@article{MoellerOverloeperFoerstneretal.2014, author = {M{\"o}ller, Philip and Overl{\"o}per, Aaron and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Wen, Tuan-Nan and Sharma, Cynthia M. and Lai, Erh-Min and Narberhaus, Franz}, title = {Profound Impact of Hfq on Nutrient Acquisition, Metabolism and Motility in the Plant Pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0110427}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114874}, pages = {e110427}, year = {2014}, abstract = {As matchmaker between mRNA and sRNA interactions, the RNA chaperone Hfq plays a key role in riboregulation of many bacteria. Often, the global influence of Hfq on the transcriptome is reflected by substantially altered proteomes and pleiotropic phenotypes in hfq mutants. Using quantitative proteomics and co-immunoprecipitation combined with RNA-sequencing (RIP-seq) of Hfq-bound RNAs, we demonstrate the pervasive role of Hfq in nutrient acquisition, metabolism and motility of the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens. 136 of 2544 proteins identified by iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) were affected in the absence of Hfq. Most of them were associated with ABC transporters, general metabolism and motility. RIP-seq of chromosomally encoded Hfq 3xFlag revealed 1697 mRNAs and 209 non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) associated with Hfq. 56 ncRNAs were previously undescribed. Interestingly, 55\% of the Hfq-bound ncRNAs were encoded antisense (as) to a protein-coding sequence suggesting that A. tumefaciens Hfq plays an important role in asRNA-target interactions. The exclusive enrichment of 296 mRNAs and 31 ncRNAs under virulence conditions further indicates a role for post-transcriptional regulation in A. tumefaciens-mediated plant infection. On the basis of the iTRAQ and RIP-seq data, we assembled a comprehensive model of the Hfq core regulon in A. tumefaciens.}, language = {en} } @article{ZukherNovikovaTikhonovetal.2014, author = {Zukher, Inna and Novikova, Maria and Tikhonov, Anton and Nesterchuk, Mikhail V. and Osterman, Ilya A. and Djordjevic, Marko and Sergiev, Petr V. and Sharma, Cynthia M. and Severinov, Konstantin}, title = {Ribosome-controlled transcription termination is essential for the production of antibiotic microcin C}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {42}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {19}, issn = {0305-1048}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gku880}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114839}, pages = {11891-11902}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Microcin C (McC) is a peptide-nucleotide antibiotic produced by Escherichia coli cells harboring a plasmid-borne operon mccABCDE. The heptapeptide MccA is converted into McC by adenylation catalyzed by the MccB enzyme. Since MccA is a substrate for MccB, a mechanism that regulates the MccA/MccB ratio likely exists. Here, we show that transcription from a promoter located upstream of mccA directs the synthesis of two transcripts: a short highly abundant transcript containing the mccA ORF and a longer minor transcript containing mccA and downstream ORFs. The short transcript is generated when RNA polymerase terminates transcription at an intrinsic terminator located in the intergenic region between the mccA and mccB genes. The function of this terminator is strongly attenuated by upstream mcc sequences. Attenuation is relieved and transcription termination is induced when ribosome binds to the mccA ORF. Ribosome binding also makes the mccA RNA exceptionally stable. Together, these two effects-ribosome induced transcription termination and stabilization of the message-account for very high abundance of the mccA transcript that is essential for McC production. The general scheme appears to be evolutionary conserved as ribosome-induced transcription termination also occurs in a homologous operon from Helicobacter pylori.}, language = {en} } @article{DimastrogiovanniFroehlichBandyraetal.2014, author = {Dimastrogiovanni, Daniela and Fr{\"o}hlich, Kathrin S. and Bandyra, Katarzyna J. and Bruce, Heather A. and Hohensee, Susann and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Luisi, Ben F.}, title = {Recognition of the small regulatory RNA RydC by the bacterial Hfq protein}, series = {eLife}, volume = {3}, journal = {eLife}, number = {e05375}, issn = {2050-084X}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.05375}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114191}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) are key elements of regulatory networks that modulate gene expression. The sRNA RydC of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli is an example of this class of riboregulators. Like many other sRNAs, RydC bears a 'seed' region that recognises specific transcripts through base-pairing, and its activities are facilitated by the RNA chaperone Hfq. The crystal structure of RydC in complex with E. coli Hfq at 3.48 angstrom resolution illuminates how the protein interacts with and presents the sRNA for target recognition. Consolidating the protein-RNA complex is a host of distributed interactions mediated by the natively unstructured termini of Hfq. Based on the structure and other data, we propose a model for a dynamic effector complex comprising Hfq, small RNA, and the cognate mRNA target.}, language = {en} } @article{GlaserSchultheisHazraetal.2014, author = {Glaser, Jan and Schultheis, Martina and Hazra, Sudipta and Hazra, Banazri and Moll, Heidrun and Schurigt, Uta and Holzgrabe, Ulrike}, title = {Antileishmanial Lead Structures from Nature: Analysis of Structure-Activity Relationships of a Compound Library Derived from Caffeic Acid Bornyl Ester}, doi = {10.3390/molecules19021394}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-112835}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Bioassay-guided fractionation of a chloroform extract of Valeriana wallichii (V. wallichii) rhizomes lead to the isolation and identification of caffeic acid bornyl ester (1) as the active component against Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes (IC50 = 48.8 µM). To investigate the structure-activity relationship (SAR), a library of compounds based on 1 was synthesized and tested in vitro against L. major and L. donovani promastigotes, and L. major amastigotes. Cytotoxicity was determined using a murine J774.1 cell line and bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM). Some compounds showed antileishmanial activity in the concentration range of pentamidine and miltefosine which are the standard drugs in use. In the L. major amastigote assay compounds 15, 19 and 20 showed good activity with relatively low cytotoxicity against BMDM, resulting in acceptable selectivity indices. Molecules with adjacent phenolic hydroxyl groups exhibited elevated cytotoxicity against murine cell lines J774.1 and BMDM. The Michael system seems not to be essential for antileishmanial activity. Based on the results compound 27 can be regarded as new lead structure for further structure optimization}, language = {en} } @article{GorskiVogelSalibaetal.2014, author = {Gorski, Stanislaw A. and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Saliba, Antoine-Emmanuel and Westermann, Alexander J.}, title = {Single-cell RNA-seq: advances and future challenges}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gku555}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-110993}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Phenotypically identical cells can dramatically vary with respect to behavior during their lifespan and this variation is reflected in their molecular composition such as the transcriptomic landscape. Singlecell transcriptomics using next-generation transcript sequencing (RNA-seq) is now emerging as a powerful tool to profile cell-to-cell variability on a genomic scale. Its application has already greatly impacted our conceptual understanding of diverse biological processes with broad implications for both basic and clinical research. Different single-cell RNAseq protocols have been introduced and are reviewed here - each one with its own strengths and current limitations. We further provide an overview of the biological questions single-cell RNA-seq has been used to address, the major findings obtained from such studies, and current challenges and expected future developments in this booming field.}, subject = {RNS}, language = {en} } @article{HofmannWeibelSzalay2014, author = {Hofmann, Elisabeth and Weibel, Stephanie and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Combination treatment with oncolytic Vaccinia virus and cyclophosphamide results in synergistic antitumor effects in human lung adenocarcinoma bearing mice}, doi = {10.1186/1479-5876-12-197}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-110168}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background The capacity of the recombinant Vaccinia virus GLV-1h68 as a single agent to efficiently treat different human or canine cancers has been shown in several preclinical studies. Currently, its human safety and efficacy are investigated in phase I/II clinical trials. In this study we set out to evaluate the oncolytic activity of GLV-1h68 in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line PC14PE6-RFP in cell cultures and analyzed the antitumor potency of a combined treatment strategy consisting of GLV-1h68 and cyclophosphamide (CPA) in a mouse model of PC14PE6-RFP lung adenocarcinoma. Methods PC14PE6-RFP cells were treated in cell culture with GLV-1h68. Viral replication and cell survival were determined by plaque assays and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, respectively. Subcutaneously implanted PC14PE6-RFP xenografts were treated by systemic injection of GLV-1h68, CPA or a combination of both. Tumor growth and viral biodistribution were monitored and immune-related antigen profiling of tumor lysates was performed. Results GLV-1h68 efficiently infected, replicated in and lysed human PC14PE6-RFP cells in cell cultures. PC14PE6-RFP tumors were efficiently colonized by GLV-1h68 leading to much delayed tumor growth in PC14PE6-RFP tumor-bearing nude mice. Combination treatment with GLV-1h68 and CPA significantly improved the antitumor efficacy of GLV-1h68 and led to an increased viral distribution within the tumors. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were distinctly elevated in tumors of GLV-1h68-treated mice. Factors expressed by endothelial cells or present in the blood were decreased after combination treatment. A complete loss in the hemorrhagic phenotype of the PC14PE6-RFP tumors and a decrease in the number of blood vessels after combination treatment could be observed. Conclusions CPA and GLV-1h68 have synergistic antitumor effects on PC14PE6-RFP xenografts. We strongly suppose that in the PC14PE6-RFP model the enhanced tumor growth inhibition achieved by combining GLV-1h68 with CPA is due to an effect on the vasculature rather than an immunosuppressive action of CPA. These results provide evidence to support further preclinical studies of combining GLV-1h68 and CPA in other highly angiogenic tumor models. Moreover, data presented here demonstrate that CPA can be combined successfully with GLV-1h68 based oncolytic virus therapy and therefore might be promising as combination therapy in human clinical trials.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schiller2014, author = {Schiller, Roswitha Dorothee}, title = {Studien zu Virulenzeigenschaften typischer und atypischer uropathogener Escherichia coli}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-103907}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Die Forschungsergebnisse der letzten Jahre liefern immer mehr Hinweise darauf, dass eine klare Unterscheidung von Fitness- und Virulenzfaktoren in vielen F{\"a}llen, insbesondere bei extraintestinal pathogenen Escherichia coli, nicht m{\"o}glich ist. So l{\"a}sst sich auch bei Harnwegsinfektionen verursachenden E. coli den bakteriellen und teils stammspezifischen Faktoren oftmals nicht eindeutig eine typische Virulenz- oder Fitness-assoziierte Funktion zuordnen. Zudem werden in neueren Studien immer h{\"a}ufiger atypische uropathogene Isolate von E. coli beschrieben, die in ihrem „Virulenzrepertoire" deutlich von typischen uropathogenen E. coli (UPEC) abweichen, da sie keine klassischen UPEC-Virulenzfaktoren aufweisen. In dieser Arbeit wurden daher Virulenzeigenschaften typischer als auch atypischer UPEC untersucht. Der Effekt eines bestimmten bakteriellen Faktors auf den Wirtsorganismus wird teilweise indirekt durch sekund{\"a}re Modifikation bedingt. Dies offenbart sich beispielsweise am Autotransporterprotein AIDA-I, dessen Konformation durch posttranslationale Glykosylierung stabilisiert wird, wodurch es seine Funktionalit{\"a}t als Adh{\"a}sin erh{\"a}lt. Da bisherige Studien zum AIDA-I homologen Autotransporterprotein Antigen 43 (Ag43) auf der Analyse von k{\"u}nstlich glykosyliertem Protein basieren, lag ein Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit auf der Untersuchung der nat{\"u}rlichen Glykosylierung von Ag43 in UPEC Stamm 536. Es zeigte sich, dass beide Ag43-Varianten von E. coli Stamm 536 nat{\"u}rlicherweise glykosyliert vorliegen, der Grad der Glykosylierung jedoch wesentlich geringer ausf{\"a}llt als bei nat{\"u}rlich glykosyliertem AIDA-I. Inwieweit die nat{\"u}rliche Glykosylierung von Ag43 zu dessen Funktionalit{\"a}t beitr{\"a}gt, kann erst durch die Identifizierung der f{\"u}r die Ag43-Glykosylierung verantwortlichen Glykosyltransferase gekl{\"a}rt werden. Die in silico-Analyse des Genoms von UPEC Stamm 536 f{\"u}r potentielle Glykosyltransferasen von Ag43 lieferte neun Kandidatengene. Die Gene wurde teils im Wildtyp-Hintergrund, teils im rfaH-negativen Hintergrund von E. coli Stamm 536 deletiert und die Mutanten im Anschluss ph{\"a}notypisch charakterisiert. Die Deletion der Kandidatengene waaF, waaG und waaQ, die f{\"u}r Glykosyltransferasen des LPS-Biosynthesesystems kodieren, f{\"u}hrte zu den deutlichsten Unterschieden in Bezug auf Motilit{\"a}t, Curli/Zellulose-Produktion, H{\"a}molyseaktivit{\"a}t und Expression von Typ 1 Fimbrien. Der Einfluss des „knock-out" der Kandidatengene auf die Glykosylierung von Ag43 muss in weiterf{\"u}hrenden Studien untersucht werden. Zur Charakterisierung des uropathogenen Virulenzpotentials verschiedener E. coli St{\"a}mme in vivo hat sich in den letzten Jahren das murine Modell der aufsteigenden Harnwegsinfektion etabliert. Mit Hilfe dieses Modells wurden in der vorliegenden Arbeit sowohl spezifische Deletionsmutanten prototypischer UPEC als auch atypische E. coli Harnwegsisolate bez{\"u}glich ihrer Urovirulenz getestet und verglichen. Bei der Untersuchung der klassischen UPEC lag der Fokus auf der m{\"o}glichen Urovirulenzmodulation durch die folgenden spezifischen Faktoren: dem Autotransporterprotein Ag43, dem „Response regulator" UvrY, dem Polyketid Colibactin sowie dem Exopolysaccharid poly-β-1,6-N-Acetylglucosamin (PGA). F{\"u}r Ag43 war bei der Etablierung einer Harnwegsinfektion keine eindeutige Funktion feststellbar. Es ist jedoch denkbar, dass Ag43 zur Langzeitpersistenz im Harnwegstrakt beitragen kann, was in weiteren Studien belegt werden sollte. Die Expression von UvrY in der nat{\"u}rlichen uvrY-Deletionsmutante UPEC Stamm 536 ließ keine Erh{\"o}hung des Urovirulenzpotentials im Mausmodell erkennen. In diesem Zusammenhang konnte allerdings gezeigt werden, dass die Expression des Genotoxins Colibactin in UPEC Stamm 536 dessen Virulenz signifikant herabsetzte. Die Untersuchungen zur Relevanz des Exopolysaccharids PGA belegen deutlich, dass PGA f{\"u}r die Langzeitpersistenz von E. coli im murinen Harnwegstrakt ben{\"o}tigt wird. F{\"u}r die initiale Kolonisierung scheint PGA hingegen keine Bedeutung zu haben. F{\"u}r atypische UPEC Isolate, die Charakteristika von STEC und EAEC zeigen und sich in ihrem Virulenzmuster deutlich von prototypischen UPEC unterscheiden, ließ sich im murinen Modell der aufsteigenden Harnwegsinfektion, verglichen mit dem UPEC Modellorganismus 536, ein {\"a}hnliches, teils sogar erh{\"o}htes uropathogenes Virulenzpotential nachweisen. Die Ergebnisse der Arbeit untermauern somit die heutige Vorstellung bez{\"u}glich der Entwicklung und Etablierung einer Harnwegsinfektion, dass verschiedene E. coli St{\"a}mme unterschiedliche (Kontroll-) Mechanismen entwickelt haben, um erfolgreich den Harnwegstrakt kolonisieren und eine Infektion ausl{\"o}sen zu k{\"o}nnen. Zudem weisen sie darauf hin, dass diese F{\"a}higkeit nicht auf Isolate typischer phylogenetischer UPEC Entwicklungslinien beschr{\"a}nkt und auf das Vorhandensein charakteristischer UPEC Virulenzfaktoren angewiesen ist.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{FoerstnerHagedornKoltzenburgetal.2011, author = {F{\"o}rstner, Konrad and Hagedorn, Gregor and Koltzenburg, Claudia and Kubke, Fabiana and Mietchen, Daniel}, title = {Collaborative platforms for streamlining workflows in Open Science}, series = {Proceedings of the 6th Open Knowledge Conference}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 6th Open Knowledge Conference}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-101678}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Despite the internet's dynamic and collaborative nature, scientists continue to produce grant proposals, lab notebooks, data files, conclusions etc. that stay in static formats or are not published online and therefore not always easily accessible to the interested public. Because of limited adoption of tools that seamlessly integrate all aspects of a research project (conception, data generation, data evaluation, peerreviewing and publishing of conclusions), much effort is later spent on reproducing or reformatting individual entities before they can be repurposed independently or as parts of articles. We propose that workflows - performed both individually and collaboratively - could potentially become more efficient if all steps of the research cycle were coherently represented online and the underlying data were formatted, annotated and licensed for reuse. Such a system would accelerate the process of taking projects from conception to publication stages and allow for continuous updating of the data sets and their interpretation as well as their integration into other independent projects. A major advantage of such work ows is the increased transparency, both with respect to the scientific process as to the contribution of each participant. The latter point is important from a perspective of motivation, as it enables the allocation of reputation, which creates incentives for scientists to contribute to projects. Such work ow platforms offering possibilities to fine-tune the accessibility of their content could gradually pave the path from the current static mode of research presentation into a more coherent practice of open science.}, language = {en} } @article{MietchenHagedornFoerstneretal.2011, author = {Mietchen, Daniel and Hagedorn, Gregor and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Kubke, M Fabiana and Koltzenburg, Claudia and Hahnel, Mark J. and Penev, Lyubomir}, title = {Wikis in scholarly publishing}, doi = {10.3233/ISU-2011-0621}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-87770}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Scientific research is a process concerned with the creation, collective accumulation, contextualization, updating and maintenance of knowledge. Wikis provide an environment that allows to collectively accumulate, contextualize, update and maintain knowledge in a coherent and transparent fashion. Here, we examine the potential of wikis as platforms for scholarly publishing. In the hope to stimulate further discussion, the article itself was drafted on Species-ID - a wiki that hosts a prototype for wiki-based scholarly publishing - where it can be updated, expanded or otherwise improved.}, subject = {Elektronisches Publizieren}, language = {en} } @article{SchrotenWolskePlogmannetal.1991, author = {Schroten, Horst and Wolske, Anja and Plogmann, Ricarda and Hanisch, Franz-Georg and Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Uhlenbr{\"u}ck, Gerhard and Wahn, Volker}, title = {Binding of cloned S-fimbriated E. coli to human buccal epithelial cells-different inhibition of binding by neonatal saliva and adult saliva.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86291}, year = {1991}, abstract = {Investigations were carried out on the adhesion of cloned S-fimbriated E. coli, labelled with fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC) to human buccal epithelial cells. Fluorescence microscopic analysis revealed binding of bacteria to 75-95\% of epithelial cells. Inhibition experiments with fetuin, a 1-acid glycoprotein and N-acetyl neuraminic acid confirmed the specificity of bacterial binding to sialoglycoproteins. Further studies using saliva as an inhibitor resulted in a 4-5 times stronger binding inhibition by newborn saliva in comparison to adult saliva coinciding with a 4-5 times higher content of total N-acetyl neuraminic acid in samples of newborn saliva. In Western blot analysis sialoglycoprotein bands with a molecular weight >200 kD reacting with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), were only identified in samples of newborn saliva. These bands are classified as mucins on account of molecular weight and staining. These data suggest that saliva mucins could represent a major defense mechanism against bacterial infections at a stage of ontogeny where the secretory IgAsystem is not yet developed.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{MorschhaeuserVetterKorhonenetal.1993, author = {Morschh{\"a}user, Joachim and Vetter, Viktoria and Korhonen, Timo and Uhlin, Bernt Eric and Hacker, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Regulation and binding properties of S fimbriae cloned from E. coli strains causing urinary tract infection and meningitis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86140}, year = {1993}, abstract = {S fimbriae are able to recognize receptor molecules containing sialic acid and are produced by pathogenic E. coli strains causing urinary tract infection and menigitis. In order to characterize the corresponding genetic determinant, termed S fimbrial adhesin ( sfa) gene duster, we have cloned the S-specific genes from a urinary pathogen and from a meningitis isolate. Nine genes are involved in the production of S fimbriae, two of these, sfaB and sfaC code for regulatory proteins being necessary for the expression of S fimbriae. Two promoters, PB and Pc, are located in front of these genes. Transcription of the sfa determinant is influenced by activation of the promotersvia SfaB and SfaC, the action of the H-NS protein and an RNaseE-specific mRNA processing. In addition, a third promoter, P A• located in front of the major subunit gene sfaA, can be activated under special circumstances. Four genes of the sfa determinant code for the subunit-specific proteins, SfaA (16 kda), SfaG (17 kda), SfaS (14 kda) and SfaH (29 kda). It was demonstrated that the protein SfaA is the major subunit protein while SfaS is identical to the sialic-acid-specific adhesin of S fimbriae. The introduction of specific mutations into sfaS revealed that a region of six amino acids of the adhesin which includes two lysine and one arginine residues is involved in the receptor specific interaction of S fimbriae. Additionally, it has been shown that SfaS is necessary for the induction of fimbriation while SfaH plays a role in the stringency of binding of S fimbriae to erythrocytes.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{TschaepeBenderOttetal.1992, author = {Tsch{\"a}pe, Helmut and Bender, Larisa and Ott, Manfred and Wittig, Walter and Hacker, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Restriction fragments length polymorphism and virulence pattern of the veterinary pathogen Escherichia coli O139:K82:H1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86131}, year = {1992}, abstract = {Escherichia coli 0139: K82: H1 strains originating from outbreaks and single cases of oedema disease in pigs were characterized by their genomic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), their virulence pattern, and by the occurrence as well as the genomic distribution of the determinants for hemolysin (hly) and verotoxins (shiga-like toxins; sltI, sltII). Whereas the RFLPs revealed considerable variation among the E. coli 0139: K82: H1 isolates depending the origin and epidemic source of the strains, the virulence gene slt II was found to be present in nearly all strains in a particular chromosomal region. Similar to RFLPs, the plasmid profiles are useful for epidemiological analysis.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{HackerOttWintermeyeretal.1993, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Ott, Manfred and Wintermeyer, Eva and Ludwig, Birgit and Fischer, Gunter}, title = {Analysis of virulence factors of Legionella pneumophila.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70620}, year = {1993}, abstract = {Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease is a facultative intracellular bacterium, which in the course of human infection multiplies in lung macrophages predominantly manifesting as pneumonia. The natural habitat of Legionella is found in sweet water reservoirs and man-made water systems. Virulent L. pneumophila spontaneously convert to an avirulent status at a high frequency. Genetic approaches have led to the identification of various L. pneumophila genes. The mip (macrophage infectivity potentiator) determinant remains at present the sole established virulence factor. The Mip protein exhibits activity of a peptidyl prolyl cis trans isomerase (PPiase), an enzyme which is able to bind the immunosuppressant FK506 and is involved in protein folding. The recently cloned major outer membrane protein (MOMP) could play a role in the uptake of legionellae by macrophages. Cellular models are useful in studying the intracellular replication of legionellae in eukaryotic cells. Human celllines and protozoan models are appropriate for this purpose. By using U 937 macrophage-like cells and Acanthamoeba castellanii as hosts, we could discriminate virulent and avirulent L. pneumophila variants since only the virulent strain was capable of intracellular growth at 37 oc. By using these systems we further demonstrated that a hemolytic factor cloned and characterized in our laboratory, legiolysin (lly), had no influence on the intracellular growth of L. pneumophila.}, subject = {Legionella pneumophila}, language = {en} } @article{HackerOttBlumetal.1992, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Ott, Manfred and Blum, Gabriele and Marre, Reinhard and Heesemann, J{\"u}rgen and Tsch{\"a}pe, Helmut and Goebel, Werner}, title = {Genetics of Escherichia coli uropathogenicity: Analysis of the O6:K15:H31 isolate 536}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-71578}, year = {1992}, abstract = {E. coli strain 536 (06: K15: H31) isolated from a case of acute pyelonephritis, expresses S-fimbrial adhesins, P-related fimbriae, common type I fimbriae, and hemolysins. The respective chromosomally encoded determinants were cloned by constructing a genomic library of this strain. Furthermore, the strain produces the iron uptake substance, enterocheline, damages HeLa cells, and behaves in a serum-resistant mode. Genetic analysis of spontaneously arising non-hemolytic variants revealed that some of the virulence genes were physically linked to large unstable DNA regions, termed "pathogenicity islands", which were mapped in the respective positions on the E. coli K-12linkage map. By comparing the wild type strain and mutants in in vitro and in vivo assays, virulence features have been evaluated. In addition, a regulatory cross talk between adhesin determinants was found for the wild-type isolate. This particular mode of virulence regulation is missing in the mutant strain.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{ParkkinenHackerKorhonen1991, author = {Parkkinen, Jaakko and Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Korhonen, Timo K.}, title = {Enhancement of tissue plasminogen activator-catalyzed plasminogen activation by Escherichia coli S fimbriae associated with neonatal septicaemia and meningitis.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-71566}, year = {1991}, abstract = {The effect of Escherichia coli strains isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid of septic infants on plasminogen activation was studied. These strains typically carry a filamentous surface protein, S fimbria, that has formerly been shown to bind to endothelial cells and interact with plasminogen. The bacteria effectively promoted plasminogen activation by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) which was inhibited by e-aminocaproic acid. A recombinant strain expressing S fimbriae accelerated t-PAcatalyzed plasminogen activation to a similar extent as did the wild-type strains whereas the nonfimbriate recipient strain had no effect. After incubation with t-PA and plasminogen, the S-fimbriate strain displayed bacterium-bound plasmin activity whereas the nonfimbriate strain did not. Bacterium-associated plasmin generation was also observed with a strain expressing mutagenized S fimbriae that Iack the cell-binding subunit SfaS but not with a strain lacking the major subunit SfaA. Both t-PA and plasminogen bound to purified S fimbriae in a lysine-dependent manner and purified S fimbriae accelerated t-PA-catalyzed plasminogen activation. The results indicate that E. coli S fimbriae form a complex with t-PA and plasminogen which enhances the rate of plasminogen activation and generates bacterium-bound plasmin. This may promote bacterial invasion and persistence in tissues and contribute to the systemic activation of fibrinolysis in septicaemia.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{MorschhaeuserRamirezZavalaWeyleretal.2013, author = {Morschh{\"a}user, Joachim and Ram{\´i}rez-Zavala, Bernardo and Weyler, Michael and Gildor, Tsvia and Schmauch, Christian and Kornitzer, Daniel and Arkowitz, Robert}, title = {Activation of the Cph1-Dependent MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway Induces White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans}, series = {PLoS Pathogens}, journal = {PLoS Pathogens}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1003696}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-97281}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Depending on the environmental conditions, the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans can undergo different developmental programs, which are controlled by dedicated transcription factors and upstream signaling pathways. C. albicans strains that are homozygous at the mating type locus can switch from the normal yeast form (white) to an elongated cell type (opaque), which is the mating-competent form of this fungus. Both white and opaque cells use the Ste11-Hst7-Cek1/Cek2 MAP kinase signaling pathway to react to the presence of mating pheromone. However, while opaque cells employ the transcription factor Cph1 to induce the mating response, white cells recruit a different downstream transcription factor, Tec1, to promote the formation of a biofilm that facilitates mating of opaque cells in the population. The switch from the white to the opaque cell form is itself induced by environmental signals that result in the upregulation of the transcription factor Wor1, the master regulator of white-opaque switching. To get insight into the upstream signaling pathways controlling the switch, we expressed all C. albicans protein kinases from a tetracycline-inducible promoter in a switching-competent strain. Screening of this library of strains showed that a hyperactive form of Ste11 lacking its N-terminal domain (Ste11ΔN467) efficiently stimulated white cells to switch to the opaque phase, a behavior that did not occur in response to pheromone. Ste11ΔN467-induced switching specifically required the downstream MAP kinase Cek1 and its target transcription factor Cph1, but not Cek2 and Tec1, and forced expression of Cph1 also promoted white-opaque switching in a Wor1-dependent manner. Therefore, depending on the activation mechanism, components of the pheromone-responsive MAP kinase pathway can be reconnected to stimulate an alternative developmental program, switching of white cells to the mating-competent opaque phase.}, language = {en} } @article{SharmaDugarHerbigetal.2013, author = {Sharma, Cynthia M. and Dugar, Gaurav and Herbig, Alexander and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Heidrich, Nadja and Reinhardt, Richard and Nieselt, Kay}, title = {High-Resolution Transcriptome Maps Reveal Strain-Specific Regulatory Features of Multiple Campylobacter jejuni Isolates}, series = {PLoS Genetics}, journal = {PLoS Genetics}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1003495}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96610}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Campylobacter jejuni is currently the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Comparison of multiple Campylobacter strains revealed a high genetic and phenotypic diversity. However, little is known about differences in transcriptome organization, gene expression, and small RNA (sRNA) repertoires. Here we present the first comparative primary transcriptome analysis based on the differential RNA-seq (dRNA-seq) of four C. jejuni isolates. Our approach includes a novel, generic method for the automated annotation of transcriptional start sites (TSS), which allowed us to provide genome-wide promoter maps in the analyzed strains. These global TSS maps are refined through the integration of a SuperGenome approach that allows for a comparative TSS annotation by mapping RNA-seq data of multiple strains into a common coordinate system derived from a whole-genome alignment. Considering the steadily increasing amount of RNA-seq studies, our automated TSS annotation will not only facilitate transcriptome annotation for a wider range of pro- and eukaryotes but can also be adapted for the analysis among different growth or stress conditions. Our comparative dRNA-seq analysis revealed conservation of most TSS, but also single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNP) in promoter regions, which lead to strain-specific transcriptional output. Furthermore, we identified strain-specific sRNA repertoires that could contribute to differential gene regulation among strains. In addition, we identified a novel minimal CRISPR-system in Campylobacter of the type-II CRISPR subtype, which relies on the host factor RNase III and a trans-encoded sRNA for maturation of crRNAs. This minimal system of Campylobacter, which seems active in only some strains, employs a unique maturation pathway, since the crRNAs are transcribed from individual promoters in the upstream repeats and thereby minimize the requirements for the maturation machinery. Overall, our study provides new insights into strain-specific transcriptome organization and sRNAs, and reveals genes that could modulate phenotypic variation among strains despite high conservation at the DNA level.}, language = {en} } @article{SzalayWeibelHofmannetal.2013, author = {Szalay, Aladar A and Weibel, Stephanie and Hofmann, Elisabeth and Basse-Luesebrink, Thomas Christian and Donat, Ulrike and Seubert, Carolin and Adelfinger, Marion and Gnamlin, Prisca and Kober, Christina and Frentzen, Alexa and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Jakob, Peter Michael}, title = {Treatment of malignant effusion by oncolytic virotherapy in an experimental subcutaneous xenograft model of lung cancer}, series = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, journal = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, doi = {doi:10.1186/1479-5876-11-106}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96016}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is associated with advanced stages of lung cancer and is mainly dependent on invasion of the pleura and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by cancer cells. As MPE indicates an incurable disease with limited palliative treatment options and poor outcome, there is an urgent need for new and efficient treatment options. Methods In this study, we used subcutaneously generated PC14PE6 lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in athymic mice that developed subcutaneous malignant effusions (ME) which mimic pleural effusions of the orthotopic model. Using this approach monitoring of therapeutic intervention was facilitated by direct observation of subcutaneous ME formation without the need of sacrificing mice or special imaging equipment as in case of MPE. Further, we tested oncolytic virotherapy using Vaccinia virus as a novel treatment modality against ME in this subcutaneous PC14PE6 xenograft model of advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Results We demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy of Vaccinia virus treatment of both advanced lung adenocarcinoma and tumor-associated ME. We attribute the efficacy to the virus-mediated reduction of tumor cell-derived VEGF levels in tumors, decreased invasion of tumor cells into the peritumoral tissue, and to viral infection of the blood vessel-invading tumor cells. Moreover, we showed that the use of oncolytic Vaccinia virus encoding for a single-chain antibody (scAb) against VEGF (GLAF-1) significantly enhanced mono-therapy of oncolytic treatment. Conclusions Here, we demonstrate for the first time that oncolytic virotherapy using tumor-specific Vaccinia virus represents a novel and promising treatment modality for therapy of ME associated with advanced lung cancer.}, subject = {Lungenkrebs}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Froehlich2012, author = {Fr{\"o}hlich, Kathrin}, title = {Assigning functions to Hfq-dependent small RNAs in the model pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85488}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Non-coding RNAs constitute a major class of regulators involved in bacterial gene expression. A group of riboregulators of heterogeneous size and shape referred to as small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) control trans- or cis-encoded genes through direct base-pairing with their mRNAs. Although mostly inhibiting their target mRNAs, several sRNAs also induce gene expression. An important co-factor for sRNA activity is the RNA chaperone, Hfq, which is able to rearrange intramolecular secondary structures and to promote annealing of complementary RNA sequences. In addition, Hfq protects unpaired RNA from degradation by ribonucleases and thus increases sRNA stability. Co-immunoprecipitation of RNA with the Hfq protein, and further experimental as well as bioinformatical studies performed over the last decade suggested the presence of more than 150 different sRNAs in various Enterobacteria including Escherichia coli and Salmonellae. So-called core sRNAs are considered to fulfill central cellular activities as deduced from their high degree of conservation among different species. Approximately 25 core sRNAs have been implicated in gene regulation under a variety of environmental responses. However, for the majority of sRNAs, both the riboregulators' individual biological roles as well as modes of action remain to be elucidated. The current study aimed to define the cellular functions of the two highly conserved, Hfq-dependent sRNAs, SdsR and RydC, in the model pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium. SdsR had been known as one of the most abundant sRNAs during stationary growth phase in E. coli. Examination of the conservation patterns in the sdsR promoter region in combination with classic genetic analyses revealed SdsR as the first sRNA under direct transcriptional control of the alternative σ factor σS. In Salmonella, over-expression of SdsR down-regulates the synthesis of the major porin OmpD, and the interaction site in the ompD mRNA coding sequence was mapped by a 3'RACE-based approach. At the post-transcriptional level, expression of ompD is controlled by three additional sRNAs, but SdsR plays a specific role in porin regulation during the stringent response. Similarly, RydC, the second sRNA adressed in this study, was initially discovered in E. coli but appeared to be conserved in many related γ-proteobacteria. An interesting aspect of this Hfq-dependent sRNAs is its secondary structure involving a pseudo-knot configuration, while the 5' end remains single stranded. A transcriptomic approach combining RydC pulse-expression and scoring of global mRNA changes on microarrays was employed to identify the targets of this sRNA. RydC specifically activated expression of the longer of two versions of the cfa mRNA encoding for the phospholipid-modifying enzyme cyclopropane fatty acid synthase. Employing its conserved single-stranded 5' end, RydC acts as a positive regulator and masks a recognition site of the endoribonuclease, RNase E, in the cfa leader.}, subject = {Small RNA}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ngwa2013, author = {Ngwa, Che Julius}, title = {The mosquito midgut-specific stages of the malaria parasite as targets for transmission blocking interventions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-83594}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Die Tropenkrankheit Malaria, wird durch eine Infektion mit einzelligen Parasiten der Gattung Plasmodium verursacht und durch den Stich der weiblichen Anopheles-M{\"u}cke von Mensch zu Mensch verbreitet. Dabei kann eine erfolgreiche {\"U}bertragung des Parasiten auf den Menschen nur dann stattfinden, wenn der Parasit seine sexuelle Entwicklungsphase im Mitteldarm der M{\"u}cke erfolgreich durchl{\"a}uft. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es daher, die Wechselwirkungen des Malariaparasiten im Mitteldarm der M{\"u}cke in Hinblick auf die Identifizierung m{\"o}glicher neuer transmissionsblockierender Strategien zu untersuchen. Der Zweck von transmissionsblockierende Strategien ist es, der Verbreitung der Malaria durch die M{\"u}cke entgegenzuwirken, indem die Entwicklung des Parasiten in der M{\"u}cke unterbunden und dadurch der Lebenszyklus des Parasiten unterbrochen wird. Der Schwerpunkt der vorliegenden Arbeit lag auf insgesamt drei Aspekten. Der erste Aspekt der Arbeit befasste sich mit der Wechselwirkung zwischen dem Para-siten und der mikrobiellen Darmflora der M{\"u}cke. Dabei sollte der m{\"o}gliche Einfluss des Parasiten auf die Darmflora untersucht werden und weiterf{\"u}hrend die potentielle Verwendung von Darmbakterien als Vehikel f{\"u}r die Herstellung paratransgener M{\"u}cken erforscht werden. Vergleichende16S-rRNA- und DGGE-Analysen an der Darmflora des asiatischen Malariavektors Anopheles stephensi zeigten eine deutliche Reduktion der mikrobiellen Diversit{\"a}t w{\"a}hrend der Entwicklung vom Ei zur adulten M{\"u}cke. Zudem konnte das gram-negative Bakterium Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, das sich stadien- und generations{\"u}bergreifend verbreitet, als dominante Darmspezies bei im Labor aufgezogenen weiblichen und m{\"a}nnlichen An. stephensi festgestellt werden. Die Dominanz von E. meningoseptica wurde zudem nicht durch die Aufnahme von infiziertem Blut oder einer ver{\"a}nderten Nahrung beeinflusst. F{\"u}r die Studien wurde sowohl der humanpathogene Parasit P. falciparum als auch der Nagermalariaerreger P. berghei verwendet. Weiterf{\"u}hrende Versuche zeigten, dass Extrakte von E. meningoseptica antibakterielle, antifungale und antiplasmodiale Aktivit{\"a}ten aufwiesen, die ein m{\"o}glicher Grund f{\"u}r die Dominanz dieser Spezies im Mitteldarm des Vektors waren. Isolate von E. meningoseptica sind im Labor kultivierbar; dadurch stellt das Bakterium einen potentiellen Kandidaten zur Generierung von paratransgenen Anopheles-M{\"u}cken dar. Ein zweites Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, m{\"o}gliche Unterschiede in der Genexpression von P. falciparum darzustellen, die in den ersten 30 Minuten nach dessen {\"U}bertragung auf die M{\"u}cke erfolgen. Dies hatte zum einen zum Zweck, die durch den Wirtswechsel hervorgerufenen Genregulationen besser zu verstehen, und bot zum anderen die M{\"o}glichkeit, neue Proteine zu identifizieren, die als potentielle transmissionsblockierende Ziele genutzt werden k{\"o}nnen. Mittels supression substractive hybridization (SSH) konnten insgesamt 126 Gene identifiziert werden, deren Expression sich w{\"a}hrend der Gametogenese ver{\"a}ndert. Die identifizierten Gene konnten einer Vielzahl von putativen Funktionen wie zum Beispiel in der Signaltransduktion (17,5\%), im Zellzyklus (14,3\%) oder im Zytoskelett (8,7\%) zugeordnet werden. Des Weiteren wurden 7,9\% der Gene eine Funktion in der Proteastase und 6,4\% in metabolischen Prozessen zugeordnet. 12,7\% der Gene kodierten f{\"u}r zelloberfl{\"a}chenassoziierte Proteine. 11,9\% der Gene hatten anderen Funktionen, w{\"a}hrend 20\% der Gene keine putative Funktion zugeordnet werden konnte. Etwa 40\% der identifizierten Genprodukte waren bisher nicht in Proteomstudien nachgewiesen worden. In weiterf{\"u}hrenden Analysen wurden 34 Gene aus jeder ontologischen Gruppe ausgew{\"a}hlt und deren Expressionsver{\"a}nderung per quantitativer real time RT-PCR im Detail untersucht. F{\"u}r 29 Gene konnte dabei eine Transkriptexpression in Gametozyten nachgewiesen werden. Zudem wiesen 20 Gene eine erh{\"o}hte Expression in Gametozyten im Vergleich asexuellen Stadien auf. Insgesamt zeigten 8 Gene besonders hohe Transkriptlevel in aktivierten Gametozyten, was auf eine Funktion dieser Proteine w{\"a}hrend der {\"U}bertragung des Parasiten auf die M{\"u}cke hindeutet und diese somit potentielle Angriffspunkte f{\"u}r transmissionsblockierende Strategien darstellen k{\"o}nnten. Im letzten Teil dieser Arbeit stand die Untersuchung verschiedener antimikrobieller Substanzen in Bezug auf ihre transmissionsblockierenden Eigenschaften im Vordergrund. Die Substanzen waren entweder direkt aus der H{\"a}molymphe verschiedener Insekten isoliert oder rekombinant in transgenem Tabak exprimiert worden. Dabei wurden die rekombinanten Peptide so ausgew{\"a}hlt, dass sie entweder gegen die Mitteldarmstadien des Parasiten wirken oder m{\"u}ckenspezifische Rezeptoren blockieren, die der Parasit f{\"u}r seine weitere Entwicklung ben{\"o}tigt. Dabei konnte gezeigt werden, dass das antimikrobielle Molek{\"u}l Harmonin, ein Abwehrmolek{\"u}l aus der H{\"a}molymphe des asiatischen Marienk{\"a}fers Harmonia axyridis, antiplasmodiale als auch transmissions-blockierende Eigenschaften besitzt. Harmonin stellt daher eine potentielle Leitstruktur f{\"u}r die Entwicklung neuer Malariawirkstoffe dar}, subject = {Malariam{\"u}cke}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Dunkel2013, author = {Dunkel, Nico}, title = {Regulation of virulence-associated traits of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans by nitrogen availability}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-83076}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Nitrogen-regulated pathogenesis describes the expression of virulence attributes as direct response to the quantity and quality of an available nitrogen source. As consequence of nitrogen availability, the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans changes its morphology and secretes aspartic proteases [SAPs], both well characterized virulence attributes. C. albicans, contrarily to its normally non-pathogenic relative Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is able to utilize proteins, which are considered as abundant and important nitrogen source within the human host. To assimilate complex proteinaceous matter, extracellular proteolysis is followed by uptake of the degradation products through dedicated peptide transporters (di-/tripeptide transporters [PTRs] and oligopeptide transporters [OPTs]). The expression of both traits is transcriptionally controlled by Stp1 - the global regulator of protein utilization - in C. albicans. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the regulation of virulence attributes of the pathogenic fungus C. albicans by nitrogen availability in more detail. Within a genome wide binding profile of Stp1, during growth with proteins, more than 600 Stp1 target genes were identified, thereby confirming its role in the usage of proteins, but also other nitrogenous compounds as nitrogen source. Moreover, the revealed targets suggest an involvement of Stp1 in the general adaption to nutrient availability as well as in the environmental stress response. With the focus on protein utilization and nitrogen-regulated pathogenesis, the regulation of the major secreted aspartic protease Sap2 - additionally one of the prime examples of allelic heterogeneity in C. albicans - was investigated in detail. Thereby, the heterogezygous SAP2 promoter helped to identify an unintended genomic alteration as the true cause of a growth defect of a C. albicans mutant. Additionally, the promoter region, which was responsible for the differential activation of the SAP2 alleles, was delimited. Furthermore, general Sap2 induction was demonstrated to be mediated by distinct cis-acting elements that are required for a high or a low activity of SAP2 expression. For the utilization of proteins as nitrogen source it is also crucial to take up the peptides that are produced by extracellular proteolysis. Therefore, the function and importance of specific peptide transporters was investigated in C. albicans mutants, unable to use peptides as nitrogen source (opt1Δ/Δ opt2Δ/Δ opt3Δ/Δ opt4Δ/Δ opt5Δ/Δ ptr2Δ/Δ ptr22Δ/Δ septuple null mutants). The overexpression of individual transporters in these mutants revealed differential substrate specificities and expanded the specificity of the OPTs to dipeptides, a completely new facet of these transporters. The peptide-uptake deficient mutants were further used to elucidate, whether indeed proteins and peptides are an important in vivo nitrogen source for C. albicans. It was found that during competitive colonization of the mouse intestine these mutants exhibited wild-type fitness, indicating that neither proteins nor peptides are primary nitrogen sources required to efficiently support growth of C. albicans in the mouse gut. Adequate availability of the preferred nitrogen source ammonium represses the utilization of proteins and other alternative nitrogen sources, but also the expression of virulence attributes, like Sap secretion and nitrogen-starvation induced filamentation. In order to discriminate, whether ammonium availability is externally sensed or determined inside the cell by C. albicans, the response to exterior ammonium concentrations of ammonium-uptake deficient mutants (mep1Δ/Δ mep2Δ/Δ null mutants) was investigated. This study showed that presence of an otherwise suppressing ammonium concentration did not inhibit Sap2 proteases secretion and arginine-induced filamentation in these mutants. Conclusively, ammonium availability is primarily determined inside the cell in order to control the expression of virulence traits. In sum, the present work contributes to the current understanding of how C. albicans regulates expression of virulence-associated traits in response to the presence of available nitrogen sources - especially proteins and peptides - in order to adapt its lifestyle within a human host.}, subject = {Candida albicans}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schillig2013, author = {Schillig, Rebecca}, title = {Funktionelle Analyse der Zink-Cluster-Transkriptionsfaktorfamilie von Candida albicans durch artifizielle Aktivierung}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-79608}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Der Hefepilz Candida albicans geh{\"o}rt zu den opportunistischen Infektionserregern. Er ist Teil der nat{\"u}rlichen Mikroflora der Schleimh{\"a}ute des Gastrointestinal- und Urogenitaltraktes des Menschen. Bei St{\"o}rungen des nat{\"u}rlichen Gleichgewichts dieser Flora kann es zu oberfl{\"a}chlichen Mykosen, z. B. der oropharyngealen Candidiasis (Mundsoor), kommen. Besonders immunsupprimierte Patienten, wie AIDS-Patienten, leiden h{\"a}ufig unter immer wiederkehrenden Infektionen, die mitunter auch zu schwerwiegenden Infektionsverl{\"a}ufen, bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen systemischen Mykosen f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnen. Zur Therapie solcher Erkrankungen werden oft Ergosterolbiosyntheseinhibitoren, wie Fluconazol, eingesetzt. Besonders bei wiederkehrenden Infektionen und wiederholender Therapie ist C. albicans in der Lage, gegen diese h{\"a}ufig verabreichten Antimykotika Resistenzen zu entwickeln. Hierbei spielen Zink-Cluster-Transkriptionsfaktoren eine zentrale Rolle. Zink-Cluster-Proteine geh{\"o}ren zu einer pilzspezifischen Familie von Transkriptionsfaktoren, die ein großes Spektrum an zellul{\"a}ren Prozessen regulieren. Die gut charakterisierten Regulatoren Upc2, Tac1 und Mrr1 geh{\"o}ren zu den Zink-Cluster-Transkriptionsfaktoren, die maßgeblich zur Resistenzentwicklung von C. albicans beitragen. Upc2 kontrolliert die Expression vieler Ergosterolbiosynthesegene, besonders die von ERG11, welches f{\"u}r die Zielstruktur des g{\"a}ngigen Antimykotikums Fluconazol kodiert. Tac1 und Mrr1 hingegen regulieren die Expression von Multidrug-Effluxpumpen, den ABC-Transportern CDR1 und CDR2 bzw. dem Major Facilitator MDR1. Gain-of-function-Mutationen in diesen Transkriptionsfaktoren resultieren in einer konstitutiven {\"U}berexpression ihrer Zielgene und sind verantwortlich f{\"u}r die Resistenz vieler klinischer Isolate. In dieser Arbeit wurde gezeigt, dass die Fusion von Mrr1 mit der Gal4-Aktivierungsdom{\"a}ne von Saccharomyces cerevisiae zu einem konstitutiv aktiven Hybridtranskriptionsfaktor f{\"u}hrte, der eine MDR1-{\"U}berexpression bewirkte und Fluconazolresistenz vermittelte. Dieses Hybridprotein vermittelte sogar eine h{\"o}here Resistenz als ein Mrr1 mit nat{\"u}rlich vorkommenden gain-of-function-Mutationen. Analoge Fusionen mit Tac1 und Upc2 resultierten ebenfalls in einer konstitutiven Aktivierung dieser Transkriptionsfaktoren, die einen starken Anstieg der Fluconazolresistenz zur Folge hatte. Daraus ergab sich die Schlussfolgerung, dass dies eine generelle Methode sein k{\"o}nnte, die Zink-Cluster-Transkriptionsfaktoren k{\"u}nstlich zu aktivieren und so ihre biologischen Funktionen zu offenbaren, ohne die genauen Bedingungen f{\"u}r ihre Aktivit{\"a}t zu kennen. Deshalb wurde auf der Basis dieser Strategie eine Bibliothek von C.-albicans-St{\"a}mmen konstruiert, in der alle 82 putativen Zink-Cluster-Transkriptionsfaktoren in dieser m{\"o}glicherweise hyperaktiven Form exprimiert werden. Untersuchungen dieser Bibliothek offenbarten neue Transkriptionsfaktoren, die Fluconazolresistenz vermittelten, aber auch noch unbekannte Regulatoren der Morphogenese und andere Ph{\"a}notypen konnten beobachtet werden. Um einen tieferen Einblick in die Funktionsweise zu bekommen, wurden die Transkriptionsprofile der vier Transkriptionsfaktoren ermittelt, die in ihrer hyperaktiven Form die h{\"o}chste Fluconazolresistenz bewirkten. Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass die zwei k{\"u}nstlich aktivierten (*) Regulatoren ZCF34* und ZNC1* die Expression der wichtigsten Multidrug-Effluxpumpe CDR1 stark hochregulierten. Der Transkriptionsfaktor mit dem vorl{\"a}ufigen Namen ZCF34 konnte im Verlauf dieser Arbeit als ein wichtiger Regulator f{\"u}r die CDR1-Expression identifiziert werden. Er ist sowohl an der Aktivierung der Expression von CDR1 beteiligt als auch f{\"u}r die basale CDR1-Promotoraktivit{\"a}t notwendig. Aus diesem Grund wurde er in MRR2 (multidrug resistance regulator 2) umbenannt. Mit der Entdeckung eines neuen Regulators der wichtigsten Multidrug-Effluxpumpe von C. albicans wurde ein wichtiger Beitrag zum Verst{\"a}ndnis der Regulation solcher Transporter geleistet. Die {\"U}berexpression dieser Pumpen ist einer der h{\"a}ufigsten Resistenzmechanismen in C. albicans. Auf diesem Wege kann Resistenz gegen strukturell v{\"o}llig unterschiedliche Antimykotika bewirkt werden. Somit stellen sowohl diese Effluxpumpen, als auch deren Regulatoren m{\"o}gliche Angriffsziele f{\"u}r die Entwicklung neuer oder Weiterentwicklung bereits vorhandener Antimykotika dar.}, subject = {Candida albicans}, language = {de} } @article{SchulteWestermannVogel2012, author = {Schulte, Leon N. and Westermann, Alexander J. and Vogel, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Differential activation and functional specialization of miR-146 and miR-155 in innate immune sensing}, edition = {Advance Access}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-76365}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Many microRNAs (miRNAs) are co-regulated during the same physiological process but the underlying cellular logic is often little understood. The conserved, immunomodulatory miRNAs miR-146 and miR-155, for instance, are co-induced in many cell types in response to microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to feedback-repress LPS signalling through Toll-like receptor TLR4. Here, we report that these seemingly co-induced regulatory RNAs dramatically differ in their induction behaviour under various stimuli strengths and act non-redundantly through functional specialization; although miR-146 expression saturates at sub-inflammatory doses of LPS that do not trigger the messengers of inflammation markers, miR-155 remains tightly associated with the pro-inflammatory transcriptional programmes. Consequently, we found that both miRNAs control distinct mRNA target profiles; although miR-146 targets the messengers of LPS signal transduction components and thus downregulates cellular LPS sensitivity, miR-155 targets the mRNAs of genes pervasively involved in pro-inflammatory transcriptional programmes. Thus, miR-155 acts as a broad limiter of pro-inflammatory gene expression once the miR-146 dependent barrier to LPS triggered inflammation has been breached. Importantly, we also report alternative miR-155 activation by the sensing of bacterial peptidoglycan through cytoplasmic NOD-like receptor, NOD2. We predict that dosedependent responses to environmental stimuli may involve functional specialization of seemingly coinduced miRNAs in other cellular circuitries as well.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{PernitzschSharma2012, author = {Pernitzsch, Sandy R. and Sharma, Cynthia M.}, title = {Transcriptome Complexity and Riboregulation in the Human Pathogen Helicobacter pylori}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75096}, year = {2012}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bergmann2011, author = {Bergmann, Anna}, title = {Untersuchungen zur Verwertung proteinhaltiger Substrate als m{\"o}gliche Virulenzdeterminante des humanpathogenen Schimmelpilzes Aspergillus fumigatus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-67333}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Die asexuellen Sporen von Aspergillus fumigatus sind ubiquit{\"a}r verbreitete Luftkeime. Als Saprophyt ist dieser opportunistisch humanpathogene Pilz darauf spezialisiert, polymere Substanzen aus dem umgebenden Milieu zu zersetzen, um daraus die von ihm ben{\"o}tigten N{\"a}hrstoffe zu generieren und aufzunehmen. Die F{\"a}higkeit, verschiedene Stickstoff- und Kohlenstoffquellen zu verwerten, tr{\"a}gt dabei zu seiner Virulenz bei und hierbei scheint die extrazellul{\"a}re Proteolyse eine wichtige Rolle zu spielen. Sekretierte Proteasen, die das umgebende Gewebe w{\"a}hrend einer Infektion mit A. fumigatus erschließen, k{\"o}nnten somit zu dessen Pathogenit{\"a}t beitragen. Dementsprechend sollte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit die Bedeutung einer Regulation der extrazellul{\"a}ren proteolytischen Aktivit{\"a}t von A. fumigatus f{\"u}r dessen Virulenz untersucht werden. Dies geschah durch Untersuchungen eines konservierten Transkriptionsfaktors, PrtT. Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass PrtT die Expression der drei Hauptproteasen von A. fumigatus, Alp, Mep und Pep stark beeinflusst, in einem murinen Tiermodell der pulmonaren Aspergillose scheint dieser Regulator jedoch keine Rolle f{\"u}r die Pathogenit{\"a}t von A. fumigatus zu spielen. Um einen weiteren Aspekt des pilzlichen Aminos{\"a}urestoffwechsels zu beleuchten, wurde die Biosynthese der aromatischen Aminos{\"a}uren als m{\"o}gliche Virulenzdeterminate untersucht. F{\"u}r den Menschen sind diese Aminos{\"a}uren essentiell, weshalb dieser Syntheseweg ein m{\"o}gliches Ziel f{\"u}r antimykotische Substanzen darstellen k{\"o}nnte. Es konnten mehrere f{\"u}r A. fumigatus essentielle Komponenten des Shikimatweges identifiziert werden, des Weiteren wurden Deletionsmutanten in den Genen aroC und trpA, die f{\"u}r die Chorismatmutase bzw. Anthranilatsynthase der Biosynthese von Phenylalanin und Tyrosin bzw. Tryptophan kodieren, erzeugt und ph{\"a}notypisch charakterisiert. Deren Untersuchung in einem alternativen Tiermodell der Aspergillose zeigte eine deutlich attenuierte Virulenz. Diese Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, wie wichtig die Biosynthese der aromatischen Aminos{\"a}uren f{\"u}r das Wachstum von A. fumigatus ist, und dass ein Eingriff in diesen Syntheseweg eine lohnende Strategie zur Entwicklung neuer Antimykotika sein k{\"o}nnte. Die hier pr{\"a}sentierten Ergebnisse unterstreichen die f{\"u}r den Schimmelpilz A. fumigatus typische Redundanz bez{\"u}glich extrazellul{\"a}rer proteolytischer Enzyme und dass diese nur bedingt hinsichtlich ihres Virulenzbeitrags untersucht werden k{\"o}nnen. Im Gegensatz hierzu lassen sich bestimmte Stoffwechselwege, die oftmals durch einzigartige Genprodukte katalysiert werden, unter Umst{\"a}nden besser als unspezifische aber vielversprechende Virulenzdeterminanten identifizieren.}, subject = {Aspergillus fumigatus}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Masic2012, author = {Masic, Anita}, title = {Signaling via Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha chain during dendritic cell-mediated vaccination is required to induce protective immunity against Leishmania major in susceptible BALB/c mice}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-75508}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Effective vaccination strategies are urgently needed because of the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and severe side effects of chemotherapy. The research group of Heidrun Moll previously established a DC-based vaccination strategy to induce complete and long-lasting immunity to experimental leishmaniasis using LmAg-loaded and CpG ODN-activated DC as a vaccine carrier. Prevention of tissue damages at the site of L. major inoculation can be achieved if the BALB/c mice were systemically given LmAg-loaded BMDC that had been exposed to CpG ODN. The interest in further exploring the role of IL-4 aroused as previous studies allowed establishing that IL-4 was involved in the redirection of the immune response towards a type 1 profile. Thus, wt BALB/c mice or DC-specific CD11ccreIL-4Rα-/lox BALB/c mice were given either wt or IL-4Rα-deficient LmAg-loaded BMDC exposed or not to CpG ODN prior to inoculation of 2 x 105 stationary phase L. major promastigotes into the BALB/c footpad. The results provide evidence that IL4/IL-4Rα-mediated signaling in the vaccinating DC is required to prevent tissue damages at the site of L. major inoculation, as properly conditioned wt DC but not IL-4Rα-deficient DC were able to confer resistance. Furthermore, uncontrolled L. major population size expansion was observed in the footpad and the footpad draining LN in CD11ccreIL-4Rα-/lox mice immunized with CpG ODN-exposed LmAg-loaded IL-4Rα-deficient DC, indicating the influence of IL-4R-mediated signaling in host DC to control parasite replication. In addition, no footpad damage was observed in BALB/c mice that were systemically immunized with LmAg-loaded wt DC doubly exposed to CpG ODN and recombinant IL-4. Discussing these findings allow the assumption that triggering the IL4/IL4Rα signaling pathway could be a precondition when designing vaccines aimed to prevent damaging processes in tissues hosting intracellular microorganisms.}, subject = {Leishmania major}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schnitzer2012, author = {Schnitzer, Johannes K.}, title = {Mechanism of dendritic cell-based vaccination against Leishmania major}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-74865}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Impfung mittels Antigen-beladener dendritischer Zellen [DZ] ist mittlerweile eine gut etablierte Technik, die dann zum Einsatz kommt, wenn Standard-Impftechniken versagen, vor Krankheiten zu sch{\"u}tzen beziehungsweise diese zu heilen. Die Effizienz dieser Technik konnte bereits f{\"u}r diverse Infektionskrankheiten und Krebserkrankungen in experimentellen Tiermodellen sowie am Menschen gezeigt werden. Hierbei ist die M{\"o}glichkeit zur wohldefinierten Manipulation und Antigenbeladung der DZ ein großer Vorteil gegen{\"u}ber den konventionellen Ans{\"a}tzen. Jedoch ist vor allem bei der Anwendung im klinischen Bereich die Pr{\"a}paration, Herstellung und Manipulation dieser autologen DZ mit einem erheblichen technischen, zeitlichen sowie finanziellen Aufwand verbunden. Hinsichtlich einer Pr{\"a}ventivimpfung gegen eine pandemische Infektionskrankheit, die in haupts{\"a}chlich unterentwickelten L{\"a}ndern vorkommt, wird dieser Aufwand sicherlich ein Hindernis darstellen. Daher muss f{\"u}r solche F{\"a}lle ein maßgeschneiderter Impfstoff entwickelt werden, der sich am Vorbild des effektiven DZ-basierten Impfstoffs orientiert. F{\"u}r die Impfung gegen die Leishmania Parasiten besteht so ein DZ-basierter Impfstoff bereits. Dessen Wirkung, eine T-Zell Antwort vom Typ Th1 zu induzieren, wurde bereits in mehreren Ver{\"o}ffentlichungen demonstriert. Zus{\"a}tzlich hat aber eine unserer Studien gezeigt, dass das typische Th1-bezogene Zytokin IL-12 zur Differenzierung naiver T-Zellen nicht von den injizierten DZ bereitgestellt werden muss, sondern von der geimpften Maus. Dies gab erste Hinweise auf eine st{\"a}rkere Beteiligung des Wirts-Immunsystems als zuvor angenommen. Daher sollte hier vertieft der Mechanismus dieser DZ-basierten Impfung untersucht werden, wobei modifizierte Impfstoff-Ans{\"a}tze zum Einsatz kommen sollten. Dabei wurden die Fragen nach der vom Impfstoff transportierten Information und dem Empf{\"a}nger dieser Information ber{\"u}cksichtigt. Das aktuelle Paradigma zur DZ-basierten Impfung besagt, dass transferierte DZ im direkten Kontakt mittels dreier Signale T-Zellen stimulieren und aktivieren. Daf{\"u}r m{\"u}ssen diese DZ mit dem entsprechenden Antigen beladen und aktiviert worden sein um das Antigen-Peptide mittels MHC Molek{\"u}l im Kontext der Co-Stimulation pr{\"a}sentieren zu k{\"o}nnen. Jedoch zeigt diese Studie hier, dass weder eine Aktivierung der DZ noch die Pr{\"a}sentation des Antigens mittels passender MHC Molek{\"u}le notwendig ist f{\"u}r die Induktion einer protektiven Immunantwort gegen Leishmania Parasiten. Aufgeschlossene, mit Antigen beladene DZ m{\"u}ssen nicht vor dem Transfer mit CpG ODN aktiviert worden sein, um entsprechende Immunit{\"a}t zu verleihen. Ebenso hat der MHC Typ in diesem Falle auch keinen Einfluss auf die Effektivit{\"a}t des Impfstoffs. Da im Weiteren aufgeschlossene mit Leishmania-Antigen beladene Makrophagen nach Impfung die gleiche Wirkung erzielen, wie vorangegangene DZ-basierte Impfstoffe, k{\"o}nnen keine DZ spezifischen Mechanismen Schl{\"u}sselkomponenten der Induktion einer protektiven Immunit{\"a}t sein. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass die DZ der geimpften M{\"a}use, eine maßgebliche Rolle bei der Verarbeitung transferierter Signale spielen. Suspensionen aufgeschlossener DZ stellen eine Kombination aus freigesetzten l{\"o}slichen Molek{\"u}len sowie Membranvesikeln dar, die sich nach dem Aufschluss gebildet haben. Nach Auftrennung dieser beiden Fraktionen konnte gezeigt werden, dass ausschließlich die Membran-Fraktion nach Verimpfung eine geeignete Immunantwort zum Schutz vor Leishmania Parasiten induzieren kann. Als Vorteil dieser Aufreinigung erweist sich zudem die stabile Lagerm{\"o}glichkeit bei -80°C. Somit ist klar gezeigt, dass die Immunit{\"a}t-verleihende Einheit dieser Impfstoffvarianten in der Membran-Fraktion liegt. Verfolgt man die Induktion Th1-zugeh{\"o}riger Zytokine in in vivo Experimenten so ergibt sich im Falle der Gesamtsuspension aufgeschlossener, mit Leishmania-Antigen beladener DZ ein klares Bild. Diese Suspension erzeugt das volle Spektrum der DZ-basierten Impfung gegen Leishmania Parasiten. Es kann sowohl Produktion von IL-12 und IL-2 als auch eine antigenspezifische T-Zell Proliferation nach Stimulation von Splenozyten mit der entsprechenden Suspension verzeichnet werden. Außerdem produzieren Splenozyten von entsprechend geimpften M{\"a}usen nach Stimulation mit Leishmania-Antigen erhebliche Mengen des entscheidenden Zytokins IFNγ. Obwohl jedoch die Verimpfung aufgereinigter Membranvesikel dieses Ansatzes im Tierversuch zu biologisch sowie statistisch signifikanten Ergebnissen f{\"u}hrt, lassen sich die entsprechend Th1-bezogenen Zytokine im in vivo Ansatz nur in geringen Maße nachweisen. Ob dies jedoch f{\"u}r einen in vivo unbemerkten Aktivit{\"a}tsverlust des Vakzins oder f{\"u}r andere lymphatische Organe als Ort der T-Zell Instruktion spricht, ist noch unbekannt und muss noch gekl{\"a}rt werden.}, subject = {Leishmania major}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Troge2012, author = {Troge, Anja}, title = {Studien am Flagellensystem des Escherichia coli Stammes Nissle 1917 (EcN) im Hinblick auf seine Funktion als Probiotikum}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-74201}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) geh{\"o}rt zu den am besten untersuchten und charakterisierten probiotischen Bakterienst{\"a}mmen. Seit Beginn des letzten Jahrhunderts wird er als Medikament eingesetzt, um verschiedene Darmerkrankungen wie z.B. Diarrh{\"o}e, entz{\"u}ndliche Darmerkrankungen und Verstopfung zu behandeln. Die Flagelle des EcN vermittelt Beweglichkeit und kann die Produktion von humanem β-Defensin 2 (hBD2) durch Epithelzellen induzieren. Somit ist dieses Organell direkt in die probiotische Funktion des EcN involviert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Flagellen anderer Bakterien, wie z.B. dem probiotischen Stamm Bacillus cereus CH oder den pathogenen St{\"a}mmen Pseudomonas aeruginosa und Clostridium difficile, die Adh{\"a}sion an intestinalen Mucus, welcher von Epithelzellen sekretiert wird, vermitteln. Allerdings blieb unklar, welcher Teil der Flagelle an welche Mucuskomponente bindet. Die F{\"a}higkeit effizient an Wirtgewebe zu adh{\"a}rieren wird als wichtiges Attribut eines probiotischen Stammes angesehen. Ex vivo Adh{\"a}sionsstudien mit Kryoschnitten humaner Darmbiopsien haben gezeigt, dass die Flagelle des EcN in die effiziente Adh{\"a}sion an humanes Darmgewebe involviert sein muss. Aus diesem Grund wurde in dieser Arbeit die Funktion der Flagelle des EcN als Adh{\"a}sin untersucht. Zun{\"a}chst wurde die hyperflagellierte Variante EcN ATHF isoliert und durch verschiedene Experimente, z.B. Schw{\"a}rmagartests und Elektronenmikroskopie, charakterisiert. Weitere ex vivo Adh{\"a}sionsstudien mit EcN ATHF zeigten eine h{\"o}here Adh{\"a}sionseffizienz dieser hyperflagellierten Variante und best{\"a}tigten damit die Rolle der Flagelle bei der effizienten Adh{\"a}sion von EcN an die Kryoschnitte der humanen Darmbiopsien. Interessanterweise fungierte die Flagelle in in vitro Studien mit den humanen Epithelzellen Caco-2 und T24 nicht als Adh{\"a}sin. Diese Unterschiede zwischen den in vitro und ex vivo Studien f{\"u}hrten zu der Annahme, dass die Flagelle des EcN in vivo die Adh{\"a}sion an Mucus vermittelt, welcher von den Caco-2- und T24-Zellen nicht produziert wird, aber in den Kryoschnitten der Darmbiopsien nachgewiesen wurde. Diese Vermutung wurde durch in vitro Adh{\"a}sionsstudien mit der Mucin-produzierenden Epithelzelllinie LS174-T best{\"a}tigt, da die Flagellen f{\"u}r eine effektive Adh{\"a}sion an diese Zellen essentiell waren. Zudem reduzierte die Pr{\"a}inkubation flagellierter EcN-St{\"a}mme mit Mucin2 ihre Adh{\"a}sionseffizienz an Kryoschnitte humaner Darmbiopsien. Um die direkte Interaktion zwischen Flagellen des EcN Wildtyps und Mucus zu zeigen, wurde ein ELISA etabliert. Es konnte eine direkte konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngige Interaktion zwischen isolierten Flagellen des EcN Wildtyps und Mucin2, bzw. humanem Mucus (Kolon) beobachtet werden. Interessanterweise konnte keine Interaktion zwischen isolierten Flagellen des EcN Wildtyps und murinem Mucus (Duodenum, Ileum, Caecum, Colon) festgestellt werden. Dies weist darauf hin, dass die Mucuszusammensetzung zwischen verschiedenen Spezies variiert. Verschiedene Kohlenhydrate, welche bekannte Mucusbestandteile sind, wurden auf ihre Interaktion mit der Flagelle von EcN getestet und Gluconat wurde als ein Rezeptor identifiziert. Die Pr{\"a}inkubation isolierter Flagellen mit Gluconat reduzierte ihre Interaktion mit Mucin2, bzw. humanem Mucus signifikant. Zudem wurde die oberfl{\"a}chenexponierte Dom{\"a}ne D3 des Flagellins, der Hauptuntereinheit der Flagelle, als m{\"o}glicher Interaktionspartner von Mucin2, bzw. humanem Mucus ausgeschlossen. Flagellen, die aus einer Dom{\"a}ne D3 Deletionsmutante isoliert wurden, zeigten sogar eine effizientere Bindung an Mucin2, bzw. humanen Mucus. Weiterhin konnte gezeigt werden, dass {\"A}nderungen des pH-Wertes signifikante Effekte auf die Interaktion zwischen Mucus und isolierten Flagellen hatten, vermutlich aufgrund von Konformations{\"a}nderungen. Zusammenfassend wurde in dieser Arbeit die Flagelle als neues und scheinbar wichtigstes Adh{\"a}sin in vivo f{\"u}r den probiotischen Stamm EcN identifiziert. Hierf{\"u}r wurden sowohl eine hyperflagellierte Variante, eine ΔfliC Mutante, sowie der dazugeh{\"o}rige komplementierte Stamm verwendet. EcN ist zudem der erste probiotische Stamm f{\"u}r den eine direkte Bindung der Flagellen an humanen Mucus nachgewiesen werden konnte. Die Mucuskomponente Gluconat konnte dabei als wichtiger Rezeptor identifiziert werden. Da einige pathogene Bakterien ihre Flagelle zur Adh{\"a}sion an Wirtsgewebe nutzen, k{\"o}nnte dieses Organell EcN dazu bef{\"a}higen, mit Pathogenen um die erfolgreiche Kolonisierung des Darms zu konkurrieren, was als wichtige Eigenschaft eines Probiotikums betrachtet wird.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {de} } @article{HessStritzkerHaertletal.2011, author = {Hess, Michael and Stritzker, Jochen and H{\"a}rtl, Barbara and Sturm, Julia and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Szalay, Aladar}, title = {Bacterial glucuronidase as general marker for oncolytic virotherapy or other biological therapies}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-69163}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Oncolytic viral tumor therapy is an emerging field in the fight against cancer with rising numbers of clinical trials and the first clinically approved product (Adenovirus for the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer in China) in this field. Yet, until recently no general (bio)marker or reporter gene was described that could be used to evaluate successful tumor colonization and/or transgene expression in other biological therapies. Methods: Here, a bacterial glucuronidase (GusA) encoded by biological therapeutics (e.g. oncolytic viruses) was used as reporter system. Results: Using fluorogenic probes that were specifically activated by glucuronidase we could show 1) preferential activation in tumors, 2) rena l excretion of the activated fluorescent compounds and 3) reproducible detection of GusA in the serum of oncolytic vaccinia virus treated, tumor bearing mice in several tumor models. Time course studies revealed that reliable differentiation between tumor bearing and healthy mice can be done as early as 9 days post injection of the virus. Regarding the sensitivity of the newly developed assay system, we could show that a single infected tumor cell could be reliably detected in this assay. Conclusion: GusA therefore has the potential to be used as a general marker in the preclinical and clinical evaluation of (novel) biological therapies as well as being useful for the detection of rare cells such as circulating tumor cells}, subject = {Virologie}, language = {en} } @article{KuehnPradel2010, author = {Kuehn, Andrea and Pradel, Gabriele}, title = {The Coming-Out of Malaria Gametocytes [Review Article]}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68196}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The tropical disease malaria, which results in more than one million deaths annually, is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by blood-feeding Anopheline mosquitoes. Parasite transition from the human host to the mosquito vector is mediated by gametocytes, sexual stages that are formed in human erythrocytes, which therefore play a crucial part in the spread of the tropical disease. The uptake by the blood-feeding mosquito triggers important molecular and cellular changes in the gametocytes, thus mediating the rapid adjustment of the parasite from the warm-blooded host to the insect host and subsequently initiating reproduction. The contact with midgut factors triggers gametocyte activation and results in their egress from the enveloping erythrocyte, which then leads to gamete formation and fertilization. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of gametocytes during transmission to themosquito and particularly focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying gametocyte activation and emergence from the host erythrocyte during gametogenesis.}, subject = {Malaria}, language = {en} } @article{HackerRdestWintermeyeretal.1991, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Rdest, Ursula and Wintermeyer, E. and Ludwig, B.}, title = {Legiolysin, a New Hemolysin from L. pneumophila}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-73070}, year = {1991}, abstract = {Legionella pneumophila generares exotoxins, cytolysins, proteases oc hemolysins that darnage host cells llke erythrocytes or rissue cu lrure cells. The gene for a new L. pneumophila hemolysin withour a proteolytic activiry was idemified, cloned in E. coli and sequenced. The gene producr was analysed by SDS-Polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis.}, subject = {H{\"a}molysin}, language = {en} } @article{HackerSchrettenbrunnerSchroeteretal.1986, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Schrettenbrunner, A. and Schr{\"o}ter, G. and Schmidt, G. and D{\"u}vel, H. and Goebel, W.}, title = {Characterization of Escherichia coli wild-type strains by means of agglutination with antisera raised against cloned P-, S- and MS-fimbriae antigens, hemagglutination, serotyping and hemolysin-production}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72992}, year = {1986}, abstract = {E. coli stcains isolated from patients with urinary tcact infecrions (UTn very often possess mannose"sensitive (MS) and mannose-resistant (MR) adherence facmrs (fimbriae). According to their receptor specificity the mannose-resistant adhesins can be divided inm several types, P, S, M and X. We have cloned rhe determinants of rhree groups of UTI E. coli adhesins, MS, p and S, and prepared specific aorisera against the fimbriae antigens. 189 hernagglutination (HA+) -positive stcains, 96 fecal isolates and 93 strains isoJated from UTI . have been tesred with rhese specific antisera and further characterized by receptor specific : HA, HA parteras and further of rhe "common 0 serogroups" 01, 02, 04, 06, 07, 08, 018, ' 025, 075, most prevalenr in UTI, and hemolysin production. · 68 (73 \%) of the UTI srrains a.nd 50 (52\%) of the fecal isolates showed P-receptor specificiry; 16 (17\%) of the uropathogenic bacteria and 33 (34\%) of the fecal strains exhibited S, M or X-fimbriae antigens. 24\% of rhe P-hemagglutinating (P+) strains reacted wirb P (F8)-specific antiserum. In contrast, more than three quaner of the s+-srrains were agglutinated by S-specific antiserum. HA-pattern VJ and 018 amigen were found to be associared with P-fimbriae strains, wbereas HA-pattern V and VII and the 0 anrigens 02 (M-type), 06 and 018 (5-type) occurred most frequently in p- -strains. A high percentage of P-fimbriated strains showed mannose-sensitive hemagglurination and hemolysin production.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{HackerGadebergOrskov1989, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Gadeberg, Ole V. and Orskov, Ida}, title = {Role of alpha-Hemolysin for the in vitro Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Escherichia coli}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-73019}, year = {1989}, abstract = {The_role of a-hemolysin for the elimination of Eschericbia coli by phagocyres in vitro was investigated using sets of isogenic strains which included wild-type a -hemolyric srrains, derived strains with a reduced production of a-hemolysin and derived nonhemolytic strains. Phagocyrosis and intracellular killing of the bacteria by human blood granulocytes or monocytes were measured using growth inhibition rechniques. a-hemolytic strains were phagocytosed and killed ro a Jesser extent than isogenic strains with a reduced production of o:hemoJysin and isogenic nonhemolytic strains. The results obrained with granulocyres were similar to rhose obtained with monocyres although the elimination of bacteria by monocytes was less than that by granulocytes. These resulcs strongJy suggest that production of ahemolysin is a means by which E. coli counteracrs the activity of phagocytes by injuring these cells with the toxin.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @article{HackerUlmerFasskeetal.1987, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Ulmer, E. and Fasske, E. and Schmidt, G.}, title = {Isolation and characterization of coliphage Omega18A specific for Escherichia coli O18ac strains}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-73001}, year = {1987}, abstract = {The bactedophage Q18A, specific for Escherichia coli 018ac srrains, was isolated frorn sewage. The results of host range and conjugation experiments showed that the sensitivity of bacteria to the phage is associated with rhe presence of 018ac antigens. With sorne of rhe 018 strains rhe phage Q18A produces clear Iysis on bacterial lawns only when applied at a high multiplicity and moreover the phage does not multiply. With rhe help of the phage Ql8A, E. coli 0 18ac strains could be divided inro rwo serologically clistinct subgroups called 018A and 018A1• E. coli strains belanging to the sugroup 0 ISAare sensitive to phage Q t8A wheteas bacteria of subgroup A1 are resistanr.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Simon2012, author = {Simon, Nina Monica}, title = {Molecular interactions of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during the sexual reproduction in the mosquito midgut}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72403}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The sexual phase of Plasmodium falciparum begins with the differentiation of intraerythrocytic sexual stages, termed gametocytes, in the human host. Mature gametocytes circulate in the peripheral blood and are taken up by the mosquito during the blood meal. These stages are essential for the spread of the malaria disease and form gametes in the mosquito midgut within minutes. A highly conserved family of six secreted proteins has been identified in Plasmodium falciparum. They comprise multiple adhesive domains and are termed PfCCp1 through PfCCp5, and PfFNPA. It was revealed in this work that PfCCp multi-domain adhesion proteins form protein complexes in gametocytes and on the surface of newly emerged macrogametes by adhesion domain-mediated binding. Co-Immunoprecipitation assays with activated gametocyte lysates show interactions between PfCCp proteins and indicate surface association via Pfs230 and Pfs25. Pfs230 is connected with the plasma membrane of the parasite by its interaction partner Pfs48/45. This protein is linked to the plasma membrane by a GPI anchor and presumably retains the multi-protein complex on the surface of newly emerged macrogametes in the mosquito midgut. A WD40 domain containing protein was identified to be part of this protein complex. It might serve as platform for the assembly of the multi protein complex or mediate the interplay among proteins, as suggested from known functions of the WD40 domain repeats. During egress from the host erythrocyte, the emerging gametes become vulnerable to factors of the human complement, which is taken up with the blood meal. In this thesis it was found that the complement system is active for about one hour post feeding. Macrogametes defend against complement-mediated lysis by co-opting the human complement regulators Factor H and FHL-1 from the blood-meal. These serum proteins bind via its SCR domains 5-7 to the surface of macrogametes. Once bound, they trigger complement inactivation of the alternative pathway, which prevents induction of complement lysis on the surface of the malaria parasite. Antibodies against Factor H are able to impair the sexual development in vitro and are able to block transmission to the mosquito. Interaction studies on endogenous proteins and immobilized recombinant proteins revealed the PfGAP50 protein as binding partner of Factor H and FHL-1. This protein was hitherto described as a glideosome-associated protein in invasive parasite stages, but has not yet been characterized in gametes. First localization studies indicate a relocation of PfGAP50 from the inner membrane complex to the surface of macrogametes. Malaria still persists as one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. Investigations on the essential transmissive stages, gametocytes and gametes of Plasmodium falciparum, stood in the background of research for a long time. This work deciphered details on protein interactions on the surface of the malaria parasite and provides first information about coactions between the parasite and the human complement in the mosquito midgut.}, subject = {Plasmodium falciparum}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Angermeier2011, author = {Angermeier, Hilde Gabriele}, title = {Molecular and ecological investigations of Caribbean sponge diseases}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-56855}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {W{\"a}hrend gewinnbringende Assoziationen von Schw{\"a}mmen mit Mikroorganismen in den letzten Jahren viel Aufmerksamkeit erhalten haben, wurde weit weniger in die Interaktion von Schw{\"a}mmen mit m{\"o}glicherweise pathogenen Mikroben investiert. Somit war es das Ziel dieser Studie zwei ausgew{\"a}hlte Karibische Schwammkrankheiten namens „Sponge Orange Band" und „Sponge White Patch" mittels {\"o}kologischer und molekularer Methoden zu untersuchen. Die Sponge Orange Band (SOB) Erkrankung bef{\"a}llt den bedeutenden karibischen Fass-Schwamm Xestospongia muta, der zu den bakterienhaltigen (HMA) Schw{\"a}mmen gez{\"a}hlt wird, w{\"a}hrend die Sponge White Patch (SWP) Erkrankung den h{\"a}ufig vorkommenden Seil-Schwamm Amphimedon compressa betrifft, der zu den bakterienarmen (LMA) Schw{\"a}mmen geh{\"o}rt. F{\"u}r beide Karibischen Schwammkrankheiten konnte ich einen Krankheitsverlauf beschreiben, der mit massiver Gewebszerst{\"o}rung und dem Verlust charakteristischer mikrobieller Signaturen einhergeht. Obwohl ich zeigen konnte, dass zus{\"a}tzliche Bakterienarten die gebleichten Schwammbereiche kolonisieren, lieferten meine Infektionsversuche in beiden F{\"a}llen keinen Beweis f{\"u}r die Beteiligung eines mikrobiellen Pathogens als Krankheitserreger. Somit liegen die eigentlichen Ausl{\"o}ser der Erkrankungen Sponge Orange Band als auch Sponge White Patch noch immer im Dunkeln.}, subject = {Meeresschw{\"a}mme}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Seo2012, author = {Seo, Ean Jeong}, title = {Construction of recombinant E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) strains for the expression and secretion of defensins}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-72005}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Der probiotische Escherichia coli Stamm Nissle 1917 (EcN) ist eines der wenigen Probiotika, die als aktive Komponente eines Medikaments in mehreren L{\"a}ndern zugelassen sind. Am besten ist die Wirksamkeit des EcN f{\"u}r die Remissionserhaltung von an Colitis Ulcerosa leidenden Patienten dokumentiert. Diese F{\"a}higkeit ist vermutlich darauf zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren, dass EcN in der Lage ist die Produktion des humanen beta-Defensins 2 (HBD2) mittels seiner Flagelle zu Induzieren. In dieser Studie wurden rekombinante EcN St{\"a}mme konstruiert, die ein Defensin zu produzieren verm{\"o}gen. Zu diesem Zweck wurden Kodon-optimierte Defensingene in Expressionsplasmidvektoren kloniert, die entweder die Proform mit der Signalsequenz oder die reife Defensinform des humanen -Defensins 5 (HD5) oder des humanen -Defensins 2 (HBD2) unter der Kontrolle des T7-Promotors kodieren. Die Synthese dieser Defensine wurde mittels Western-Blot nach der Induktion der Expression und der Lyse der rekombinanten EcN St{\"a}mme demonstriert. Das rekombinante reife HBD2 mit einem N-terminalen His-Tag konnte mittels Ni-S{\"a}ulen-Chromatographie aufgereinigt werden. Das so gewonnene HBD2 zeigte antimikrobielle Aktivit{\"a}t gegen E. coli, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium und Listeria monocytogenes. In einem zweiten Ansatz wurde der Teil des HBD2-Gens mit dem yebF-Gen fusioniert, der das reife HBD2 kodiert. Das resultierende Fusionsprotein YebFMHBD2 wurde von dem entsprechenden EcN Stamm nach Induktion der Expression sekretiert. Die Pr{\"a}senz von YebFMHBD2 im Medium war nicht das Ergebnis von Zellyse wie Western-Blots spezifisch f{\"u}r die -Galaktosidase und das Maltose-Bindeprotein mit dem Kultur{\"u}berstand zeigten. Dieser Kultur{\"u}berstand inhibierte das Wachstum von E. coli, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium und Listeria monocytogenes nach Dialyse und Aufkonzentration sowohl in Agardiffusionsassays als auch in Fl{\"u}ssigcokultur. Damit konnte gezeigt werden, dass EcN ein f{\"u}r die Produktion von bestimmten humanen Defensinen geeignetes Probiotikum darstellt. EcN ist bei der Behandlung von Morbus Crohn Patienten nicht aktiv. Dies ist vermutlich in der genetisch bedingten Unf{\"a}higkeit zur ausreichenden Defensinproduktion solcher Individuen begr{\"u}ndet. Als ein erster Schritt in der Entwicklung von alternativen Ans{\"a}tzen zur Behandlung Morbus Crohn Patienten wurden in dieser Arbeit EcN St{\"a}mme konstruiert, die in der Lage sind HD5 oder HBD2 zu produzieren.}, subject = {Escherichia coli}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schubert2011, author = {Schubert, Sabrina}, title = {Funktionelle Analyse des „Multidrug-Resistance"-Regulators MRR1 im humanpathogenen Hefepilz Candida albicans}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70916}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Der Hefepilz Candida albicans geh{\"o}rt zu den fakultativ pathogenen Infektionserregern und ist Teil der nat{\"u}rlichen Mikroflora der Schleimh{\"a}ute des Verdauungs- und Urogenitaltraktes der meisten gesunden Menschen. Ist das Gleichgewicht der Flora gest{\"o}rt, kann es zu oberfl{\"a}chlichen Mykosen kommen, wie z.B. der oropharyngealen Candidiasis (Mundsoor), die in der Regel durch die Gabe eines Antimykotikums in wenigen Tagen zu behandeln sind. In seltenen F{\"a}llen kann es auch zu schwerwiegenden Infektionsverl{\"a}ufen bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen systemischen Mykosen kommen. Haupts{\"a}chlich immunsupprimierte Patienten, wie z.B. AIDS-Patienten oder Personen, die k{\"u}rzlich einer Organ- oder Knochenmarkstransplantation unterzogen wurden, leiden h{\"a}ufig an oberfl{\"a}chlichen C. albicans-Infektionen. Insbesondere bei wiederkehrenden Infektionen ist der Pilz in der Lage, gegen das h{\"a}ufig verabreichte Medikament Fluconazol eine Resistenz zu entwickeln. Ein wichtiger Mechanismus dieser Resistenzentwicklung ist die {\"U}berexpression von Effluxpumpen, die das Medikament aus der Zelle heraustransportieren. Zwei Arten von Effluxpumpen, die eine Rolle in der Resistenzentwicklung in C. albicans spielen, konnten bisher identifiziert werden, die ABC (ATP binding cassette)-Transporter Cdr1 und Cdr2 sowie der MFS (major facilitator superfamily)-Transporter Mdr1. Der Zinc-Cluster Transkriptionsfaktor Mrr1 spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der Regulation der MDR1-E¬ffluxpumpe. Er kontrolliert die MDR1-Expression in Anwesenheit induzierender Substanzen und sogenannte "gain-of-function" Mutationen in MRR1 konnten als die Ursache der konstitutiven MDR1-Hochregulierung und der "Multidrug-Resistance" in C. albicans identifiziert werden. In dieser Arbeit konnte ein Ortholog zu MRR1 aus C. albicans in Candida dubliniensis, einer zu C. albicans nahe verwandten Hefe, identifiziert werden. Es wurde gezeigt, dass in den untersuchten klinischen und in vitro generierten Fluconazol-resistenten C. dubliniensis-St{\"a}mmen ebenfalls gain-of-funcion Mutationen in MRR1 die MDR1-{\"U}berexpression und eine Resistenz bewirken. Die Ergebnisse demonstrieren, dass der Transkriptionsfaktor Mrr1 eine wichtige Rolle in der Entwicklung der Resistenz in diesen humanpathogenen Pilzen spielt. Bisher ist nicht bekannt, wie der Zinc-Cluster Transkriptionsfaktor MRR1 durch induzierende Substanzen oder gain-of-function Mutationen aktiviert wird. Um zu verstehen, wie die Mrr1- Aktivit{\"a}t reguliert wird, wurden in dieser Arbeit durch Deletionsstudien funktionelle Dom{\"a}nen des Transkriptionsfaktors identifiziert. Um einen besseren Einblick in die Regulation der MDR1-vermittelten Resistenz in C. albicans zu bekommen, wurde in dieser Arbeit die gegenseitige Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von Mrr1 und Cap1 bzw. Upc2 in Bezug auf die MDR1-Expression untersucht. Es wurden ChIP-on-chip Analysen und Transkriptionsprofile mit aktiviertem Mrr1 durchgef{\"u}hrt, um direkte Targets von Mrr1 zu identifizieren. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein wichtiger Beitrag zum Verst{\"a}ndnis der Entwicklung der Multidrug-Resistenz in C. albicans geleistet. E¬ffluxpumpen und deren Regulatoren stellen in der Bek{\"a}mpfung von C. albicans-Infektionen ein interessantes Angriffsziel f{\"u}r die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente und die Weiterentwicklung bereits vorhandender Antimykotika dar.}, subject = {Candida albicans}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Aminake2012, author = {Aminake, Makoah Nigel}, title = {Towards malaria combination therapy: Characterization of hybrid molecules for HIV/malaria combination therapy and of thiostrepton as a proteasome-targeting antibiotic with a dual mode of action}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-71841}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Malaria and HIV are among the most important global health problems of our time and together are responsible for approximately 3 million deaths annually. These two diseases overlap in many regions of the world including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, leading to a higher risk of co-infection. In this study, we generated and characterized hybrid molecules to target P. falciparum and HIV simultaneously for a potential HIV/malaria combination therapy. Hybrid molecules were synthesized by covalent fusion between azidothymidine (AZT) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), tetraoxane or chloroquine (CQ); and a small library was generated and tested for antiviral and antimalarial activity. Our data suggest that dihyate is the most potent molecule in vitro, with antiplasmodial activity comparable to that of DHA (IC50 = 26 nM, SI > 3000), a moderate activity against HIV (IC50 = 2.9 µM; SI > 35) and safe to HeLa cells at concentrations used in the assay (CC50 > 100 µM). Pharmacokinetic studies further revealed that dihyate is metabolically unstable and is cleaved following an O-dealkylation once in contact with cytochrome P450 enzymes. The later further explains the uneffectiveness of dihyate against the CQ-sensitive P. berghei N strain in mice when administered by oral route at 20 mg/kg. Here, we report on a first approach to develop antimalarial/anti-HIV hybrid molecules and future optimization efforts will aim at producing second generation hybrid molecules to improve activity against HIV as well as compound bioavailability. With the emergence of resistant parasites against all the counterpart drugs of artemisinin derivatives used in artemisinin based combination therapies (ACTs), the introduction of antibiotics in the treatment of malaria has renewed interest on the identification of antibiotics with potent antimalarial properties. In this study we also investigated the antiplasmodial potential of thiostrepton and derivatives, synthesized using combinations of tail truncation, oxidation, and addition of lipophilic thiols to the terminal dehydroamino acid. We showed that derivatives SS231 and SS234 exhibit a better antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 1 µM SI > 59 and SI > 77 respectively) than thiostrepton (IC50 = 8.95 µM, SI = 1.7). The antiplasmodial activity of these derivatives was observed at concentrations which are not hemolytic and non-toxic to human cell lines. Thiostrepton and derivatives appeared to exhibit transmission blocking properties when administered at their IC50 or IC90 concentrations and our data also showed that they attenuate proteasome activity of Plasmodium, which resulted in an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins after incubation with their IC80 concentrations. Our results indicate that the parasite's proteasome could be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In this regard, thiostrepton derivatives are promising candidates by dually acting on two independent targets, the proteasome and the apicoplast, with the capacity to eliminate both intraerythrocytic asexual and transmission stages of the parasite. To further support our findings, we evaluated the activity of a new class of antimalarial and proteasome inhibitors namely peptidyl sulfonyl fluorides on gametocyte maturation and analogues AJ34 and AJ38 were able to completely suppress gametocytogenesis at IC50 concentrations (0.23 µM and 0.17 µM respectively) suggesting a strong transmission blocking potential. The proteasome, a major proteolytic complex, responsible for the degradation and re-cycling of non-functional proteins has been studied only indirectly in P. falciparum. In addition, an apparent proteasome-like protein with similarity to bacterial ClpQ/hslV threonine-peptidases was predicted in the parasite. Antibodies were generated against the proteasome subunits alpha type 5 (α5-SU), beta type 5 (β5-SU) and pfhslV in mice and we showed that the proteasome is expressed in both sexual and asexual blood stages of P. falciparum, where they localize in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. However, expression of PfhslV was only observed in trophozoites and shizonts. The trafficking of the studied proteasome subunits was further investigated by generating parasites expressing GFP tagged proteins. The expression of α5-SU-GFP in transgenic parasite appeared to localize abundantly in the cytoplasm of all blood stages, and no additional information was obtained from this parasite line. In conclusion, our data highlight two new tools towards combination therapy. Hybrid molecules represent promising tools for the cure of co-infected individuals, while very potent antibiotics with a wide scope of activities could be useful in ACTs by eliminating resistant parasites and limiting transmission of both, resistances and disease.}, subject = {Malaria}, language = {en} } @article{SasseSchilligDierolfetal.2011, author = {Sasse, Christoph and Schillig, Rebecca and Dierolf, Franziska and Weyler, Michael and Schneider, Sabrina and Mogavero, Selene and Rogers, David P. and Morschh{\"a}user, Joachim}, title = {The Transcription Factor Ndt80 Does Not Contribute to Mrr1-, Tac1-, and Upc2-Mediated Fluconazole Resistance in Candida albicans}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-69201}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The pathogenic yeast Candida albicans can develop resistance to the widely used antifungal agent fluconazole, which inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, by the overexpression of genes encoding multidrug efflux pumps or ergosterol biosynthesis enzymes. Zinc cluster transcription factors play a central role in the transcriptional regulation of drug resistance. Mrr1 regulates the expression of the major facilitator MDR1, Tac1 controls the expression of the ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2, and Upc2 regulates ergosterol biosynthesis (ERG) genes. Gain-of-function mutations in these transcription factors result in constitutive overexpression of their target genes and are responsible for fluconazole resistance in many clinical C. albicans isolates. The transcription factor Ndt80 contributes to the drug-induced upregulation of CDR1 and ERG genes and also binds to the MDR1 and CDR2 promoters, suggesting that it is an important component of all major transcriptional mechanisms of fluconazole resistance. However, we found that Ndt80 is not required for the induction of MDR1 and CDR2 expression by inducing chemicals. CDR2 was even partially derepressed in ndt80D mutants, indicating that Ndt80 is a repressor of CDR2 expression. Hyperactive forms of Mrr1, Tac1, and Upc2 promoted overexpression of MDR1, CDR1/CDR2, and ERG11, respectively, with the same efficiency in the presence and absence of Ndt80. Mrr1- and Tac1-mediated fluconazole resistance was even slightly enhanced in ndt80D mutants compared to wild-type cells. These results demonstrate that Ndt80 is dispensable for the constitutive overexpression of Mrr1, Tac1, and Upc2 target genes and the increased fluconazole resistance of strains that have acquired activating mutations in these transcription factors.}, subject = {Candida albicans}, language = {en} } @article{EulalioFroehlichManoetal.2011, author = {Eulalio, Ana and Fr{\"o}hlich, Kathrin S. and Mano, Miguel and Giacca, Mauro and Vogel, J{\"o}rg}, title = {A Candidate Approach Implicates the Secreted Salmonella Effector Protein SpvB in P-Body Disassembly}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68928}, year = {2011}, abstract = {P-bodies are dynamic aggregates of RNA and proteins involved in several post-transcriptional regulation processes. Pbodies have been shown to play important roles in regulating viral infection, whereas their interplay with bacterial pathogens, specifically intracellular bacteria that extensively manipulate host cell pathways, remains unknown. Here, we report that Salmonella infection induces P-body disassembly in a cell type-specific manner, and independently of previously characterized pathways such as inhibition of host cell RNA synthesis or microRNA-mediated gene silencing. We show that the Salmonella-induced P-body disassembly depends on the activation of the SPI-2 encoded type 3 secretion system, and that the secreted effector protein SpvB plays a major role in this process. P-body disruption is also induced by the related pathogen, Shigella flexneri, arguing that this might be a new mechanism by which intracellular bacterial pathogens subvert host cell function.}, subject = {Salmonella}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Menzel2011, author = {Menzel, Thomas Michael}, title = {Studien zum Wirkungsmechanismus neuer antiinfektiver Bisnaphthalimide gegen Staphylococcus aureus und Transkriptomanalysen zur Auswirkung von Antibiotika auf S. epidermidis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-56362}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Die Therapie von bakteriellen Infektionen beruht heutzutage zum Großteil auf dem Einsatz von Antibiotika. Die schnelle Entwicklung und rasche Verbreitung von resistenten St{\"a}mmen mancher Erreger gegen diese Antibiotika stellt ein enormes Problem f{\"u}r das Gesundheitswesen dar. Da momentan zur Antibiotikatherapie keine Alternativen bestehen, kommt der Erforschung neuer potenzieller Wirkstoffe eine sehr große Bedeutung zu. In einem Screening-Verfahren lagen die minimalen Hemmkonzentrationen einiger bisquart{\"a}rer Bisnaphthalimide gegen Staphylococcus aureus und S. epidermidis im Bereich von 0,6 bis 2,5 µg/ml. Die Substanz mit den geringsten minimalen Hemmkonzentrationen war MT02. Daraufhin wurde das Wirkungsspektrum von MT02 gegen Bakterien detaillierter untersucht und gefunden, dass die Substanz vorwiegend gegen Gram-positive Erreger und nicht gegen Gram-negative Bakterien wirksam ist. Zytotoxizit{\"a}tstests ergaben eine geringe bis nicht nachweisbare Toxizit{\"a}t gegen verschiedene Zelllinien im Bereich von 73 bis mehr als 150 µg/ml. Um die Wirkungsweise von MT02 genauer zu untersuchen wurden zun{\"a}chst DNA-Microarray-Untersuchungen an S. aureus durchgef{\"u}hrt. Deren Ergebnisse ließen einen Einfluss der Substanz auf viele Gene des DNA-Metabolismus erkennen. Inkorporationsstudien mittels radioaktiver Ganzzellmarkierung best{\"a}tigten die Auswirkung von MT02 auf den DNA-Stoffwechsel. Durch kompetitive Inkubation wurde festgestellt, dass MT02 in der Lage ist Ethidiumbromid von DNA zu verdr{\"a}ngen bzw. dessen Bindung zu verhindern. Genauere Untersuchungen mittels Oberfl{\"a}chen-Plasmon-Resonanz ergaben, dass MT02 konzentrationsabh{\"a}ngig, reversibel und sequenzunspezifisch an DNA bindet. Die thermodynamischen Dissoziationskonstanten lagen im Mittel bei ca. 4 x 10-8 mol/l und beschrieben somit eine relativ starke Bindung von MT02 an DNA. Neben diesem prim{\"a}ren Wirkungsmechanismus der DNA-Bindung gaben mehrere Befunde Hinweise auf einen sekund{\"a}ren Wirkmechanismus, der die Zellwand-Struktur bzw. Zellwand-Biosynthese beinhaltet. Eine MT02-resistente Mutante von S. aureus HG001 konnte durch vielfaches Passagieren in MT02-haltigem Medium generiert werden. Diese erzeugte bei Wachstum mit hohen Konzentrationen an MT02 einen roten Ph{\"a}notyp. Die Natur dieses roten Farbstoffes konnte bislang nicht aufgekl{\"a}rt werden, jedoch gibt es Hinweise, dass dieser auf Abbauprodukte von MT02 zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren ist. In einem weiteren Projekt wurde mittels Transkriptionsstudien die Auswirkung von verschiedenen bekannten Antibiotika sowie von neuen Wirkstoffen auf das Transkriptom von S. epidermidis untersucht. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studien k{\"o}nnen durch vergleichende Analysen als Grundlage f{\"u}r die Einordnung des Wirkmechanismus neuer Substanzen dienen.}, subject = {MRSA}, language = {de} } @article{WeibelRaabYuetal.2011, author = {Weibel, Stephanie and Raab, Viktoria and Yu, Yong A. and Worschech, Andrea and Wang, Ena and Marincola, Francesco M. and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Viral-mediated oncolysis is the most critical factor in the late-phase of the tumor regression process upon vaccinia virus infection}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68691}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: In principle, the elimination of malignancies by oncolytic virotherapy could proceed by different mechanisms - e.g. tumor cell specific oncolysis, destruction of the tumor vasculature or an anti-tumoral immunological response. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of these factors to elucidate the responsible mechanism for regression of human breast tumor xenografts upon colonization with an attenuated vaccinia virus (VACV). Methods: Breast tumor xenografts were analyzed 6 weeks post VACV infection (p.i.; regression phase) by immunohistochemistry and mouse-specific expression arrays. Viral-mediated oncolysis was determined by tumor growth analysis combined with microscopic studies of intratumoral virus distribution. The tumor vasculature was morphologically characterized by diameter and density measurements and vessel functionality was analyzed by lectin perfusion and extravasation studies. Immunological aspects of viral-mediated tumor regression were studied in either immune-deficient mouse strains (T-, B-, NK-cell-deficient) or upon cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression (MHCII+-cell depletion) in nude mice. Results: Late stage VACV-infected breast tumors showed extensive necrosis, which was highly specific to cancer cells. The tumor vasculature in infected tumor areas remained functional and the endothelial cells were not infected. However, viral colonization triggers hyperpermeability and dilatation of the tumor vessels, which resembled the activated endothelium in wounded tissue. Moreover, we demonstrated an increased expression of genes involved in leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction in VACV-infected tumors, which orchestrate perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration. The immunohistochemical analysis of infected tumors displayed intense infiltration of MHCII-positive cells and colocalization of tumor vessels with MHCII+/CD31+ vascular leukocytes. However, GI-101A tumor growth analysis upon VACV-infection in either immunosuppressed nude mice (MHCII+-cell depleted) or in immune-deficient mouse strains (T-, B-, NK-cell-deficient) revealed that neither MHCII-positive immune cells nor T-, B-, or NK cells contributed significantly to VACV-mediated tumor regression. In contrast, tumors of immunosuppressed mice showed enhanced viral spreading and tumor necrosis. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that VACV-mediated oncolysis is the primary mechanism of tumor shrinkage in the late regression phase. Neither the destruction of the tumor vasculature nor the massive VACV-mediated intratumoral inflammation was a prerequisite for tumor regression. We propose that approaches to enhance viral replication and spread within the tumor microenvironment should improve therapeutical outcome.}, subject = {Virusinfektion}, language = {en} } @article{ZdziarskiBrzuszkiewiczWulltetal.2010, author = {Zdziarski, Jaroslaw and Brzuszkiewicz, Elzbieta and Wullt, Bjorn and Liesegang, Heiko and Biran, Dvora and Voigt, Birgit and Gronberg-Hernandez, Jenny and Ragnarsdottir, Bryndis and Hecker, Michael and Ron, Eliora Z. and Daniel, Rolf and Gottschalk, Gerhard and Hacker, Joerg and Svanborg, Catharina and Dobrindt, Ulrich}, title = {Host Imprints on Bacterial Genomes-Rapid, Divergent Evolution in Individual Patients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-68594}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Bacteria lose or gain genetic material and through selection, new variants become fixed in the population. Here we provide the first, genome-wide example of a single bacterial strain's evolution in different deliberately colonized patients and the surprising insight that hosts appear to personalize their microflora. By first obtaining the complete genome sequence of the prototype asymptomatic bacteriuria strain E. coli 83972 and then resequencing its descendants after therapeutic bladder colonization of different patients, we identified 34 mutations, which affected metabolic and virulence-related genes. Further transcriptome and proteome analysis proved that these genome changes altered bacterial gene expression resulting in unique adaptation patterns in each patient. Our results provide evidence that, in addition to stochastic events, adaptive bacterial evolution is driven by individual host environments. Ongoing loss of gene function supports the hypothesis that evolution towards commensalism rather than virulence is favored during asymptomatic bladder colonization.}, subject = {Proteomanalyse}, language = {en} } @article{Moll1993, author = {Moll, Heidrun}, title = {Epidermal Langerhans cells are critical for immunoregulation of cutaneous leishmaniasis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61323}, year = {1993}, abstract = {In leishmaniasis, macrophages are known to play a central role as modulators of the specific immune activity. In this article, Heidrun Moll presents evidence for the critical involvement of another component of the skin immune system, the epidermal Langerhans cell. She proposes that Langerhans cells take up parasites in the skin and transport them to the draining lymph node for presentation to T cells and initiation of the specific immune response.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{MollMuellerGillitzeretal.1991, author = {Moll, Heidrun and M{\"u}ller, Christoph and Gillitzer, Reinhard and Fuchs, Harald and R{\"o}llinghoff, Martin and Simon, Markus M. and Kramer, Michael D.}, title = {Expression of T-cell-associated serine proteinase-1 during murine Leishmania major infection correlates with susceptibility to disease}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61311}, year = {1991}, abstract = {The expression of T-cell-associated serine proteinase 1 (MTSP-1) in vivo during Leishmania major infection was analyzed in genetically resistant C57BL/6 mice and in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice. Using a monoclonal antibody as well as an RNA probe specific for MTSP-1 to stain tissue sections, we found T cells expressing MTSP-1 in skin lesions and spleens of mice of both strains. In skin lesions, MTSP-1-positive T cells could be detected as early as 3 days after infection. Most importantly, the frequency of T cells expressing MTSP-1 was significantly higher in susceptible BALB/c mice than in resistant C57BL/6 mice. These findings suggest that MTSP-1 is associated with disease-promoting T cells and that it may be an effector molecule involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{MollRoellinghoff1990, author = {Moll, Heidrun and R{\"o}llinghoff, Martin}, title = {Resistance to murine cutaneous leishmaniasis is mediated by T\(_H\)1 cells, but disease-promoting CD4\(^+\) cells are different from T\(_H\)2 cells}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61305}, year = {1990}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{MollBinoederBogdanetal.1990, author = {Moll, Heidrun and Bin{\"o}der, Kerstin and Bogdan, Christian and Solbach, Werner and R{\"o}llinghoff, Martin}, title = {Production of tumour necrosis factor during murine cutaneous leishmaniasis}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-61291}, year = {1990}, abstract = {We have assessed the role of tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF) during cutaneous leishmaniasis and demonstrated that significant levels of TNF were released by spleen cells from infected mice after in cirro restimulation with Leishmania major promastigotes. Spleen cells from both genetically resistant and genetically susceptible mice were equally capable of producing TNF. After challenge with bacterial endotoxin, TNF activity could also be demonstrated in the serum of L. mujor-infected mice and the titres correlated with the course of cutaneous disease in susceptible and resistant mice. TNF did not exert a direct leishmanicidal effect in uitro. Furthermore, our study indicated that macrophages are the source of L. major-induced TNF activity and that its elicitation is dependent on the presence of T cells. These findings suggest that TNF acts in concert with other cytokines produced during L. major infection and that its role depends on the composition of T cell subsets and cytokines present.}, subject = {Immunologie}, language = {en} } @article{HackerOttHof1993, author = {Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Ott, M. and Hof, H.}, title = {Effects of low, subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on expression of a virulence gene cluster of pathogenic E. coli by using a wild-type gene fusion}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-59874}, year = {1993}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Infektionsbiologie}, language = {en} } @article{ZinglerBlumFalkenhagenetal.1993, author = {Zingler, G. and Blum, G. and Falkenhagen, U. and Orskov, I. and Orskov, F. and Hacker, J{\"o}rg and Ott, M}, title = {Clonal differentiation of uropathogenic E. coli isolates of serotype O6:K5 by fimbrial antigen typing and DNA long-range mapping techniques}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-59865}, year = {1993}, abstract = {Escherichia coli isolates of serotype 06: K5 are the most common causative agents of cystitis and pyelonephritis in adults. To answer the question, as to whether strains of this particular serotype represent one special clonal group, out of a collection of 34 serotype 06: K5 isolates [Zingler et al. ( 1990) Zentralbl. Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg [A] 274:372-381] 15 strains were selected andanalyzed in detail. The flagellar (H) antigen and the outer membrane protein (OMP) pattern were determined. Furtherserum resistance properties and the genetic presence and expression of other virulence factors, including hemolysin, aerobactin, P fimbriae, S/F1C fimbriae and type 1 fimbriae was evaluated. In~laddition the Xbalmacrorestriction pattern of ten representative isolates was elaborated and the fimbrial (F) antigentype ofthe P fimbriae was determined, to obtain the complete 0: K: H: F pattern. These analyses could clearly show that the 06: K5 isolates do not represent one clonal group. The Xbal-macrorestriction profiles were heterogeneaus and marked differences in the hybridization patterns, using virulenceassociated gene probes in Southern hybridization of long-range-separated genomic DNA, were observed among the strains. However, some of strains showed similarities in the genomic profiles, arguing for clonal groupings among the 06: K5 isolates. lnterstingly the strains grouped tagether exhibited the same fimbrial F typethat many indicate a coincidence of this phenotypic trait with clonality.}, subject = {Infektionsbiologie}, language = {en} }