TY  - THES
A1  - König, Eva-Maria
T1  - Pathogenese von Kraniosynostosen
T1  - Pathogenesis of Craniosynostoses
N2  - Das humane Schädeldach besteht aus fünf Schädelplatten, die durch intramembranöse Ossifikation entstehen. Wenn diese in der Embryonalentwicklung aufeinandertreffen, bilden sich Schädelnähte aus, die eine Fusion der Schädelplatten verhindern und damit ein Schädelwachstum parallel zu Gehirnentwicklung ermöglichen. Für diesen Prozess ist eine Balance aus Zellproliferation und Differenzierung nötig, deren Aufrechterhaltung wiederum durch eine komplexe Regulation von verschiedenen Signalwegen gewährleistet wird. Störungen in diesem regulatorischen System können zu einer vorzeitigen Fusion der Schädelplatten, Kraniosynostose genannt, führen. Die Kraniosynostose ist eine der häufigsten kraniofazialen Fehlbildungen beim Menschen. Durch kompensatorisches Wachstum an den nicht fusionierten Suturen entstehen charakteristische Schädeldeformationen, die sekundär einen erhöhten intrakranialen Druck zur Folge haben können. Eine vorzeitige Fusion der Suturen kann sowohl isoliert als auch syndromal zusammen mit weiteren klinischen Auffälligkeiten vorliegen. Bisher sind über 150 verschiedene Kraniosynostose Syndrome beschrieben und insgesamt 25-30% aller Kraniosynostose Patienten sind von einer syndromalen Form betroffen. Da die klinischen Merkmale der Kraniosynostose Syndrome variabel sind und zum Teil überlappen, ist eine klare klinische Diagnose häufig erschwert. Sowohl Umwelteinflüsse als auch genetische Veränderungen können die Ursache für Kraniosynostosen sein. Vor allem bei syndromalen Kraniosynostosen wurden genetische Veränderungen, wie beispielsweise Mutationen in den Genen FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST1 und EFNB1, identifiziert. Darüber hinaus wurden chromosomale Veränderungen wie partielle Monosomien von 7p, 9p oder 11p sowie partielle Trisomien von 5q, 13q oder 15q mit Kraniosynostose assoziiert. Trotzdem ist in über 50% der Fälle die genetische Ursache unbekannt und die Pathogenese von Kraniosynostosen noch nicht vollständig geklärt.
Ziel dieser Arbeit war es neue genetische Ursachen bei Kraniosynostose Patienten zu identifizieren und so zur Aufklärung der Pathogenese beizutragen. Es wurde die genomische DNA von 83 Patienten molekulargenetisch durch Mikroarray basierte vergleichende Genomhybridisierung (Array-CGH) oder durch ein speziell entworfenes Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Genpanel untersucht. Bei 30% der Patienten konnte eine potentiell pathogene Veränderung identifiziert werden. Davon waren 23% chromosomale Aberrationen wie unbalancierte Translokationen, isolierte interstitielle Verluste und ein Zugewinn an genomischen Material. Bei zwei Patienten wurden unbalancierte Translokationen mit partieller 5q Trisomie nachgewiesen. Das Gen MSX2 liegt innerhalb des duplizierten Bereichs, sodass möglicherweise eine MSX2 Überexpression vorliegt. Für ein normales Schädelwachstum ist jedoch die richtige Menge an MSX2 kritisch. Des Weiteren wurde eine partielle Deletion von TCF12 detektiert, die in einer Haploinsuffizienz von TCF12 resultiert. TCF12 Mutationen sind mit Koronarnahtsynosten assoziiert. In einem anderen Fall lag das Gen FGF10 innerhalb der duplizierten 5p15.1-p12 Region. Das Gen kodiert für einen Liganden des FGF Signalwegs und wurde bisher noch nicht mit Kraniosynostose assoziiert. Aufgrund dessen wurden Analysen im Tiermodell Danio rerio durchgeführt. Eine simulierte Überexpression durch Injektion der fgf10a mRNA in das 1-Zell Stadium führte zu schweren Gehirn-, Herz- und Augendefekten.
Mittels NGS wurden 77% der potentiell pathogenen genetischen Veränderungen identifiziert. Hierfür wurde in dieser Arbeit ein Genpanel erstellt, das 68 Gene umfasst. Es wurden sowohl bekannte Kraniosynostose- als auch Kandidaten-Gene sowie Gene, die mit der Ossifikation assoziiert sind, in die Analyse eingeschlossen. Das Genpanel wurde durch die Sequenzierung von fünf Kontrollproben mit bekannten Mutationen erfolgreich validiert. Anschließend wurde die genomische DNA von 66 Patienten analysiert. Es konnten 20 (potentiell) pathogene Varianten identifiziert werden. Neben bereits bekannten Mutationen in den Genen FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 und TWIST1, konnten zusätzlich 8 neue, potentiell pathogene Varianten in den Genen ERF, MEGF8, MSX2, PTCH1 und TCF12 identifiziert werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit tragen dazu bei das Mutationsspektrum dieser Gene zu erweitern. Bei zwei der Varianten handelte es sich um potentielle Spleißvarianten. Für diese konnte in einem in vitro Spleißsystem gezeigt werden, dass sie eine Änderung des Spleißmusters bewirken. Der Nachweis von zwei seltenen Varianten in den Genen FGFR2 und HUWE1 hat außerdem dazu beigetragen die Pathogenität dieser spezifischen Varianten zu bekräftigen. Eine Variante in POR, die aufgrund bioinformatischer Analysen als potentiell pathogen bewertet wurde, wurde nach der Segregationsanalyse als wahrscheinlich benigne eingestuft. Zusammenfassend konnten bei etwa einem Drittel der Patienten, die mit dem NGS Genpanel analysiert wurden, eine genetische Ursache identifiziert werden. Dieses Genpanel stellt somit ein effizientes diagnostisches Tool dar, das zukünftig in der genetischen Routine-Diagnostik von Kraniosynostose-Patienten eingesetzt werden kann. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass sowohl eine Untersuchung auf CNVs als auch auf Sequenzänderungen bei Kraniosynostose Patienten sinnvoll ist.
N2  - Cranial bones are formed by intramembranous ossification. During development, the cranial bones are separated by fibrous sutures, which function as bone growth sites and therefore, the cranial sutures need to remain patent to allow the expansion of the skull during brain development. Thus, there must be a balance of cell proliferation and differentiation within the suture. This complex process requires a tight regulation of gene expression and interacting signal pathways. Imbalances or dysfunction of the involved factors can result in abnormal skull growth. One of the most common congenital craniofacial disorders by affecting approximately one in 2500 newborns is craniosynostosis. It is defined as the premature ossification of one or more calvarial sutures. Compensatory growth of the skull leads to a characteristic dysmorphic cranial vault and facial asymmetry. Premature ossification of the cranial sutures can occur either as isolated malformation or as part of a syndrome. Isolated craniosynostoses are more frequent, nevertheless, 25-30% of all cases are syndromic craniosynostoses with more than 150 syndromes reported. There is a high intra- and interfamilial variability and clinical overlap of the different syndromes. Environmental influences as well as genetic defects like mutations and chromosomal aberrations are known to cause craniosynostosis. So far genetic causes have been identified mainly for syndromic craniosynostoses, i.e. mutations in FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST1, and EFNB1. Furthermore, chromosomal rearrangements like i.e. partial monosomy of 7p, 9p, and 11p as well as partial trisomy of 5q, 13q, and 15q, have been reported in 11-15% of the syndromic craniosynostosis cases. However, in more than 50% of the cases the underlying genetic cause remains unknown. Furthermore, the pathogenesis of craniosynostoses is still not fully understood.
In this project 83 craniosynostosis patients were analysed either by microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) or gene panel based next generation sequencing (NGS) to further investigate the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis. In a total of 30% of the patients a potential genetic cause was identified. Among those 23% had chromosomal rearrangements which are likely to cause the observed phenotypes, i.e. unbalanced translocations affecting several genes as well as interstitial deletions and an isolated duplication have been detected. Two patients had unbalanced translocations with partial 5q trisomies encompassing MSX2. MSX2 gene dosage is critical for normal growth of the cranial bone plates as loss-of-function mutations lead to delayed and incomplete ossification of the parietal bones. Furthermore, we identified a partial TCF12 deletion which is likely to result in TCF12 haploinsufficiency. TCF12 mutations frequently lead to premature fusion of the coronal sutures, although its pathogenesis is still not fully understood. In another case isolated duplication of 5p15.1-p12 includes FGF10 which is a known ligand of the FGF signalling pathway. So far, no association of FGF10 with craniosynostosis has been made. To investigate its potential role during development and in the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis functional experiments were performed in Danio rerio, an animal model for craniosynostosis. Simulation of fgf10a overexpression by injection of fgf10a RNA at 1-cell stage resulted in severe anomalies of the brain, heart and eyes.
In addition, 77% of the identified genetic causes were detected by NGS. For this study a gene panel was designed comprising 68 genes of known and candidate craniosynostosis genes as well as genes associated with bone development. Performance of the NGS gene panel was validated by sequencing five control patients with known mutations. Subsequently, genomic DNA of 66 patients was analysed by the designed craniosynostosis panel. 20 (potential) pathogenic variants were detected. Although, in most of the cases hot spot sequencing of one or more common craniosynostosis genes was performed prior to including the patients in the study, we determined 9 known mutations in the genes FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and TWIST1. In addition, 8 novel, potentially disease-causing variants in the genes ERF, MEGF8, MSX2, PTCH1, and TCF12 were identified. This work contributed to extend the mutational spectrum within those genes. Two of those variants were predicted to affect splice sites. Analysis by an in vitro splice assay revealed that those variants result in aberrant splicing. Furthermore, the detection of two rare variants of FGFR2 and HUWE1 adds support to their pathogenicity. An additional variant within POR had to be classified as likely benign after segregation analysis. Overall, in nearly one third of the analysed cases an underlying genetic cause could be identified by the designed gene panel. Thus, the NGS panel presents as an efficient tool for genetic diagnostics of craniosynostoses. The data of this work clearly show both copy number variant and single nucleotide variant analysis should be considered in genetic diagnostics of craniosynostosis patients.
KW  - Kraniosynostose
KW  - Genetik
KW  - Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
KW  - Mikroarray basierte vergleichende Genomhybridisierung (Array-CGH)
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-175181
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Tiwarekar, Vishakha Rakesh
T1  - The APOBEC3G-regulated host factors REDD1 and KDELR2 restrict measles virus replication
T1  - Die durch APOBEC3G-regulierten Wirtsfaktoren REDD1 und KDELR2 restringieren die Masernvirus Replikation
N2  - Measles is an extremely contagious vaccine-preventable disease responsible
for more than 90000 deaths worldwide annually. The number of deaths has
declined from 8 million in the pre-vaccination era to few thousands every year due
to the highly efficacious vaccine. However, this effective vaccine is still unreachable
in many developing countries due to lack of infrastructure, while in developed
countries too many people refuse vaccination. Specific antiviral compounds are not
yet available. In the current situation, only an extensive vaccination approach
along with effective antivirals could help to have a measles-free future. To develop
an effective antiviral, detailed knowledge of viral-host interaction is required.
This study was undertaken to understand the interaction between MV and
the innate host restriction factor APOBEC3G (A3G), which is well-known for its
activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Restriction of MV
replication was not attributed to the cytidine deaminase function of A3G, instead,
we identified a novel role of A3G in regulating cellular gene functions. Among two
of the A3G regulated host factors, we found that REDD1 reduced MV replication,
whereas, KDELR2 hampered MV haemagglutinin (H) surface transport thereby
affecting viral release. REDD1, a negative regulator of mTORC1 signalling
impaired MV replication by inhibiting mTORC1. A3G regulated REDD1
expression was demonstrated to inversely correlate with MV replication. siRNA
mediated silencing of A3G in primary human blood lymphocytes (PBL) reduced
REDD1 levels and simultaneously increased MV titres. Also, direct depletion of
REDD1 improved MV replication in PBL, indicating its role in A3G mediated
restriction of MV. Based on these finding, a new role of rapamycin, a
pharmacological inhibitor of mTORC1, was uncovered in successfully diminishing
MV replication in Vero as well as in human PBL. The ER and Golgi resident
receptor KDELR2 indirectly affected MV by competing with MV-H for cellular
chaperones. Due to the sequestering of chaperones by KDELR2, they can no longer
assist in MV-H folding and subsequent surface expression. Taken together, the two
A3G-regulated host factors REDD1 and KDELR2 are mainly responsible for
mediating its antiviral activity against MV.
N2  - Masern ist eine extrem ansteckende, durch Impfung verhinderbare Infektionskrankheit, die für mehr als 90000 Todesfälle jährlich weltweit verantwortlich ist. Die Zahl der Todesfälle nahm von ca. 8 Millionen in der Prä- Impf-Ära auf wenige Tausend pro Jahr aufgrund dieses effizienten Impfstoffs ab. Dieser ist jedoch aufgrund mangelnder Infrastruktur in vielen Entwicklungsländern nicht ausreichend verfügbar, oder die Impfung wird – vor allem in entwickelten Ländern – verweigert. Spezifische antivirale Substanzen sind noch nicht verfügbar. So könnte nur eine extensive Impfkampagne zu einer Masern-freien Zukunft führen. Um antivirale Substanzen zu generieren wird detailiertes Wissen über Virus-Wirt-Interaktionen benötigt.
Diese Studie wurde unternommen um Interaktionen zwischen Masernviren (MV) und dem zellulären Restriktionsfaktor APOBEC3G (A3G), der allgemein bekannt für seine antivirale Wirkung gegen das humane Immundefizienzvirus (HIV) ist, zu charakterisieren. A3G hemmt die MV-Replikation nicht aufgrund seiner Cytidin-Desaminase-Funktion, sondern wir entdeckten eine neue Funktion des A3G, nämlich dass es die Expression zellulärer Faktoren reguliert. Wir fanden, dass unter den A3G-regulierten Wirtszellfaktoren REDD1 die MV-Replikation reduzierte, während KDELR2 den Transport des MV-Hämagglutinins (H) zur Zelloberfläche, und somit die Virusfreisetzung, inhibierte. REDD1, ein negativer Regulator des mTORC1-Signalübertragungswegs, reduzierte die MV-Replikation indem es mTORC1 inhibiert. Die Expression des durch A3G regulierten REDD1 korrelierte umgekehrt mit der MV Replikation. SiRNA-vermittelte Reduktion des A3G in primären humanen Lymphozyten des Bluts (PBL) führte zu einer Abnahme des REDD1 und gleichzeitig zu einer Zunahme des MV-Titers. Ebenso führte direktes Silencing des REDD1 zu einer verstärkten MV-Replikation in PBL, was seine Rolle bei der A3G-vermittelten Restriktion der MV-Replikation unterstreicht. Aufgrund dieser Befunde wurde auch eine neue Funktion des mTORC1-Inhibitors Rapamycin als Inhibitor der MV-Replikation in Vero-Zellen und primären PBL aufgedeckt. Der ER- und Golgi-residente Rezeptor KDELR2 wirkte sich indirekt auf die MV-Replikation aus, indem er mit dem MV-H um die Interaktion mit Chaperonen kompetiert. KDELR2 bindet Chaperone und
verhindert so deren Interaktion mit MV-H und den Transport zur Zelloberfläche. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die beiden A3G-regulierten Wirtszellfaktoren REDD1 und KDELR2 hauptsächlich für die antivirale Aktivität des A3G gegen MV verantwortlich sind.
KW  - measles virus
KW  - restriction factors
KW  - APOBEC3G
KW  - REDD1
KW  - KDELR2
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-179526
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Anany, Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed
T1  - Enhancement of Toll-like receptor3 (TLR3)-induced death signaling by TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)
T1  - Verstärkung der Toll-like receptor3 (TLR3)-induzierten Todessignalisierung durch TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)
N2  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF superfamily (TNFSF) and is as such initially expressed as type II class transmembrane glycoprotein from which a soluble ligand form can be released by proteolytic processing. While the expression of TWEAK has been detected at the mRNA level in various cell lines and cell types, its cell surface expression has so far only been documented for dendritic cells, monocytes and interferon-γ stimulated NK cells. The fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14 (Fn14) is a TRAF2-interacting receptor of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and is the only receptor for TWEAK. The expression of Fn14 is strongly induced in a variety of non-hematopoietic cell types after tissue injury. The TWEAK/Fn14 system induces pleiotropic cellular activities such as induction of proinflammatory genes, stimulation of cellular angiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, migration and in rare cases induction of apoptosis. On the other side, Toll-like receptor3 (TLR3) is one of DNA- and RNA-sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), plays a crucial role in the first line of defense against virus and invading foreign pathogens and cancer cells. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid poly(I:C) is a synthetic analog of dsRNA, binds to TLR3 which acts through the adapter TRIF/TICAM1, leading to cytokine secretion, NF-B activation, IRF3 nuclear translocation, inflammatory response and may also elicit the cell death. TWEAK sensitizes cells for TNFR1-induced apoptosis and necroptosis by limiting the availability of protective TRAF2-cIAP1 and TRAF2-cIAP2 complexes, which interact with the TNFR1-binding proteins TRADD and RIPK1. In accordance with the fact that poly(I:C)-induced signaling also involves these proteins, we found enhanced necroptosis-induction in HaCaT and HeLa-RIPK3 by poly(I:C) in the presence of TWEAK (Figure 24). Analysis of a panel of TRADD, FADD, RIPK1 and caspase-8 knockout cells revealed furthermore similarities and differences in the way how these molecules act in cell death signaling by poly(I:C)/TWEAK and TNF and TRAIL. RIPK1 turned out to be essential for poly(I:C)/TWEAK-induced caspase-8-mediated apoptosis but was dispensable for these responses in TNF and TRAIL signaling. Lack of FADD protein abrogated TRAIL- but not TNF- and poly(I:C)-induced necroptosis. Moreover, we observed that both long and short FLIP rescued HaCaT and HeLa-RIPK3 cells from poly(I:C)-induced apoptosis or necroptosis.
To sum up, our results demonstrate that TWEAK, which is produced by interferon stimulated myeloid cells, controls the induction of apoptosis and necroptosis by the TLR3 ligand poly(I:C) and may thus contribute to cancer or anti-viral immunity treatment.
N2  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) ist ein Mitglied der TNF-Superfamilie (TNFSF) und wird als solches anfänglich als Transmembranglykoprotein der Klasse II exprimiert, aus dem eine lösliche Ligandenform durch proteolytische Prozessierung freigesetzt werden kann. Während die Expression von TWEAK auf mRNA-Ebene in verschiedenen Zelllinien und Zelltypen nachgewiesen wurde, konnte ihre Zelloberflächenexpression bisher nur für dendritische Zellen, Monozyten und Interferon-γ-stimulierte NK-Zellen dokumentiert werden.  Fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14 (Fn14) ist ein TRAF2-wechselwirkender Rezeptor der TNF-Rezeptor-Superfamilie (TNFRSF) und der einzige Rezeptor für TWEAK. Die Expression von Fn14 wird nach Gewebeverletzung in einer Vielzahl von nicht hämatopoetischen Zelltypen stark induziert. Das TWEAK / Fn14-System induziert pleiotrope zelluläre Aktivitäten, die von der proinflammatorischen Geninduktion über die Stimulierung der Angiogenese, Proliferation und Zelldifferenzierung bis hin zur Zellmigration und in seltenen Fällen zur Induktion von Apoptose reichen. Auf der anderen Seite spielt der Toll-like Rezeptor3 (TLR3), einer der DNA- and RNA-sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), eine entscheidende Rolle in der ersten Verteidigungslinie gegen Viren und eindringende fremde Krankheitserreger und Krebszellen. Polyinosin-Polycytidylsäure-Poly (I: C) ist ein synthetisches Analogon von dsRNA, das an TLR3 bindet, das über den Adapter TRIF / TICAM1 wirkt und zu Zytokinsekretion, NF-B-Aktivierung, IRF3-Kerntranslokation und Entzündungsreaktion führt der Zelltod.
TWEAK sensibilisiert Zellen für TNFR1-induzierte Apoptose und Nekroptose, indem es die Verfügbarkeit von schützenden TRAF2-cIAP1- und TRAF2-cIAP2-Komplexen begrenzt, die mit den TNFR1-bindenden Proteinen TRADD und RIPK1 interagieren. Entsprechend der Tatsache, dass diese Proteine auch von Poly (I: C) induziert werden, fanden wir eine verstärkte Nekroptose-Induktion in HaCaT und HeLa-RIPK3 durch Poly (I: C) in Gegenwart von TWEAK (Figure 24). Die Analyse eines Panels von TRADD-, FADD-, RIPK1- und Caspase-8-Knockout-Zellen ergab außerdem Ähnlichkeiten und Unterschiede in der Art und Weise, wie diese Moleküle bei der Zelltodsignalisierung durch Poly (I: C) / TWEAK und TNF und TRAIL wirken. RIPK1 erwies sich als essentiell für die Poly (I: C) / TWEAK-induzierte Caspase-8-vermittelte Apoptose, war jedoch für diese Reaktionen bei TNF- und TRAIL-Signalen entbehrlich. Das Fehlen von FADD-Protein hob TRAIL-, aber nicht TNF- und Poly (I: C) -induzierte Nekroptose auf. Darüber hinaus beobachteten wir, dass sowohl langes als auch kurzes FLIP HaCaT- und HeLa-RIPK3-Zellen vor Poly (I: C) -induzierter Apoptose oder Nekroptose retteten.
Zusammenfassend zeigen unsere Ergebnisse, dass TWEAK, das von Interferon-stimulierten myeloischen Zellen produziert wird, die Induktion von Apoptose und Nekroptose durch den TLR3-Liganden Poly(I: C) steuert und somit zur Krebsbehandlung oder antiviralen Immunität beitragen kann.
KW  - Immunologe
KW  - TLR3
KW  - TWEAK
KW  - Krebs
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189757
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Turakhiya, Ankit
T1  - Functional characterization of the role of ZFAND1 in stress granule turnover
T1  - Funktionelle Charakterisierung der Rolle von ZFAND1 im Umsatz von Stressgranula
N2  - Protein quality control systems are critical for cellular proteostasis and survival under stress conditions. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a pivotal role in proteostasis by eliminating misfolded and damaged proteins. However, exposure to the environmental toxin arsenite results in the accumulation of polyubiquitylated proteins, indicating an overload of the UPS. Arsenite stress induces the rapid formation of stress granules (SGs), which are cytoplasmic assemblies of mRNPs stalled in translation initiation. The mammalian proteins ZFAND2A/B (also known as AIRAP and AIRAPL, respectively) bind to the 26S proteasome, and ZFAND2A has been shown to adapt proteasome activity to arsenite stress. They belong to a small subfamily of AN1 type zinc finger containing proteins that also comprises the unexplored mammalian member ZFAND1 and its yeast homolog Cuz1. 
In this thesis, the cellular function of Cuz1 and ZFAND1 was investigated. Cuz1/ZFAND1 was found to interact with the ubiquitin-selective, chaperone-like ATPase Cdc48/p97 and with the 26S proteasome. The interaction between Cuz1/ZFAND1 and Cdc48/p97 requires a predicted ubiquitin-like domain of Cuz1/ZFAND1. In vivo, this interaction was strongly dependent on acute arsenite stress, suggesting that it is a part of the cellular arsenite stress response. Lack of Cuz1/ZFAND1 caused a defect in the clearance of arsenite induced SG clearance. ZFAND1 recruits both, the 26S proteasome and p97, to arsenite-induced SGs for their normal clearance. In the absence of ZFAND1, SGs lack the 26S proteasome and p97, accumulate defective ribosomal products and become aberrant. These aberrant SGs persist after arsenite removal and undergo degradation via autophagy. ZFAND1 depletion is epistatic to the expression of pathogenic mutant p97 with respect to SG clearance, suggesting that ZFAND1 function is relevant to the multisystem degenerative disorder, inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget’s disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (IBMPFD/ALS).
N2  - Systeme zur Sicherung der Proteinqualität sind von essentieller Bedeutung für die zelluläre Proteostase und das Überleben unter Stressbedingungen. Dabei spielt das Ubiquitin-Proteasom-System (UPS) eine entscheidende Rolle: Es beseitigt fehlgefaltete und beschädigte Proteine. Sind Zellen dem Umweltgift Arsenit ausgesetzt, kommt es zu einer Akkumulation von polyubiquitinierten Proteinen, was auf eine Überlastung des UPS hinweist. Dieser durch Arsenit verursachte Stress bewirkt eine schnelle Bildung von Stressgranula (SGs), einer cytoplasmatischen Ansammlung von mRNPs, die in der Initiation der Translation blockiert sind. Die Säuger Proteine ZFAND2A/B (auch bekannt als AIRAP und AIRAPL) binden an das 26S Proteasom. Zusätzlich wurde gezeigt, dass ZFAND2A die Aktivität des Proteasoms an durch Arsenit verursachten Stress, anpasst. Diese Proteine gehören zu einer kleinen Unterfamilie von Zinkfinger von AN1-type enthaltenden Proteinen, zu der auch das bislang nicht erforschte Säuge Protein ZFAND1 und sein Hefehomolog Cuz1 gehören.
In dieser Arbeit wurde die zelluläre Funktion von Cuz1 und ZFAND1 untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass Cuz1/ZFAND1 mit dem 26S Proteasom und der Ubiquitin-selektiven, Chaperon-ähnlichen ATPase Cdc48/p97 interagiert. Die Interaktion zwischen Cuz1/ZFAND1 und Cdc48/p97 benötigt eine vorhergesagte Ubiquitin-ähnliche Domäne von Cuz1/ZFAND1. Diese Interaktion ist in vivo stark von akutem Arsenitstress abhängig, was darauf hindeutet, dass sie Teil der zellulären Stressantwort gegen Arsenit ist. Fehlt Cuz1/ZFAND1, so kommt es zu einer Störung bei der Beseitigung der von Arsenit verursachten SGs. Normalerweise rekrutiert ZFAND1 sowohl das 26S Proteasom als auch p97 zu diesen SGs, um sie zu entfernen. Wenn ZFAND1 jedoch fehlt, sind auch p97 und das 26S Proteasom nicht an den SGs lokalisiert. Dadurch sammeln sich dort defekte ribosomale Produkte an, und die SGs werden abnormal. Auch nach Entfernung des Arsenitstresses bestehen diese abnormalen SGs fort und werden schließlich über Autophagie abgebaut. Bei der Beseitigung der SGs ist das Fehlen von ZFAND1 epistatisch zu der Expression einer pathogenen p97-Mutante, was darauf hinweirt, dass ZFAND1 bei der degenerativen Multisystemerkrankung Einschlusskörper-Myopathie assoziiert mit Pagets Erkrankung der Knochen und frontotemporaler Demenz und Amyotrophe Lateralsklerose (IBMPFD/ALS) eine Rolle spielt.
KW  - ubiquitin
KW  - ZFAND1
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-163751
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Kaltdorf [geb. Schuch], Kristin Verena
T1  - Mikroskopie, Bildverarbeitung und Automatisierung der Analyse von Vesikeln in \(C.\) \(elegans\) und anderen biologischen Strukturen
T1  - Microscopy, Image Processing and Automization of Analysis of Vesicles in \(C.\) \(elegans\) and other biological Structures
N2  - Thema dieser Thesis ist die Analyse sekretorischer Vesikelpools auf Ultrastrukturebene in unterschiedlichen biologischen Systemen. Der erste und zweite Teil dieser Arbeit fokussiert sich auf die Analyse synaptischer Vesikelpools in neuromuskulären Endplatten (NME) im Modellorganismus Caenorhabditis elegans. Dazu wurde Hochdruckgefrierung und Gefriersubstitution angewandt, um eine unverzügliche Immobilisation der Nematoden und somit eine Fixierung im nahezu nativen Zustand zu gewährleisten. Anschließend wurden dreidimensionale Aufnahmen der NME mittels Elektronentomographie erstellt. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wurden junge adulte, wildtypische C. elegans Hermaphroditen mit Septin-Mutanten verglichen. Um eine umfassende Analyse mit hoher Stichprobenzahl zu ermöglichen und eine automatisierte Lösung für ähnliche Untersuchungen von Vesikelpools bereit zu stellen wurde eine Software namens 3D ART VeSElecT zur automatisierten Vesikelpoolanalyse entwickelt. Die Software besteht aus zwei Makros für ImageJ, eines für die Registrierung der Vesikel und eines zur Charakterisierung. Diese Trennung in zwei separate Schritte ermöglicht einen manuellen Verbesserungsschritt zum Entfernen falsch positiver Vesikel. Durch einen Vergleich mit manuell ausgewerteten Daten neuromuskulärer Endplatten von larvalen Stadien des Modellorganismus Zebrafisch (Danio rerio) konnte erfolgreich die Funktionalität der Software bewiesen werden. Die Analyse der neuromuskulären Endplatten in C. elegans ergab kleinere synaptische Vesikel und dichtere Vesikelpools in den Septin-Mutanten verglichen mit Wildtypen. 
Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurden neuromuskulärer Endplatten junger adulter C. elegans Hermaphroditen mit Dauerlarven verglichen. Das Dauerlarvenstadium ist ein spezielles Stadium, welches durch widrige Umweltbedingungen induziert wird und in dem C. elegans über mehrere Monate ohne Nahrungsaufnahme überleben kann. Da hier der Vergleich der Abundanz zweier Vesikelarten, der „clear-core“-Vesikel (CCV) und der „dense-core“-Vesikel (DCV), im Fokus stand wurde eine Erweiterung von 3D ART VeSElecT entwickelt, die einen „Machine-Learning“-Algorithmus zur automatisierten Klassifikation der Vesikel integriert. Durch die Analyse konnten kleinere Vesikel, eine erhöhte Anzahl von „dense-core“-Vesikeln, sowie eine veränderte Lokalisation der DCV in Dauerlarven festgestellt werden.
Im dritten Teil dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht ob die für synaptische Vesikelpools konzipierte Software auch zur Analyse sekretorischer Vesikel in Thrombozyten geeignet ist. Dazu wurden zweidimensionale und dreidimensionale Aufnahmen am Transmissionselektronenmikroskop erstellt und verglichen. Die Untersuchung ergab, dass hierfür eine neue Methodik entwickelt werden muss, die zwar auf den vorherigen Arbeiten prinzipiell aufbauen kann, aber den besonderen Herausforderungen der Bilderkennung sekretorischer Vesikel aus Thrombozyten gerecht werden muss.
N2  - Subject of this thesis was the analysis of the ultrastructure of vesicle pools in various biological systems. The first and second part of this thesis is focused on the analysis of synaptic vesicle pools in neuromuscular junctions in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. In order to get access of synaptic vesicle pools in their near-to native state high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution was performed. Subsequently three-dimensional imaging of neuromuscular junctions using electron tomography was performed. In the first part young adult wild-type C. elegans hermaphrodites and septin mutants were compared. To enable extensive analysis and to provide an automated solution for comparable studies, a software called 3D ART VeSElecT for automated vesicle pool analysis, was developed. The software is designed as two macros for ImageJ, one for registration of vesicles and one for characterization. This separation allows for a manual revision step in between to erase false positive particles. Through comparison with manually evaluated data of neuromuscular junctions of larval stages of the model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio), functionality of the software was successfully proved. As a result, analysis of C. elegans neuromuscular junctions revealed smaller synaptic vesicles and more densely packed vesicle pools in septin mutants compared to wild-types.
In the second part of this thesis NMJs of young adult C. elegans hermaphrodites were compared with dauer larvae. The dauer larva is a special state that is induced by adverse environmental conditions and enables C. elegans to survive several months without any foot uptake. Aiming for an automated analysis of the ratio of two vesicle types, clear core vesicles (CCVs) and dense core vesicles (DCVs), an extension for 3D ART VeSElecT was developed, integrating a machine-learning classifier. As a result, smaller vesicles and an increased amount of dense core vesicles in dauer larvae were found.
In the third part of this thesis the developed software, designed for the analysis of synaptic vesicle pools, was checked for its suitability to recognize secretory vesicles in thrombocytes. Therefore, two-dimensional and three-dimensional transmission electron microscopic images were prepared and compared. The investigation has shown that a new methodology has to be developed which, although able to build on the previous work in principle, must meet the special challenges of image recognition of secretory vesicles from platelets.
KW  - Mikroskopie
KW  - Bildverarbeitung
KW  - Registrierung <Bildverarbeitung>
KW  - Synaptische Vesikel
KW  - Bildanalyse
KW  - Automatisierung der Analyse
KW  - Automated Image Analysis
KW  - Caenorhabditis elegans
KW  - Electron Microscopy
KW  - Elektronenmikroskopie
KW  - Caenorhabditis elegans
KW  - automatisierte Bildanalyse
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-160621
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Bach, Matthias
T1  - Massenspektrometrische Analyse der Interaktionen von Protein mit Proteinen und Proteinen mit niedermolekularen Verbindungen
T1  - Protein-protein and small molecule-protein interaction analyzed by mass spectrometry
N2  - Proteine können aufgrund ihrer biochemischen Vielfalt eine Vielzahl von Interaktionen
mit anderen Proteinen oder chemischen Verbindungen eingehen. Im ersten Teil dieser
Arbeit wurden Protein-Protein Interaktionen mittels chemischen Quervernetzens
untersucht. Das Ziel war, neue und verbesserte Methoden zu entwickeln, um
Interaktionsnetzwerke zu erstellen. Im zweiten Teil wurden die Interaktionen von
Proteinen mit niedermolekularen Verbindungen untersucht, um Drug Targets zu
identifizieren und zu validieren.
Die Untersuchung von Protein-Protein Interaktionen mittels Massenspektrometrie (MS)
ist eine leistungsfähige Methode, um alle potentiellen Interaktionen eines Proteins nach
einer Anreicherung (Co-IP) aus einem Zelllysat zu detektieren. Durch das zusätzliche
Quervernetzen dieser Proteine und anschließender MS kann ein Interaktionsnetzwerk
erstellt werden, um direkte von indirekten Interaktionen unterscheiden zu können
(Topology Mapping). Zur Methodenetablierung wurden kommerzielle Crosslinker und
rekombinante Proteine von bekannten Interaktionspartnern mit niedriger Komplexität
verwendet. Die beiden Interaktionspartner NPL4 und UFD1 konnten mit dem Crosslinker
BS3 erfolgreich quervernetzt und anhand der vernetzten Peptide identifiziert werden. Im
nächsten Schritt wurde dieser Arbeitsablauf auf eine Co-IP des Mediatorkomplexes aus
Hefe angewendet. Die Probenkomplexität ist hierbei 500 - 1000-fach höher als bei der
Verwendung von rekombinanten Proteinen. Nach der erfolgreichen Quervernetzung
konnte innerhalb des Komplexes ein Interaktionsnetzwerk erstellt werden. Diese Daten
passen zu dem bereits bekannten Modell des Mediatorkomplexes. Interaktionen zu
bekannten Interaktionspartnern, wie der RNA-Pol II, konnten aufgrund deren
substöchiometrischen Anreicherung nicht identifiziert werden.
Aufgrund der genannten Limitationen beim Quervernetzen von Proteinen wurden
folgende neue und verbesserte Methoden entwickelt:
1. Verwendung des spaltbaren Crosslinkers (DSSO), der während der Messung selektiv
durch niedrige Kollisionsenergie gespalten werden kann, um die Datenbanksuche zu
vereinfachen. Die Funktionalität der DSSO-Strategie konnte erfolgreich am Protein
Cytochrom C getestet werden. Bei der ersten Fragmentierung wird der Linker gespalten, anschließend können die getrennten Peptide separat fragmentiert werden. Die erzeugten
Daten sind mit einer Standarddatenbanksuche kompatibel, was bei gemischten Spektren
von zwei Peptiden nicht der Fall wäre. Beim Quervernetzen der rekombinanten
Interaktionspartner UBX und p97N mit DSSO konnte der zu bestätigende Crosslink
zwischen zwei Lysinen nicht identifziert werden. Grund hierfür könnte eine zu kurze
Linkerlänge von DSSO sein. Diese Versuche brachten jedoch einige Limitationen des
Ansatzes zum Vorschein, wie die Beschränkung auf die Protease Trypsin, aufgrund der
positiven Ladung am C-Terminus und die Notwendigkeit von großen Proteinmengen, da
das Spalten des Linkers einen zusätzlichen Intensitätsverlust für die folgende
Identifizierung der Peptide mit sich bringt.
2. Da die niedrige Abundanz von quervernetzten Peptiden das Hauptproblem bei deren
Identifizierung ist, wurde eine Methode entwickelt, um während der Messung direkt nach
diesen niedrig abundanten Spezies zu suchen. Entscheidendes Kriterium hierfür war, dass
quervernetzte Peptide zwei C-Termini haben. Diese wurden zur Hälfte enzymatisch mit
18O bzw. 16O markiert und wieder vereinigt. Der resultierende Massenunterschied von 8
Da (4 x 18O) kommt ausschließlich bei zwei quervernetzten Peptiden vor und kann
während der Messung direkt gesucht werden. Die vollständige Markierung von Peptiden
mit 18O wurde zunächst am Protein Beta-Galaktosidase getestet. Bereits hier stellte sich
heraus, dass der enzymatische Rücktausch von 18O zu 16O ein Problem darstellt und die
Markierungseffizienz von Aminosäuren beeinflusst wird, die sich C-terminal nach der
Spaltstelle befinden. Mit dieser Strategie ließ sich somit keine vollständige Markierung
für alle Peptide erreichen, was für diese Strategie essentiell gewesen wäre.
3. Um alle Probleme zu umgehen, die bei der Identifizierung von quervernetzten Peptiden
auftreten, wurde eine Methode entwickelt, um quervernetzte Proteine anhand von Profilen
nach einer Auftrennung im Polyacrylamidgel (SDS-PAGE) zu identifizieren. Durch das
Quervernetzen von Proteinen entstehen zusätzliche Proteinbanden nach einer SDSPAGE,
die im Gel nach oben verschoben sind. Alle Proteine in diesen neu erzeugten
Bereichen stellen somit potentielle Interaktionspartner dar. Als Modellsystem wurde der
Mediatorkomplex verwendet. Er wurde aus einem Zelllysat mittels Co-IP angereichert
und anschließend quervernetzt. Aus den mittels LC-MS/MS gemessenen Gelfraktionen wurden Proteinprofile erstellt und miteinander verglichen. Die Intensitätsmaxima der
Proteine des Mediatorkomplexes konnten in bestimmten zusätzlichen Fraktionen
gefunden werden, was den indirekten Nachweis für eine Interaktion darstellt. Die
Funktionalität der Strategie konnte somit bestätigt werden. Ein verbleibender Nachteil ist
jedoch die zu geringe Trennleistung von Polyacrylamidgelen. Befinden sich mehr als 50
Proteine in einer Fraktion, können potentielle Interaktionspartner nicht eindeutig zu einer
Untereinheit eines Komplexes zugeordnet werden.
Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurde im Rahmen der Klinischen Forschergruppe 216
(CRU216) Interaktionen von Proteinen mit verschiedenen niedermolekularen
Verbindungen massenspektrometrisch untersucht, um potentielle Drug Targets zu
identifizieren. Diese Versuche sind vergleichbar mit Co-IP Experimenten, da sich der
Arbeitsablauf nur durch die Anreicherung mittels chemischer Verbindung unterscheidet.
Hierzu wurden biotinylierte Verbindungen immobilisiert und potentielle Drug Targets
aus einem komplexen Zelllysat angereichert. Die Identifzierung der echten
Bindungspartner wurde über quantitive Massenspektrometrie erreicht. Dabei wurden die
angereicherten Proteine, die an die niedermolekularen Substanzen binden mit einer
geeigneten Kontrollanreicherung verglichen. Mit den getesteten α-acyl
Aminocarboxamiden konnten verschiedene Proteinkomplexe und interagierende Proteine
spezifisch angereichert werden. Hierbei waren die vier Kinasen DNA-PK, ATM, ATR
und mTOR besonders interessant, da sie mit onkogenem Signalling und
Überlebensmechanismen wie der Hitzeschockantwort in Zellen des Multiplen Myeloms
(MM) in Verbidnung stehen. Die Inhibition der DNA-PK, ATM, ATR und mTOR mit α-
acyl Aminocarboxamiden stellt somit einen möglichen Therapieansatz dar, wenn er
zusammen mit hitzestressauslösenden Inhibitoren verwendet wird. Weiterhin konnte
gezeigt werden, dass die Armadillodomäne innerhalb der potentiellen Drug targets
signifkant angereichert wurde. Sie stellt damit eine potentielle Bindestelle der α-acyl
Aminocarboxamide dar.
Abschließend wurden Proteine mit biotinylierten Naphtylisochinolinen aus einem MMZelllysat
angereichert, deren Vorläufersubstanzen eine Wirkung auf Tumorzellen und den Malariaparasit Plasmodium falciparum gezeigt hatten. Hierbei konnten vor allem RNAbindende-
und mRNA-Splicing Proteine identifiziert werden, die zum Teil essentiell für
das Spleißen in-vivo sind. Hierzu gehören mehrere Untereinheiten der Splicing Factoren
3A und 3B. Die Veränderung der transkriptionellen Regulation und der resultierende
Effekt auf Krebszellen konnte bereits in anderen Studien mit dem Inhibitor Spliceostatin
A gezeigt werden, der das Spleißen beeinflusst.
N2  - Based on the huge biochemical variety of proteins they can interact in many different
ways with other proteins or small molecules. The first part of this work is about protein-Protein interactions which were investigated with chemical crosslinking. The aim of this work was the development of new and improved methods for the construction of
interaction networks. The second part is about protein-small molecule interactions to
identify new drug targets with subsequent validation.
Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool to investigate all protein-protein interactions
after enrichment from a cell lysate (Co-IP). By adding crosslinking to Co-IP experiments
it is possible to create a topology map which is important to differenciate between direct
and indirect interactions. To validate the crosslinking procedure, a commercial available
crosslinker and recombinant proteins of known interaction partners with low sample
complexity were used. The interaction partners NPL4 and UFD1 were successfully
crosslinked with BS3 and crosslinked peptides were identified with MS. Next step was to
apply this workflow on the Co-IP of the yeast mediator complex. Here the sample
complexity is 500 to 1000 times higher than with recombinant proteins. After
successfully crosslinking, a topology map of the subunits of the mediator complex was
created. The result matches the latest model of the complex. Crosslinks to known
interation partners, like the RNA-Pol II, were not identified because of their
substoichiometric enrichment.
Because of the known limitations of protein crosslinking, new and improved methods
were developed:
1. Application of the MS-cleavable crosslinker DSSO, which could be cleaved with low
collision energy, to improve the database search of crosslinked peptides. Proof of concept
was done by crosslinking Cytochrom C. In the first fragmentation step only DSSO is
cleaved. Fragmentation of the separated peptides is done in the next step with higher
energy. Peptid fragments are compatible with a standard database search. The application
of this method on the interacting proteins UBX and p97N failed because the predicted
crosslink could not be identified. This could be due to the lack of linker length of DSSO.
But more important, this experiment revealed the drawbacks of the DSSO approach. Trypsin is needed because this leads to a positive charge on the C-Terminus. Furthermore
large amounts of protein are required to reach the needed intensity for all fragmentation
steps.
2. Since the low abundancy of crosslinked peptides is the main issue for their
identification, a new method was developed to directly search for them during the MS
measurement. The defining criterion for this search was the occurrence of two C-termini
in crosslinked peptides. Samples were splitted, labeled with 18O or 16O, and mixed again
to generate a mass shift of 8 Da which is unique for crosslinked peptides. This mass shift
can be used to directly search for these peptides during the measurement. Proof of
concept was tested by labeling beta-galactosidase. Complete labeling could not be
reached because of enzymatic back-exchange from 18O with 16O. Furthermore the
neighbouring amino acids at the C-termini influence the labeling efficiency. Due to the
incomplete labeling, the method could not be used for identifying crosslinked peptides.
3. To circumvent all problems which occur with the identification of crosslinked peptides,
another method was developed to identifiy crosslinked proteins by their mass shift after
separation on a polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE). By crosslinking proteins additional
protein bands are generated which appear in the upper part of the gel. All proteins in this
region are potential interation partners. Proof of concept was done by enrichment (Co-IP)
of the yeast mediator complex from a cell lysate with subsequent crosslinking. From the
LC-MS/MS data, profiles for every protein of the complex were generated. The
additionally generated crosslink intensity peaks of interacting subunits overlapped with
each other, which is the indirect proof of the functionality of this approach. The main
problem with this strategy is the low separation performance. When about 50 proteins are
located in one fraction, it is not possible to unambiguously match a protein to a specific
subunit of the protein complex.
In the second part of this work, the interactions of proteins with small molecules were
investigated by mass spectrometry, to identify potential drug targets. Biotinylated
versions of active compounds were immobilized to magnetic streptavidin beads and
incubated with INA6 cell lysate. By quantitiative analysis of proteins, which bind to the control beads and proteins, which bind to the inhibitor beads, potential drug targets were
identified.
With the used α-acyl aminocarboxamides several protein complexes and interacting
proteins were specifically enriched. These included the four kinases DNA-PK, ATM,
ATR and mTOR, which are involved in oncogenic signaling and survival mechanisms.
Moreover it is known, that the DNA-PK interacts with HSF1 and therefore regulates the
HSF1-mediated heat shock response. The inhibition of DNA-PK, ATM, ATR and mTOR
with α-acyl aminocarboxamides is a new therapeutic opportunity when it is combined
with other substances which trigger the heat shock response. A potential binding site of
the α-acyl aminocarboxamides is the armadillo domain, because it was significantly
enriched among the potential drug targets.
Several naphtylisochinolines were also biotinylated, immobilized and incubated with
INA6 cell lysate. Precursors of these substances showed activity against multiple
myeloma cells and the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum. Here we could enrich
proteins which are associated with RNA-binding and mRNA splicing, including several
subunits of the splicing factors 3A and 3B, which are essential for splicing. The change of
the transcriptional regulation and the resulting effect on cancer cells by influencing
mRNA splicing is already known and was shown by other inhibitors like Spliceostatin A.
KW  - Massenspektrometrie
KW  - Proteininteraktionen
KW  - Molekulare Zielstrukturen
KW  - Proteinquervernetzungen
KW  - Methodenentwicklung
KW  - Mass spectrometry
KW  - Protein interactions
KW  - Drug targets
KW  - Protein crosslinking
KW  - Method development
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-160462
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Gulve, Nitish
T1  - Subversion of Host Genome Integrity by Human Herpesvirus 6 and \(Chlamydia\) \(trachomatis\)
T1  - Störung der Integrität des Wirts Genoms durch das Human Herpesvirus 6 und \(Chlamydia\) \(trachomatis\)
N2  - Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in the world. The prevalence of a microbial signature in ovarian cancer has been reported by several studies till date. In these microorganisms, Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and Chlamydia trachomatis (C.tr) are especially important as they have significantly high prevalence rate. Moreover, these pathogens are directly involved in causing DNA damage and thereby disrupting the integrity of host genome which is the underlying cause of any cancer. This study focuses on how the two pathogens, HHV-6 and C. trachomatis can affect the genome integrity in their individual capacities and thereby may drive ovarian epithelial cells towards transformation. HHV-6 has unique tendency to integrate its genome into the host genome at subtelomeric regions and achieve a state of latency. This latent virus may get reactivated during the course of life by stress, drugs such as steroids, during transplantation, pregnancy etc. The study presented here began with an interesting observation wherein the direct repeat (DR) sequences flanking the ends of double stranded viral genome were found in unusually high numbers in human blood samples as opposed to normal ratio of two DR copies per viral genome. This study was corroborated with in vitro data where cell lines were generated to mimic the HHV-6 status in human samples. The same observation of unusually high DR copies was found in these cell lines as well. Interestingly, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and inverse polymerase chain reaction followed by southern blotting showed that DR sequences were found to be integrated in nontelomeric regions as opposed to the usual sub-telomeric integration sites in both human samples and in cell lines. Sanger sequencing confirmed the non-telomeric integration of viral DR sequences in the host genome. Several studies have shown that C. trachomatis causes DNA damage and inhibits the signaling cascade of DNA damage response. However, the effect of C. trachomatis infection on process of DNA repair itself was not addressed. In this study, the effect of C. trachomatis infection on host base excision repair (BER) has been addressed. Base excision repair is a pathway which is responsible for replacing the oxidized bases with new undamaged ones. Interestingly, it was found that C. trachomatis infection downregulated polymerase β expression and attenuated polymerase β- mediated BER in vitro. The mechanism of the polymerase β downregulation was found to be associated with the changes in the host microRNAs and downregulation of tumor suppressor, p53. MicroRNA-499 which has a binding site in the polymerase β 3’UTR was shown to be upregulated during C. trachomatis infection. Inhibition of miR-499 using synthetic miR-499 inhibitor indeed improved the repair efficiency during C. trachomatis infection in the in vitro repair assay. Moreover, p53 transcriptionally regulates polymerase β and stabilizing p53 during C. trachomatis infection enhanced the repair efficiency. Previous studies have shown that C. trachomatis can reactivate latent HHV-6. Therefore, genomic instability due to insertions of unstable ‘transposon-like’ HHV-6 DR followed by compromised BER during C. trachomatis infection cumulatively support the hypothesis of pathogenic infections as a probable cause of ovarian cancer
N2  - Diese Studie fokussiert sich darauf, wie die beiden Pathogene HHV-6 und C. trachomatis die
Genom Integrität beeinflussen und dadurch die Transformation ovarialer Epithelzellen zu
Tumorzellen antreiben können.
Das latente Virus HHV-6 kann sich in Subtelomer-Regionen des Genoms integrieren und zu jeder Lebensphase (z.B. durch Stress oder Pharmaka) reaktiviert werden. Zu Beginn dieser
Studie wurde die Beobachtung gemacht, dass in menschlichen Blutproben eine ungewöhnlich hohe Anzahl an sogenannten direct repeat Sequnzen, die die Enden des
doppelsträngigen Virus Genoms flankieren, aufwiesen. Bestätigt wurde diese Beobachtung durch in vitro Daten, wofür Zelllinien generiert wurden, um den HHV-6 Wert in menschlichen Proben zu imitieren. Außerdem konnte durch Sanger Sequenzierung die Integration der viralen DR Sequenzen außerhalb von Telomer Regionen in das Genom nachgewiesen werden.
Verschiedene Studien konnten zeigen, dass C. trachomatis DNA Schäden verursacht und die Signal Kaskade von Antworten auf DNA-Schäden inhibiert. Bisher wurde die Auswirkung
einer C. trachomatis Infektion auf den Prozess der DNA Reparatur selbst noch nicht behandelt. In dieser Studie wird die Auswirkung einer C. trachomatis Infektion auf Basen-Exzisionsreparatur (BER) thematisiert. Interessanterweise wurde herausgefunden, dass während einer C. trachomatis Infektion die Expression von Polymerase β herunterreguliert ist und dadurch die Polymerase β-vermittelte Basen-Exzisionsreparatur in vitro gestoppt
wird. Diese Herunterregulierung konnte mit einer verminderten Expression des Tumorsuppressor p53 assoziiert werden. Darüber hinaus reguliert p53 auf transkriptioneller
Ebene Polymerase β und eine Stabilisierung von p53 während einer C. trachomatis Infektion verbesserte die Reparatur-Effizienz. Vorangegangene Studien haben außerdem gezeigt, dass C. trachomatis die latente Form von HHV-6 reaktivieren kann. Deshalb unterstützt die genomische Instabilität aufgrund einer Insertion von HHV-6 DR, gefolgt von komprimierter BER während einer C. trachomatis Infektion, zunehmend die Hypothese, dass eine pathogene Infektion ein vermutlicher Auslöser von Eierstockkrebs sein könnte.
KW  - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW  - Host Genome Integrity
KW  - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW  - Human Herpesvirus 6
KW  - Humanes Herpesvirus 6
KW  - Eierstockkrebs
KW  - Molekulargenetik
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162026
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Pauls, Dennis
A1  - Hamarat, Yasmin
A1  - Trufasu, Luisa
A1  - Schendzielorz, Tim M.
A1  - Gramlich, Gertrud
A1  - Kahnt, Jörg
A1  - Vanselow, Jens
A1  - Schlosser, Andreas
A1  - Wegener, Christian
T1  - Drosophila carboxypeptidase D (SILVER) is a key enzyme in neuropeptide processing required to maintain locomotor activity levels and survival rate
JF  - European Journal of Neuroscience
N2  - Neuropeptides are processed from larger preproproteins by a dedicated set of enzymes. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying preproprotein processing and the functional importance of processing enzymes are well‐characterised in mammals, but little studied outside this group. In contrast to mammals, Drosophila melanogaster lacks a gene for carboxypeptidase E (CPE ), a key enzyme for mammalian peptide processing. By combining peptidomics and neurogenetics, we addressed the role of carboxypeptidase D (dCPD ) in global neuropeptide processing and selected peptide‐regulated behaviours in Drosophila . We found that a deficiency in dCPD results in C‐terminally extended peptides across the peptidome, suggesting that dCPD took over CPE function in the fruit fly. dCPD is widely expressed throughout the nervous system, including peptidergic neurons in the mushroom body and neuroendocrine cells expressing adipokinetic hormone. Conditional hypomorphic mutation in the dCPD ‐encoding gene silver in the larva causes lethality, and leads to deficits in starvation‐induced hyperactivity and appetitive gustatory preference, as well as to reduced viability and activity levels in adults. A phylogenomic analysis suggests that loss of CPE is not common to insects, but only occurred in Hymenoptera and Diptera. Our results show that dCPD is a key enzyme for neuropeptide processing and peptide‐regulated behaviour in Drosophila . dCPD thus appears as a suitable target to genetically shut down total neuropeptide production in peptidergic neurons. The persistent occurrence of CPD in insect genomes may point to important further CPD functions beyond neuropeptide processing which cannot be fulfilled by CPE.
KW  - direct muss spectrometric profiling
KW  - friut fly behaviour
KW  - M14 carboxypeptidasses
KW  - peptidomoics
KW  - protein processing
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204863
VL  - 50
IS  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Dechaud, Corentin
A1  - Volff, Jean-Nicolas
A1  - Schartl, Manfred
A1  - Naville, Magali
T1  - Sex and the TEs: transposable elements in sexual development and function in animals
JF  - Mobile DNA
N2  - Transposable elements are endogenous DNA sequences able to integrate into and multiply within genomes. They constitute a major source of genetic innovations, as they can not only rearrange genomes but also spread ready-to-use regulatory sequences able to modify host gene expression, and even can give birth to new host genes. As their evolutionary success depends on their vertical transmission, transposable elements are intrinsically linked to reproduction. In organisms with sexual reproduction, this implies that transposable elements have to manifest their transpositional activity in germ cells or their progenitors. The control of sexual development and function can be very versatile, and several studies have demonstrated the implication of transposable elements in the evolution of sex. In this review, we report the functional and evolutionary relationships between transposable elements and sexual reproduction in animals. In particular, we highlight how transposable elements can influence expression of sexual development genes, and how, reciprocally, they are tightly controlled in gonads. We also review how transposable elements contribute to the organization, expression and evolution of sexual development genes and sex chromosomes. This underscores the intricate co-evolution between host functions and transposable elements, which regularly shift from a parasitic to a domesticated status useful to the host.
KW  - Transposable element
KW  - Sex determination
KW  - Sexual development and function
KW  - Germline
KW  - piRNA
KW  - Sex chromosome
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202510
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Sauer, Markus
T1  - DHX36 function in RNA G-quadruplex-mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation
T1  - Funktion von DHX36 in RNA G-Quadruplex-vermittelter posttranskriptioneller Genregulierung
N2  - The expression of genetic information into proteins is a key aspect of life. The efficient and exact regulation of this process is essential for the cell to produce the correct amounts of these effector molecules to a given situation. For this purpose, eukaryotic cells have developed many different levels of transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene regulation. These mechanisms themselves heavily rely on interactions of proteins with associated nucleic acids. In the case of posttranscriptional gene regulation an orchestrated interplay between RNA-binding proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNA), and non-coding RNAs is compulsory to achieve this important function.
A pivotal factor hereby are RNA secondary structures. One of the most stable and diverse representatives is the G-quadruplex structure (G4) implicated in many cellular mechanisms, such as mRNA processing and translation. In protein biosynthesis, G4s often act as obstacles but can also assist in this process. However, their presence has to be tightly regulated, a task which is often fulfilled by helicases.
One of the best characterized G4-resolving factors is the DEAH-box protein DHX36. The in vitro function of this helicase is extensively described and individual reports aimed to address diverse cellular functions as well. Nevertheless, a comprehensive and systems-wide study on the function of this specific helicase was missing, so far.
The here-presented doctoral thesis provides a detailed view on the global cellular function of DHX36. The binding sites of this helicase were defined in a transcriptome-wide manner, a consensus binding motif was deviated, and RNA targets as well as the effect this helicase exerts on them were examined. In human embryonic kidney cells, DHX36 is a mainly cytoplasmic protein preferentially binding to G-rich and G4-forming sequence motifs on more than 4,500 mRNAs. Loss of DHX36 leads to increased target mRNA levels whereas ribosome occupancy on and protein output of these transcripts are reduced. Furthermore, DHX36 knockout leads to higher RNA G4 levels and concomitant stress reactions in the cell. I hypothesize that, upon loss of this helicase, translationally-incompetent structured DHX36 target mRNAs, prone to localize in stress granules, accumulate in the cell. The cell reacts with basal stress to avoid cytotoxic effects produced by these mis-regulated and structured transcripts.
N2  - Die Umsetzung genetischer Information in Proteine stellt einen Schlüsselaspekt des Lebens dar. Dabei ist die effiziente und exakte Regulierung dieses Prozesses für die Zelle essentiell, um die korrekte Menge dieser Effektormoleküle in einer gegebenen Situation zu produzieren. Zu diesem Zweck haben eukaryotische Zellen viele verschiedene Ebenen der transkriptionellen und posttranskriptionellen Genregulation entwickelt. Diese Mechanismen wiederum beruhen insbesondere auf den Interaktionen von Proteinen mit assoziierten Nukleinsäuren. Im Fall der posttranskriptionellen Genregulation ist ein abgestimmtes Wechselspiel zwischen RNA-bindenden Proteinen, Boten-RNAs und nicht-kodierenden RNAs zwingend erforderlich um diese wichtige Funktion zu erfüllen.
Ein zentrales Element hierbei bilden RNA-Sekundärstrukturen. Einer der stabilsten und variantenreichsten Vertreter dieser Strukturen ist die G-Quadruplexstruktur (G4), die in vielen zellulären Mechanismen, wie zum Beispiel Prozessierung und Translation der Boten-RNA, involviert ist. Während der Proteinbiosynthese agieren G4s häufig als Hindernisse, können diesen Prozess allerdings auch unterstützen. In beiden Fällen muss deren Präsenz genau reguliert werden, was häufig durch Helikasen erfolgt.
Einer der bestcharakterisiertesten, G4-entwindenden Faktoren ist das DEAH-Box Protein DHX36. Die in vitro Funktion dieser Helikase wurde bereits ausführlich beschrieben und einzelne Berichte haben darüber hinaus versucht, ihr verschiedene Funktionen in der Zelle zuzuweisen. Nichtsdestotrotz fehlt bislang eine umfassende und systemweite Studie zur Funktion dieser speziellen Helikase.
Die hier präsentierte Doktorarbeit liefert einen detaillierten Blick auf die globale Funktion von DHX36 in der Zelle. Bindestellen dieser Helikase im Transkriptom wurden definiert, ein allgemeines Bindemotiv abgeleitet und RNA-Bindeziele sowie der Effekt, den diese Helikase auf jene ausübt, untersucht. In humanen embryonalen Nierenzellen ist DHX36 ein vorwiegend zytoplasmatisches Protein, das bevorzugt G-reiche und G4-bildende Sequenzmotive auf über 4.500 Boten-RNAs bindet. Verlust von DHX36 führt zu einem erhöhten Level dieser Boten-RNAs in der Zelle, wobei deren Besetzung mit Ribosomen und die damit verbundene Proteinproduktion reduziert ist. Weiterhin führt der Verlust von DHX36 zu einem höheren RNA G4 Level und zu gleichzeitigen Stressreaktionen in der Zelle. Meine Vermutung ist, dass sich bei einem Verlust von DHX36 translationsinkompetente, strukturierte und leicht akkumulierende Ziel-Boten-RNAs in der Zelle anreichern. Die Zelle reagiert darauf mit basalem Stress um zytotoxische Effekte dieser miss-regulierten und strukturierten Transkripte zu vermeiden.
KW  - RNS
KW  - Helicasen
KW  - Genexpression
KW  - RNA secondary structures
KW  - G-quadruplex
KW  - RNA protein interactions
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-183954
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Röser [geb. Aßmus], Benjamin
T1  - SPRED2 (Sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 2) reguliert die Autophagie in Kardiomyozyten
T1  - SPRED2 (Sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 2) regulates autophagy in cardiomyocytes
N2  - Das Sprouty-related, EVH1 domain containing protein 2 (SPRED2) ist ein
inhibitorisches, downstream von Ras wirkendes Protein des MAP-Kinase Signalwegs,
welches entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Regulation von Proliferation, Expression von
Proteinen und der zellulären Homöostase hat. Der kardiale Phänotyp von SPRED2-
defizienten Mäusen zeigt nicht nur eine deutliche linksventrikuläre Hypertrophie,
sondern auch eine erhöhte Fibrosierung des Herzgewebes. Zellulär wird die SPRED2-
Defizienz durch die Akkumulation von vesikulären Strukturen innerhalb der Zelle,
sowie eine markant erhöhte Anzahl von Vesikeln entlang der longitudinalen Reihen
der Mitochondrien gekennzeichnet.
Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Charakter dieser vesikulären Strukturen näher zu
beleuchten und festzustellen, in welchem Zusammenhang die subzellulär veränderte
Architektur mit der Hypertrophie der SPRED2-defizienten Tiere steht. Um diese
Fragestellung zu beantworten, wurde zunächst nach einem vesikulären
Degradationsmechanismus gesucht, der in SPRED2-/--Cardiomyocyten betroffen sein
könnte. Die Macroautophagie, im folgenden Autophagie bezeichnet, ist ein solcher
Degradationsmechanismus, bei dem selektiv langlebige Proteine und Zellorganellen
abgebaut werden. Es konnten signifikante Veränderung der Protein-Level an
Schlüsselpositionen der Autophagie identifiziert werden. Das Ubiquitin-aktivierende
(E1) Enzym Homolog Atg7 sowie die Cystein-Protease Atg4B zeigen sich im SPRED2-
KO deutlich reduziert. Ebenso Atg16L, das als essentieller Bestandteil des Atg5-
Atg12-Atg16-Konjugationssystems bei der Konjugation von MAPLC3-II an das
Phospholipid Phosphatidylethanolamin beteiligt ist. Die Autophagie-Rate als
Verhältnis von konjugiertem zu unkonjugiertem MAPLC3 ist ebenfalls reduziert. Die
Akkumulation der autophagischen Vesikel zeigt sich kongruent zu dem erhöhten
Protein-Level der autophagischen Cargo-Rezeptoren SQSTM1 und NBR1, sowie des
lysosomalen Markers CathepsinD. Außer der verringerten Autophagie-Rate zeigt sich
in Einklang mit der Fibrosierung des Herzgewebes eine erhöht aktive Caspase-3 als
Marker für Apoptose. Um die mitochondriale Integrität näher zu beleuchten, wurde die
Menge an reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) in Wildtyp und SPRED2-KO untersucht.
Hierbei zeigte sich eine erhöhte Menge an ROS im KO, was ein Hinweis auf eine
Beeinträchtigung der Mitochondrien darstellt.
 
Letztlich wurde die Hypothese überprüft, ob ein gestörter Transport der Vesikel
durch eine Beeinträchtigung der Motorproteine Dynein und Kinesin vorliegt. In der Tat
zeigte sich die Aktivität der Dynein-ATPase verringert in der Abwesenheit von
SPRED2. Diese Beobachtung wird durch die erhöhten Mengen des vSNARE-Proteins
VTI1b unterstützt, was letztlich die Akkumulation der autophagischen Vesikel mit einer
verringerten Fähigkeit zur Membranfusion und dem ineffizienteren Transport der
Vesikel in Einklang bringt.
Da die gesamten Experimente in einem globalen SPRED2-KO System
durchgeführt wurden, können eventuelle Auswirkungen der beeinflussten hormonellen
Situation der SPRED2-KO Tiere auf den Herzphänotyp nicht final ausgeschlossen
werden. Um die genaue Wirkung einer SPRED2-Defizienz auf das Herzgewebe und
das Herz als Organ zu untersuchen, wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit eine SPRED2-
defiziente knockout Mauslinie mit konditionalem Potential generiert, die eine
gesteuerte Deletion von SPRED2 im Herzgewebe erlaubt.
N2  - The Sprouty-related, EVH1 domain containing protein 2 (SPRED2) is a MAP kinase
signaling inhibitor working downstream of Ras. It has a critical influence on regulating
proliferation, differentiation, expression of proteins and cellular hemostasis. The
cardiac phenotype of SPRED2 deficient mice not only shows a significant left
ventricular hypertrophy but also a hightened fibrosis of the heart tissue. On the cellular
level the SPRED2 deficiency is marked by an accumulation of ventricular structures
within the cell, as well as a decisive number of vesicles along the longitudinal rows of
mitochondria.
The aim of this work was to elucidate the properties of these vesicular structures
and to determine in which context the subcellularly modified architecture and the
hypertrophy of the SPRED2 deficient animals stand to each other. To answer this
question, a protein degradation mechanism that could be changed within the SPRED2
deficient cardiomyocytes was identified. Macroautophagy, further called autophagy, is
such a degradation mechanism, which degrades long-lived proteins and cell
organelles. This work identified significant changes made to the protein level of key
regulators of autophagy. The ubiquitin-activating (E1) enzyme homolog Atg7 as well
as the cystein protease Atg4B are reduced in the SPRED2 KO. Similarly, Atg16L,
which acts as an essential part of the Atg5-Atg12-Atg16 conjugation system in the process of conjugating MAPLC3 to the phospholipid phosphatidylethanolamine. The
autophagic flux, as the relation between conjugated and unconjugated MAPLC3, is
reduced in the knockout as well. The accumulation of autophagic vesicles is in
accordance with the elevated protein levels of the cargo receptors SQSTM1 and NBR1
as well as the lysosomal marker CathepsinD. Besides the reduced autophagic flux
there is an elevated protein level of activated caspase-3 as a marker of apoptosis. To
further elucidate the mitochondrial integrity, the endogenous levels of reactive oxygen
species were determined in wildtype and knockout individuals. It was shown that the
SPRED2 knockout contains an elevated level of ROS which could be a sign of reduced
mitochondrial survival.
Finally, it was investigated whether the disturbed transport of vesicles was due to
impaired motor protein efficiency. It was shown that the activity of the dynein ATPase
was reduced when SPRED2 was absent. This observation is supported by the elevated
levels of the vSNARE protein VTI1b, which connects the accumulation of autophagic
vesicles with the reduced ability to membrane fusion and a less efficient transport of
vesicles.
The experiments of this work were conducted in a global SPRED2-KO system.
Possible effects of the changed hormonal situation of the SPRED2 deficient animals
to the heart phenotype cannot be excluded. For that reason a conditional SPRED2
knockout mouse line with conditional potential was created capable of further
elucidating the effect of a SPRED2 deficiency to the heart.
KW  - Spred-Proteine
KW  - Autophagie <Physiologie>
KW  - Herzmuskelzelle
KW  - Autophagozytose
KW  - Autophagosom
KW  - autophagocytosis
KW  - autophagosome
KW  - Kardiomyozyt
KW  - Vesikel
KW  - Lysosom
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-182700
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Mendes Pereira, Lenon
T1  - Morphological and Functional Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Lung
T1  - Morphologische und funktionelle Magnetresonanztomographie der menschlichen Lunge mit ultrakurzen Echozeiten (UTE)
N2  - In this thesis, a 3D Ultrashort echo time (3D-UTE) sequence was introduced in the Self-gated Non-Contrast-Enhanced Functional Lung Imaging (SENCEFUL) framework. The sequence was developed and implemented on a 3 Tesla MR scanner. The 3D-UTE technique consisted of a nonselective RF pulse followed by a koosh ball quasi-random sampling order of the k-space. Measurements in free-breathing and without contrast agent were performed in healthy subjects and a patient with lung cancer. 
A gating technique, using a combination of different coils with high signal correlation, was evaluated in-vivo and compared with a manual approach of coil selection. The gating signal offered an estimation of the breathing motion during measurement and was used as a reference to segment the acquired data into different breathing phases. 
Gradient delays and trajectory errors were corrected during post-processing using the Gradient Impulse Response Function. Iterative SENSE was then applied to determine the fully sampled data. 
In order to eliminate signal changes caused by motion, a 3D image registration was employed, and the results were compared to a 2D image registration method. 
 Ventilation was assessed in 3D and regionally quantified by monitoring the signal changes in the lung parenchyma. Finally, image quality and quantitative ventilation values were compared to the standard 2D-SENCEFUL technique.
3D-UTE, combined with an automatic gating technique and SENCEFUL MRI, offered ventilation maps with high spatial resolution and SNR. Compared to the 2D method, UTE-SENCEFUL greatly improved the clinical quality of the structural images and the visualization of the lung parenchyma. 
Through‐plane motion, partial volume effects and ventilation artifacts were also reduced with a three-dimensional method for image registration. 
UTE-SENCEFUL was also able to quantify regional ventilation and presented similar results to previous studies.
N2  - In dieser Arbeit wurde eine 3D-UTE (ultrashort echo time) Sequenz mit SENCEFUL-MRI kombiniert. Die Sequenz wurde für einen 3 T MR-Scanner entwickelt und implementiert. Die 3D-UTE-Technik bestand aus einem nichtselektiven HF- Impuls, gefolgt von einer quasi-zufälligen Abtastung des k-Raums. Messungen in freier Atmung und ohne Kontrastmittel wurden bei gesunden Probanden und einem Patienten mit Lungenkrebs durchgeführt.
Zur Zuordnung der Daten zu verschiedene Atemphasen wurde eine Technik verwendet, die verschiedene Spulen mit hoher Signalkorrelation kombiniert. Die Ergebnisse wurden in einer in-vivo Messung bewertet und mit einem manuellen Ansatz der Spulenselektion verglichen.
Die Technik ermöglichte eine Visualisierung der Atembewegung und wurde als Referenz verwendet, um die erfassten Daten in mehrere Atemphasen zu segmentieren. Gradientenverzögerungen und Trajektorienfehler wurden mit der "Gradient Impulse Response Function - GIRF" korrigiert. Bei der Bildrekonstruktion kam Iteratives SENSE zum Einsatz.
Eine 3D-Bildregistrierung erlaubte es, Signaländerungen durch Bewegung zu eliminieren. Es erfolgte ein Vergleich der Ergebnisse mit einem 2D- Bildregistrierungsverfahren.
Die Lungenventilation wurde in 3D gemessen und anhand der Signaländerungen im Lungenparenchym quantifiziert. Schließlich, wurden die Werte für die Bildqualität und Lungenventilation mit der Standard-2D-SENCEFUL-Technik verglichen.
Die 3D-UTE-Sequenz in Kombination mit einer automatischen Gating-Technik und SENCEFUL-MRI, ermöglichte die Akquise von Ventilationskarten mit hoher räumlicher Auflösung und SNR. Im Vergleich zur 2D-Methode, verbesserte UTE- SENCEFUL die klinische Qualität der Morphologischen Bilder.
Bewegung, Partialvolumeneffekte und Ventilationsartefakte wurden ebenfalls mit einer dreidimensionalen Methode zur Bildregistrierung reduziert.
 
Insgesamt konnten mit der 3D-UTE Technik die Ergebnisse vorangegangener Studien reproduziert und die Bildqualität verbessert werden.
KW  - Kernspintomografie
KW  - Lunge
KW  - MRI
KW  - Ultrashort echo time - UTE
KW  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
KW  - Lung
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-183176
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - del Olmo Toledo, Valentina
T1  - Evolution of DNA binding preferences in a family of eukaryotic transcription regulators
T1  - Evolutionäre Entwicklung der Bindeaffinität an bestimmte 
DNA Sequenzen in einer Familie von eukaryotischen 
Transkriptionsfaktoren
N2  - Regulation of gene expression by the control of transcription is essential for any cell to adapt to the environment and survive. Transcription regulators, i.e. sequence-specific DNA binding proteins that regulate gene expression, are central elements within the gene networks of most organisms. Transcription regulators are grouped into distinct families based on structural features that determine, to a large extent, the DNA sequence(s) that they can recognise and bind. Less is known, however, about how the DNA binding preferences can diversify within transcription regulator families during evolutionary timescales, and how such diversification can affect the biology of the organism. 
In this dissertation I study the SREBP (sterol regulatory element binding protein) family of transcriptional regulators in yeasts, and in Candida albicans in particular, as an experimental system to address these questions. The SREBPs are conserved from fungi to humans and represent a subgroup of basic helix-loop-helix DNA binding proteins. Early chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments with SREBPs from humans and yeasts showed that these proteins bound in vivo to the canonical DNA sequence, termed E-box, most basic helix-loop-helix proteins bind to. By contrast, most recent analysis carried out with less-studied fungal SREBPs revealed a non-canonical DNA motif to be the most overrepresented sequence in the bound regions. 
This study aims to establish the intrinsic DNA binding preferences of key branches of this family and to determine how the divergence in DNA binding affinities originated. To this end, I combined phylogenetic and ancestral reconstruction with extensive biochemical characterisation of key SREBP proteins. The results indicated that while the most-studied SREBPs (in mammals) indeed show preference for the E-box, a second branch of the family preferentially binds the non-E-box, and a third one is able to bind both sequences with similar affinity. The preference for one or the other DNA sequence is an intrinsic property of each protein because their purified DNA binding domain was sufficient to recapitulate their in vivo binding preference. The ancestor that gave rise to these two different types of SREBPs (the branch that binds E-box and the one that binds non-E-box DNA) appears to be a protein with a broader DNA binding capability that had a slight preference for the non-canonical motif. Thus, the results imply these two branches originated by either enhancing the original ancestral preference for non-E-box or tilting it towards the E-box DNA and flipping the preference for this sequence. 
 The main function associated with members of the SREBP family in most eukaryotes is the control of lipid biosynthesis. I have further studied the function of these proteins in the lineage that encompasses the human associated yeast C. albicans. Strikingly, the three SREBPs present in the fungus’ genome contribute to the colonisation of the mammalian gut by regulating cellular processes unrelated to lipid metabolism. Here I describe that two of the three C. albicans SREBPs form a regulatory cascade that regulates morphology and cell wall modifications under anaerobic conditions, whereas the third SREBP has been shown to be involved in the regulation of glycolysis genes. 
Therefore, I posit that the described diversification in DNA binding specificity in these proteins and the concomitant expansion of targets of regulation were key in enabling this fungal lineage to associate with animals.
N2  - Für jede Zelle ist es essenziell die Transkription über die Genexpression zu regulieren, um sich an unterschiedliche Lebensbedingungen anzupassen. Regulatoren der Transkription, zum Beispiel sequenzspezifische DNA-binde Proteine, sind ein zentrales Element des Genregulationsnetzwerks in den meisten Organismen. Auf Grund ihres Aufbaus sowie der daraus resultierenden spezifischen Eigenschaften DNA zu binden, werden diese Regulatoren in unterschiedliche Familien unterteilt. Bisher ist wenig darüber bekannt, wie unterschiedlich die DNA Sequenzen sein können, welche von einer Familie von Transkriptionsregulatoren gebunden werden, wie sich diese Diversität der Bindung in der Evolution über die Zeit verändert hat und ob diese unterschiedlichen Bindeaffinitäten die Biologie eines Organismus beeinflussen.
In dieser Dissertation befasse ich mich mit der Transkriptionsregulator Familie der SREBPs (sterol regulatory element binding protein) in Hefen, als Modelorganismus diente dabei Candida albicans. Die Familie der SREBPs ist vom Pilz zu den Menschen genetisch weitestgehend konserviert und repräsentiert eine Unterfamilie der Helix-loop-helix DNA-binde Proteine. Erste Chromatin-Immunpräzipitation Experimente der SREBPs in Menschen und Hefen zeigen in vivo eine Bindung an eine kanonische DNA Sequenz genannt E-box, welche von den meisten der Helix-loop-helix Proteine gebunden wird. Im Gegensatz zeigen neuere Analysen, welche mit weniger bekannten SREBPs aus Pilzen durchgeführt wurden, dass hauptsächlich nicht-kanonische DNA Sequenzen gebunden werden.
Diese Arbeit versucht die Präferenzen, mit welchen einige der wichtigsten Mitglieder der Familie der SREBPs an bestimmte DNA Sequenzen binden aufzudecken und heraus zu finden wie es innerhalb dieser Gruppe zu unterschiedlichen Bindungsaffinitäten kam. Dafür wurden phylogenetische Rekonstruktionsanalysen und aufwändige biochemische Charakterisierungen einiger der Proteine der SREBP Familie durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die meisten der bisher charakterisierten SREBPs (in Säugetieren) es vorziehen an die E-box Sequenz zu binden, ein anderer Zweig des SREBP Familienstammbaums bevorzugt hingegen die non-E-box Sequenz, ein dritter Zweig des Stammbaums ist in der Lage beide Sequenzen mit gleicher Affinität zu binden. Das Bevorzugen einer der beiden DNA Sequenzen ist eine natürliche Eigenschaft des jeweiligen Proteins, da in Experimenten die isolierte DNA-binde Domäne der Proteine ausreichend war, um die in vivo Bindepräferenzen zu replizieren. Der Ursprung dieser beiden Gruppen (der E-box bindenden Gruppe und der Gruppe die non-E-box Sequenzen bindet) liegt wahrscheinlich in einem Protein, welches beide Sequenzen binden konnte, mit einem Vorzug für die nicht-kanonische Sequenz. Dies impliziert, dass die Gruppen entstanden sind indem sich entweder eine Präferenz des Vorgängerproteins für die nicht-kanonische Sequenz durchgesetzt hat oder, dass sich eine Präferenz für die E-box bindende Sequenz durchgesetzt hat und somit die Affinität dahingehend verschoben wurde. 
Die Hauptfunktion der meisten Proteine der SREBP Familie in Eukaryoten ist die Kontrolle der Lipid Biosynthese. In meiner Arbeit habe ich mich auf die Erforschung der SREBPs in einer Gruppe von Organismen zugewandt, die auch den mit dem Menschen assoziierten Hefepilz Candida albicans umfasst. Erstaunlicherweise beeinflussen die drei SREBPs die im Candida albicans Genom zu finden sind, die Kolonisierung des Säugetierdarms, jedoch nicht durch die Kontrolle der Lipid Biosynthese. Im Folgenden werde ich beschreiben wie zwei der drei SREBPs aus Candida albicans eine regulatorische Kaskade bilden, welche Einfluss auf die Regulierung der Morphologie und der Zellwandzusammensetzung des Pilzes unter anaeroben Bedingungen hat, wohingegen das dritte Protein der SREBP Familie für die Regulierung der Glykolyse von Bedeutung ist. Ich habe festgestellt, dass die beschriebene Vielfalt mit der diese Proteine an bestimmte DNA Sequenzen binden und die damit einhergehende Expansion der regulierbaren Ziele ein wesentlicher Grund dafür ist, dass Organismen dieses Stammbaums erfolgreich Säugetiere kolonisieren können.
KW  - Candida albicans
KW  - SREBP
KW  - evolution
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-187890
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Liu, Yi
A1  - Maierhofer, Tobias
A1  - Rybak, Katarzyna
A1  - Sklenar, Jan
A1  - Breakspear, Andy
A1  - Johnston, Matthew G.
A1  - Fliegmann, Judith
A1  - Huang, Shouguang
A1  - Roelfsema, M. Rob G.
A1  - Felix, Georg
A1  - Faulkner, Christine
A1  - Menke, Frank L.H.
A1  - Geiger, Dietmar
A1  - Hedrich, Rainer
A1  - Robatzek, Silke
T1  - Anion channel SLAH3 is a regulatory target of chitin receptor-associated kinase PBL27 in microbial stomatal closure
JF  - eLife
N2  - In plants, antimicrobial immune responses involve the cellular release of anions and are responsible for the closure of stomatal pores. Detection of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) induces currents mediated via slow-type (S-type) anion channels by a yet not understood mechanism. Here, we show that stomatal closure to fungal chitin is conferred by the major PRRs for chitin recognition, LYK5 and CERK1, the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase PBL27, and the SLAH3 anion channel. PBL27 has the capacity to phosphorylate SLAH3, of which S127 and S189 are required to activate SLAH3. Full activation of the channel entails CERK1, depending on PBL27. Importantly, both S127 and S189 residues of SLAH3 are required for chitin-induced stomatal closure and anti-fungal immunity at the whole leaf level. Our results demonstrate a short signal transduction module from MAMP recognition to anion channel activation, and independent of ABA-induced SLAH3 activation.
KW  - plants
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202631
VL  - 8
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Mammadova-Bach, Elmina
A1  - Braun, Attila
T1  - Zinc homeostasis in platelet-related diseases
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - Zn\(^{2+}\) deficiency in the human population is frequent in underdeveloped countries. Worldwide, approximatively 2 billion people consume Zn\(^{2+}\)-deficient diets, accounting for 1–4% of deaths each year, mainly in infants with a compromised immune system. Depending on the severity of Zn\(^{2+}\) deficiency, clinical symptoms are associated with impaired wound healing, alopecia, diarrhea, poor growth, dysfunction of the immune and nervous system with congenital abnormalities and bleeding disorders. Poor nutritional Zn\(^{2+}\) status in patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma or with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was accompanied by cutaneous bleeding and platelet dysfunction. Forcing Zn\(^{2+}\) uptake in the gut using different nutritional supplementation of Zn\(^{2+}\) could ameliorate many of these pathological symptoms in humans. Feeding adult rodents with a low Zn\(^{2+}\) diet caused poor platelet aggregation and increased bleeding tendency, thereby attracting great scientific interest in investigating the role of Zn\(^{2+}\) in hemostasis. Storage protein metallothionein maintains or releases Zn\(^{2+}\) in the cytoplasm, and the dynamic change of this cytoplasmic Zn\(^{2+}\) pool is regulated by the redox status of the cell. An increase of labile Zn\(^{2+}\) pool can be toxic for the cells, and therefore cytoplasmic Zn\(^{2+}\) levels are tightly regulated by several Zn\(^{2+}\) transporters located on the cell surface and also on the intracellular membrane of Zn\(^{2+}\) storage organelles, such as secretory vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus. Although Zn\(^{2+}\) is a critical cofactor for more than 2000 transcription factors and 300 enzymes, regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and basic metabolic functions of the cells, the molecular mechanisms of Zn\(^{2+}\) transport and the physiological role of Zn\(^{2+}\) store in megakaryocyte and platelet function remain elusive. In this review, we summarize the contribution of extracellular or intracellular Zn\(^{2+}\) to megakaryocyte and platelet function and discuss the consequences of dysregulated Zn\(^{2+}\) homeostasis in platelet-related diseases by focusing on thrombosis, ischemic stroke and storage pool diseases.
KW  - Zinc
KW  - platelets
KW  - hemostasis
KW  - thrombosis
KW  - ischemic stroke
KW  - storage-pool diseases
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285554
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 20
IS  - 21
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Herz, Michaela
A1  - Brehm, Klaus
T1  - Evidence for densovirus integrations into tapeworm genomes
JF  - Parasites & Vectors
N2  - Background
Tapeworms lack a canonical piRNA-pathway, raising the question of how they can silence existing mobile genetic elements (MGE). Investigation towards the underlying mechanisms requires information on tapeworm transposons which is, however, presently scarce.

Methods
The presence of densovirus-related sequences in tapeworm genomes was studied by bioinformatic approaches. Available RNA-Seq datasets were mapped against the Echinococcus multilocularis genome to calculate expression levels of densovirus-related genes. Transcription of densovirus loci was further analyzed by sequencing and RT-qPCR.

Results
We herein provide evidence for the presence of densovirus-related elements in a variety of tapeworm genomes. In the high-quality genome of E. multilocularis we identified more than 20 individual densovirus integration loci which contain the information for non-structural and structural virus proteins. The majority of densovirus loci are present as head-to-tail concatemers in isolated repeat containing regions of the genome. In some cases, unique densovirus loci have integrated close to histone gene clusters. We show that some of the densovirus loci of E. multilocularis are actively transcribed, whereas the majority are transcriptionally silent. RT-qPCR data further indicate that densovirus expression mainly occurs in the E. multilocularis stem cell population, which probably forms the germline of this organism. Sequences similar to the non-structural densovirus genes present in E. multilocularis were also identified in the genomes of E. canadensis, E. granulosus, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis microstoma, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia asiatica, Taenia multiceps, Taenia saginata and Taenia solium.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that densovirus integration has occurred in many tapeworm species. This is the first report on widespread integration of DNA viruses into cestode genomes. Since only few densovirus integration sites were transcriptionally active in E. multilocularis, our data are relevant for future studies into gene silencing mechanisms in tapeworms. Furthermore, they indicate that densovirus-based vectors might be suitable tools for genetic manipulation of cestodes.
KW  - Echinococcus
KW  - Echinococcosis
KW  - Densovirus
KW  - Parvovirus
KW  - Mobile genetic element
KW  - Gene silencing
KW  - Stem cell
KW  - Epigenetic
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202478
VL  - 12
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Paponov, Ivan A.
A1  - Dindas , Julian
A1  - Król , Elżbieta
A1  - Friz, Tatyana
A1  - Budnyk, Vadym
A1  - Teale, William
A1  - Paponov, Martina
A1  - Hedrich , Rainer
A1  - Palme, Klaus
T1  - Auxin-Induced plasma membrane depolarization is regulated by Auxin transport and not by AUXIN BINDING PROTEIN1
JF  - Frontiers in Plant Science
N2  - Auxin is a molecule, which controls many aspects of plant development through both transcriptional and non-transcriptional signaling responses. AUXIN BINDING PROTEIN1 (ABP1) is a putative receptor for rapid non-transcriptional auxin-induced changes in plasma membrane depolarization and endocytosis rates. However, the mechanism of ABP1-mediated signaling is poorly understood. Here we show that membrane depolarization and endocytosis inhibition are ABP1-independent responses and that auxin-induced plasma membrane depolarization is instead dependent on the auxin influx carrier AUX1. AUX1 was itself not involved in the regulation of endocytosis. Auxin-dependent depolarization of the plasma membrane was also modulated by the auxin efflux carrier PIN2. These data establish a new connection between auxin transport and non-transcriptional auxin signaling.
KW  - auxin
KW  - ABP1
KW  - plasma membrane depolarization
KW  - AUX1
KW  - endocytosis
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-195914
SN  - 1664-462X
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Roth, Nicolas
A1  - Doerfler, Inken
A1  - Bässler, Claus
A1  - Blaschke, Markus
A1  - Bussler, Heinz
A1  - Gossner, Martin M.
A1  - Heideroth, Antje
A1  - Thorn, Simon
A1  - Weisser, Wolfgang W.
A1  - Müller, Jörg
T1  - Decadal effects of landscape-wide enrichment of dead wood on saproxylic organisms in beech forests of different historic management intensity
JF  - Diversity and Distributions
N2  - Aim: European temperate forests have lost dead wood and the associated biodiversity owing to intensive management over centuries. Nowadays, some of these forests are being restored by enrichment with dead wood, but mostly only at stand scales. Here, we investigated effects of a seminal dead-wood enrichment strategy on saproxylic organisms at the landscape scale. 
Location: Temperate European beech forest in southern Germany. 
Methods: In a before-after control-impact design, we compared assemblages and gamma diversities of saproxylic organisms in strictly protected old-growth forest areas (reserves) and historically moderately and intensively managed forest areas before and a decade after starting a landscape-wide strategy of dead-wood enrichment. 
Results: Before enrichment with dead wood, the gamma diversity of saproxylic organisms in historically intensively managed forest stands was significantly lower than in reserves and historically moderately managed forest stands; this difference disappeared after 10 years of dead-wood enrichment. The species composition of beetles in forest stands of the three historical management intensities differed before the enrichment strategy, but a decade thereafter, the species compositions of previously intensively logged and forest reserve plots were similar. However, the differences in fungal species composition between historical management categories before and after 10 years of enrichment persisted. 
Main conclusions: Our results demonstrate that intentional enrichment of dead wood at the landscape scale is a powerful tool for rapidly restoring saproxylic beetle communities and for restoring wood-inhabiting fungal communities, which need longer than a decade for complete restoration. We propose that a strategy of area-wide active restoration combined with some permanent strict refuges is a promising means of promoting the biodiversity of age-long intensively managed Central European beech forests.
KW  - dead-wood enrichment
KW  - integrative management strategy
KW  - land sharing
KW  - lowland beech forests
KW  - saproxylic organisms
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227061
VL  - 25
IS  - 3
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Blümel, Rabea
A1  - Zink, Miriam
A1  - Klopocki, Eva
A1  - Liedtke, Daniel
T1  - On the traces of tcf12: Investigation of the gene expression pattern during development and cranial suture patterning in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
JF  - PLoS ONE
N2  - The transcription factor 12 (tcf12) is a basic Helix-Loop-Helix protein (bHLH) of the E-protein family, proven to play an important role in developmental processes like neurogenesis, mesoderm formation, and cranial vault development. In humans, mutations in TCF12 lead to craniosynostosis, a congenital birth disorder characterized by the premature fusion of one or several of the cranial sutures. Current research has been primarily focused on functional studies of TCF12, hence the cellular expression profile of this gene during embryonic development and early stages of ossification remains poorly understood. Here we present the establishment and detailed analysis of two transgenic tcf12:EGFP fluorescent zebrafish (Danio rerio) reporter lines. Using these transgenic lines, we analyzed the general spatiotemporal expression pattern of tcf12 during different developmental stages and put emphasis on skeletal development and cranial suture patterning. We identified robust tcf12 promoter-driven EGFP expression in the central nervous system (CNS), the heart, the pronephros, and the somites of zebrafish embryos. Additionally, expression was observed inside the muscles and bones of the viscerocranium in juvenile and adult fish. During cranial vault development, the transgenic fish show a high amount of tcf12 expressing cells at the growth fronts of the ossifying frontal and parietal bones and inside the emerging cranial sutures. Subsequently, we tested the transcriptional activity of three evolutionary conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) located in the tcf12 locus by transient transgenic assays and compared their in vivo activity to the expression pattern determined in the transgenic tcf12:EGFP lines. We could validate two of them as tcf12 enhancer elements driving specific gene expression in the CNS during embryogenesis. Our newly established transgenic lines enhance the understanding of tcf12 gene regulation and open up the possibilities for further functional investigation of these novel tcf12 enhancer elements in zebrafish.
KW  - Zebrafish
KW  - Neurons
KW  - Skull
KW  - Enhancer elements
KW  - Hindbrain
KW  - Cranial sutures
KW  - Embryos
KW  - Somites
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201428
VL  - 14
IS  - 6
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Liedtke, Daniel
A1  - Orth, Melanie
A1  - Meissler, Michelle
A1  - Geuer, Sinje
A1  - Knaup, Sabine
A1  - Köblitz, Isabell
A1  - Klopocki, Eva
T1  - ECM alterations in fndc3a (fibronectin domain containing protein 3A) deficient zebrafish cause temporal fin development and regeneration defects
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - Fin development and regeneration are complex biological processes that are highly relevant in teleost fish. They share genetic factors, signaling pathways and cellular properties to coordinate formation of regularly shaped extremities. Especially correct tissue structure defined by extracellular matrix (ECM) formation is essential. Gene expression and protein localization studies demonstrated expression of fndc3a (fibronectin domain containing protein 3a) in both developing and regenerating caudal fins of zebrafish (Danio rerio). We established a hypomorphic fndc3a mutant line (fndc3a\(^{wue1/wue1}\)) via CRISPR/Cas9, exhibiting phenotypic malformations and changed gene expression patterns during early stages of median fin fold development. These developmental effects are mostly temporary, but result in a fraction of adults with permanent tail fin deformations. In addition, caudal fin regeneration in adult fndc3a\(^{wue1/wue1}\) mutants is hampered by interference with actinotrichia formation and epidermal cell organization. Investigation of the ECM implies that loss of epidermal tissue structure is a common cause for both of the observed defects. Our results thereby provide a molecular link between these developmental processes and foreshadow Fndc3a as a novel temporal regulator of epidermal cell properties during extremity development and regeneration in zebrafish.
KW  - Extracellular matrix
KW  - Limb development
KW  - Self-renewal
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202141
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kim, Brandon J.
A1  - Shusta, Eric V.
A1  - Doran, Kelly S.
T1  - Past and current perspectives in modeling bacteria and blood–brain barrier interactions
JF  - Frontiers in Microbiology
N2  - The central nervous system (CNS) barriers are highly specialized cellular barriers that promote brain homeostasis while restricting pathogen and toxin entry. The primary cellular constituent regulating pathogen entry in most of these brain barriers is the brain endothelial cell (BEC) that exhibits properties that allow for tight regulation of CNS entry. Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a serious infection of the CNS and occurs when bacteria can cross specialized brain barriers and cause inflammation. Models have been developed to understand the bacterial – BEC interaction that lead to pathogen crossing into the CNS, however, these have been met with challenges due to these highly specialized BEC phenotypes. This perspective provides a brief overview and outlook of the in vivo and in vitro models currently being used to study bacterial brain penetration, and opinion on improved models for the future.
KW  - bacteria
KW  - blood–brain barrier
KW  - meningitis
KW  - stem cells
KW  - brain endothelial cell
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201766
VL  - 10
IS  - 1336
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Streinzer, Martin
A1  - Chakravorty, Jharna
A1  - Neumayer, Johann
A1  - Megu, Karsing
A1  - Narah, Jaya
A1  - Schmitt, Thomas
A1  - Bharti, Himender
A1  - Spaethe, Johannes
A1  - Brockmann, Axel
T1  - Species composition and elevational distribution of bumble bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus Latreille) in the East Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, India
JF  - ZooKeys
N2  - The East Himalaya is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. However, very little is known about the abundance and distribution of many plant and animal taxa in this region. Bumble bees are a group of cold-adapted and high elevation insects that fulfil an important ecological and economical function as pollinators of wild and agricultural flowering plants and crops. The Himalayan mountain range provides ample suitable habitats for bumble bees. Systematic study of Himalayan bumble bees began a few decades ago and the main focus has centred on the western region, while the eastern part of the mountain range has received little attention and only a few species have been verified. During a three-year survey, more than 700 bumble bee specimens of 21 species were collected in Arunachal Pradesh, the largest of the north-eastern states of India. The material included a range of species that were previously known from a limited number of collected specimens, which highlights the unique character of the East Himalayan ecosystem. Our results are an important first step towards a future assessment of species distribution, threat, and conservation. Clear elevation patterns of species diversity were observed, which raise important questions about the functional adaptations that allow bumble bees to thrive in this particularly moist region in the East Himalaya.
KW  - Alpine habitats
KW  - Apidae
KW  - conservation
KW  - global change
KW  - insect collection
KW  - pollination
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201937
VL  - 851
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Harnoš, Jakub
A1  - Cañizal, Maria Consuelo Alonso
A1  - Jurásek, Miroslav
A1  - Kumar, Jitender
A1  - Holler, Cornelia
A1  - Schambony, Alexandra
A1  - Hanáková, Kateřina
A1  - Bernatík, Ondřej
A1  - Zdráhal, Zbynêk
A1  - Gömöryová, Kristína
A1  - Gybeľ, Tomáš
A1  - Radaszkiewicz, Tomasz Witold
A1  - Kravec, Marek
A1  - Trantírek, Lukáš
A1  - Ryneš, Jan
A1  - Dave, Zankruti
A1  - Fernández-Llamazares, Ana Iris
A1  - Vácha, Robert
A1  - Tripsianes, Konstantinos
A1  - Hoffmann, Carsten
A1  - Bryja, Vítězslav
T1  - Dishevelled-3 conformation dynamics analyzed by FRET-based biosensors reveals a key role of casein kinase 1
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Dishevelled (DVL) is the key component of the Wnt signaling pathway. Currently, DVL conformational dynamics under native conditions is unknown. To overcome this limitation, we develop the Fluorescein Arsenical Hairpin Binder- (FlAsH-) based FRET in vivo approach to study DVL conformation in living cells. Using this single-cell FRET approach, we demonstrate that (i) Wnt ligands induce open DVL conformation, (ii) DVL variants that are predominantly open, show more even subcellular localization and more efficient membrane recruitment by Frizzled (FZD) and (iii) Casein kinase 1 ɛ (CK1ɛ) has a key regulatory function in DVL conformational dynamics. In silico modeling and in vitro biophysical methods explain how CK1ɛ-specific phosphorylation events control DVL conformations via modulation of the PDZ domain and its interaction with DVL C-terminus. In summary, our study describes an experimental tool for DVL conformational sampling in living cells and elucidates the essential regulatory role of CK1ɛ in DVL conformational dynamics.
KW  - biological techniques
KW  - cell signalling
KW  - phosphorylation
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227837
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kraus, Amelie J.
A1  - Brink, Benedikt G.
A1  - Siegel, T. Nicolai
T1  - Efficient and specific oligo-based depletion of rRNA
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - In most organisms, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contributes to >85% of total RNA. Thus, to obtain useful information from RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses at reasonable sequencing depth, typically, mature polyadenylated transcripts are enriched or rRNA molecules are depleted. Targeted depletion of rRNA is particularly useful when studying transcripts lacking a poly(A) tail, such as some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), most bacterial RNAs and partially degraded or immature transcripts. While several commercially available kits allow effective rRNA depletion, their efficiency relies on a high degree of sequence homology between oligonucleotide probes and the target RNA. This restricts the use of such kits to a limited number of organisms with conserved rRNA sequences. In this study we describe the use of biotinylated oligos and streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads for the efficient and specific depletion of trypanosomal rRNA. Our approach reduces the levels of the most abundant rRNA transcripts to less than 5% with minimal off-target effects. By adjusting the sequence of the oligonucleotide probes, our approach can be used to deplete rRNAs or other abundant transcripts independent of species. Thus, our protocol provides a useful alternative for rRNA removal where enrichment of polyadenylated transcripts is not an option and commercial kits for rRNA are not available.
KW  - parasite biology
KW  - RNA sequencing
KW  - transcriptomics
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224829
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kim, Bo-Mi
A1  - Amores, Angel
A1  - Kang, Seunghyun
A1  - Ahn, Do-Hwan
A1  - Kim, Jin-Hyoung
A1  - Kim, Il-Chan
A1  - Lee, Jun Hyuck
A1  - Lee, Sung Gu
A1  - Lee, Hyoungseok
A1  - Lee, Jungeun
A1  - Kim, Han-Woo
A1  - Desvignes, Thomas
A1  - Batzel, Peter
A1  - Sydes, Jason
A1  - Titus, Tom
A1  - Wilson, Catherine A.
A1  - Catchen, Julian M.
A1  - Warren, Wesley C.
A1  - Schartl, Manfred
A1  - Detrich, H. William III
A1  - Postlethwait, John H.
A1  - Park, Hyun
T1  - Antarctic blackfin icefish genome reveals adaptations to extreme environments
JF  - Nature Ecology & Evolution
N2  - Icefishes (suborder Notothenioidei; family Channichthyidae) are the only vertebrates that lack functional haemoglobin genes and red blood cells. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and linkage map for the Antarctic blackfin icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus, highlighting evolved genomic features for its unique physiology. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Antarctic fish of the teleost suborder Notothenioidei, including icefishes, diverged from the stickleback lineage about 77 million years ago and subsequently evolved cold-adapted phenotypes as the Southern Ocean cooled to sub-zero temperatures. Our results show that genes involved in protection from ice damage, including genes encoding antifreeze glycoprotein and zona pellucida proteins, are highly expanded in the icefish genome. Furthermore, genes that encode enzymes that help to control cellular redox state, including members of the sod3 and nqo1 gene families, are expanded, probably as evolutionary adaptations to the relatively high concentration of oxygen dissolved in cold Antarctic waters. In contrast, some crucial regulators of circadian homeostasis (cry and per genes) are absent from the icefish genome, suggesting compromised control of biological rhythms in the polar light environment. The availability of the icefish genome sequence will accelerate our understanding of adaptation to extreme Antarctic environments.
KW  - animal physiology
KW  - evolutionary genetics
KW  - genomics
KW  - ichthyology
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325811
VL  - 3
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Gotru, Sanjeev Kiran
A1  - van Geffen, Johanna P.
A1  - Nagy, Magdolna
A1  - Mammadova-Bach, Elmina
A1  - Eilenberger, Julia
A1  - Volz, Julia
A1  - Manukjan, Georgi
A1  - Schulze, Harald
A1  - Wagner, Leonard
A1  - Eber, Stefan
A1  - Schambeck, Christian
A1  - Deppermann, Carsten
A1  - Brouns, Sanne
A1  - Nurden, Paquita
A1  - Greinacher, Andreas
A1  - Sachs, Ulrich
A1  - Nieswandt, Bernhard
A1  - Hermanns, Heike M.
A1  - Heemskerk, Johan W. M.
A1  - Braun, Attila
T1  - Defective Zn2+ homeostasis in mouse and human platelets with α- and δ-storage pool diseases
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - Zinc (Zn2+) can modulate platelet and coagulation activation pathways, including fibrin formation. Here, we studied the (patho)physiological consequences of abnormal platelet Zn2+ storage and release. To visualize Zn2+ storage in human and mouse platelets, the Zn2+ specific fluorescent dye FluoZin3 was used. In resting platelets, the dye transiently accumulated into distinct cytosolic puncta, which were lost upon platelet activation. Platelets isolated from Unc13d−/− mice, characterized by combined defects of α/δ granular release, showed a markedly impaired Zn2+ release upon activation. Platelets from Nbeal2−/− mice mimicking Gray platelet syndrome (GPS), characterized by primarily loss of the α-granule content, had strongly reduced Zn2+ levels, which was also confirmed in primary megakaryocytes. In human platelets isolated from patients with GPS, Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) and Storage Pool Disease (SPD) altered Zn2+ homeostasis was detected. In turbidity and flow based assays, platelet-dependent fibrin formation was impaired in both Nbeal2−/− and Unc13d−/− mice, and the impairment could be partially restored by extracellular Zn2+. Altogether, we conclude that the release of ionic Zn2+ store from secretory granules upon platelet activation contributes to the procoagulant role of Zn2+ in platelet-dependent fibrin formation.
KW  - coagulation system
KW  - metals
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227455
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Nerreter, Thomas
A1  - Letschert, Sebastian
A1  - Götz, Ralph
A1  - Doose, Sören
A1  - Danhof, Sophia
A1  - Einsele, Hermann
A1  - Sauer, Markus
A1  - Hudecek, Michael
T1  - Super-resolution microscopy reveals ultra-low CD19 expression on myeloma cells that triggers elimination by CD19 CAR-T
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cells (CAR-T) is under investigation in multiple myeloma. There are reports of myeloma remission after CD19 CAR-T therapy, although CD19 is hardly detectable on myeloma cells by flow cytometry (FC). We apply single molecule-sensitive direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM), and demonstrate CD19 expression on a fraction of myeloma cells (10.3–80%) in 10 out of 14 patients (density: 13–5,000 molecules per cell). In contrast, FC detects CD19 in only 2 of these 10 patients, on a smaller fraction of cells. Treatment with CD19 CAR-T in vitro results in elimination of CD19-positive myeloma cells, including those with <100 CD19 molecules per cell. Similar data are obtained by dSTORM analyses of CD20 expression on myeloma cells and CD20 CAR-T. These data establish a sensitivity threshold for CAR-T and illustrate how super-resolution microscopy can guide patient selection in immunotherapy to exploit ultra-low density antigens.
KW  - cancer imaging
KW  - cancer immunotherapy
KW  - imaging
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-232258
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schurr, Yvonne
A1  - Spindler, Markus
A1  - Kurz, Hendrikje
A1  - Bender, Markus
T1  - The cytoskeletal crosslinking protein MACF1 is dispensable for thrombus formation and hemostasis
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - Coordinated reorganization of cytoskeletal structures is critical for key aspects of platelet physiology. While several studies have addressed the role of microtubules and filamentous actin in platelet production and function, the significance of their crosstalk in these processes has been poorly investigated. The microtubule-actin cross-linking factor 1 (MACF1; synonym: Actin cross-linking factor 7, ACF7) is a member of the spectraplakin family, and one of the few proteins expressed in platelets, which possess actin and microtubule binding domains thereby facilitating actin-microtubule interaction and regulation. We used megakaryocyte- and platelet-specific Macf1 knockout (Macf1fl/fl, Pf4-Cre) mice to study the role of MACF1 in platelet production and function. MACF1 deficient mice displayed comparable platelet counts to control mice. Analysis of the platelet cytoskeletal ultrastructure revealed a normal marginal band and actin network. Platelet spreading on fibrinogen was slightly delayed but platelet activation and clot traction was unaffected. Ex vivo thrombus formation and mouse tail bleeding responses were similar between control and mutant mice. These results suggest that MACF1 is dispensable for thrombopoiesis, platelet activation, thrombus formation and the hemostatic function in mice.
KW  - actin
KW  - microtubules
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234966
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Steuer Costa, Wagner
A1  - Van der Auwera, Petrus
A1  - Glock, Caspar
A1  - Liewald, Jana F.
A1  - Bach, Maximilian
A1  - Schüler, Christina
A1  - Wabnig, Sebastian
A1  - Oranth, Alexandra
A1  - Masurat, Florentin
A1  - Bringmann, Henrik
A1  - Schoofs, Liliane
A1  - Stelzer, Ernst H. K.
A1  - Fischer, Sabine C.
A1  - Gottschalk, Alexander
T1  - A GABAergic and peptidergic sleep neuron as a locomotion stop neuron with compartmentalized Ca2+ dynamics
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Animals must slow or halt locomotion to integrate sensory inputs or to change direction. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the GABAergic and peptidergic neuron RIS mediates developmentally timed quiescence. Here, we show RIS functions additionally as a locomotion stop neuron. RIS optogenetic stimulation caused acute and persistent inhibition of locomotion and pharyngeal pumping, phenotypes requiring FLP-11 neuropeptides and GABA. RIS photoactivation allows the animal to maintain its body posture by sustaining muscle tone, yet inactivating motor neuron oscillatory activity. During locomotion, RIS axonal Ca2+ signals revealed functional compartmentalization: Activity in the nerve ring process correlated with locomotion stop, while activity in a branch correlated with induced reversals. GABA was required to induce, and FLP-11 neuropeptides were required to sustain locomotion stop. RIS attenuates neuronal activity and inhibits movement, possibly enabling sensory integration and decision making, and exemplifies dual use of one cell across development in a compact nervous system.
KW  - cellular neuroscience
KW  - neural circuits
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223273
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Dammert, Marcel A.
A1  - Brägelmann, Johannes
A1  - Olsen, Rachelle R.
A1  - Böhm, Stefanie
A1  - Monhasery, Niloufar
A1  - Whitney, Christopher P.
A1  - Chalishazar, Milind D.
A1  - Tumbrink, Hannah L.
A1  - Guthrie, Matthew R.
A1  - Klein, Sebastian
A1  - Ireland, Abbie S.
A1  - Ryan, Jeremy
A1  - Schmitt, Anna
A1  - Marx, Annika
A1  - Ozretić, Luka
A1  - Castiglione, Roberta
A1  - Lorenz, Carina
A1  - Jachimowicz, Ron D.
A1  - Wolf, Elmar
A1  - Thomas, Roman K.
A1  - Poirier, John T.
A1  - Büttner, Reinhard
A1  - Sen, Triparna
A1  - Byers, Lauren A.
A1  - Reinhardt, H. Christian
A1  - Letai, Anthony
A1  - Oliver, Trudy G.
A1  - Sos, Martin L.
T1  - MYC paralog-dependent apoptotic priming orchestrates a spectrum of vulnerabilities in small cell lung cancer
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - MYC paralogs are frequently activated in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) but represent poor drug targets. Thus, a detailed mapping of MYC-paralog-specific vulnerabilities may help to develop effective therapies for SCLC patients. Using a unique cellular CRISPR activation model, we uncover that, in contrast to MYCN and MYCL, MYC represses BCL2 transcription via interaction with MIZ1 and DNMT3a. The resulting lack of BCL2 expression promotes sensitivity to cell cycle control inhibition and dependency on MCL1. Furthermore, MYC activation leads to heightened apoptotic priming, intrinsic genotoxic stress and susceptibility to DNA damage checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, combined AURK and CHK1 inhibition substantially prolongs the survival of mice bearing MYC-driven SCLC beyond that of combination chemotherapy. These analyses uncover MYC-paralog-specific regulation of the apoptotic machinery with implications for genotype-based selection of targeted therapeutics in SCLC patients.
KW  - genetic engineering
KW  - oncogenes
KW  - small-cell lung cancer
KW  - targeted therapies
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223569
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Krah, Franz-Sebastian
A1  - Büntgen, Ulf
A1  - Schaefer, Hanno
A1  - Müller, Jörg
A1  - Andrew, Carrie
A1  - Boddy, Lynne
A1  - Diez, Jeffrey
A1  - Egli, Simon
A1  - Freckleton, Robert
A1  - Gange, Alan C.
A1  - Halvorsen, Rune
A1  - Heegaard, Einar
A1  - Heideroth, Antje
A1  - Heibl, Christoph
A1  - Heilmann-Clausen, Jacob
A1  - Høiland, Klaus
A1  - Kar, Ritwika
A1  - Kauserud, Håvard
A1  - Kirk, Paul M.
A1  - Kuyper, Thomas W.
A1  - Krisai-Greilhuber, Irmgard
A1  - Norden, Jenni
A1  - Papastefanou, Phillip
A1  - Senn-Irlet, Beatrice
A1  - Bässler, Claus
T1  - European mushroom assemblages are darker in cold climates
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Thermal melanism theory states that dark-colored ectotherm organisms are at an advantage at low temperature due to increased warming. This theory is generally supported for ectotherm animals, however, the function of colors in the fungal kingdom is largely unknown. Here, we test whether the color lightness of mushroom assemblages is related to climate using a dataset of 3.2 million observations of 3,054 species across Europe. Consistent with the thermal melanism theory, mushroom assemblages are significantly darker in areas with cold climates. We further show differences in color phenotype between fungal lifestyles and a lifestyle differentiated response to seasonality. These results indicate a more complex ecological role of mushroom colors and suggest functions beyond thermal adaption. Because fungi play a crucial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycles, understanding the links between the thermal environment, functional coloration and species’ geographical distributions will be critical in predicting ecosystem responses to global warming.
KW  - evolutionary ecology
KW  - fungal ecology
KW  - fungal evolution
KW  - macroecology
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224815
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Milanese, Alessio
A1  - Mende, Daniel R
A1  - Paoli, Lucas
A1  - Salazar, Guillem
A1  - Ruscheweyh, Hans-Joachim
A1  - Cuenca, Miguelangel
A1  - Hingamp, Pascal
A1  - Alves, Renato
A1  - Costea, Paul I
A1  - Coelho, Luis Pedro
A1  - Schmidt, Thomas S. B.
A1  - Almeida, Alexandre
A1  - Mitchell, Alex L
A1  - Finn, Robert D.
A1  - Huerta-Cepas, Jaime
A1  - Bork, Peer
A1  - Zeller, Georg
A1  - Sunagawa, Shinichi
T1  - Microbial abundance, activity and population genomic profiling with mOTUs2
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Metagenomic sequencing has greatly improved our ability to profile the composition of environmental and host-associated microbial communities. However, the dependency of most methods on reference genomes, which are currently unavailable for a substantial fraction of microbial species, introduces estimation biases. We present an updated and functionally extended tool based on universal (i.e., reference-independent), phylogenetic marker gene (MG)-based operational taxonomic units (mOTUs) enabling the profiling of >7700 microbial species. As more than 30% of them could not previously be quantified at this taxonomic resolution, relative abundance estimates based on mOTUs are more accurate compared to other methods. As a new feature, we show that mOTUs, which are based on essential housekeeping genes, are demonstrably well-suited for quantification of basal transcriptional activity of community members. Furthermore, single nucleotide variation profiles estimated using mOTUs reflect those from whole genomes, which allows for comparing microbial strain populations (e.g., across different human body sites).
KW  - microbiome
KW  - software
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224089
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lee, Hong-Jen
A1  - Li, Chien-Feng
A1  - Ruan, Diane
A1  - He, Jiabei
A1  - Montal, Emily D.
A1  - Lorenz, Sonja
A1  - Girnun, Geoffrey D.
A1  - Chan, Chia-Hsin
T1  - Non-proteolytic ubiquitination of Hexokinase 2 by HectH9 controls tumor metabolism and cancer stem cell expansion
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Enormous efforts have been made to target metabolic dependencies of cancer cells for developing new therapies. However, the therapeutic efficacy of glycolysis inhibitors is limited due to their inability to elicit cell death. Hexokinase 2 (HK2), via its mitochondrial localization, functions as a central nexus integrating glycolysis activation and apoptosis resilience. Here we identify that K63-linked ubiquitination by HectH9 regulates the mitochondrial localization and function of HK2. Through stable isotope tracer approach and functional metabolic analyses, we show that HectH9 deficiency impedes tumor glucose metabolism and growth by HK2 inhibition. The HectH9/HK2 pathway regulates cancer stem cell (CSC) expansion and CSC-associated chemoresistance. Histological analyses show that HectH9 expression is upregulated and correlated with disease progression in prostate cancer. This work uncovers that HectH9 is a novel regulator of HK2 and cancer metabolism. Targeting HectH9 represents an effective strategy to achieve long-term tumor remission by concomitantly disrupting glycolysis and inducing apoptosis.
KW  - cancer
KW  - cancer metabolism
KW  - molecular biology
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236445
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Mercier, Rebecca
A1  - Wolmarans, Annemarie
A1  - Schubert, Jonathan
A1  - Neuweiler, Hannes
A1  - Johnson, Jill L.
A1  - LaPointe, Paul
T1  - The conserved NxNNWHW motif in Aha-type co-chaperones modulates the kinetics of Hsp90 ATPase stimulation
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Hsp90 is a dimeric molecular chaperone that is essential for the folding and activation of hundreds of client proteins. Co-chaperone proteins regulate the ATP-driven Hsp90 client activation cycle. Aha-type co-chaperones are the most potent stimulators of the Hsp90 ATPase activity but the relationship between ATPase regulation and in vivo activity is poorly understood. We report here that the most strongly conserved region of Aha-type co-chaperones, the N terminal NxNNWHW motif, modulates the apparent affinity of Hsp90 for nucleotide substrates. The ability of yeast Aha-type co-chaperones to act in vivo is ablated when the N terminal NxNNWHW motif is removed. This work suggests that nucleotide exchange during the Hsp90 functional cycle may be more important than rate of catalysis.
KW  - biophysics
KW  - cell growth
KW  - chaperones
KW  - enzymes
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224007
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lübcke, Paul M.
A1  - Ebbers, Meinolf N. B.
A1  - Volzke, Johann
A1  - Bull, Jana
A1  - Kneitz, Susanne
A1  - Engelmann, Robby
A1  - Lang, Hermann
A1  - Kreikemeyer, Bernd
A1  - Müller-Hilke, Brigitte
T1  - Periodontal treatment prevents arthritis in mice and methotrexate ameliorates periodontal bone loss
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - Recent studies indicate a causal relationship between the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis and rheumatoid arthritis involving the production of autoantibodies against citrullinated peptides. We therefore postulated that therapeutic eradication P. gingivalis may ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis development and here turned to a mouse model in order to challenge our hypothesis. F1 (DBA/1 x B10.Q) mice were orally inoculated with P. gingivalis before collagen-induced arthritis was provoked. Chlorhexidine or metronidazole were orally administered either before or during the induction phase of arthritis and their effects on arthritis progression and alveolar bone loss were compared to intraperitoneally injected methotrexate. Arthritis incidence and severity were macroscopically scored and alveolar bone loss was evaluated via microcomputed tomography. Serum antibody titres against P. gingivalis were quantified by ELISA and microbial dysbiosis following oral inoculation was monitored in stool samples via microbiome analyses. Both, oral chlorhexidine and metronidazole reduced the incidence and ameliorated the severity of collagen-induced arthritis comparable to methotrexate. Likewise, all three therapies attenuated alveolar bone loss. Relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae was increased after oral inoculation with P. gingivalis and decreased after treatment. This is the first study to describe beneficial effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on collagen-induced arthritis in mice and suggests that mouthwash with chlorhexidine or metronidazole may also be beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a coexisting periodontitis. Methotrexate ameliorated periodontitis in mice, further raising the possibility that methotrexate may also positively impact on the tooth supporting tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
KW  - rheumatic diseases
KW  - rheumatology
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237355
VL  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Woodcock, B. A.
A1  - Garratt, M. P. D.
A1  - Powney, G. D.
A1  - Shaw, R. F.
A1  - Osborne, J. L.
A1  - Soroka, J.
A1  - Lindström, S. A. M.
A1  - Stanley, D.
A1  - Ouvrard, P.
A1  - Edwards, M. E.
A1  - Jauker, F.
A1  - McCracken, M. E.
A1  - Zou, Y.
A1  - Potts, S. G.
A1  - Rundlöf, M.
A1  - Noriega, J. A.
A1  - Greenop, A.
A1  - Smith, H. G.
A1  - Bommarco, R.
A1  - van der Werf, W.
A1  - Stout, J. C.
A1  - Steffan-Dewenter, I.
A1  - Morandin, L.
A1  - Bullock, J. M.
A1  - Pywell, R. F.
T1  - Meta-analysis reveals that pollinator functional diversity and abundance enhance crop pollination and yield
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - How insects promote crop pollination remains poorly understood in terms of the contribution of functional trait differences between species. We used meta-analyses to test for correlations between community abundance, species richness and functional trait metrics with oilseed rape yield, a globally important crop. While overall abundance is consistently important in predicting yield, functional divergence between species traits also showed a positive correlation. This result supports the complementarity hypothesis that pollination function is maintained by non-overlapping trait distributions. In artificially constructed communities (mesocosms), species richness is positively correlated with yield, although this effect is not seen under field conditions. As traits of the dominant species do not predict yield above that attributed to the effect of abundance alone, we find no evidence in support of the mass ratio hypothesis. Management practices increasing not just pollinator abundance, but also functional divergence, could benefit oilseed rape agriculture.
KW  - agroecology
KW  - agriculture
KW  - ecosystem services
KW  - environmental sciences
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233787
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Annunziata, Ida
A1  - van de Vlekkert, Diantha
A1  - Wolf, Elmar
A1  - Finkelstein, David
A1  - Neale, Geoffrey
A1  - Machado, Eda
A1  - Mosca, Rosario
A1  - Campos, Yvan
A1  - Tillman, Heather
A1  - Roussel, Martine F.
A1  - Weesner, Jason Andrew
A1  - Fremuth, Leigh Ellen
A1  - Qiu, Xiaohui
A1  - Han, Min-Joon
A1  - Grosveld, Gerard C.
A1  - d'Azzo, Alessandra
T1  - MYC competes with MiT/TFE in regulating lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy through an epigenetic rheostat
JF  - Nature Communications
N2  - Coordinated regulation of the lysosomal and autophagic systems ensures basal catabolism and normal cell physiology, and failure of either system causes disease. Here we describe an epigenetic rheostat orchestrated by c-MYC and histone deacetylases that inhibits lysosomal and autophagic biogenesis by concomitantly repressing the expression of the transcription factors MiT/TFE and FOXH1, and that of lysosomal and autophagy genes. Inhibition of histone deacetylases abates c-MYC binding to the promoters of lysosomal and autophagy genes, granting promoter occupancy to the MiT/TFE members, TFEB and TFE3, and/or the autophagy regulator FOXH1. In pluripotent stem cells and cancer, suppression of lysosomal and autophagic function is directly downstream of c-MYC overexpression and may represent a hallmark of malignant transformation. We propose that, by determining the fate of these catabolic systems, this hierarchical switch regulates the adaptive response of cells to pathological and physiological cues that could be exploited therapeutically.
KW  - autophagy
KW  - cancer
KW  - cancer metabolism
KW  - cell biology
KW  - mechanisms of disease
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221189
VL  - 10
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Herster, Franziska
A1  - Bittner, Zsofia
A1  - Codrea, Marius Cosmin
A1  - Archer, Nathan K.
A1  - Heister, Martin
A1  - Löffler, Markus W.
A1  - Heumos, Simon
A1  - Wegner, Joanna
A1  - Businger, Ramona
A1  - Schindler, Michael
A1  - Stegner, David
A1  - Schäkel, Knut
A1  - Grabbe, Stephan
A1  - Ghoreschi, Kamran
A1  - Miller, Lloyd S.
A1  - Weber, Alexander N. R.
T1  - Platelets Aggregate With Neutrophils and Promote Skin Pathology in Psoriasis
JF  - Frontiers in Immunology
N2  - Psoriasis is a frequent systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized primarily by skin lesions with massive infiltration of leukocytes, but frequently also presents with cardiovascular comorbidities. Especially polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) abundantly infiltrate psoriatic skin but the cues that prompt PMNs to home to the skin are not well-defined. To identify PMN surface receptors that may explain PMN skin homing in psoriasis patients, we screened 332 surface antigens on primary human blood PMNs from healthy donors and psoriasis patients. We identified platelet surface antigens as a defining feature of psoriasis PMNs, due to a significantly increased aggregation of neutrophils and platelets in the blood of psoriasis patients. Similarly, in the imiquimod-induced experimental in vivo mouse model of psoriasis, disease induction promoted PMN-platelet aggregate formation. In psoriasis patients, disease incidence directly correlated with blood platelet counts and platelets were detected in direct contact with PMNs in psoriatic but not healthy skin. Importantly, depletion of circulating platelets in mice in vivo ameliorated disease severity significantly, indicating that both PMNs and platelets may be relevant for psoriasis pathology and disease severity.
KW  - psoriasis
KW  - neutrophil
KW  - platelet
KW  - platelet-neutrophil complexes (PNCs)
KW  - imiquimod
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-320175
VL  - 10
ER  -