Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (336)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (336)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Journal article (264)
- Doctoral Thesis (51)
- Book article / Book chapter (9)
- Conference Proceeding (9)
- Book (2)
- Preprint (1)
Language
- English (295)
- German (39)
- Multiple languages (2)
Keywords
- Physiologische Chemie (45)
- Schwertkärpfling (19)
- melanoma (11)
- Melanom (10)
- cancer (10)
- Xiphophorus (9)
- Signaltransduktion (6)
- evolution (6)
- BMP (5)
- Biochemie (5)
Institute
- Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften (336)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie (Chirurgische Klinik I) (24)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken (21)
- Pathologisches Institut (15)
- Graduate School of Life Sciences (11)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II (9)
- Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum (8)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie (7)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie (7)
- Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik (7)
Sonstige beteiligte Institutionen
- Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum (2)
- IZKF Laboratory for Microarray Applications, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany (1)
- Microarray Core Unit, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Science, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Straße, Würzburg 97080, Germany (1)
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center (1)
The neuronal RNA-binding protein Ptbp2 regulates neuronal differentiation by modulating alternative splicing programs in the nucleus. Such programs contribute to axonogenesis by adjusting the levels of protein isoforms involved in axon growth and branching. While its functions in alternative splicing have been described in detail, cytosolic roles of Ptbp2 for axon growth have remained elusive. Here, we show that Ptbp2 is located in the cytosol including axons and growth cones of motoneurons, and that depletion of cytosolic Ptbp2 affects axon growth. We identify Ptbp2 as a major interactor of the 3’ UTR of Hnrnpr mRNA encoding the RNA-binding protein hnRNP R. Axonal localization of Hnrnpr mRNA and local synthesis of hnRNP R protein are strongly reduced when Ptbp2 is depleted, leading to defective axon growth. Ptbp2 regulates hnRNP R translation by mediating the association of Hnrnpr with ribosomes in a manner dependent on the translation factor eIF5A2. Our data thus suggest a mechanism whereby cytosolic Ptbp2 modulates axon growth by fine-tuning the mRNA transport and local synthesis of an RNA-binding protein.
Formic acid is the main component of the ant’s major weapon against enemies. Being mainly used as a chemical defense, the acid is also exploited for recruitment and trail marking. The repelling effect of the organic acid is used by some mammals and birds which rub themselves in the acid to eliminate ectoparasites. Beekeepers across the world rely on this effect to control the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Varroa mites are considered the most destructive pest of honey bees worldwide and can lead to the loss of entire colonies. Formic acid is highly effective against Varroa mites but can also kill the honeybee queen and worker brood. Whether formic acid can also affect the behavior of honey bees is unknown. We here study the effect of formic acid on sucrose responsiveness and cognition of honey bees treated at different live stages in field-relevant doses. Both behaviors are essential for survival of the honey bee colony. Rather unexpectedly, formic acid clearly improved the learning performance of the bees in appetitive olfactory conditioning, while not affecting sucrose responsiveness. This exciting side effect of formic acid certainly deserves further detailed investigations.
Seasonal plasticity in insects is often triggered by temperature and photoperiod changes. When climatic conditions become sub-optimal, insects might undergo reproductive diapause, a form of seasonal plasticity delaying the development of reproductive organs and activities. During the reproductive diapause, the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile, which covers the insect body surface, might also change to protect insects from desiccation and cold temperature. However, CHCs are often important cues and signals for mate recognition and changes in CHC composition might affect mate recognition. In the present study, we investigated the CHC profile composition and the mating success of Drosophila suzukii in 1- and 5-day-old males and females of summer and winter morphs. CHC compositions differed with age and morphs. However, no significant differences were found between the sexes of the same age and morph. The results of the behavioral assays show that summer morph pairs start to mate earlier in their life, have a shorter mating duration, and have more offspring compared to winter morph pairs. We hypothesize that CHC profiles of winter morphs are adapted to survive winter conditions, potentially at the cost of reduced mate recognition cues.
Infected wounds pose a major mortality risk in animals. Injuries are common in the ant Megaponera analis, which raids pugnacious prey. Here we show that M. analis can determine when wounds are infected and treat them accordingly. By applying a variety of antimicrobial compounds and proteins secreted from the metapleural gland to infected wounds, workers reduce the mortality of infected individuals by 90%. Chemical analyses showed that wound infection is associated with specific changes in the cuticular hydrocarbon profile, thereby likely allowing nestmates to diagnose the infection state of injured individuals and apply the appropriate antimicrobial treatment. This study demonstrates that M. analis ant societies use antimicrobial compounds produced in the metapleural glands to treat infected wounds and reduce nestmate mortality.
Context
Habitat loss and degradation impose serious threats on biodiversity. However, not all habitats receive the attention commensurate with their ecological importance. Shrub ecotones (successional stages between grasslands and forests) can be highly species-diverse but are often restricted to small areas as prevalent management practices either promote open grassland or forest habitats, threatening the effective conservation of ecotone species.
Objectives
In this study, we assessed the importance of habitat and landscape features of shrub ecotones for the rarely studied true bugs (Heteroptera), a functionally diverse taxon that comprises highly specialized species and broad generalists.
Methods
True bugs were sampled with a beating tray in 118 spatially independent shrub ecotones in a region of 45,000 square kilometers in Germany. In addition to habitat area and landscape context, we used a hedge index to evaluate habitat quality.
Results
Shrub ecotones in open habitats harbored a greater species richness and abundance compared to shaded ones in later seral stages, and species composition differed. Richness and abundance were positively affected by increasing habitat area and quality, whereas an increase in the proportion of semi-natural habitats within 1 km only enhanced richness. While feeding and habitat specialists were more sensitive to habitat area reduction than generalists, this was not the case for weak dispersers and carnivores.
Conclusions
Our findings emphasize the importance of large and high-quality ecotones that form a patchy mosaic of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Such ecotones can benefit both grassland species and species depending on woody plants. Conservation authorities should balance between promoting shrubs and keeping such habitats open to maximize species diversity.
Highlights
• The GLA variant S126G is not associated with Fabry symptoms in the presented case
• S126G has no effect on α-GAL A activity or Gb3 levels in this patient
• S126G sensory neurons show no electrophysiological abnormalities
Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a life-limiting disorder characterized by intracellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) accumulations. The underlying α-galactosidase A (α-GAL A) deficiency is caused by variants in the gene GLA. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) are frequently found in GLA and challenge clinical management. Here, we investigated a 49-year old man with cryptogenic lacunar cerebral stroke and the chance finding of the VUS S126G, who was sent to our center for diagnosis and initiation of a costly and life-long FD-specific treatment. We combined clinical examination with in vitro investigations of dermal fibroblasts (HDF), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and iPSC-derived sensory neurons. We analyzed α-GAL A activity in iPSC, Gb3 accumulation in all three cell types, and action potential firing in sensory neurons. Neurological examination and small nerve fiber assessment was normal except for reduced distal skin innervation. S126G iPSC showed normal α-GAL A activity compared to controls and no Gb3 deposits were found in all three cell types. Baseline electrophysiological characteristics of S126G neurons showed no difference compared to healthy controls as investigated by patch-clamp recordings. We pioneer multi-level cellular characterization of the VUS S126G using three cell types derived from a patient and provide further evidence for the benign nature of S126G in GLA, which is of great importance in the management of such cases in clinical practice.
Recent studies link increased ozone (O\(_3\)) and carbon dioxide (CO\(_2\)) levels to alteration of plant performance and plant-herbivore interactions, but their interactive effects on plant-pollinator interactions are little understood. Extra floral nectaries (EFNs) are essential organs used by some plants for stimulating defense against herbivory and for the attraction of insect pollinators, e.g., bees. The factors driving the interactions between bees and plants regarding the visitation of bees to EFNs are poorly understood, especially in the face of global change driven by greenhouse gases. Here, we experimentally tested whether elevated levels of O\(_3\) and CO\(_2\) individually and interactively alter the emission of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) profiles in the field bean plant (Vicia faba, L., Fabaceae), EFN nectar production and EFN visitation by the European orchard bee (Osmia cornuta, Latreille, Megachilidae). Our results showed that O\(_3\) alone had significant negative effects on the blends of VOCs emitted while the treatment with elevated CO\(_2\) alone did not differ from the control. Furthermore, as with O\(_3\) alone, the mixture of O\(_3\) and CO\(_2\) also had a significant difference in the VOCs’ profile. O\(_3\) exposure was also linked to reduced nectar volume and had a negative impact on EFN visitation by bees. Increased CO\(_2\) level, on the other hand, had a positive impact on bee visits. Our results add to the knowledge of the interactive effects of O\(_3\) and CO\(_2\) on plant volatiles emitted by Vicia faba and bee responses. As greenhouse gas levels continue to rise globally, it is important to take these findings into consideration to better prepare for changes in plant-insect interactions.
Natural DNA storage allows cellular differentiation, evolution, the growth of our children and controls all our ecosystems. Here, we discuss the fundamental aspects of DNA storage and recent advances in this field, with special emphasis on natural processes and solutions that can be exploited. We point out new ways of efficient DNA and nucleotide storage that are inspired by nature. Within a few years DNA-based information storage may become an attractive and natural complementation to current electronic data storage systems. We discuss rapid and directed access (e.g. DNA elements such as promotors, enhancers), regulatory signals and modulation (e.g. lncRNA) as well as integrated high-density storage and processing modules (e.g. chromosomal territories). There is pragmatic DNA storage for use in biotechnology and human genetics. We examine DNA storage as an approach for synthetic biology (e.g. light-controlled nucleotide processing enzymes). The natural polymers of DNA and RNA offer much for direct storage operations (read-in, read-out, access control). The inbuilt parallelism (many molecules at many places working at the same time) is important for fast processing of information. Using biology concepts from chromosomal storage, nucleic acid processing as well as polymer material sciences such as electronical effects in enzymes, graphene, nanocellulose up to DNA macramé , DNA wires and DNA-based aptamer field effect transistors will open up new applications gradually replacing classical information storage methods in ever more areas over time (decades).
In the fast-evolving landscape of biomedical research, the emergence of big data has presented researchers with extraordinary opportunities to explore biological complexities. In biomedical research, big data imply also a big responsibility. This is not only due to genomics data being sensitive information but also due to genomics data being shared and re-analysed among the scientific community. This saves valuable resources and can even help to find new insights in silico. To fully use these opportunities, detailed and correct metadata are imperative. This includes not only the availability of metadata but also their correctness. Metadata integrity serves as a fundamental determinant of research credibility, supporting the reliability and reproducibility of data-driven findings. Ensuring metadata availability, curation, and accuracy are therefore essential for bioinformatic research. Not only must metadata be readily available, but they must also be meticulously curated and ideally error-free. Motivated by an accidental discovery of a critical metadata error in patient data published in two high-impact journals, we aim to raise awareness for the need of correct, complete, and curated metadata. We describe how the metadata error was found, addressed, and present examples for metadata-related challenges in omics research, along with supporting measures, including tools for checking metadata and software to facilitate various steps from data analysis to published research.
Highlights
• Data awareness and data integrity underpins the trustworthiness of results and subsequent further analysis.
• Big data and bioinformatics enable efficient resource use by repurposing publicly available RNA-Sequencing data.
• Manual checks of data quality and integrity are insufficient due to the overwhelming volume and rapidly growing data.
• Automation and artificial intelligence provide cost-effective and efficient solutions for data integrity and quality checks.
• FAIR data management, various software solutions and analysis tools assist metadata maintenance.
Machine learning techniques are excellent to analyze expression data from single cells. These techniques impact all fields ranging from cell annotation and clustering to signature identification. The presented framework evaluates gene selection sets how far they optimally separate defined phenotypes or cell groups. This innovation overcomes the present limitation to objectively and correctly identify a small gene set of high information content regarding separating phenotypes for which corresponding code scripts are provided. The small but meaningful subset of the original genes (or feature space) facilitates human interpretability of the differences of the phenotypes including those found by machine learning results and may even turn correlations between genes and phenotypes into a causal explanation. For the feature selection task, the principal feature analysis is utilized which reduces redundant information while selecting genes that carry the information for separating the phenotypes. In this context, the presented framework shows explainability of unsupervised learning as it reveals cell-type specific signatures. Apart from a Seurat preprocessing tool and the PFA script, the pipeline uses mutual information to balance accuracy and size of the gene set if desired. A validation part to evaluate the gene selection for their information content regarding the separation of the phenotypes is provided as well, binary and multiclass classification of 3 or 4 groups are studied. Results from different single-cell data are presented. In each, only about ten out of more than 30000 genes are identified as carrying the relevant information. The code is provided in a GitHub repository at https://github.com/AC-PHD/Seurat_PFA_pipeline.