@misc{ZorHeiskanenCavigliaetal.2014, author = {Z{\´o}r, K. and Heiskanen, A. and Caviglia, Claudia and Vergani, M. and Landini, E. and Shah, F. and Carminati, Marco and Mart{\´i}nez-Serrano, A. and Ramos Moreno, T. and Kokaia, M. and Benayahu, Dafna and Keresztes, Zs. and Papkovsky, D. and Wollenberger, Ursula and Svendsen, W. E. and Dimaki, M. and Ferrari, G. and Raiteri, R. and Sampietro, M. and Dufva, M. and Emn{\´e}us, J.}, title = {A compact multifunctional microfluidic platform for exploring cellular dynamics in real-time using electrochemical detection}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-99492}, pages = {11}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Downscaling of microfluidic cell culture and detection devices for electrochemical monitoring has mostly focused on miniaturization of the microfluidic chips which are often designed for specific applications and therefore lack functional flexibility. We present a compact microfluidic cell culture and electrochemical analysis platform with in-built fluid handling and detection, enabling complete cell based assays comprising on-line electrode cleaning, sterilization, surface functionalization, cell seeding, cultivation and electrochemical real-time monitoring of cellular dynamics. To demonstrate the versatility and multifunctionality of the platform, we explored amperometric monitoring of intracellular redox activity in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and detection of exocytotically released dopamine from rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used in both applications for monitoring cell sedimentation and adhesion as well as proliferation in the case of PC12 cells. The influence of flow rate on the signal amplitude in the detection of redox metabolism as well as the effect of mechanical stimulation on dopamine release were demonstrated using the programmable fluid handling capability. The here presented platform is aimed at applications utilizing cell based assays, ranging from e.g. monitoring of drug effects in pharmacological studies, characterization of neural stem cell differentiation, and screening of genetically modified microorganisms to environmental monitoring.}, language = {en} } @misc{YarmanScheller2014, author = {Yarman, Aysu and Scheller, Frieder W.}, title = {The first electrochemical MIP sensor for tamoxifen}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1046}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47617}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-476173}, pages = {10}, year = {2014}, abstract = {We present an electrochemical MIP sensor for tamoxifen (TAM)-a nonsteroidal anti-estrogen-which is based on the electropolymerisation of an O-phenylenediamine. resorcinol mixture directly on the electrode surface in the presence of the template molecule. Up to now only. bulk. MIPs for TAM have been described in literature, which are applied for separation in chromatography columns. Electro-polymerisation of the monomers in the presence of TAM generated a film which completely suppressed the reduction of ferricyanide. Removal of the template gave a markedly increased ferricyanide signal, which was again suppressed after rebinding as expected for filling of the cavities by target binding. The decrease of the ferricyanide peak of the MIP electrode depended linearly on the TAM concentration between 1 and 100 nM. The TAM-imprinted electrode showed a 2.3 times higher recognition of the template molecule itself as compared to its metabolite 4-hydroxytamoxifen and no cross-reactivity with the anticancer drug doxorubucin was found. Measurements at + 1.1 V caused a fouling of the electrode surface, whilst pretreatment of TAM with peroxide in presence of HRP generated an oxidation product which was reducible at 0 mV, thus circumventing the polymer formation and electrochemical interferences.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wunderlich2014, author = {Wunderlich, Kai}, title = {Entwicklung einer parallelen Mehrkomponentenanalyse von Antigen-Antik{\"o}rper-Reaktionen in der Dopinganalyse}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-76869}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {VIII, 130}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Weltweit streben Anti-Doping Institute danach jene Sportler zu {\"u}berf{\"u}hren, welche sich unerlaubter Mittel oder Methoden bedienen. Die hierf{\"u}r notwendigen Testsysteme werden kontinuierlich weiterentwickelt und neue Methoden aufgrund neuer Wirkstoffe der Pharmaindustrie etabliert. Gegenstand dieser Arbeit war es, eine parallele Mehrkomponentenanalyse auf Basis von Antigen-Antik{\"o}rper Reaktionen zu entwickeln, bei dem es prim{\"a}r um Verringerung des ben{\"o}tigten Probevolumens und der Versuchszeit im Vergleich zu einem Standard Nachweis-Verfahren ging. Neben der Verwendung eines Multiplex Ansatzes und der Mikroarraytechnologie stellten ebenfalls die Genauigkeit aller Messparameter, die Stabilit{\"a}t des Versuchsaufbaus sowie die Performance {\"u}ber einen Einfach-Blind-Ansatz Herausforderungen dar. Die Anforderung an den Multiplex Ansatz, keine falschen Signale trotz {\"a}hnlicher Strukturen zu messen, konnte durch die gezielte Kombination von spezifischen Antik{\"o}rpern realisiert werden. Hierf{\"u}r wurden neben Kreuzreaktivit{\"a}tstests auf dem Mikroarray parallel erfolgreich Western Blot Versuche durchgef{\"u}hrt. Jene Antik{\"o}rper, welche in diesen Versuchen die gesetzten Anforderungen erf{\"u}llten, wurden f{\"u}r das Ermitteln der kleinsten nachweisbaren Konzentration verwendet. {\"U}ber das Optimieren der Versuchsbedingungen konnte unter Verwendung von Tween in der Waschl{\"o}sung sowohl auf Glas als auch auf Kunststoff die Hintergrundfluoreszenz reduziert und somit eine Steigerung des Signal/Hintergrundverh{\"a}ltnisses erreicht werden. In den Versuchen zu Ermittlung der Bestimmungsgrenze wurde f{\"u}r das humane Choriongonadotropin (hCG-i) eine Konzentration von 10 mU/ml, f{\"u}r dessen beta-Untereinheit (hCG-beta) eine Konzentration von 3,6 mU/ml und f{\"u}r das luteinisierende Hormon (LH) eine Konzentration von 10 mU/ml bestimmt. Den ermittelten Wert im Serum f{\"u}r das hCG-i entspricht dem von der Welt-Anti-Dopin-Agentur (WADA) geforderten Wert in Urin von 5 mU/ml. Neben der Ermittlung von Bestimmungsgrenzen wurden diese hinsichtlich auftretender Matrixeffekte in Serum und Blut gemessen. Wie aus den Versuchen zur Ermittlung von Kreuzreaktivit{\"a}ten auf dem Mikroarray zu entnehmen ist, lassen sich das LH, das hCG-i und hCG-β ebenfalls in Serum und Blut messen. Die Durchf{\"u}hrung einer Performance-Analyse {\"u}ber einem Einfach-Blind-Ansatz mit 130 Serum Proben, wurde ebenfalls {\"u}ber dieses System realisiert. Die ausgewerteten Proben wurden anschließend {\"u}ber eine Grenzwertoptimierungskurve analysiert und die diagnostische Spezifit{\"a}t ermittelt. F{\"u}r die Messungen des LH konnte eine Sensitivit{\"a}t und Spezifit{\"a}t von 100\% erreicht werden. Demnach wurden alle negativen und positiven Proben eindeutig interpretiert. F{\"u}r das hCG-β konnte ebenfalls eine Spezifit{\"a}t von 100\% und eine Sensitivit{\"a}t von 97\% erreicht werden. Die hCG-i Proben wurden mit einer Spezifit{\"a}t von 100\% und eine Sensitivit{\"a}t von 97,5\% gemessen. Um den Nachweis zu erbringen, dass dieser Versuchsaufbau {\"u}ber mehrere Wochen stabile Signale bei Vermessen von identischen Proben liefert, wurde ein {\"u}ber zw{\"o}lf Wochen angesetzter Stabilit{\"a}tstest f{\"u}r alle Parameter erfolgreich in Serum und Blut durchgef{\"u}hrt. Zusammenfassend konnte in dieser Arbeit erfolgreich eine Mehrkomponentenanalyse als Multiplex Ansatz auf einem Mikroarray entwickelt werden. Die Durchf{\"u}hrung der Performance-Analyse und des Stabilit{\"a}tstests zeigen bereits die m{\"o}gliche Einsatzf{\"a}higkeit dieses Tests im Kontext einer Dopinganalyse.}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Trost2014, author = {Trost, Gerda}, title = {Poly(A) Polymerase 1 (PAPS1) influences organ size and pathogen response in Arabidopsis thaliana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-72345}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs is critical for efficient nuclear export, stability, and translation of the mature mRNAs, and thus for gene expression. The bulk of pre-mRNAs are processed by canonical nuclear poly(A) polymerase (PAPS). Both vertebrate and higher-plant genomes encode more than one isoform of this enzyme, and these are coexpressed in different tissues. However, in neither case is it known whether the isoforms fulfill different functions or polyadenylate distinct subsets of pre-mRNAs. This thesis shows that the three canonical nuclear PAPS isoforms in Arabidopsis are functionally specialized owing to their evolutionarily divergent C-terminal domains. A moderate loss-of-function mutant in PAPS1 leads to increase in floral organ size, whereas leaf size is reduced. A strong loss-of-function mutation causes a male gametophytic defect, whereas a weak allele leads to reduced leaf growth. By contrast, plants lacking both PAPS2 and PAPS4 function are viable with wild-type leaf growth. Polyadenylation of SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) mRNAs depends specifically on PAPS1 function. The resulting reduction in SAUR activity in paps1 mutants contributes to their reduced leaf growth, providing a causal link between polyadenylation of specific pre-mRNAs by a particular PAPS isoform and plant growth. Additionally, opposite effects of PAPS1 on leaf and flower growth reflect the different identities of these organs. The overgrowth of paps1 mutant petals is due to increased recruitment of founder cells into early organ primordia whereas the reduced leaf size is due to an ectopic pathogen response. This constitutive immune response leads to increased resistance to the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and reflects activation of the salicylic acid-independent signalling pathway downstream of ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1)/PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 (PAD4). Immune responses are accompanied by intracellular redox changes. Consistent with this, the redox-status of the chloroplast is altered in paps1-1 mutants. The molecular effects of the paps1-1 mutation were analysed using an RNA sequencing approach that distinguishes between long- and short tailed mRNA. The results shown here suggest the existence of an additional layer of regulation in plants and possibly vertebrate gene expression, whereby the relative activities of canonical nuclear PAPS isoforms control de novo synthesized poly(A) tail length and hence expression of specific subsets of mRNAs.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Tenenboim2014, author = {Tenenboim, Yehezkel}, title = {Characterization of a Chlamydomonas protein involved in cell division and autophagy}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-70650}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The contractile vacuole (CV) is an osmoregulatory organelle found exclusively in algae and protists. In addition to expelling excessive water out of the cell, it also expels ions and other metabolites and thereby contributes to the cell's metabolic homeostasis. The interest in the CV reaches beyond its immediate cellular roles. The CV's function is tightly related to basic cellular processes such as membrane dynamics and vesicle budding and fusion; several physiological processes in animals, such as synaptic neurotransmission and blood filtration in the kidney, are related to the CV's function; and several pathogens, such as the causative agents of sleeping sickness, possess CVs, which may serve as pharmacological targets. The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has two CVs. They are the smallest known CVs in nature, and they remain relatively untouched in the CV-related literature. Many genes that have been shown to be related to the CV in other organisms have close homologues in C. reinhardtii. We attempted to silence some of these genes and observe the effect on the CV. One of our genes, VMP1, caused striking, severe phenotypes when silenced. Cells exhibited defective cytokinesis and aberrant morphologies. The CV, incidentally, remained unscathed. In addition, mutant cells showed some evidence of disrupted autophagy. Several important regulators of the cell cycle as well as autophagy were found to be underexpressed in the mutant. Lipidomic analysis revealed many meaningful changes between wild-type and mutant cells, reinforcing the compromised-autophagy observation. VMP1 is a singular protein, with homologues in numerous eukaryotic organisms (aside from fungi), but usually with no relatives in each particular genome. Since its first characterization in 2002 it has been associated with several cellular processes and functions, namely autophagy, programmed cell-death, secretion, cell adhesion, and organelle biogenesis. It has been implicated in several human diseases: pancreatitis, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Our results reiterate some of the observations in VMP1's six reported homologues, but, importantly, show for the first time an involvement of this protein in cell division. The mechanisms underlying this involvement in Chlamydomonas, as well as other key aspects, such as VMP1's subcellular localization and interaction partners, still await elucidation.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Serrano2014, author = {Serrano, Paloma}, title = {Methanogens from Siberian permafrost as models for life on Mars : response to simulated martian conditions and biosignature characterization}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-72299}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Mars is one of the best candidates among planetary bodies for supporting life. The presence of water in the form of ice and atmospheric vapour together with the availability of biogenic elements and energy are indicators of the possibility of hosting life as we know it. The occurrence of permanently frozen ground - permafrost, is a common phenomenon on Mars and it shows multiple morphological analogies with terrestrial permafrost. Despite the extreme inhospitable conditions, highly diverse microbial communities inhabit terrestrial permafrost in large numbers. Among these are methanogenic archaea, which are anaerobic chemotrophic microorganisms that meet many of the metabolic and physiological requirements for survival on the martian subsurface. Moreover, methanogens from Siberian permafrost are extremely resistant against different types of physiological stresses as well as simulated martian thermo-physical and subsurface conditions, making them promising model organisms for potential life on Mars. The main aims of this investigation are to assess the survival of methanogenic archaea under Mars conditions, focusing on methanogens from Siberian permafrost, and to characterize their biosignatures by means of Raman spectroscopy, a powerful technology for microbial identification that will be used in the ExoMars mission. For this purpose, methanogens from Siberian permafrost and non-permafrost habitats were subjected to simulated martian desiccation by exposure to an ultra-low subfreezing temperature (-80ºC) and to Mars regolith (S-MRS and P-MRS) and atmospheric analogues. They were also exposed to different concentrations of perchlorate, a strong oxidant found in martian soils. Moreover, the biosignatures of methanogens were characterized at the single-cell level using confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM). The results showed survival and methane production in all methanogenic strains under simulated martian desiccation. After exposure to subfreezing temperatures, Siberian permafrost strains had a faster metabolic recovery, whereas the membranes of non-permafrost methanogens remained intact to a greater extent. The strain Methanosarcina soligelidi SMA-21 from Siberian permafrost showed significantly higher methane production rates than all other strains after the exposure to martian soil and atmospheric analogues, and all strains survived the presence of perchlorate at the concentration on Mars. Furthermore, CRM analyses revealed remarkable differences in the overall chemical composition of permafrost and non-permafrost strains of methanogens, regardless of their phylogenetic relationship. The convergence of the chemical composition in non-sister permafrost strains may be the consequence of adaptations to the environment, and could explain their greater resistance compared to the non-permafrost strains. As part of this study, Raman spectroscopy was evaluated as an analytical technique for remote detection of methanogens embedded in a mineral matrix. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the survival limits of methanogenic archaea under simulated martian conditions to further assess the hypothetical existence of life similar to methanogens on the martian subsurface. In addition, the overall chemical composition of methanogens was characterized for the first time by means of confocal Raman microspectroscopy, with potential implications for astrobiological research.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schmitt2014, author = {Schmitt, Clemens Nikolaus Zeno}, title = {The role of protein metal complexes in the mechanics of Mytilus californianus byssal threads}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-74216}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {VIII, 93}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Protein-metal coordination complexes are well known as active centers in enzymatic catalysis, and to contribute to signal transduction, gas transport, and to hormone function. Additionally, they are now known to contribute as load-bearing cross-links to the mechanical properties of several biological materials, including the jaws of Nereis worms and the byssal threads of marine mussels. The primary aim of this thesis work is to better understand the role of protein-metal cross-links in the mechanical properties of biological materials, using the mussel byssus as a model system. Specifically, the focus is on histidine-metal cross-links as sacrificial bonds in the fibrous core of the byssal thread (Chapter 4) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-metal bonds in the protective thread cuticle (Chapter 5). Byssal threads are protein fibers, which mussels use to attach to various substrates at the seashore. These relatively stiff fibers have the ability to extend up to about 100 \% strain, dissipating large amounts of mechanical energy from crashing waves, for example. Remarkably, following damage from cyclic loading, initial mechanical properties are subsequently recovered by a material-intrinsic self-healing capability. Histidine residues coordinated to transition metal ions in the proteins comprising the fibrous thread core have been suggested as reversible sacrificial bonds that contribute to self-healing; however, this remains to be substantiated in situ. In the first part of this thesis, the role of metal coordination bonds in the thread core was investigated using several spectroscopic methods. In particular, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was applied to probe the coordination environment of zinc in Mytilus californianus threads at various stages during stretching and subsequent healing. Analysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) suggests that tensile deformation of threads is correlated with the rupture of Zn-coordination bonds and that self-healing is connected with the reorganization of Zn-coordination bond topologies rather than the mere reformation of Zn-coordination bonds. These findings have interesting implications for the design of self-healing metallopolymers. The byssus cuticle is a protective coating surrounding the fibrous thread core that is both as hard as an epoxy and extensible up to 100 \% strain before cracking. It was shown previously that cuticle stiffness and hardness largely depend on the presence of Fe-DOPA coordination bonds. However, the byssus is known to concentrate a large variety of metals from seawater, some of which are also capable of binding DOPA (e.g. V). Therefore, the question arises whether natural variation of metal composition can affect the mechanical performance of the byssal thread cuticle. To investigate this hypothesis, nanoindentation and confocal Raman spectroscopy were applied to the cuticle of native threads, threads with metals removed (EDTA treated), and threads in which the metal ions in the native tissue were replaced by either Fe or V. Interestingly, replacement of metal ions with either Fe or V leads to the full recovery of native mechanical properties with no statistical difference between each other or the native properties. This likely indicates that a fixed number of metal coordination sites are maintained within the byssal thread cuticle - possibly achieved during thread formation - which may provide an evolutionarily relevant mechanism for maintaining reliable mechanics in an unpredictable environment. While the dynamic exchange of bonds plays a vital role in the mechanical behavior and self-healing in the thread core by allowing them to act as reversible sacrificial bonds, the compatibility of DOPA with other metals allows an inherent adaptability of the thread cuticle to changing circumstances. The requirements to both of these materials can be met by the dynamic nature of the protein-metal cross-links, whereas covalent cross-linking would fail to provide the adaptability of the cuticle and the self-healing of the core. In summary, these studies of the thread core and the thread cuticle serve to underline the important and dynamic roles of protein-metal coordination in the mechanical function of load-bearing protein fibers, such as the mussel byssus.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Scheinemann2014, author = {Scheinemann, Hendrik Alexander}, title = {Hygienisierung von Rinderg{\"u}lle und Kl{\"a}rschl{\"a}mmen mittels milchsaurer Fermentation}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-77949}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {xviii, 172}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Tierische und menschliche F{\"a}kalien aus Landwirtschaft und Haushalten enthalten zahlreiche obligat und opportunistisch pathogene Mikroorganismen, deren Konzentration u. a. je nach Gesundheitszustand der betrachteten Gruppe schwankt. Neben den Krankheitserregern enthalten F{\"a}kalien aber auch essentielle Pflanzenn{\"a}hrstoffe (276) und dienen seit Jahrtausenden (63) als D{\"u}nger f{\"u}r Feldfr{\"u}chte. Mit der unbedarften Verwendung von pathogenbelastetem F{\"a}kald{\"u}nger steigt jedoch auch das Risiko einer Infektion von Mensch und Tier. Diese Gefahr erh{\"o}ht sich mit der globalen Vernetzung der Landwirtschaft, z. B. durch den Import von kontaminierten Futter- bzw. Lebensmitteln (29). Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt die milchsaure Fermentation von Rinderg{\"u}lle und Kl{\"a}rschlamm als alternative Hygienisierungsmethode gegen{\"u}ber der Pasteurisation in Biogasanlagen bzw. gebr{\"a}uchlichen Kompostierung vor. Dabei wird ein Abfall der Gram-negativen Bakterienflora sowie der Enterokokken, Schimmel- und Hefepilze unter die Nachweisgrenze von 3 log10KbE/g beobachtet, gleichzeitig steigt die Konzentration der Lactobacillaceae um das Tausendfache. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus wird gezeigt, dass pathogene Bakterien wie Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, EHEC O:157 und vegetative Clostridum perfringens-Zellen innerhalb von 3 Tagen inaktiviert werden. Die Inaktivierung von ECBO-Viren und Spulwurmeiern erfolgt innerhalb von 7 bzw. 56 Tagen. Zur Aufkl{\"a}rung der Ursache der beobachteten Hygienisierung wurde das fermentierte Material auf fl{\"u}chtige Fetts{\"a}uren sowie pH-Wert{\"a}nderungen untersucht. Es konnte festgestellt werden, dass die gemessenen Werte nicht die alleinige Ursache f{\"u}r das Absterben der Erreger sind, vielmehr wird eine zus{\"a}tzliche bakterizide Wirkung durch eine mutmaßliche Bildung von Bakteriozinen in Betracht gezogen. Die parasitizide Wirkung wird auf die physikalischen Bedingungen der Fermentation zur{\"u}ckgef{\"u}hrt. Die methodischen Grundlagen basieren auf Analysen mittels zahlreicher klassisch-kultureller Verfahren, wie z. B. der Lebendkeimzahlbestimmung. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus findet die MALDI-TOF-Massenspektrometrie und die klassische PCR in Kombination mit der Gradienten-Gelelektrophorese Anwendung, um kultivierbare Bakterienfloren zu beschreiben bzw. nicht kultivierbare Bakterienfloren stichprobenartig zu erfassen. Neben den Aspekten der Hygienisierung wird zudem die Eignung der Methode f{\"u}r die landwirtschaftliche Nutzung ber{\"u}cksichtigt. Dies findet sich insbesondere in der Komposition des zu fermentierenden Materials wieder, welches f{\"u}r die verst{\"a}rkte Humusakkumulation im Ackerboden optimiert wurde. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus wird die Masseverlustbilanz w{\"a}hrend der milchsauren Fermentation mit denen der Kompostierung sowie der Verarbeitung in der Biogasanlage verglichen und als positiv bewertet, da sie mit insgesamt 2,45 \% sehr deutlich unter den bisherigen Alternativen liegt (73, 138, 458). Weniger Verluste an organischem Material w{\"a}hrend der Hygienisierung f{\"u}hren zu einer gr{\"o}ßeren verwendbaren D{\"u}ngermenge, die auf Grund ihres organischen Ursprungs zu einer Verst{\"a}rkung des Humusanteiles im Ackerboden beitragen kann (56, 132).}, language = {de} } @misc{SchedinaHartmannGrothetal.2014, author = {Schedina, Ina Maria and Hartmann, Stefanie and Groth, Detlef and Schlupp, Ingo and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Comparative analysis of the gonadal transcriptomes of the all-female species Poecilia formosa and its maternal ancestor Poecilia mexicana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401420}, pages = {10}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background The Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa (Teleostei: Poeciliinae) is an unisexual, all-female species. It evolved through the hybridisation of two closely related sexual species and exhibits clonal reproduction by sperm dependent parthenogenesis (or gynogenesis) where the sperm of a parental species is only used to activate embryogenesis of the apomictic, diploid eggs but does not contribute genetic material to the offspring. Here we provide and describe the first de novo assembled transcriptome of the Amazon molly in comparison with its maternal ancestor, the Atlantic molly Poecilia mexicana. The transcriptome data were produced through sequencing of single end libraries (100 bp) with the Illumina sequencing technique. Results 83,504,382 reads for the Amazon molly and 81,625,840 for the Atlantic molly were assembled into 127,283 and 78,961 contigs for the Amazon molly and the Atlantic molly, respectively. 63\% resp. 57\% of the contigs could be annotated with gene ontology terms after sequence similarity comparisons. Furthermore, we were able to identify genes normally involved in reproduction and especially in meiosis also in the transcriptome dataset of the apomictic reproducing Amazon molly. Conclusions We assembled and annotated the transcriptome of a non-model organism, the Amazon molly, without a reference genome (de novo). The obtained dataset is a fundamental resource for future research in functional and expression analysis. Also, the presence of 30 meiosis-specific genes within a species where no meiosis is known to take place is remarkable and raises new questions for future research.}, language = {en} } @misc{PajoroMadrigalMuinoetal.2014, author = {Pajoro, Alice and Madrigal, Pedro and Mui{\~n}o, Jose M. and Matus, Jos{\´e} Tom{\´a}s and Jin, Jian and Mecchia, Martin A. and Debernardi, Juan M. and Palatnik, Javier F. and Balazadeh, Salma and Arif, Muhammad and {\´O}'Maoil{\´e}idigh, Diarmuid S. and Wellmer, Frank and Krajewski, Pawel and Riechmann, Jos{\´e}-Luis and Angenent, Gerco C. and Kaufmann, Kerstin}, title = {Dynamics of chromatin accessibility and gene regulation by MADS-domain transcription factors in flower development}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, volume = {15}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43113}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431139}, pages = {19}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Development of eukaryotic organisms is controlled by transcription factors that trigger specific and global changes in gene expression programs. In plants, MADS-domain transcription factors act as master regulators of developmental switches and organ specification. However, the mechanisms by which these factors dynamically regulate the expression of their target genes at different developmental stages are still poorly understood. Results: We characterized the relationship of chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and DNA binding of two MADS-domain proteins at different stages of Arabidopsis flower development. Dynamic changes in APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 DNA binding correlated with changes in gene expression, and many of the target genes could be associated with the developmental stage in which they are transcriptionally controlled. We also observe dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility during flower development. Remarkably, DNA binding of APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 is largely independent of the accessibility status of their binding regions and it can precede increases in DNA accessibility. These results suggest that APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 may modulate chromatin accessibility, thereby facilitating access of other transcriptional regulators to their target genes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that different homeotic factors regulate partly overlapping, yet also distinctive sets of target genes in a partly stage-specific fashion. By combining the information from DNA-binding and gene expression data, we are able to propose models of stage-specific regulatory interactions, thereby addressing dynamics of regulatory networks throughout flower development. Furthermore, MADS-domain TFs may regulate gene expression by alternative strategies, one of which is modulation of chromatin accessibility.}, language = {en} }