pflanzen, da viele antimikrobielle Stoffe bei der Abwehr gegen invasierende Mikroorganismen bilden. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit besteht in der Charakterisierung von pflanzlichen Zellkulturen im Hinblick auf ihre F{\"a}higkeit, anitimkrobielle Aktivit{\"a}t gegen humanpathogene Mikroorganismen zu entwickeln. Dabei sollen aktive Proteine aufgereinigt und die kodierenden Gene isoliert werden. Dazu wurden zehn verschiede pflanzliche Suspensionskulturen in Anwesenheit von neun Elicitoren auf ihre antimikrobielle Aktivit{\"a}t gegen f{\"u}nf humanpathogene Mikroorganismen getestet. Dabei erwiesen sich die heterotrophen Kulturen im Vergleich zu den autotrophen als aktiver. Die h{\"o}chste antimikrobielle Aktivit{\"a}t wurde bei der intrazellul{\"a}ren Fraktion der mixotrophen Kultur von Arabidopsis thaliana nach Elicitierung mit Salicyls{\"a}ure nachgewiesen. Da in einem Pr{\"a}zipitat mit Ammoniumsulfat Aktivit{\"a}t gegen Candida maltosa nachgewiesen wurde, konnte angenommen werden, dass es sich bei der aktiven Komponente um ein Protein handelt. Durch Hochgeschwindigkeitszentrifugation wurde eine partielle Aufreinigung dieser aktiven Komponente erreicht. Die proteinoide Natur wurde durch Bioautographie best{\"a}tigt und das Molekulargewicht auf ca. 26kDa gesch{\"a}tzt. Mittels Gelfiltration und Massenspektrometrie wurde das Protein aufgereinigt. Die Mikrosequenzierung ergab ein Protein mit bisher unbekannter Funktion, das eine pflanzliche Stressdom{\"a}ne (PLAT) enth{\"a}lt. Das Protein wurde daraufhin als AtPDP1 (Arabidopsis thaliana Plat-Domain Protein 1) bezeichnet. Das Gen und ein zweites mit hochgradiger Homologie (AtPDP2) wurden in E. coli kloniert. Der Digital Northern zeigt an, das beide Gene durch verschiedene Pathogene induziert werden, sowie von Chemikalien, die pflanzliche Abwehr hervorrufen und weiterhin von Phytohormonen. Der Versuch, AtPDP1 unter die Kontrolle eines Promors einer Proteinase zu stellen, der Induzierbarkeit durch Elicitoren vermittelt, blieb erfolglos. Weiterhin wurden 13 Thaumatingene aus Arabidopsis thaliana in E. coli kloniert, da ihre antimikrobielle Aktivit{\"a}t bekannt ist, und ihre Expression durch verschiedene Stimuli induziert wird. Von diesen Genen zeigt der Digital Northern bei allen Stimuli eine maximale Expression f{\"u}r At1g75800, w{\"a}hrend At1g75050 minimal induziert ist. Diese Gene stehen f{\"u}r zuk{\"u}nftige Studien zur Verf{\"u}gung.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Niemann2013, author = {Niemann, Sylvia}, title = {Seed Coat Permeability of Active Ingredients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-79585}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The seed coat is the barrier controlling exchange of solutes between the plant embryo and its environment. This exchange is of importance for example in the uptake of germination inhibitors or in the uptake of agrochemicals applied as seed treatment. A thorough understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying solute permeation across the seed coat would help to improve the effectiveness of seed treatment formulations. In seed treatment formulations, additives can be used to enhance or decrease mobility or uptake of the active ingredient (AI). In the present study the seed coat barrier properties and the seed coat permeation process was examined with the model species Pisum sativum and with a set of model solutes. The lipophilic fraction of the seed coat was analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and it was found that the total lipophilic compartment of the seed coat represents 0.61 \% of the weight of a swollen seed coat. The seed is covered by a lipophilic cuticle. The seed coat coverage with cuticular waxes is ten to 18-fold lower than wax coverage of pea leaves, though. In order to examine sorption of solutes in the small lipophilic compartment of the seed coat, seed coat/water partition coefficients were determined. These cover a much smaller range than the corresponding n-octanol/water partition coefficients. The lipophilic sorption compartment as calculated from the seed coat/water partition coefficient data is smaller than the analysed total lipophilic compartment of the seed coat since not all of the lipid components can act as sorption compartment. During seed swelling, the pea seed nearly doubles its weight. The uptake of water is driven by the very low water potential of the dry seed and controlled by the seed coat hydraulic conductivity both of which increase during seed swelling. Depending on the available form of water, water uptake can take place by diffusion from air humidity or by mass flow from liquid water. Water uptake by a seed in moist sand takes place by a combination of both uptake mechanisms. The basic transport mechanism underlying solute permeation of seed coats was analysed by steady-state experiments with a newly devised experimental setup. The permeance P for permeation of the set of model compounds across isolated seed coat halves ranged from 3.34 x 10-8 m s-1 for abamectin to 18.9 x 10-8 m s-1 for caffeine. It was found that solute permeation across the seed coat takes aqueous pathways. This was concluded from the facts that molar volume instead of lipophilicity of the solutes determine permeation and that the temperature effect on permeation is very small. This is in contrast to typical leaf and fruit cuticular uptake where lipophilic pathways dominate. Solute uptake across the seed coat can take place by two different mechanisms both of which take aqueous pathways. Uptake can be by diffusion and in the presence of a bulk flow of water driven by a water potential difference also by solvent drag. The presence of the solvent drag uptake mechanism shows that the aqueous pathways form an aqueous continuum across the seed coat. These findings indicate that the seed coat covering cuticle does not form a continuous barrier enclosing the seed. In order to examine solute uptake across the seed coat under conditions close to a situation taking place in the field, the process of uptake of a seed treatment AI in the field was simulated. In the situation of a treated seed in the field, the seed treatment residue dissolves and then the AI can move either into the surrounding soil or across the seed coat into the seed. Uptake across the seed coat can take place either by diffusion or during seed swelling by the solvent drag mechanism. Since the seed treatment residue depletes over time, non-steady-state uptake takes place. To simulate these processes, laboratory scale seed treatment methods were established to produce treated seeds and isolated treated seed coat halves. Experimental setups for non-steady-state uptake experiments were established with whole treated seeds and with isolated treated seed coat halves as simplified screening tool. By modelling of the AI uptake as a first-order process the rate constant k and the final relative uptake amount Mt→∞ M0-1 were obtained. With k and Mt→∞ M0-1 a quantification and comparison of the uptake curves was possible. Both in the experiments with whole treated seeds and with isolated treated seed coats, uptake of metalaxyl-M was much faster than uptake of sedaxane. In the uptake of a seed treatment AI, not only the solute's molar volume but also its water solubility determine uptake. The solute's water solubility is important for dissolution of the AI from the seed treatment residue and thus determines availability of the AI for uptake. Water solubility also controls the possible concentration in solution and thus the driving force for diffusive uptake. Furthermore, the AI amount taken up by solvent drag is determined by concentration in the inflowing water and thus by water solubility. In the experiments with whole treated seeds the additive effects on uptake were smaller than in the experiments with isolated treated seed coats or not significant. Adigor functions as an emulsifier and can lead to a slight increase of AI mobilisation from the seed treatment residue. NeoCryl A-2099 can cause a slowed down release of the AI from the seed treatment residue. The effects of both additives were smaller than the effect caused by different AI physico-chemical properties. Therefore, the most important factor determining uptake of a seed treatment AI are the AI's physico-chemical properties, especially its water solubility.}, subject = {Samenschale}, language = {en} } @article{JahnMarkertRyuetal.2016, author = {Jahn, Martin T. and Markert, Sebastian M. and Ryu, Taewoo and Ravasi, Timothy and Stigloher, Christian and Hentschel, Ute and Moitinho-Silva, Lucas}, title = {Shedding light on cell compartmentation in the candidate phylum Poribacteria by high resolution visualisation and transcriptional profiling}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {6}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {35860}, doi = {10.1038/srep35860}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167513}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Assigning functions to uncultivated environmental microorganisms continues to be a challenging endeavour. Here, we present a new microscopy protocol for fluorescence in situ hybridisation-correlative light and electron microscopy (FISH-CLEM) that enabled, to our knowledge for the first time, the identification of single cells within their complex microenvironment at electron microscopy resolution. Members of the candidate phylum Poribacteria, common and uncultivated symbionts of marine sponges, were used towards this goal. Cellular 3D reconstructions revealed bipolar, spherical granules of low electron density, which likely represent carbon reserves. Poribacterial activity profiles were retrieved from prokaryotic enriched sponge metatranscriptomes using simulation-based optimised mapping. We observed high transcriptional activity for proteins related to bacterial microcompartments (BMC) and we resolved their subcellular localisation by combining FISH-CLEM with immunohistochemistry (IHC) on ultra-thin sponge tissue sections. In terms of functional relevance, we propose that the BMC-A region may be involved in 1,2-propanediol degradation. The FISH-IHC-CLEM approach was proven an effective toolkit to combine -omics approaches with functional studies and it should be widely applicable in environmental microbiology.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hofmann2003, author = {Hofmann, Markus}, title = {Signal transduction during defense response and source-sink transition in tomato}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-5421}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Plants have evolved an elaborate system to cope with a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Typically, under stress conditions an appropriate defense response is invoked which is accompanied by changes in the metabolic status of the plant. Photosynthesis is downregulated and sucrose is imported into the tissue, which provides a faster and more constant flux of energy and carbon skeletons to perform the defense response. Interestingly, these processes are co-ordinately regulated and the signal transduction chains underlying these cellular programs appear to share at least some common elements. Both the induction of sink metabolism and defense response is dependent on signal transduction pathways involving protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, regulation of extracellular invertase (INV) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) which are markers for sink metabolism and defense response is preceded by the transient activation of MAP kinases. In depth analysis of MAP kinase activation by partial purification led to the discovery that, depending on the stimulus, different subsets of MAP kinases are activated. This differential MAPK activation is likely to possess a signal encoding function. In addition, the partial purification of MAP kinases was found to be suitable to address specific cellular functions to individual MAP kinase isoenzymes. By this way, LpWIPK was identified as the major MAP kinase activity induced after stimulation of tomato cells with different elicitors. LpWIPK is thus considered as a key regulator of defense response together with sink induction in tomato. A study using nonmetabolisable sucrose analogs revealed that the regulation of photosynthesis is not directly coupled to this signal transduction pathway since it is independent of MAP kinase activation. Nonetheless, downregulation is induced by the same stimuli that induce the defense response and sink metabolism and it will therefore be interesting to uncover the branch points of this signalling network in the future. MAP kinases are not only central components regulating the response to biotic stresses. In addition to e.g. pathogens, MAP kinases are as well involved in signal transduction events invoked by abiotic stresses like cold and drought. In a recent study, we could show that a MAP kinase is activated by heat stress, under conditions a plant will encounter in nature. This previously unknown MAP kinase is able to specifically recognise the heat stress transcription factor HsfA3 as a substrate, which supports a role of this MAP kinase in the regulation of the heat stress response. Moreover, the observation that HsfA3 is phosphorylated by the heat activated MAP kinase in vitro provides a promising basis to identify HsfA3 as the first physiological substrate of a plant MAP kinase. Intracellular protons have been implicated in the signal transduction of defense related signals. In a study using Chenopodium rubrum cells, we could show that cytosolic changes in pH values do not precede the regulation of the marker genes INV and PAL. Depending on the stimulus applied, cytosolic acidification or alkalinisation can be observed, which excludes a role for protons as signals in this pathway. Together with the concomitant changes of the pH value of the extracellular space, these variations can thus be considered as terminal part of the defense response itself rather than as a second messenger. WRKY transcription factors have only recently been identified as indirect targets of a central plant MAP kinase cascade. In addition, the identification of cognate binding sites in the promoters of INV and PAL supports a role for these proteins in the co-ordinate regulation of defense response and sink induction. A novel elicitor responsive WRKY transcription factor, LpWRKY1, was cloned from tomato and characterised with respect to its posttranslational modification. This immediate early transcription factor is transiently induced upon pathogen attack and the induction is dependent on phosphorylation. Furthermore, it was shown for the first time with respect to WRKY transcription factors, that LpWRKY1 is phosphorylated in vivo. Analysis of the role of this phosphorylation by in gel assays using recombinant WRKY protein as the substrate revealed two protein kinases that are transiently activated during the defense response to phosphorylate LpWRKY1. This data demonstrates that WRKY proteins require phosphorylation to modulate their DNA binding or transactivating activity.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kamke2013, author = {Kamke, Janine}, title = {Single-cell genomics of the candidate phylum Poribacteria}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85042}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Marine sponges are the most ancient metazoans and of large ecological importance as drivers of water and nutrient flows in benthic habitats. Furthermore marine sponges are well known for their association with highly abundant and diverse microbial consortia. Microorganisms inhabit the extracellular matrix of marine sponges where they can make up to 35\% of the sponge's biomass. Many microbial symbionts of marine sponges are highly host specific and cannot, or only in very rare abundances, be found outside of their host environment. Of special interest is the candidate phylum Poribacteria that was first discovered in marine sponges and still remains almost exclusive to their hosts. Phylogenetically Poribacteria were placed into the Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiae superphylum and similarly to many members of this superphylum cell compartmentation has been proposed to occur in members of the Poribacteria. The status as a candidate phylum implies that no member of Poribacteria has been obtained in culture yet. This restricts the investigations of Poribacteria and their interactions with marine sponges to culture independent methods and makes functional characterisation a difficult task. In this PhD thesis I used the novel method of single-cell genomics to investigate the genomic potential of the candidate phylum Poribacteria. Single-cell genomics enables whole genome sequencing of uncultivated microorganisms by singularising cells from the environment, subsequent cell lysis and multiple displacement amplification of the total genomic DNA. This process yields sufficient amounts of DNA for whole genome sequencing and genome analysis. This technique and its relevance for symbiosis studies are discussed in this PhD thesis. Through the application of single-cell genomics it was possible to increase the number of single-amplified genomes of the candidate phylum Poribacteria from initially one to a total of six. Analyses of these datasets made it possible to enhance our understanding of the metabolism, taxonomy, and phylum diversity of Poribacteria and thus made these one of the best-characterised sponge symbionts today. The poribacterial genomes represented three phylotypes within the candidate phylum of which one appeared dominant. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses revealed a novel phylogenetic positioning of Poribacteria distinctly outside of the Planctomycete, Verrucomicorbia, Chlamydiae superphylum. The occurrence of cell compartmentation in Poribacteria was also revisited based on the obtained genome sequences and revealed evidence for bacterial microcompartments instead of the previously suggested nucleotide-like structures. An extensive genomic repertoire of glycoside hydrolases, glycotransferases, and other carbohydrate active enzymes was found to be the central shared feature between all poribacterial genomes and showed that Poribacteria are among those marine bacteria with the largest genomic repertoire for carbohydrate degradation. Detailed analysis of the carbohydrate metabolism revealed that Poribacteria have the genomic potential for degradation of a variety of polymers, di- and monosaccharaides that allow these symbionts to feed various nutrient sources accessible through the filter-feeding activities of the sponge host. Furthermore the poribacterial glycobiome appeared to enable degradation of glycosaminoglycan chains, one of the main building blocks of extracellular matrix of marine sponges. Different lifestyles resulting from the poribacterial carbohydrate degradation potential are discussed including the influence of nutrient cycling in sponges, nutrient recycling and scavenging. The findings of this thesis emphasise the long overlooked importance of heterotrophic symbionts such as Poribacteria for the interactions with marine sponges and represent a solid basis for future studies of the influence heterotrophic symbionts have on their sponge hosts.}, subject = {Bakterien}, language = {en} } @article{SiverinoFahmyGarciaMumcuogluetal.2022, author = {Siverino, Claudia and Fahmy-Garcia, Shorouk and Mumcuoglu, Didem and Oberwinkler, Heike and Muehlemann, Markus and Mueller, Thomas and Farrell, Eric and van Osch, Gerjo J. V. M. and Nickel, Joachim}, title = {Site-directed immobilization of an engineered bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) variant to collagen-based microspheres induces bone formation in vivo}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {7}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms23073928}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284572}, year = {2022}, abstract = {For the treatment of large bone defects, the commonly used technique of autologous bone grafting presents several drawbacks and limitations. With the discovery of the bone-inducing capabilities of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), several delivery techniques were developed and translated to clinical applications. Implantation of scaffolds containing adsorbed BMP2 showed promising results. However, off-label use of this protein-scaffold combination caused severe complications due to an uncontrolled release of the growth factor, which has to be applied in supraphysiological doses in order to induce bone formation. Here, we propose an alternative strategy that focuses on the covalent immobilization of an engineered BMP2 variant to biocompatible scaffolds. The new BMP2 variant harbors an artificial amino acid with a specific functional group, allowing a site-directed covalent scaffold functionalization. The introduced artificial amino acid does not alter BMP2′s bioactivity in vitro. When applied in vivo, the covalently coupled BMP2 variant induces the formation of bone tissue characterized by a structurally different morphology compared to that induced by the same scaffold containing ab-/adsorbed wild-type BMP2. Our results clearly show that this innovative technique comprises translational potential for the development of novel osteoinductive materials, improving safety for patients and reducing costs.}, language = {en} } @article{CardaniSardiLaFerlaetal.2014, author = {Cardani, Diego and Sardi, Claudia and La Ferla, Barbara and D'Orazio, Guiseppe and Sommariva, Michele and Marcucci, Fabrizio and Olivero, Daniela and Tagliabue, Elda and Koepsell, Hermann and Nicotra, Francesco and Balsari, Andrea and Rumio, Christiano}, title = {Sodium glucose cotransporter 1 ligand BLF501 as a novel tool for management of gastrointestinal mucositis}, series = {Molecular Cancer}, volume = {13}, journal = {Molecular Cancer}, number = {23}, issn = {1476-4598}, doi = {10.1186/1476-4598-13-23}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117352}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Recent studies demonstrated that engagement of sodium glucose transporter 1 (SGLT-1) by orally administered D-glucose protects the intestinal mucosa from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury. We tested whether SGLT-1 engagement might protect the intestinal mucosa from doxorubicin (DXR)- and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced injury in animal models mimicking acute or chronic mucositis. Methods: Mice were treated intraperitoneally with DXR, alone or in combination with 5-FU, and orally with BLF501, a glucose-derived synthetic compound with high affinity for SGLT-1. Intestinal mucosal epithelium integrity was assessed by histological analysis, cellular proliferation assays, real-time PCR gene expression assays and Western blot assays. Student's t-test (paired two-tailed) and X-2 analyses were used for comparisons between groups. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: BLF501 administration in mice treated with DXR and/or 5-FU decreased the injuries to the mucosa in terms of epithelial integrity and cellular proliferative ability. Co-treatment with BLF501 led to a normal expression and distribution of both zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and beta-catenin, which were underexpressed after treatment with either chemotherapeutic agent alone. BLF501 administration also restored normal expression of caspase-3 and ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM), which were overexpressed after treatment with DXR and 5-FU. In SGLT1-/- mice, BLF501 had no detectable effects. BLF501 administration in wild-type mice with growing A431 tumors did not modify antitumor activity of DXR. Conclusions: BLF501-induced protection of the intestinal mucosa is a promising novel therapeutic approach to reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.}, language = {en} } @article{VanSteenbergenBalteauGinionetal.2017, author = {Van Steenbergen, Anne and Balteau, Magali and Ginion, Audrey and Fert{\´e}, Laura and Battault, Sylvain and de Meester de Ravenstein, Christophe and Balligand, Jean-Luc and Daskalopoulos, Evangelos-Panagiotis and Gilon, Patrick and Despa, Florin and Despa, Sanda and Vanoverschelde, Jean-Louis and Horman, Sandrine and Koepsell, Hermann and Berry, Gerard and Hue, Louis and Bertrand, Luc and Beauloye, Christophe}, title = {Sodium-myoinositol cotransporter-1, SMIT1, mediates the production of reactive oxygen species induced by hyperglycemia in the heart}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/srep41166}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-180891}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Hyperglycemia (HG) stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species in the heart through activation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). This production is independent of glucose metabolism but requires sodium/glucose cotransporters (SGLT). Seven SGLT isoforms (SGLT1 to 6 and sodium-myoinositol cotransporter-1, SMIT1) are known, although their expression and function in the heart remain elusive. We investigated these 7 isoforms and found that only SGLT1 and SMIT1 were expressed in mouse, rat and human hearts. In cardiomyocytes, galactose (transported through SGLT1) did not activate NOX2. Accordingly, SGLT1 deficiency did not prevent HG-induced NOX2 activation, ruling it out in the cellular response to HG. In contrast, myo-inositol (transported through SMIT1) reproduced the toxic effects of HG. SMIT1 overexpression exacerbated glucotoxicity and sensitized cardiomyocytes to HG, whereas its deletion prevented HG-induced NOX2 activation. In conclusion, our results show that heart SMIT1 senses HG and triggers NOX2 activation. This could participate in the redox signaling in hyperglycemic heart and contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy.}, language = {en} } @article{WeithmannLinkBanzragchetal.2022, author = {Weithmann, Greta and Link, Roman M. and Banzragch, Bat-Enerel and W{\"u}rzberg, Laura and Leuschner, Christoph and Schuldt, Bernhard}, title = {Soil water availability and branch age explain variability in xylem safety of European beech in Central Europe}, series = {Oecologia}, volume = {198}, journal = {Oecologia}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1007/s00442-022-05124-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324228}, pages = {629-644}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Xylem embolism resistance has been identified as a key trait with a causal relation to drought-induced tree mortality, but not much is known about its intra-specific trait variability (ITV) in dependence on environmental variation. We measured xylem safety and efficiency in 300 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees across 30 sites in Central Europe, covering a precipitation reduction from 886 to 522 mm year-1. A broad range of variables that might affect embolism resistance in mature trees, including climatic and soil water availability, competition, and branch age, were examined. The average P50 value varied by up to 1 MPa between sites. Neither climatic aridity nor structural variables had a significant influence on P50. However, P50 was less negative for trees with a higher soil water storage capacity, and positively related to branch age, while specific conductivity (Ks) was not significantly associated with either of these variables. The greatest part of the ITV for xylem safety and efficiency was attributed to random variability within populations. We conclude that the influence of site water availability on P50 and Ks is low in European beech, and that the high degree of within-population variability for P50, partly due to variation in branch age, hampers the identification of a clear environmental signal.}, subject = {Bodenwasser}, language = {en} } @article{NickelMueller2019, author = {Nickel, Joachim and Mueller, Thomas D.}, title = {Specification of BMP signaling}, series = {Cells}, volume = {8}, journal = {Cells}, number = {12}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells8121579}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193869}, pages = {1579}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) together with the Growth and Differentiation Factors (GDFs) form the largest subgroup of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)β family and represent secreted growth factors, which play an essential role in many aspects of cell communication in higher organisms. As morphogens they exert crucial functions during embryonal development, but are also involved in tissue homeostasis and regeneration in the adult organism. Their involvement in maintenance and repair processes of various tissues and organs made these growth factors highly interesting targets for novel pharmaceutical applications in regenerative medicine. A hallmark of the TGFβ protein family is that all of the more than 30 growth factors identified to date signal by binding and hetero-oligomerization of a very limited set of transmembrane serine-threonine kinase receptors, which can be classified into two subgroups termed type I and type II. Only seven type I and five type II receptors exist for all 30plus TGFβ members suggesting a pronounced ligand-receptor promiscuity. Indeed, many TGFβ ligands can bind the same type I or type II receptor and a particular receptor of either subtype can usually interact with and bind various TGFβ ligands. The possible consequence of this ligand-receptor promiscuity is further aggravated by the finding that canonical TGFβ signaling of all family members seemingly results in the activation of just two distinct signaling pathways, that is either SMAD2/3 or SMAD1/5/8 activation. While this would implicate that different ligands can assemble seemingly identical receptor complexes that activate just either one of two distinct pathways, in vitro and in vivo analyses show that the different TGFβ members exert quite distinct biological functions with high specificity. This discrepancy indicates that our current view of TGFβ signaling initiation just by hetero-oligomerization of two receptor subtypes and transduction via two main pathways in an on-off switch manner is too simplified. Hence, the signals generated by the various TGFβ members are either quantitatively interpreted using the subtle differences in their receptor-binding properties leading to ligand-specific modulation of the downstream signaling cascade or additional components participating in the signaling activation complex allow diversification of the encoded signal in a ligand-dependent manner at all cellular levels. In this review we focus on signal specification of TGFβ members, particularly of BMPs and GDFs addressing the role of binding affinities, specificities, and kinetics of individual ligand-receptor interactions for the assembly of specific receptor complexes with potentially distinct signaling properties.}, language = {en} } @article{LambourGlenzForneretal.2022, author = {Lambour, Benjamin and Glenz, Ren{\´e} and Forner, Carmen and Krischke, Markus and Mueller, Martin J. and Fekete, Agnes and Waller, Frank}, title = {Sphingolipid long-chain base phosphate degradation can be a rate-limiting step in long-chain base homeostasis}, series = {Frontiers in Plant Science}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science}, issn = {1664-462X}, doi = {10.3389/fpls.2022.911073}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-277679}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Sphingolipid long-chain bases (LCBs) are building blocks for membrane-localized sphingolipids, and are involved in signal transduction pathways in plants. Elevated LCB levels are associated with the induction of programmed cell death and pathogen-derived toxin-induced cell death. Therefore, levels of free LCBs can determine survival of plant cells. To elucidate the contribution of metabolic pathways regulating high LCB levels, we applied the deuterium-labeled LCB D-erythro-sphinganine-d7 (D7-d18:0), the first LCB in sphingolipid biosynthesis, to Arabidopsis leaves and quantified labeled LCBs, LCB phosphates (LCB-Ps), and 14 abundant ceramide (Cer) species over time. We show that LCB D7-d18:0 is rapidly converted into the LCBs d18:0P, t18:0, and t18:0P. Deuterium-labeled ceramides were less abundant, but increased over time, with the highest levels detected for Cer(d18:0/16:0), Cer(d18:0/24:0), Cer(t18:0/16:0), and Cer(t18:0/22:0). A more than 50-fold increase of LCB-P levels after leaf incubation in LCB D7-d18:0 indicated that degradation of LCBs via LCB-Ps is important, and we hypothesized that LCB-P degradation could be a rate-limiting step to reduce high levels of LCBs. To functionally test this hypothesis, we constructed a transgenic line with dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 (DPL1) under control of an inducible promotor. Higher expression of DPL1 significantly reduced elevated LCB-P and LCB levels induced by Fumonisin B1, and rendered plants more resistant against this fungal toxin. Taken together, we provide quantitative data on the contribution of major enzymatic pathways to reduce high LCB levels, which can trigger cell death. Specifically, we provide functional evidence that DPL1 can be a rate-limiting step in regulating high LCB levels.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Peer2010, author = {Peer, Markus}, title = {Sphingolipide - Analytik, Biosynthese und Funktion in der Arabidopsis thaliana Pathogenantwort}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-55034}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Sphingolipide (SPL) sind wichtige und ubiquitar verbreitete Bestandteile von Biomembranen. Aufgrund der enormen Vielfalt, der komplexen Struktur und diverser physiko-chemischer Eigenschaften der Sphingolipide gestaltet sich die qualitative und quantitative Untersuchung der Sphingolipide allerdings schwierig. In dieser Arbeit konnten, basierend auf publizierten Methoden, analytische Verfahren entwickelt werden, mit deren Hilfe sich die Gehalte spezifischer Sphingolipide in A. thaliana quantitativ nachweisen lassen. Unter Einsatz eines targeted metabolite profiling-Ansatzes wurde die Rolle spezifischer Sphingolipide in der Pflanzen-Pathogen Interaktion charakterisiert. Infiltration von avirulenten P. syringae pv. tomato (Pst) in Bl{\"a}tter von A. thaliana f{\"u}hrte zu schnell und transient erh{\"o}hten Gehalten der freien Sphingobase Phytosphingosin (t18:0). Im Gegensatz zu avirulenten Pst kam es nach Infiltration von virulenten Pst zu einer schnellen R{\"u}ckkehr auf Basalniveau und nicht zu einer hypersensitiven Antwort (HR), was auf eine positiv regulatorische Rolle von t18:0 in Abwehrreaktionen von Pflanzen hinwies, z.B. bei der HR. Damit konnte in der vorliegenden Arbeit zum ersten Mal gezeigt werden, dass die Spiegel freier Sphingobasen der Pflanze, insbesondere von t18:0, in Antwort auf bakterielle Pathogene reguliert werden. Diese spezifische Regulation korreliert, in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von der Pathogeninfektion, mit dem Verlauf der HR. Im Unterschied zu avirulenten St{\"a}mmen sind virulente Pst in der Lage, Abwehrreaktionen des Wirtsorganismus zu unterdr{\"u}cken. Daher tritt keine HR auf, welche die Ausbreitung des Pathogens stoppen k{\"o}nnte. Die unterschiedliche Beeinflussung der t18:0 Gehalte virulenter und avirulenter St{\"a}mme zeigte sich auch in Experimenten mit einem anderen P. syringae Stamm. Freie Sphingobasen zeigten in dieser Arbeit typische Merkmale von Signalmolekulen: geringe basale Spiegel, schnelle und transiente Gehaltsanderungen, pr{\"a}zise Regulation sowie spezifische Wirkeffekte. Sphingolipide stellen somit, neben den etwa durch PAMPs ausgel{\"o}sten und durch Phytohormone vermittelten, weitere Signalwege in der Pflanzen Pathogen Interaktion dar. Die Infiltration von Pst in Bl{\"a}tter der A. thaliana Mutante sbh1-1 f{\"u}hrte zu transient erh{\"o}hten d18:0 Spiegeln. In dieser Mutante ist die Funktion von einer der zwei Sphingobasen-Hydroxylasen gest{\"o}rt. Wie sich nach Totalhydrolyse zeigte, sind die Gesamtgehalte von t18:0 in der Mutante allerdings nicht reduziert. Dies spricht daf{\"u}r, dass der pathogenabh{\"a}ngige transiente Anstieg von t18:0 durch de novo Synthese aus d18:0 entsteht und nicht durch Freisetzung aus komplexen Sphingolipiden mittels spezifischer Lipasen. Somit ist die Hydroxylase SBH1 f{\"u}r den schnellen signalvermittelten Anstieg von t18:0 verantwortlich. Neben t18:0 l{\"o}sen auch strukturell {\"a}hnliche freie Sphingobasen, z.B. d18:1 und d18:0, Abwehrreaktionen und Zelltod aus, w{\"a}hrend andere Sphingobasen (d20:0 und d20:1) sowie Ceramide keine Reaktionen ausl{\"o}sten. Dies weist auch direkt auf die Spezifit{\"a}t der beteiligten Mechanismen hin.}, subject = {Sphingolipide}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Kumar2024, author = {Kumar, Manish}, title = {Structural and compositional effects on tree-water relation}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32624}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-326245}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Forests are essential sources of tangible and intangible benefits, but global climate change associated with recurrent extreme drought episodes severely affects forest productivity due to extensive tree die-back. On that, it appeals to an urgency for large-scale reforestation efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change worldwide; however, there is a lack of understanding of drought-effect on sapling growth and survival mechanisms. It is also challenging to anticipate how long trees can survive and when they succumb to drought. Hence, to ensure success of reforestation programs and sustainable forest productivity, it is essential to identify drought-resistant saplings. For that, profound knowledge of hydraulic characteristics is needed. To achieve this, the study was split into two phases which seek to address (1) how the hydraulic and anatomical traits influence the sapling's growth rate under drought stress. (2) how plant water potential regulation and physiological traits are linked to species' water use strategies and their drought tolerance. The dissertation is assembled of two study campaigns carried out on saplings at the Chair of Botany II, University of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany. The first study involved three ecologically important temperate broadleaved tree species — saplings of 18-month (Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, and Sorbus aucuparia) — grown from seeds in contrasting conditions (inside a greenhouse and outside), with the latter being subjected to severe natural heat waves. In the second study, two additional temperate species (Fagus sylvatica and Tilia cordata) were added. The drying-out event was conducted using a randomised blocked design by monitoring plant water status in a climate-controlled chamber and a greenhouse. In campaign I, I present the result based on analysed data of 82 plants of temperate deciduous species and address the juvenile growth rate trade-off with xylem safety-efficiency. Our results indicate biomass production varies considerably due to the contrasted growing environment. High hydraulic efficiency is necessary for increased biomass production, while safety-efficiency traits are decoupled and species-specific. Furthermore, productivity was linked considerably to xylem safety without revealing a well-defined pattern among species. Moreover, plasticity in traits differed between stressed and non-stressed plants. For example, safety-related characteristics were more static than efficiency-related traits, which had higher intra-specific variation. Moreover, we recorded anatomical and leaf traits adjustments in response to a stress condition, but consistency among species is lacking. In campaign II, I combined different ways to estimate the degree of isohydry based on water potential regulation and connected the iso-anisohydric spectrum (i.e., hydroscape area, HSA) to hydraulic traits to elucidate actual plant performance during drought. We analysed plant water potential regulation (Ψpd and Ψmd) and stomatal conductance of 28-29 month saplings of five species. I used a linear mixed modelling approach that allowed to control individual variations to describe the water potential regulation and tested different conceptual definitions of isohydricity. The combined methods allowed us to estimate species' relative degree of isohydry. Further, we examined the traits coordination, including hydraulic safety margin, HSM; embolism resistance, P88; turgor loss, Ψtlp; stomata closure, Ps90; capacitance, C; cuticular conductance, gmin, to determine time to hydraulic failure (Thf). Thf is the cumulative effect of time to stomata closure (Tsc) and time after stomatal closure to catastrophic hydraulic failure (Tcrit). Our results show the species' HSA matches their stomatal stringency, which confirms the relationship between stomatal response and leaf water potential decline. Species that close stomata at lower water potential notably had a larger HSA. Isohydric behaviour was mostly associated with leaf hydraulic traits and poorly to xylem safety traits. Species' degree of isohydry was also unrelated to the species' time to death during drying-out experiments. This supports the notion that isohydry behaviours are linked to water use rather than drought survival strategies. Further, consistent with our assumptions, more isohydric species had larger internal water storage and lost their leaf turgor at less negative water potentials. Counter to our expectations, neither embolism resistance nor the associated hydraulic safety margins were related to metrics of isohydry. Instead, our results indicate traits associated with plant drought response to cluster along two largely independent axes of variation (i.e., stomatal stringency and xylem safety). Furthermore, on the temporal progression of plant drought responses, stomatal closure is critical in coordinating various traits to determine species' hydraulic strategies. Desiccation avoidance strategy was linked to Tsc and coordinated traits response of Ps90, Ψtlp, and HSA, whereas desiccation tolerance was related to Tcrit and traits such as lower P88 value, high HSM, and lower gmin. Notably, the shoot capacitance (C) is crucial in Thf and exhibits dichotomous behaviour linked to both Tsc and Tcrit. In conclusion, knowledge of growth rate trade-offs with xylem safety-efficiency combined with traits linked to species' hydraulic strategies along the isohydry could substantially enhance our ability to identify drought-resistant saplings to ensure the success of reforestation programs and predicting sensitivity to drought for achieving sustainable forest ecosystems.}, subject = {Wachstumsrate}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Qiu2008, author = {Qiu, Liyan}, title = {Structural and functional analysis of crossveinless 2 / BMP-2 /Chordin interaction}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-29249}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{HedrichMuellerBeckeretal.2018, author = {Hedrich, Rainer and Mueller, Thomas D. and Becker, Dirk and Marten, Irene}, title = {Structure and Function of TPC1 Vacuole SV Channel Gains Shape}, series = {Molecular Plant}, volume = {11}, journal = {Molecular Plant}, doi = {10.1016/j.molp.2018.03.017}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228046}, pages = {764-775}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Plants and animals in endosomes operate TPC1/SV-type cation channels. All plants harbor at least one TPC1 gene. Although the encoded SV channel was firstly discovered in the plant vacuole membrane two decades ago, its biological function has remained enigmatic. Recently, the structure of a plant TPC1/SV channel protein was determined. Insights into the 3D topology has now guided site-directed mutation approaches, enabling structure-function analyses of TPC1/SV channels to shed new light on earlier findings. Fou2 plants carrying a hyperactive mutant form of TPC1 develop wounding stress phenotypes. Recent studies with fou2 and mutants that lack functional TPC1 have revealed atypical features in local and long-distance stress signaling, providing new access to the previously mysterious biology of this vacuolar cation channel type in planta.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Buechsenschuetz2005, author = {B{\"u}chsensch{\"u}tz, Kai}, title = {Struktur und r{\"a}umlich-zeitliches Expressionsverhalten von Kaliumkan{\"a}len bei Zea mays}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-17522}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Bei Zea mays wurden neue Kaliumkan{\"a}le der Shaker-Familie isoliert, charakterisiert und zusammen mit bereits bekannten Vertretern dieser Familie hinsichtlich m{\"o}glicher Aufgaben und Interaktionen untersucht.}, subject = {Mais}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Hartmann2002, author = {Hartmann, Klaus Dieter}, title = {Struktur, Funktion und chemische Zusammensetzung superinisierter Transportbarrieren im Apoplasten h{\"o}herer Pflanzen}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-4999}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2002}, abstract = {In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die f{\"u}r den radialen Stofftransport durch die Wurzel H{\"o}herer Pflanzen wichtigen apoplastischen Barrieren der Wurzeln von sieben Pflanzenarten (Vicia faba L.; Typha glauca Godr.; Ricinus communis L.; Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.; Fagus sylvatica L.; Picea abies (L.) Karst.; Zea mays L.) mikroskopisch charakterisiert und chemisch analysiert. Nach enyzmatischer Isolation der Gewebe wurde die Biopolymerzusammensetzung von Suberin und Lignin der isolierten Zellw{\"a}nde nach Depolymerisierung durch Umesterungsreaktion (Abbau von Suberin) oder Thioacidolyse (Abbau von Lignin) mittels Gaschromatographie und Massenspektroskopie aufgekl{\"a}rt. Außerdem wurde Sprossknollenperiderm der Kartoffel (Solanum tuberosum L.) verschiedener post harvest Luftfeuchtebedingungen, sowie neugeformtes Wundperiderm chemisch-analytisch und auf die Permeabilit{\"a}t f{\"u}r Wasser hin untersucht. Zus{\"a}tzlich zu den mikroskopischen und chemischen Analysen wurden die hydraulischen Leitf{\"a}higkeiten von Maiswurzeln verschiedener Kulturbedingungen und die Aufnahme von Rubidium-Ionen {\"u}ber die Maiswurzeln untersucht. Dabei wurde die Auswirkung von Salzstress (100mM NaCl), und eine Applikation des Phytohormons Abscisins{\"a}ure (10µM ABA) bei der Aufzucht der Pflanzen auf apoplastische Barrieren untersucht. Auch die Rubidiumaufnahme von bei Nitratmangel (0.00 M NO3-) aufgewachsenen Rizinuspflanzen wurde ermittelt und mit der chemischen Zusammensetzung der apoplastischen Barrieren korreliert. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass: -monocotyle Pflanzen wesentlich h{\"o}here Aromatenanteile im Suberin apoplastischer Barrieren besitzen als dicotyle Pflanzen; -bei der Bewertung des Suberingehaltes apoplastischer Barrieren histochemische Methoden unzureichend sind; -die Fl{\"a}chenbelegung mit Suberin auch innerhalb gleicher Entwicklungsstadien bei verschiedenen Pflanzen stark unterschiedlich sein kann; -der Verkn{\"u}pfungsgrad der Monomeren im Suberin stark unterschiedlich sein kann; -Suberin keine 100\%ige Barriere f{\"u}r Wasser und Ionen darstellt; -Suberin auch eine Barriere gegen unkontrollierte Gasdiffusion darstellen kann; -der Stofftransport (z.B. Rb-Ionen) durch zus{\"a}tzliche Suberinmengen verlangsamt werden kann, geringere Suberinmengen den Stofffluss aber nicht signifikant erh{\"o}hen wie bei Nitratmangelpflanzen gezeigt wurde; -eine direkte Ableitung der Funktion f{\"u}r den Wasser und Stofftransport aus dem Suberingehalt nicht ohne eine Extraktanalyse der Gewebe m{\"o}glich ist, und in jedem Fall die Notwendigkeit besteht eine Fl{\"a}chenbelegung mit Suberin oder Wachsen zu ermitteln; -die Variabilit{\"a}t von Pflanzen verschiedenen Genotyps und die Entwicklung vieler verschiedener Anpassungsstrategien zum Schutz vor Stress eine Absch{\"a}tzung funktioneller Aspekte aus monokausaler Sichtweise (z.B.: Suberingehalt) unm{\"o}glich macht. Um der Vielf{\"a}ltigkeit pflanzlicher Strategien gerecht zu werden, ist daher die Integration vieler unterschiedlicher Untersuchungsmethoden in interdisziplin{\"a}rer Arbeitsweise notwendig.}, subject = {Samenpflanzen}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Weidauer2010, author = {Weidauer, Stella Elisabeth}, title = {Strukturelle und funktionelle Charakterisierung des Knochenwachstums-Modulators Sclerostin}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-46224}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Die Knochenhom{\"o}ostase erfolgt durch das Zusammenspiel mehrerer Zelltypen. W{\"a}hrend die Osteoblasten f{\"u}r den Knochenaufbau verantwortlich sind, resorbieren die Osteoklasten Knochengewebe. Beide Vorg{\"a}nge werden durch die Osteozyten streng reguliert. Eine St{\"o}rung im strikt regulierten Gleichgewicht zwischen Knochenabbau und Knochenaufbau kann daher zu Knochenkrankheiten wie Osteoporose f{\"u}hren. Auf molekularer Ebene erfolgt die Kommunikation zwischen den einzelnen Zelltypen {\"u}ber zwei wichtige Signalwege, den der „Bone Morphogenetic Protein"-Superfamilie (BMPs) und den der Wnt-Proteine. Die Signal{\"u}bertragung wird hierbei durch sekretierte Faktoren induziert, die an Rezeptoren auf der Zelloberfl{\"a}che binden. Deren Aktivierung f{\"u}hrt zu einem intrazellul{\"a}ren Signal, welches letztlich die Expression von Zielgenen reguliert. Beide Signalwege werden auf mehreren Ebenen, extrazellul{\"a}r, membranst{\"a}ndig und intrazellul{\"a}r reguliert. Das 2003 identifizierte Sclerostin ist ein Vertreter der extrazellul{\"a}ren Regulatorproteine und wurde aufgrund seiner Zugeh{\"o}rigkeit zur DAN-Familie zun{\"a}chst f{\"a}lschlicherweise als direkter Inhibitor des BMP-Signalwegs eingestuft. Mittlerweile wird allerdings davon ausgegangen, dass Sclerostin den Wnt-Signalweg negativ reguliert, indem es die Wnt Ko-Rezeptoren LRP5 und LRP6 bindet, die beide zu der Familie der „Low-density lipoprotein receptors" geh{\"o}ren. {\"U}ber den molekularen Inhibitionsmechanismus von Sclerostin war jedoch zum Startpunkt dieser Dissertationsarbeit wenig bekannt. Daher wurde Sclerostin im Rahmen dieser Arbeit biophysikalisch und biochemisch charakterisiert. Die Aufkl{\"a}rung mittels NMR-Spektroskopie ergab f{\"u}r Sclerostin eine Struktur, die sich in drei Regionen gliedert: den Cystinknoten, sowie einen „Loop"-Bereich und die Fingerregion. Vom zentralen Cystinknoten gehen drei Peptid-Schleifen in zwei entgegengesetzte Richtungen aus. Schleife eins und drei bilden eine definierte ß-Faltblattstruktur und {\"a}hneln zwei Fingern einer Hand. Die zweite Schleife, welche vom Cystinknoten isoliert in die entgegengesetzte Richtung verl{\"a}uft („Loop"), ist wie die beiden langen N- und C-Termini flexibel und unstrukturiert. Die in Zusammenarbeit mit der Firma AbD-Serotec entstandenen Fab-Fragmente erm{\"o}glichten die Bestimmung des Bindeepitops der Sclerostin/LRP5-Interaktion im Bereich der unstrukturierten dritten Schleife von Sclerostin. Die Struktur von Sclerostin und die Identifikation des Bindeepitops auf Sclerostinseite geben nun erste Einblicke in den molekularen Mechanismus der Sclerostin/LRP5-Interaktion. Diese Kenntnis kann f{\"u}r die Entwicklung von Kleinmolek{\"u}linhibitoren mittels rationalem Drugdesign genutzt werden, welche, wie auch der in Kooperation entwickelte die Sclerostinaktivit{\"a}t neutralisierende Antik{\"o}rper AbD09097, hochinteressante Ans{\"a}tze f{\"u}r neuartige anabole Therapien von Krankheiten mit Knochenschwund darstellen.}, subject = {Cytokine}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Kraich2008, author = {Kraich, Michael}, title = {Strukturelle und funktionelle Untersuchungen der Interaktion zwischen Ligand und Rezeptor im Interleukin-4- und Interleukin-13-System}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-27655}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Interleukin-4 (IL-4) und Interleukin-13 (IL-13) sind bedeutende Regulatorproteine des Immunsystems. Sie spielen eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Entstehung und dem Verlauf von allergischen Erkrankungen, wie z.B. Asthma. Um ihre Signale in die Zielzelle zu transduzieren, kann von beiden Zytokinen der gleiche Zelloberfl{\"a}chenrezeptor verwendet werden, wodurch sich die {\"u}berlappenden, biologischen Funktionen erkl{\"a}ren lassen. Dieser gemeinsam genutzte Rezeptor ist aus den beiden Untereinheiten IL-4Ralpha; und IL-13Ralpha1 aufgebaut. Da IL-4 und IL-13 auf Aminos{\"a}ureebene nur etwa 25\% Sequenzidentit{\"a}t besitzen und stark unterschiedliche Affinit{\"a}ten zu den beiden Rezeptorketten besitzen, stellt sich die Frage, durch welchen molekularen Erkennungsmechanismus, die Affinit{\"a}t und die Spezifit{\"a}t der Ligand-Rezeptor-Interaktion unabh{\"a}ngig voneinander reguliert werden kann. In dieser Arbeit gelang es, rekombinante Expressions- und Aufreinigungsstrategien f{\"u}r IL-13 und die extrazellul{\"a}ren Dom{\"a}nen der Rezeptorketten IL-13Ralpha1 und IL-13Ralpha2 zu entwickeln. Dadurch war es m{\"o}gliche, eine breite Mutations-/Interaktionsanalyse der IL-13Ralpha1-Kette durchzuf{\"u}hren.Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die N-terminale FnIII-{\"a}hnliche Dom{\"a}ne von IL-13Ralpha1 sowohl an der Bindung von IL-13 als auch an der Interaktion mit IL-4 beteiligt ist. Im funktionellen Bindeepitop der IL-13Ralpha1-Kette wurden die Aminos{\"a}urereste Arg84, Phe253 und Tyr321 als Hauptbindungsdeterminanten f{\"u}r die Interaktion mit IL-13 identifiziert. Durch die Interaktionsstudien der IL-13Ralpha1-Varianten mit IL-4 wurde gezeigt, dass diese Hauptbindungsdeterminanten auch f{\"u}r die niederaffine Bindung von IL-4 von gr{\"o}ßter Bedeutung sind. Die funktionellen Bindeepitope f{\"u}r IL-4 und IL-13 auf der IL-13Ralpha1-Kette sind nahezu identisch und {\"u}berlappen in einem großen Bereich. Aufgrund der Ergebnisse aus der Mutagenesestudie war es m{\"o}glich, ein Strukturmodell der extrazellul{\"a}ren Dom{\"a}ne der IL-13Ralpha1-Kette zu erstellen. Darin wird eine neuartige Orientierung der N-terminalen FnIII-Dom{\"a}ne und deren Beteiligung an der Ligandeninteraktion dargestellt. Mit Hilfe des Strukturmodells gelang es, neue Aminos{\"a}urerest auf der Oberfl{\"a}che von IL-13 zu identifizieren, die an der Bindung zu IL-13Ralpha1 beteiligt sind, was die Relevanz des Strukturmodells weiter unterstreicht. In einem weiteren Teil dieser Arbeit wurde versucht, den molekularen Mechanismus aufzukl{\"a}ren, durch den es den superagonistischen IL-4-Varianten T13D und F82D gelingt, mit dreifach h{\"o}herer Affinit{\"a}t an die IL-4Ralpha-Kette zu binden, als wildtypischer Ligand. Durch strukturelle und funktionelle Untersuchungen wurde gezeigt, dass der Affinit{\"a}tssteigerung ein indirekter Mechanismus zugrunde liegt, bei dem eine Konformations{\"a}nderung und die Fixierung der Arg85-Seitenkette von IL-4 zur Ausbildung von zus{\"a}tzlichen Ligand-Rezeptor-Interaktionen f{\"u}hrt. Das Bindeepitop zwischen IL-4 und der IL-4Ralpha-Kette besitzt eine modulare Architektur aus drei unabh{\"a}ngig voneinander agierenden Interaktionsclustern. Bei der Interaktion von wildtypischem IL-4 mit IL-4Ralpha tragen nur zwei dieser Cluster in signifikanter Weise zur freien Bindeenergie bei. Im Falle der superagonistischen IL-4-Varianten ist jedoch auch das dritte Cluster an der Generierung von zus{\"a}tzlicher, freier Bindeenergie beteiligt, wodurch die Affinit{\"a}t zwischen Ligand und Rezeptor erh{\"o}ht wird. Damit stellt der modulare Aufbau der Interaktionsfl{\"a}che zwischen IL-4 und der IL-4Ralpha-Kette m{\"o}glicherweise einen Mechanismus dar, {\"u}ber den Proteine die Affinit{\"a}t von Wechselwirkungen {\"u}ber einen großen Bereicht variieren k{\"o}nnen, ohne dabei Spezifit{\"a}t einzub{\"u}ssen. Da IL-4 und IL-13 als interessante Zielmolek{\"u}le f{\"u}r die Therapie von allergischen und asthmatischen Erkrankungen erkannt worden sind, k{\"o}nnen die in der vorliegenden Arbeit gewonnenen Informationen {\"u}ber den Bindemechanismus und die Einblicke in den molekularen Charakter der Interaktion zwischen den beiden Zytokinen und ihren spezifischen Rezeptorketten dabei helfen, neuartige und hoch spezifische, inhibitorische Molek{\"u}le zu entwickeln.}, subject = {Renaturierung }, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Huth2012, author = {Huth, Antje [geb. Koppelkamm]}, title = {Studien zum mRNA profiling an humanem postmortalem Gewebe}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-74308}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Frage, inwieweit quantitative Genexpressionsstudien an postmortalen humanen Proben mit erh{\"o}htem Postmortalintervall und somit m{\"o}glicherweise verminderter RNA-Integrit{\"a}t realisierbar sind und in Zukunft als zus{\"a}tzliches diagnostisches Werkzeug zur Determinierung der Todesursache im forensischen Kontext herangezogen werden k{\"o}nnen. Daf{\"u}r wurden in mehreren Teilstudien Faktoren untersucht, die die Verl{\"a}sslichkeit quantitativer Genexpressionsdaten beeinflussen k{\"o}nnen. Es konnte zun{\"a}chst f{\"u}r postmortales Skelettmuskelgewebe festgestellt werden, dass Verstorbene mit erh{\"o}htem BMI statistisch signifikant niedrigere RIN-Werte aufweisen als normalgewichtige Personen. Zudem wurde eine Korrelation zwischen dem Gewebetyp und der Integrit{\"a}t der daraus extrahierten RNA gefunden. Unter Anwendung der in dieser Arbeit gew{\"a}hlten Extraktionsmethode scheint postmortales Skelettmuskelgewebe f{\"u}r Genexpressionsstudien an Autopsiematerial besonders geeignet. Dagegen wurde im vorliegenden Probengut kein Zusammenhang zwischen verminderter RNA-Integrit{\"a}t und Parametern wie Geschlecht, PMI, Sterbealter, Dauer der Agonie und Todesursache gefunden. In einer weiteren Teilstudie wurde anhand von postmortalem Herzmuskel-, Skelettmuskel- und Gehirngewebe aus einer Auswahl von zehn funktionell verschiedenen endogenen Kontrollgenen HMBS, UBC, SDHA und TBP als die Gene mit der gr{\"o}ßten postmortalen Transkriptstabilit{\"a}t identifiztiert. Zudem konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Verwendung von vier stabilen endogenen Kontrollen am untersuchten Probenmaterial eine verl{\"a}ssliche Datennormalisierung erlaubt. Die validierten Kontrollgene k{\"o}nnen auch zuk{\"u}nftig f{\"u}r quantitative Genexpressionsstudien eingesetzt werden, solange die untersuchte Probenzusammensetzung der hier vorgestellten {\"a}hnelt. F{\"u}r die Todesursache sowie f{\"u}r den Body Mass Index des Probenspenders wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit ein statistisch signifikanter Einfluss auf das Expressionslevel instabiler Gene festgestellt. Diese Parameter sind daher geeignet, die gefundenen Instabilit{\"a}ten m{\"o}glicher Kontrollgene zu erkl{\"a}ren. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit lassen des Weiteren darauf schließen, dass das Erstellen von Degradierungslinien aus kommerziell erh{\"a}ltlicher RNA f{\"u}r jedes verwendete qPCR-Assay ein wichtiges Instrument der Qualit{\"a}tspr{\"u}fung ist. Mit der Degradierungslinie kann die Detektionsgrenze des verwendeten qPCR-Assays validiert werden kann. Nur so ist die Festlegung des Bereichs m{\"o}glich, in dem ein ver{\"a}ndertes Expressionslevel tats{\"a}chlich mit dem Einfluss eines spezifischen Parameters in Verbindung gebracht werden kann und klar von einer nur scheinbaren Genexpressions{\"a}nderung unterscheidbar ist, die durch eine Degradierung der Probe vorget{\"a}uscht wird. Zudem scheint es praktikabel, in zuk{\"u}nftigen Studien nur Proben mit {\"a}hnlichen Integrit{\"a}ten miteinander zu vergleichen. Pathologische Prozesse im menschlichen K{\"o}rper, auch solche, die die Funktion von Organen sowie die Morphologie betreffen, sind hoch komplex und k{\"o}nnen interindividuell variieren, weshalb die Genexpression im forensischen Kontext erg{\"a}nzende Hinweise auf die Diagnose liefern k{\"o}nnte. Als erstes anwendungsbezogenes Beispiel wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Einfluss von Hypoxie auf das Transkriptlevel von HIF-1α, VEGF und SLC2A1 untersucht. Bei Normalisierung der Daten gegen vier stabile Kontrollgene ergaben sich anhand der untersuchten Gewebeproben Hinweise auf eine todesursachenbezogene Hochregulierung der drei Zielgene. Die Studie unterstrich die besondere Bedeutung der gew{\"a}hlten Normalisierungsstrategie. Wurden die Daten nur gegen GAPDH als einzelnes, nicht validiertes Kontrollgen normalisiert, deuteten die Ergebnisse eine {\"u}berraschende Herunterregulierung der Zielgene an. Als m{\"o}gliche Ursache f{\"u}r diese scheinbare Diskrepanz kommt die im weiteren Verlauf dieser Studie nachgewiesene Instabilit{\"a}t infolge einer Co-Regulation von GAPDH unter hypoxischen Bedingungen in Betracht. Mit dem Fernziel postmortale Genexpressionsstudien als zus{\"a}tzliches Instrument in der forensischen Todesursachenbestimmung einzusetzen, schafft die vorliegende Arbeit durch die Einf{\"u}hrung von validierten Kontrollgenen sowie durch die Analyse weiterer Einfluss nehmender Faktoren eine Basis f{\"u}r die verl{\"a}ssliche Durchf{\"u}hrung k{\"u}nftiger Genexpressionsstudien an humanem Autopsiegewebe.}, subject = {Genexpression}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Levchenko2009, author = {Levchenko, Victor}, title = {Studies of CA 2+ -signaling and CL-conductance changes in response to abscisic acid, voltage changes and cold, in the plasma membrane of guard cells}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-45309}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Land plants must control the transpiration water stream and balance it with carbon dioxide uptake for optimal photosynthesis. A highly specialized type of plant cell called guard cells have evolutionary appeared which are suited for this complicated purpose. Guard cells are located by pairs on aerated plant surface and form stomata - structural units, which represent highly regulated "watergate" (Roelfsema and Hedrich, 2005). Guard cells sense many environmental and internal plant-derived stimuli and by changing degree of their swelling tightly regulate diffusion of water vapor and other gases. Cell processes taking place in stomata during their movements had been a subject of intensive investigation for more than three decades (Schroeder et al., 2001; Assmann and Shimazaki, 1999). With use of electrophysiological technique the basic processes underlying stomatal movements were described (Thiel et al., 1992; Dietrich et. al., 2001; Roelfsema and Hedrich, 2005). Another set of questions arised between plant biologists is how the signals affecting stomatal aperture are transduced in guard cells starting from perception by receptor structures and ending on the osmodynamic motor components. Introduction of fluorescent microspectroscopy technique allowed to characterize some Ca2+ and H+-based signaling events, taking place in the cytoplasm during stomata function. Most of the processes, taking place in stomata were characterized in guard cell preparations, such as strips of isolated leaf epidermis or guard cell protoplasts, - cells with enzymaticaly digested cell walls. Some experimental observations although point that reactions of guard cells located in their natural environment, leaves of intact plants can differ from those could be registered in preparations. These deviations might be explained by the modulation of guard cell function by apoplastic factors originating from surrounding tissues like mesophyll or leaf epidermis (Roelfsema and Hedrich, 2002). On the other hand registration of physiological responses in prepared tissues may also contain possible artifacts, related to the preparation procedures. The aim of the experimental work presented here was to investigate the cell signaling events, taking place in guard cells upon plant stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and some other stimuli action. Abscisic acid is a compound that synthesized in plant roots upon drought and closes stomata in the leaf to prevent the plant organism from excessive water loss. Previous studies on guard cell of isolated epidermis and guard cell protoplasts showed, that ABA induces stomatal closure via activation of plasma membrane anion channels (Grabov et al., 1997; Pei et al, 1997). Anion channels are known to be activated by elevated 2 concentrations of cytoplasmic Ca2+ [Ca2+]cyt (Schroeder and Hagiwara, 1989; Hedrich et al., 1990). Application of Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probes revealed [Ca2+]cyt increases in guard cells upon ABA action (McAinsh et al., 1990). This observation led to suggestion that [Ca2+]cyt directly participate in the transduction of ABA signal in guard cells. Although no direct evidences for co-occurrence of [Ca2+]cyt rises and following activation of anion channels upon ABA action was not presented until yet. Results of experimental work performed on intact Vicia faba, Commelina communis and Nicotiana plumbagnifolia plants showed that guard cells of intact plant leaves respond with transient activation of plasma membrane anion channels upon perception of ABA. Kinetics of the response is highly reproducible and seemed to be conserved between species. Although despite clear generation of anion current transients, no [Ca2+]cyt increases could be recorded with using fluorescent probe Fura-2 microinjected into the cytoplasm. Together with results of later study on intact Nicotiana tabacum guard cells, reported obligatory [Ca2+]cyt increases which were desynchronized with anion current transients (Marten et al., 2007b) this, may indicate that [Ca2+]cyt increases are not necessary component of ABA signal transduction pathway. Together with absence of the effect of cytoplasm-delivered Ca2+- mobilizing agents IP3, IP6 and NAADP on anion currents these data may suppose that role of [Ca2+]cyt in ABA signaling must be reassessed. Further interest represented characterization of [Ca2+]cyt signaling and homeostasis in intact guard cells comparing with those in prepared cells. Experiments revealed strong deviations in [Ca2+]cyt behavior between different measuring systems. While guard cells of intact plants were able to strictly maintain [Ca2+]cyt level upon experimental shifting of [Ca2+]cyt level in either direction of elevation or decrease, cells of isolated epidermis showed complete absence of such ability. Guard cell protoplasts showed even weaker [Ca2+]cyt regulation ability and were capable of low physiological [Ca2+]cyt levels maintaining only at depolarized membrane potentials. Apart to these differences, prepared guard cells showed also for-time less activation of anion currents by experimentally imposed [Ca2+]cyt increases. These data strongly suggest that registered in guard cell preparations [Ca2+]cyt signals may contain significant part of artifacts and must be carefully used for the building of models of guard cells signaling. Further experimental investigations are strongly required for understanding guard cell functioning, especially with relation of vacuoles participation. The experimental work was done by the author in the period from october 2001 until november 2004 under supervision of Professor Dr. Rainer Hedrich in laboratory of molecular plant physiology and biophysics at Julius-Maximillians University of W{\"u}rzburg, W{\"u}rz3 burg, Federal Republic of Germany. Scientific coordinator of the Ph. D. project is Dr. Max Robert Gustaaf Roelfsema, University of W{\"u}rzburg. Most of experimental results, presented here (chapter III) are also published elsewhere (Roelfsema et al., 2004; Langer et al., 2004; Levchenko et al., 2005, 2008). Chapter I intend to shortly introduce the reader into the field of guard cell research and point out the current level of understanding regarding this branch of plant research. Special attention is given to description of guard cell ion channels, their function and regulation, including the mechanisms of Ca2+-, H+- and phosphorylation-based signaling. This section is preceded by a short history of guard cell research and explains the actuality of presented work. In chapter II experimental techniques, methods and data processing approaches, used in the presented work are described. Technique used for electrophysiological registrations on intact plant leaves were used before and described in more details by Roelfsema et al. (2001). Fluorescent microspectroscopy technique was for the first time applied to intact plant leaves in this work and described in more details including calibration of Fura-2 based measurements. Chapter III presents the major results of the experimental work. In chapter IV the experimental results are discussed and put into context with current knowledge of guard cell function knowledge. Finally, remarks on perspectives of guard cell signaling research are drawn.}, subject = {Schließzelle}, language = {en} } @article{BergerEllersiekWesthoffetal.1993, author = {Berger, Susanne and Ellersiek, Ulrike and Westhoff, Peter and Steinm{\"u}ller, Klaus}, title = {Studies on the expression of NDH-H, a subunit of the NAD(P)H-plastoquinone-oxidoreductase of higher-plant chloroplasts}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31283}, year = {1993}, abstract = {The plastid genomes of higher plants contain eleven reading frames (ndhA-K) that are homologous to genes encoding subunits of the mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone-oxidoreductase (complex I). The carboxyterminal end of the NDH-H subunit from rice (Oryza sativa L.) was expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli and antibodies against the fusion protein were generated in rabbits. The antibody was used to study the expression of NDH-H, and the following results were obtained: (i) NDH-H is expressed in mono- and dicotyledonous plants, (ii) NDH-H is localized on the stroma lamellae of the thylakoid membrane and (iii) NDH-H is expressed in etioplasts. Together with the finding that two other ndh genes (ndhI and ndhK) are expressed in plastids, these results point to the existence of an NAD(P)H-plastoquinone-oxidoreductase on the thylakoid membrane. The possible function of the enzyme in plastids is discussed and it is suggested that it works in balancing the ATP/ADP and the NADPH/NADP ratios during changing external (i.e. light) or internal (i.e. ATP and NADPH demands of biosynthetic pathways of the plastid) conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{CarpanetoKoepsellBambergetal.2010, author = {Carpaneto, Armando and Koepsell, Hermann and Bamberg, Ernst and Hedrich, Rainer and Geiger, Dietmar}, title = {Sucrose- and H+-Dependent Charge Movements Associated with the Gating of Sucrose Transporter ZmSUT1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68538}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background: In contrast to man the majority of higher plants use sucrose as mobile carbohydrate. Accordingly protondriven sucrose transporters are crucial for cell-to-cell and long-distance distribution within the plant body. Generally very negative plant membrane potentials and the ability to accumulate sucrose quantities of more than 1 M document that plants must have evolved transporters with unique structural and functional features. Methodology/Principal Findings: To unravel the functional properties of one specific high capacity plasma membrane sucrose transporter in detail, we expressed the sucrose/H+ co-transporter from maize ZmSUT1 in Xenopus oocytes. Application of sucrose in an acidic pH environment elicited inward proton currents. Interestingly the sucrose-dependent H+ transport was associated with a decrease in membrane capacitance (Cm). In addition to sucrose Cm was modulated by the membrane potential and external protons. In order to explore the molecular mechanism underlying these Cm changes, presteady-state currents (Ipre) of ZmSUT1 transport were analyzed. Decay of Ipre could be best fitted by double exponentials. When plotted against the voltage the charge Q, associated to Ipre, was dependent on sucrose and protons. The mathematical derivative of the charge Q versus voltage was well in line with the observed Cm changes. Based on these parameters a turnover rate of 500 molecules sucrose/s was calculated. In contrast to gating currents of voltage dependentpotassium channels the analysis of ZmSUT1-derived presteady-state currents in the absence of sucrose (I =Q/t) was sufficient to predict ZmSUT1 transport-associated currents. Conclusions: Taken together our results indicate that in the absence of sucrose, 'trapped' protons move back and forth between an outer and an inner site within the transmembrane domains of ZmSUT1. This movement of protons in the electric field of the membrane gives rise to the presteady-state currents and in turn to Cm changes. Upon application of external sucrose, protons can pass the membrane turning presteady-state into transport currents.}, language = {en} } @article{RasouliKianiPouyaLietal.2020, author = {Rasouli, Fatemeh and Kiani-Pouya, Ali and Li, Leiting and Zhang, Heng and Chen, Zhonghua and Hedrich, Rainer and Wilson, Richard and Shabala, Sergey}, title = {Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) guard cells responses to salinity stress: a proteomic analysis}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {21}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {7}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms21072331}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285765}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting crop growth and threatening global food security. Plants adapt to salinity by optimizing the performance of stomata. Stomata are formed by two guard cells (GCs) that are morphologically and functionally distinct from the other leaf cells. These microscopic sphincters inserted into the wax-covered epidermis of the shoot balance CO\(_2\) intake for photosynthetic carbon gain and concomitant water loss. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying stomatal function under saline conditions, we used proteomics approach to study isolated GCs from the salt-tolerant sugar beet species. Of the 2088 proteins identified in sugar beet GCs, 82 were differentially regulated by salt treatment. According to bioinformatics analysis (GO enrichment analysis and protein classification), these proteins were involved in lipid metabolism, cell wall modification, ATP biosynthesis, and signaling. Among the significant differentially abundant proteins, several proteins classified as "stress proteins" were upregulated, including non-specific lipid transfer protein, chaperone proteins, heat shock proteins, inorganic pyrophosphatase 2, responsible for energized vacuole membrane for ion transportation. Moreover, several antioxidant enzymes (peroxide, superoxidase dismutase) were highly upregulated. Furthermore, cell wall proteins detected in GCs provided some evidence that GC walls were more flexible in response to salt stress. Proteins such as L-ascorbate oxidase that were constitutively high under both control and high salinity conditions may contribute to the ability of sugar beet GCs to adapt to salinity by mitigating salinity-induced oxidative stress.}, language = {en} } @article{DeğirmenciRogeFerreiraVukosavljevicetal.2023, author = {Değirmenci, Laura and Rog{\´e} Ferreira, Fabio Luiz and Vukosavljevic, Adrian and Heindl, Cornelia and Keller, Alexander and Geiger, Dietmar and Scheiner, Ricarda}, title = {Sugar perception in honeybees}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2022.1089669}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302284}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Honeybees (Apis mellifera) need their fine sense of taste to evaluate nectar and pollen sources. Gustatory receptors (Grs) translate taste signals into electrical responses. In vivo experiments have demonstrated collective responses of the whole Gr-set. We here disentangle the contributions of all three honeybee sugar receptors (AmGr1-3), combining CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetic knock-out, electrophysiology and behaviour. We show an expanded sugar spectrum of the AmGr1 receptor. Mutants lacking AmGr1 have a reduced response to sucrose and glucose but not to fructose. AmGr2 solely acts as co-receptor of AmGr1 but not of AmGr3, as we show by electrophysiology and using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Our results show for the first time that AmGr2 is indeed a functional receptor on its own. Intriguingly, AmGr2 mutants still display a wildtype-like sugar taste. AmGr3 is a specific fructose receptor and is not modulated by a co-receptor. Eliminating AmGr3 while preserving AmGr1 and AmGr2 abolishes the perception of fructose but not of sucrose. Our comprehensive study on the functions of AmGr1, AmGr2 and AmGr3 in honeybees is the first to combine investigations on sugar perception at the receptor level and simultaneously in vivo. We show that honeybees rely on two gustatory receptors to sense all relevant sugars.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Oenel2016, author = {{\"O}nel, Ayla}, title = {Synthese und Relevanz von Oxylipinen in Bl{\"a}ttern, Wurzeln und Samen von \(Arabidopsis\) \(thaliana\)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-141647}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Die Lipidoxidation kann sowohl enzymatisch als auch nicht enzymatisch erfolgen. Der erste Schritt der enzymatischen Oxidation wird durch Lipoxygenasen katalysiert, von welchen es in Arabidopsis thaliana sechs verschiedene Isoformen gibt. Dabei werden die Lipoxygenasen nach dem Kohlenstoffatom klassifiziert, welches sie oxidieren. Somit geh{\"o}ren die LOX1 und LOX5 zu den 9-Lipoxygenasen, w{\"a}hrend LOX2, LOX3, LOX4 und LOX6 zu den 13 Lipoxygenasen z{\"a}hlen. W{\"a}hrend der Samenalterung findet vermehrt eine Lipidperoxidation statt, welche mit einem Verfall des Samens sowie einer verringerten Keimrate korreliert. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde zun{\"a}chst erfolgreich ein System zur k{\"u}nstlichen Samenalterung von Arabidopsis thaliana etabliert. Bei der k{\"u}nstlichen Alterung stiegen {\"a}hnlich wie bei der nat{\"u}rlichen Samenalterung oxidierte Lipide an und die Keimrate fiel ab. Nach Alterung konnte ein Anstieg von sechs verschiedenen oxidierten Triacylglycerolen detektiert werden. Es konnte in dieser Arbeit mit Hilfe von Mutanten mit Defekten in mehreren der Lipoxygenase Gene gezeigt werden, dass die Oxidation dieser veresterten Fetts{\"a}uren zum gr{\"o}ßten Teil nicht enzymatisch erfolgt. Bei der Alterung stiegen zudem enzymatisch gebildete 9 Lipoxygenase Produkte wie freie Hydroxy- und Ketofetts{\"a}uren an. Bei einer Analyse der freien oxidierten Fetts{\"a}uren konnte ebenfalls mit Lipoxygenase Mutanten ermittelt werden, dass diese haupts{\"a}chlich via LOX1 oxidiert werden. Die Untersuchung der Keimraten der Lipoxygenase Mutanten nach Alterung zeigte in mehreren Versuchen eine leicht erh{\"o}hte Keimrate der lox1 im Vergleich zum Wildtyp. Eine exogene Behandlung von Wildtyp Samen mit verschiedenen 9-Lipoxygenase Produkten, welche bei der Alterung ansteigen, f{\"u}hrte allerdings nicht zu einer Keimungshemmung. Somit scheinen Produkte wie Hydroxy- und Ketofetts{\"a}uren der 9-Lipoxygenase LOX1 nicht die Hauptursache f{\"u}r die Keimungshemmung nach Alterung zu sein. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus konnte in dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass eine Behandlung der Bl{\"u}ten des Wildtyps mit Methyljasmonat zu einer signifikant h{\"o}heren Keimrate der Samen im Vergleich zu Samen von unbehandelten Pflanzen nach Alterung f{\"u}hrt. Ein „Lipidprofiling" der Samen von mit Methyljasmonat behandelten Pflanzen wies signifikant geringere Gehalte sowohl an freien als auch veresterten oxidierten Fetts{\"a}uren auf, was mit einer erh{\"o}hten Lebensf{\"a}higkeit korrelierte. Diese Erkenntnisse k{\"o}nnten von großer Relevanz f{\"u}r die Landwirtschaft sein, falls eine {\"U}bertragung auf Nutzpflanzen m{\"o}glich ist. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit war eine eingehende Untersuchung der Rolle und Funktion der LOX6. Mit Hilfe von GUS F{\"a}rbungen konnte eine Lokalisation der LOX6 in Bl{\"a}ttern und Wurzeln nachgewiesen werden. Zudem wurde ein 35SLOX6GFP Konstrukt erstellt und in Arabidopsis thaliana Pflanzen stabil transformiert. Mit den selektionierten Linien k{\"o}nnte in Zukunft auch die intrazellul{\"a}re Lokalisation der LOX6 untersucht werden. Außerdem wurden Konstrukte mit dem Reportergen GFP und AOS sowie LOX2 hinter dem 35S Promotor kloniert, welche ebenfalls f{\"u}r weitere Lokalisations- und Kolokalisationsstudien genutzt werden k{\"o}nnen. Zudem wurde mit der Klonierung eines Konstruktes begonnen, um in Zukunft einen spezifischen LOX6 Antik{\"o}rper herstellen und auch die endogene LOX6 Lokalisation in dem Wildtyp analysieren zu k{\"o}nnen. Um die Produkte der LOX6 zu untersuchen, wurden 35SLOX6 Linien sowie die lox6 Mutante verwendet. Obwohl Hydroxyfetts{\"a}uren und Jasmonate Folgeprodukte der LOX6 sind, wiesen die 35SLOX6 Linien weder basal, noch nach Stress erh{\"o}hte Gehalte dieser im Vergleich zum Wildtyp auf. Somit geben die 35SLOX6 Linien einen Hinweis darauf, dass LOX6 im Wildtyp nicht limitierend f{\"u}r die Produktion von Hydroxyfetts{\"a}uren und Jasmonaten sein k{\"o}nnte. Um zu untersuchen, ob das Substrat der LOX6 der limitierende Faktor sein k{\"o}nnte, wurde eine Behandlung mit α Linolens{\"a}ure durchgef{\"u}hrt. Dabei entstanden allerdings nicht mehr Folgeprodukte der LOX6, sondern es fand sowohl in den 35SLOX6 Linien als auch in dem Wildtyp eine massive nicht enzymatische radikalische Oxidation der Fetts{\"a}uren statt. Um festzustellen, ob sich durch eine LOX6 {\"U}berexpression das Metabolom {\"a}ndert, wurde eine „untargeted Analyse" mit 35SLOX6 Linien durchgef{\"u}hrt. Diese zeigte vier Metabolite, welche in den 35SLOX6 Linien im Vergleich zum Wildtyp unterschiedlich stark vorhanden waren. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, ob sich die Physiologie und Stressresistenz in den {\"U}berexpressionslinien im Vergleich zum Wildtyp unterscheiden. Dabei zeichneten sich die 35SLOX6 Linien durch kleinere, hellere und rundere Bl{\"a}tter aus. Zudem wurden die Wurzeln der 35SLOX6 Linien bei Fraßversuchen mit Pocellio scaber im Vergleich zum Wildtyp weniger bevorzugt gefressen. Diese Erkenntnisse sowie die generierten Konstrukte und Pflanzenlinien k{\"o}nnen in der Zukunft einen weiteren Einblick in die vielf{\"a}ltigen Funktionen und Produkte der LOX6 gew{\"a}hren.}, subject = {Jasmonate}, language = {de} } @article{BeckYuStrzelczykPaulsetal.2018, author = {Beck, Sebastian and Yu-Strzelczyk, Jing and Pauls, Dennis and Constantin, Oana M. and Gee, Christine E. and Ehmann, Nadine and Kittel, Robert J. and Nagel, Georg and Gao, Shiqiang}, title = {Synthetic light-activated ion channels for optogenetic activation and inhibition}, series = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, number = {643}, doi = {10.3389/fnins.2018.00643}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-177520}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Optogenetic manipulation of cells or living organisms became widely used in neuroscience following the introduction of the light-gated ion channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). ChR2 is a non-selective cation channel, ideally suited to depolarize and evoke action potentials in neurons. However, its calcium (Ca2\(^{2+}\)) permeability and single channel conductance are low and for some applications longer-lasting increases in intracellular Ca\(^{2+}\) might be desirable. Moreover, there is need for an efficient light-gated potassium (K\(^{+}\)) channel that can rapidly inhibit spiking in targeted neurons. Considering the importance of Ca\(^{2+}\) and K\(^{+}\) in cell physiology, light-activated Ca\(^{2+}\)-permeant and K\(^{+}\)-specific channels would be welcome additions to the optogenetic toolbox. Here we describe the engineering of novel light-gated Ca\(^{2+}\)-permeant and K\(^{+}\)-specific channels by fusing a bacterial photoactivated adenylyl cyclase to cyclic nucleotide-gated channels with high permeability for Ca\(^{2+}\) or for K\(^{+}\), respectively. Optimized fusion constructs showed strong light-gated conductance in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in rat hippocampal neurons. These constructs could also be used to control the motility of Drosophila melanogaster larvae, when expressed in motoneurons. Illumination led to body contraction when motoneurons expressed the light-sensitive Ca\(^{2+}\)-permeant channel, and to body extension when expressing the light-sensitive K\(^{+}\) channel, both effectively and reversibly paralyzing the larvae. Further optimization of these constructs will be required for application in adult flies since both constructs led to eclosion failure when expressed in motoneurons.}, language = {en} } @article{StotzMuellerZoelleretal.2013, author = {Stotz, Henrik U. and Mueller, Stefan and Zoeller, Maria and Mueller, Martin J. and Berger, Susanne}, title = {TGA transcription factors and jasmonate-independent COI1 signalling regulate specific plant responses to reactive oxylipins}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {64}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/ers389}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132318}, pages = {963-975}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Jasmonates and phytoprostanes are oxylipins that regulate stress responses and diverse physiological and developmental processes. 12-Oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) and phytoprostanes are structurally related electrophilic cyclopentenones, which activate similar gene expression profiles that are for the most part different from the action of the cyclopentanone jasmonic acid (JA) and its biologically active amino acid conjugates. Whereas JA-isoleucine signals through binding to COI1, the bZIP transcription factors TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6 are involved in regulation of gene expression in response to phytoprostanes. Here root growth inhibition and target gene expression were compared after treatment with JA, OPDA, or phytoprostanes in mutants of the COI1/MYC2 pathway and in different TGA factor mutants. Inhibition of root growth by phytoprostanes was dependent on COI1 but independent of jasmonate biosynthesis. In contrast, phytoprostane-responsive gene expression was strongly dependent on TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6, but not dependent on COI1, MYC2, TGA1, and TGA4. Different mutant and overexpressing lines were used to determine individual contributions of TGA factors to cyclopentenone-responsive gene expression. Whereas OPDA-induced expression of the cytochrome P450 gene CYP81D11 was primarily regulated by TGA2 and TGA5, the glutathione S-transferase gene GST25 and the OPDA reductase gene OPR1 were regulated by TGA5 and TGA6, but less so by TGA2. These results support the model that phytoprostanes and OPDA regulate differently (i) growth responses, which are COI1 dependent but jasmonate independent; and (ii) lipid stress responses, which are strongly dependent on TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6. Identification of molecular components in cyclopentenone signalling provides an insight into novel oxylipin signal transduction pathways.}, language = {en} } @article{LaglerElMeseryKuebleretal.2017, author = {Lagler, Charlotte and El-Mesery, Mohamed and K{\"u}bler, Alexander Christian and M{\"u}ller-Richter, Urs Dietmar Achim and St{\"u}hmer, Thorsten and Nickel, Joachim and M{\"u}ller, Thomas Dieter and Wajant, Harald and Seher, Axel}, title = {The anti-myeloma activity of bone morphogenetic protein 2 predominantly relies on the induction of growth arrest and is apoptosis-independent}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {10}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-158993}, pages = {e0185720}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of the bone marrow, is characterized by a pathological increase in antibody-producing plasma cells and an increase in immunoglobulins (plasmacytosis). In recent years, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been reported to be activators of apoptotic cell death in neoplastic B cells in MM. Here, we use bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) to show that the "apoptotic" effect of BMPs on human neoplastic B cells is dominated by anti-proliferative activities and cell cycle arrest and is apoptosis-independent. The anti-proliferative effect of BMP2 was analysed in the human cell lines KMS12-BM and L363 using WST-1 and a Coulter counter and was confirmed using CytoTox assays with established inhibitors of programmed cell death (zVAD-fmk and necrostatin-1). Furthermore, apoptotic activity was compared in both cell lines employing western blot analysis for caspase 3 and 8 in cells treated with BMP2 and FasL. Additionally, expression profiles of marker genes of different cell death pathways were analysed in both cell lines after stimulation with BMP2 for 48h using an RT-PCR-based array. In our experiments we observed that there was rather no reduction in absolute cell number, but cells stopped proliferating following treatment with BMP2 instead. The time frame (48-72 h) after BMP2 treatment at which a reduction in cell number is detectable is too long to indicate a directly BMP2-triggered apoptosis. Moreover, in comparison to robust apoptosis induced by the approved apoptotic factor FasL, BMP2 only marginally induced cell death. Consistently, neither the known inhibitor of apoptotic cell death zVAD-fmk nor the necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 was able to rescue myeloma cell growth in the presence of BMP2.}, language = {en} } @article{WeistePedrottiSelvanayagametal.2017, author = {Weiste, Christoph and Pedrotti, Lorenzo and Selvanayagam, Jebasingh and Muralidhara, Prathibha and Fr{\"o}schel, Christian and Nov{\´a}k, Ondřej and Ljung, Karin and Hanson, Johannes and Dr{\"o}ge-Laser, Wolfgang}, title = {The Arabidopsis bZIP11 transcription factor links low-energy signalling to auxin-mediated control of primary root growth}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, volume = {13}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1006607}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157742}, pages = {e1006607}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plants have to tightly control their energy homeostasis to ensure survival and fitness under constantly changing environmental conditions. Thus, it is stringently required that energy-consuming stress-adaptation and growth-related processes are dynamically tuned according to the prevailing energy availability. The evolutionary conserved SUCROSE NON-FERMENTING1 RELATED KINASES1 (SnRK1) and the downstream group C/S\(_{1}\) basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) are well-characterised central players in plants' low-energy management. Nevertheless, mechanistic insights into plant growth control under energy deprived conditions remains largely elusive. In this work, we disclose the novel function of the low-energy activated group S\(_{1}\) bZIP11-related TFs as regulators of auxin-mediated primary root growth. Whereas transgenic gain-of-function approaches of these bZIPs interfere with the activity of the root apical meristem and result in root growth repression, root growth of loss-of-function plants show a pronounced insensitivity to low-energy conditions. Based on ensuing molecular and biochemical analyses, we propose a mechanistic model, in which bZIP11-related TFs gain control over the root meristem by directly activating IAA3/SHY2 transcription. IAA3/SHY2 is a pivotal negative regulator of root growth, which has been demonstrated to efficiently repress transcription of major auxin transport facilitators of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) gene family, thereby restricting polar auxin transport to the root tip and in consequence auxin-driven primary root growth. Taken together, our results disclose the central low-energy activated SnRK1-C/S\(_{1}\)-bZIP signalling module as gateway to integrate information on the plant's energy status into root meristem control, thereby balancing plant growth and cellular energy resources.}, language = {en} } @article{HyunvanderGraaffAlbaceteetal.2014, author = {Hyun, Tae Kyung and van der Graaff, Eric and Albacete, Alfonso and Eom, Seung Hee and Grosskinsky, Dominik K. and B{\"o}hm, Hannah and Janschek, Ursula and Rim, Yeonggil and Ali, Walid Wahid and Kim, Soo Young and Roitsch, Thomas}, title = {The Arabidopsis PLAT Domain Protein1 is Critically Involved in Abiotic Stress Tolerance}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0112946}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114648}, pages = {e112946}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Despite the completion of the Arabidopsis genome sequence, for only a relatively low percentage of the encoded proteins experimental evidence concerning their function is available. Plant proteins that harbour a single PLAT (Polycystin, Lipoxygenase, Alpha-toxin and Triacylglycerol lipase) domain and belong to the PLAT-plant-stress protein family are ubiquitously present in monocot and dicots. However, the function of PLAT-plant-stress proteins is still poorly understood. Therefore, we have assessed the function of the uncharacterised Arabidopsis PLAT-plant-stress family members through a combination of functional genetic and physiological approaches. PLAT1 overexpression conferred increased abiotic stress tolerance, including cold, drought and salt stress, while loss-of-function resulted in opposite effects on abiotic stress tolerance. Strikingly, PLAT1 promoted growth under non-stressed conditions. Abiotic stress treatments induced PLAT1 expression and caused expansion of its expression domain. The ABF/ABRE transcription factors, which are positive mediators of abscisic acid signalling, activate PLAT1 promoter activity in transactivation assays and directly bind to the ABRE elements located in this promoter in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. This suggests that PLAT1 represents a novel downstream target of the abscisic acid signalling pathway. Thus, we showed that PLAT1 critically functions as positive regulator of abiotic stress tolerance, but also is involved in regulating plant growth, and thereby assigned a function to this previously uncharacterised PLAT domain protein. The functional data obtained for PLAT1 support that PLAT-plant-stress proteins in general could be promising targets for improving abiotic stress tolerance without yield penalty.}, language = {en} }