@article{HeydarianRuehlRawaletal.2022, author = {Heydarian, Motaharehsadat and R{\"u}hl, Eva and Rawal, Ravisha and Kozjak-Pavlovic, Vera}, title = {Tissue models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae research — from 2D to 3D}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, issn = {2235-2988}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2022.840122}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-263046}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human-specific pathogen that causes gonorrhea, the second most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Disease progression, drug discovery, and basic host-pathogen interactions are studied using different approaches, which rely on models ranging from 2D cell culture to complex 3D tissues and animals. In this review, we discuss the models used in N. gonorrhoeae research. We address both in vivo (animal) and in vitro cell culture models, discussing the pros and cons of each and outlining the recent advancements in the field of three-dimensional tissue models. From simple 2D monoculture to complex advanced 3D tissue models, we provide an overview of the relevant methodology and its application. Finally, we discuss future directions in the exciting field of 3D tissue models and how they can be applied for studying the interaction of N. gonorrhoeae with host cells under conditions closely resembling those found at the native sites of infection.}, language = {en} } @article{GaoNagpalSchneideretal.2015, author = {Gao, Shiqiang and Nagpal, Jatin and Schneider, Martin W. and Kozjak-Pavlovic, Vera and Nagel, Georg and Gottschalk, Alexander}, title = {Optogenetic manipulation of cGMP in cells and animals by the tightly light-regulated guanylyl-cyclase opsin CyclOp}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {6}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {8046}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms9046}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148197}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Cyclic GMP (cGMP) signalling regulates multiple biological functions through activation of protein kinase G and cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. In sensory neurons, cGMP permits signal modulation, amplification and encoding, before depolarization. Here we implement a guanylyl cyclase rhodopsin from Blastocladiella emersonii as a new optogenetic tool (BeCyclOp), enabling rapid light-triggered cGMP increase in heterologous cells (Xenopus oocytes, HEK293T cells) and in Caenorhabditis elegans. Among five different fungal CyclOps, exhibiting unusual eight transmembrane topologies and cytosolic N-termini, BeCyclOp is the superior optogenetic tool (light/dark activity ratio: 5,000; no cAMP production; turnover (20 °C) ~17 cGMPs\(^{-1}\)). Via co-expressed CNG channels (OLF in oocytes, TAX-2/4 in C. elegans muscle), BeCyclOp photoactivation induces a rapid conductance increase and depolarization at very low light intensities. In O\(_2\)/CO\(_2\) sensory neurons of C. elegans, BeCyclOp activation evokes behavioural responses consistent with their normal sensory function. BeCyclOp therefore enables precise and rapid optogenetic manipulation of cGMP levels in cells and animals.}, language = {en} }