@article{AschenbrennerWalz1998, author = {Aschenbrenner, Stefan and Walz, Bernd}, title = {Pleated septate junctions in leech photoreceptors : ultrastructure, arrangement of septa, gate and fence functions}, year = {1998}, language = {en} } @article{AstMuellerFlehretal.2011, author = {Ast, Sandra and M{\"u}ller, Holger and Flehr, Roman and Klamroth, Tillmann and Walz, Bernd and Holdt, Hans-J{\"u}rgen}, title = {High Na+ and K+-induced fluorescence enhancement of a pi-conjugated phenylaza-18-crown-6-triazol-substituted coumarin fluoroionophore}, series = {Chemical communications}, volume = {47}, journal = {Chemical communications}, number = {16}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1359-7345}, doi = {10.1039/c0cc04370b}, pages = {4685 -- 4687}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The new pi-conjugated 1,2,3-triazol-1,4-diyl fluoroionophore 1 generated via Cu(I) catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition shows high fluorescence enhancement factors (FEF) in the presence of Na+ (FEF = 58) and K+ (FEF = 27) in MeCN and high selectivity towards K+ under simulated physiological conditions (160 mM K+ or Na+, respectively) with a FEF of 2.5 for K+.}, language = {en} } @article{AttermeyerGrossartFluryetal.2017, author = {Attermeyer, Katrin and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Flury, Sabine and Premke, Katrin}, title = {Bacterial processes and biogeochemical changes in the water body of kettle holes - mainly driven by autochthonous organic matter?}, series = {Aquatic sciences : research across boundaries}, volume = {79}, journal = {Aquatic sciences : research across boundaries}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1015-1621}, doi = {10.1007/s00027-017-0528-1}, pages = {675 -- 687}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Kettle holes are small inland waters formed from glacially-created depressions often situated in agricultural landscapes. Due to their high perimeter-to-area ratio facilitating a high aquatic-terrestrial coupling, kettle holes can accumulate high concentrations of organic carbon and nutrients, fueling microbial activities and turnover rates. Thus, they represent hotspots of carbon turnover in the landscape, but their bacterial activities and controlling factors have not been well investigated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relative importance of various environmental factors on bacterial and biogeochemical processes in the water column of kettle holes and to disentangle their variations. In the water body of ten kettle holes in north-eastern Germany, we measured several physico-chemical and biological parameters such as carbon quantity and quality, as well as bacterial protein production (BP) and community respiration (CR) in spring, early summer and autumn 2014. Particulate organic matter served as an indicator of autochthonous production and represented an important parameter to explain variations in BP and CR. This notion is supported by qualitative absorbance indices of dissolved molecules in water samples and C: N ratios of the sediments, which demonstrate high fractions of autochthonous organic matter (OM) in the studied kettle holes. In contrast, dissolved chemical parameters were less important for bacterial activities although they revealed strong differences throughout the growing season. Pelagic bacterial activities and dynamics might thus be regulated by autochthonous OM in kettle holes implying a control of important biogeochemical processes by internal primary production rather than facilitated exchange with the terrestrial surrounding due to a high perimeter-to-area ratio.}, language = {en} } @article{AttermeyerHornickKayleretal.2014, author = {Attermeyer, Katrin and Hornick, T. and Kayler, Zachary and Bahr, A. and Zwirnmann, E. and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Premke, K.}, title = {Enhanced bacterial decomposition with increasing addition of autochthonous to allochthonous carbon without any effect on bacterial community composition}, series = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, number = {6}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1726-4170}, doi = {10.5194/bg-11-1479-2014}, pages = {1479 -- 1489}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations - mainly of terrestrial origin - are increasing worldwide in inland waters. Heterotrophic bacteria are the main consumers of DOC and thus determine DOC temporal dynamics and availability for higher trophic levels. Our aim was to study bacterial carbon (C) turnover with respect to DOC quantity and chemical quality using both allochthonous and autochthonous DOC sources. We incubated a natural bacterial community with allochthonous C (C-13-labeled beech leachate) and increased concentrations and pulses (intermittent occurrence of organic matter input) of autochthonous C (phytoplankton lysate). We then determined bacterial C consumption, activities, and community composition together with the C flow through bacteria using stable C isotopes. The chemical analysis of single sources revealed differences in aromaticity and low-and high-molecular-weight substance fractions (LMWS and HMWS, respectively) between allochthonous and autochthonous C sources. Both DOC sources (allochthonous and autochthonous DOC) were metabolized at a high bacterial growth efficiency (BGE) around 50\%. In treatments with mixed sources, rising concentrations of added autochthonous DOC resulted in a further, significant increase in bacterial DOC consumption of up to 68\% when nutrients were not limiting. This rise was accompanied by a decrease in the humic substance (HS) fraction and an increase in bacterial biomass. Changes in DOC concentration and consumption in mixed treatments did not affect bacterial community composition (BCC), but BCC differed in single vs. mixed incubations. Our study highlights that DOC quantity affects bacterial C consumption but not BCC in nutrient-rich aquatic systems. BCC shifted when a mixture of allochthonous and autochthonous C was provided simultaneously to the bacterial community. Our results indicate that chemical quality rather than source of DOC per se (allochthonous vs. autochthonous) determines bacterial DOC turnover.}, language = {en} } @article{AttermeyerPremkeHornicketal.2013, author = {Attermeyer, Katrin and Premke, Katrin and Hornick, Thomas and Hilt, Sabine and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Ecosystem-level studies of terrestrial carbon reveal contrasting bacterial metabolism in different aquatic habitats}, series = {Ecology : a publication of the Ecological Society of America}, volume = {94}, journal = {Ecology : a publication of the Ecological Society of America}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0012-9658}, doi = {10.1890/13-0420.1}, pages = {2754 -- 2766}, year = {2013}, abstract = {In aquatic systems, terrestrial dissolved organic matter (t-DOM) is known to stimulate bacterial activities in the water column, but simultaneous effects of autumnal leaf input on water column and sediment microbial dynamics in littoral zones of lakes remain largely unknown. The study's objective was to determine the effects of leaf litter on bacterial metabolism in the littoral water and sediment, and subsequently, the consequences for carbon cycling and food web dynamics. Therefore, in late fall, we simultaneously measured water and sediment bacterial metabolism in the littoral zone of a temperate shallow lake after adding terrestrial particulate organic matter (t-POM), namely, maize leaves. To better evaluate bacterial production (BP) and community respiration (CR) in sediments, we incubated sediment cores with maize leaves of different quality (nonleached and leached) under controlled laboratory conditions. Additionally, to quantify the incorporated leaf carbon into microbial biomass, we determined carbon isotopic ratios of fatty acids from sediment and leaf-associated microbes from a laboratory experiment using C-13-enriched beech leaves. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increased significantly in the lake after the addition of maize leaves, accompanied by a significant increase in water BP. In contrast, sediment BP declined after an initial peak, showing no positive response to t-POM addition. Sediment BP and CR were also not stimulated by t-POM in the laboratory experiment, either in short-term or in long-term incubations, except for a short increase in CR after 18 hours. However, this increase might have reflected the metabolism of leaf-associated microorganisms. We conclude that the leached t-DOM is actively incorporated into microbial biomass in the water column but that the settling leached t-POM (t-POML) does not enter the food web via sediment bacteria. Consequently, t-POML is either buried in the sediment or introduced into the aquatic food web via microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) directly associated with t-POML and via benthic macroinvertebrates by shredding of t-POML. The latter pathway represents a benthic shortcut which efficiently transfers t-POML to higher trophic levels.}, language = {en} } @article{AttermeyerTittelAllgaieretal.2015, author = {Attermeyer, Katrin and Tittel, Joerg and Allgaier, Martin and Frindte, Katharina and Wurzbacher, Christian and Hilt, Sabine and Kamjunke, Norbert and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Effects of Light and Autochthonous Carbon Additions on Microbial Turnover of Allochthonous Organic Carbon and Community Composition}, series = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {69}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0095-3628}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-014-0549-4}, pages = {361 -- 371}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The fate of allochthonous dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in aquatic systems is primarily controlled by the turnover of heterotrophic bacteria. However, the roles that abiotic and biotic factors such as light and DOC release by aquatic primary producers play in the microbial decomposition of allochthonous DOC is not well understood. We therefore tested if light and autochthonous DOC additions would increase allochthonous DOC decomposition rates and change bacterial growth efficiencies and community composition (BCC). We established continuous growth cultures with different inocula of natural bacterial communities and alder leaf leachates (DOCleaf) with and without light exposure before amendment. Furthermore, we incubated DOCleaf together with autochthonous DOC from lysed phytoplankton cultures (DOCphyto). Our results revealed that pretreatments of DOCleaf with light resulted in a doubling of bacterial growth efficiency (BGE), whereas additions of DOCphyto or combined additions of DOCphyto and light had no effect on BGE. The change in BGE was not accompanied by shifts in the phylogenetic structure of the BCC, but BCC was influenced by the DOC source. Our results highlight that a doubling of BGE is not necessarily accompanied by a shift in BCC and that BCC is more strongly affected by resource properties.}, language = {en} } @article{AudisioClineSolanoetal.2014, author = {Audisio, Paolo and Cline, Andrew R. and Solano, Emanuela and Mancini, Emiliano and Lamanna, Francesco and Antonini, Gloria and Trizzino, Marco}, title = {A peculiar new genus and species of pollen-beetle (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) from eastern Africa, with a molecular phylogeny of related Meligethinae}, series = {Systematics and biodiversity}, volume = {12}, journal = {Systematics and biodiversity}, number = {1}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1477-2000}, doi = {10.1080/14772000.2013.877539}, pages = {77 -- 91}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{AutenriethHartmannLahetal.2018, author = {Autenrieth, Marijke and Hartmann, Stefanie and Lah, Ljerka and Roos, Anna and Dennis, Alice B. and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {High-quality whole-genome sequence of an abundant Holarctic odontocete, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)}, series = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {18}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1755-098X}, doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.12932}, pages = {1469 -- 1481}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a highly mobile cetacean found across the Northern hemisphere. It occurs in coastal waters and inhabits basins that vary broadly in salinity, temperature and food availability. These diverse habitats could drive subtle differentiation among populations, but examination of this would be best conducted with a robust reference genome. Here, we report the first harbour porpoise genome, assembled de novo from an individual originating in the Kattegat Sea (Sweden). The genome is one of the most complete cetacean genomes currently available, with a total size of 2.39 Gb and 50\% of the total length found in just 34 scaffolds. Using 122 of the longest scaffolds, we were able to show high levels of synteny with the genome of the domestic cattle (Bos taurus). Our draft annotation comprises 22,154 predicted genes, which we further annotated through matches to the NCBI nucleotide database, GO categorization and motif prediction. Within the predicted genes, we have confirmed the presence of >20 genes or gene families that have been associated with adaptive evolution in other cetaceans. Overall, this genome assembly and draft annotation represent a crucial addition to the genomic resources currently available for the study of porpoises and Phocoenidae evolution, phylogeny and conservation.}, language = {en} } @article{AvcilarKucukgozeBartholomaeusVarelaetal.2016, author = {Avcilar-Kucukgoze, Irem and Bartholom{\"a}us, Alexander and Varela, Juan A. Cordero and Kaml, Robert Franz-Xaver and Neubauer, Peter and Budisa, Nediljko and Ignatova, Zoya}, title = {Discharging tRNAs: a tug of war between translation and detoxification in Escherichia coli}, series = {Nucleic acids research}, volume = {44}, journal = {Nucleic acids research}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0305-1048}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkw697}, pages = {8324 -- 8334}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Translation is a central cellular process and is optimized for speed and fidelity. The speed of translation of a single codon depends on the concentration of aminoacyl-tRNAs. Here, we used microarray-based approaches to analyze the charging levels of tRNAs in Escherichia coli growing at different growth rates. Strikingly, we observed a non-uniform aminoacylation of tRNAs in complex media. In contrast, in minimal medium, the level of aminoacyl-tRNAs is more uniform and rises to approximately 60\%. Particularly, the charging level of tRNA(Ser), tRNA(Cys), tRNA(Thr) and tRNA(His) is below 50\% in complex medium and their aminoacylation levels mirror the degree that amino acids inhibit growth when individually added to minimal medium. Serine is among the most toxic amino acids for bacteria and tRNAs(Ser) exhibit the lowest charging levels, below 10\%, at high growth rate although intracellular serine concentration is plentiful. As a result some serine codons are among the most slowly translated codons. A large fraction of the serine is most likely degraded by L-serine-deaminase, which competes with the seryl-tRNA-synthetase that charges the tRNAs(Ser). These results indicate that the level of aminoacylation in complex media might be a competition between charging for translation and degradation of amino acids that inhibit growth.}, language = {en} } @article{AverbeckApioPlathetal.2009, author = {Averbeck, Christiane and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin and Wronski, Torsten}, title = {Environmental parameters and anthropogenic effects predicting the spatial distribution of wild ungulates in the Akagera savannah ecosystem}, issn = {0141-6707}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01076.x}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Savannah areas affected by human activities such as livestock keeping and agriculture are often characterized by shifts in landscape structuring, with a predominance of few(er) habitat types. This is typically accompanied by pronounced changes in the communities of ungulates. The aim of this study was to find out whether shifts in ungulate communities in Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) are primarily predicted by an alteration in the composition of the preferred habitat types or if more complex interactions between habitat changes and the prevalence of ungulates occur. Monthly road counts were used to establish the number of eleven ungulate species in LMNP and adjacent unprotected Ankole Ranching Scheme. The common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia campbelliae Gray, 1843) was found in more abundance in disturbed areas, while showing a significant change in habitat use. Common duiker tended to use the vegetation type otherwise used by the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus dama Neumann, 1902). Our results support the claim that the occurrence of ungulates is not only directly affected by the availability of 'suitable' habitats, but behavioural plasticity and competitive exclusion also need to be considered.}, language = {en} } @article{AverbeckApioPlathetal.2010, author = {Averbeck, Christiane and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin and Wronski, Torsten}, title = {Hunting differentially affects mixed-sex and bachelor-herds in a gregarious ungulate, the impala (Aepyceros melampus: Bovidae)}, issn = {0141-6707}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01118.x}, year = {2010}, abstract = {We investigated herd-sizes and herd-compositions of Impala (Aepyceros melampus) inside a protected area [Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) in western Uganda] and the unprotected adjacent ranchland [the Ankole Ranching Scheme (ARS)]. Impala experience intense hunting and poaching in the study area, and poaching is especially strong on the ARS. We found evidence for changes in overall group-sizes in both mixed-sex and pure bachelor herds between areas in and outside LMNP. Mixed-sex herds strongly decreased in size outside the National Park, but bachelor herds even slightly increased in size. While the group-composition of mixed-sex herds was very similar in areas in and outside LMNP, bachelor herds comprised more yearlings and subadult males on the ARS. Our study suggests that effects of hunting and other human nuisance may differ between herd types: mixed herds probably decrease in size because females are more strongly hunted. Around LMNP, impala are usually hunted using nets and spears, thereby increasing the hunters' chance of being injured. Poachers therefore prefer hornless females (and their calves), as it is less dangerous to handle net-caught females than males. As a result, males are less hunted, but increased vigilance and, therefore, reduced aggression among the members of a bachelor herd, may account for the observed increase in herd sizes and changes in group-compositions.}, language = {en} } @article{AwanSchiebelBoehmetal.2019, author = {Awan, Asad Bashir and Schiebel, Juliane and Boehm, Alexander and Nitschke, Joerg and Sarwar, Yasra and Schierack, Peter and Ali, Aamir}, title = {Association of biofilm formation and cytotoxic potential with multidrug resistance in clinical isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa}, series = {EXCLI Journal}, volume = {18}, journal = {EXCLI Journal}, publisher = {Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors}, address = {Dortmund}, issn = {1611-2156}, doi = {10.17179/excli2018-1948}, pages = {79 -- 90}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa having strong biofilm potential and virulence factors are a serious threat for hospitalized patients having compromised immunity In this study, 34 P. aeruginosa isolates of human origin (17 MDR and 17 non-MDR clinical isolates) were checked for biofilm formation potential in enriched and minimal media. The biofilms were detected using crystal violet method and a modified software package of the automated VideoScan screening method. Cytotoxic potential of the isolates was also investigated on HepG2, LoVo and T24 cell lines using automated VideoScan technology. Pulse field gel electrophoresis revealed 10 PFGE types in MDR and 8 in non-MDR isolates. Although all isolates showed biofilm formation potential, strong biofilm formation was found more in enriched media than in minimal media. Eight MDR isolates showed strong biofilm potential in both enriched and minimal media by both detection methods. Strong direct correlation between crystal violet and VideoScan methods was observed in identifying strong biofilm forming isolates. High cytotoxic effect was observed by 4 isolates in all cell lines used while 6 other isolates showed high cytotoxic effect on T24 cell line only. Strong association of multidrug resistance was found with biofilm formation as strong biofilms were observed significantly higher in MDR isolates (p-value < 0.05) than non-MDR isolates. No significant association of cytotoxic potential with multidrug resistance or biofilm formation was found (p-value > 0.05). The MDR isolates showing significant cytotoxic effects and strong biofilm formation impose a serious threat for hospitalized patients with weak immune system.}, language = {en} } @article{AyllonRailsbackVincenzietal.2016, author = {Ayllon, Daniel and Railsback, Steven Floyd and Vincenzi, Simone and Groeneveld, Juergen and Almodoevar, Ana and Grimm, Volker}, title = {InSTREAM-Gen: Modelling eco-evolutionary dynamics of trout populations under anthropogenic environmental change}, series = {Ecological modelling : international journal on ecological modelling and engineering and systems ecolog}, volume = {326}, journal = {Ecological modelling : international journal on ecological modelling and engineering and systems ecolog}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0304-3800}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.07.026}, pages = {36 -- 53}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Current rates of environmental change are exceeding the capacity of many populations to adapt to new conditions and thus avoid demographic collapse and ultimate extinction. In particular, cold-water freshwater fish species are predicted to experience strong selective pressure from climate change and a wide range of interacting anthropogenic stressors in the near future. To implement effective management and conservation measures, it is crucial to quantify the maximum rate of change that cold-water freshwater fish populations can withstand. Here, we present a spatially explicit eco-genetic individual-based model, inSTREAM-Gen, to predict the eco-evolutionary dynamics of stream-dwelling trout under anthropogenic environmental change. The model builds on a well-tested demographic model, which includes submodels of river dynamics, bioenergetics, and adaptive habitat selection, with a new genetic module that allows exploration of genetic and life-history adaptations to new environments. The genetic module models the transmission of two key traits, size at emergence and maturity size threshold. We parameterized the model for a brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) population at the warmest edge of its range to validate it and analyze its sensitivity to parameters under contrasting thermal profiles. To illustrate potential applications of the model, we analyzed the population's demographic and evolutionary dynamics under scenarios of (1) climate change-induced warming, and (2) warming plus flow reduction resulting from climate and land use change, compared to (3) a baseline of no environmental change. The model predicted severe declines in density and biomass under climate warming. These declines were lower than expected at range margins because of evolution towards smaller size at both emergence and maturation compared to the natural evolution under the baseline conditions. Despite stronger evolutionary responses, declining rates were substantially larger under the combined warming and flow reduction scenario, leading to a high probability of population extinction over contemporary time frames. Therefore, adaptive responses could not prevent extinction under high rates of environmental change. Our model demonstrates critical elements of next generation ecological modelling aiming at predictions in a changing world as it accounts for spatial and temporal resource heterogeneity, while merging individual behaviour and bioenergetics with microevolutionary adaptations.}, language = {en} } @article{AzcorraDickinsonMendezDominguezetal.2022, author = {Azcorra, Hugo and Dickinson, Federico and Mendez-Dominguez, Nina and Mumm, Rebekka and Valent{\´i}n, Graciela}, title = {Development of birthweight and length for gestational age and sex references in Yucatan, Mexico}, series = {American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council}, volume = {34}, journal = {American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1042-0533}, doi = {10.1002/ajhb.23732}, pages = {13}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Objective To develop sex- and gestational age specific reference percentiles and curves for birth weight and length for Yucatec neonates using data from birth registers of infants born during 2015-2019. Material and methods Observational, descriptive, epidemiologic study in a 5-year period including every registered birth in the state of Yucatan, Mexico using birth registries. A total of 158 432 live, physically healthy singletons (76 442 females and 81 990 males) between 25 and 42 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis. We used the LMS method to construct smoothed reference centiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th, and 97th) and curves for males and females separately. Results Mean maternal age was 26 (SD = 6.22) years. Fifty-two percent of births occurred by vaginal delivery, 37\% were firstborn and similar proportions were second (33\%) and third or more (30\%) born. 5.5\% of newborns included in the references corresponds to neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation (5.9\% boys and 5.1\% girls). In both sexes, the percentage of infants with a birthweight less than 2500 g was 6.7\%. The birthweight at the 50th percentile for males and females at 40 weeks of gestation in this cohort was 3256 and 3167 g, respectively, and the corresponding values for birth length were 50.23 and 49.84 cm (mean differences between sexes: 89 g and 0.40 cm, respectively). Conclusion The reference percentile and curves developed in this study are useful for research purposes and can help health practitioners to assess the biological status of infants born in Yucatan.}, language = {en} } @article{AzumaKuekenshoenerMaetal.2014, author = {Azuma, Yusuke and Kuekenshoener, Tim and Ma, Guangyong and Yasunaga, Jun-ichiro and Imanishi, Miki and Tanaka, Gen and Nakase, Ikuhiko and Maruno, Takahiro and Kobayashi, Yuji and Arndt, Katja Maren and Matsuoka, Masao and Futaki, Shiroh}, title = {Controlling leucine-zipper partner recognition in cells through modification of a-g interactions}, series = {Chemical communications}, volume = {50}, journal = {Chemical communications}, number = {48}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1359-7345}, doi = {10.1039/c4cc00555d}, pages = {6364 -- 6367}, year = {2014}, abstract = {By focusing on the a-g interactions, successful design and selection were accomplished to obtain a leucine-zipper segment that discriminates the appropriate partner over another that provides very similar patterns of electrostatic interactions.}, language = {en} } @article{BabalolaOmorogieBabarindeetal.2016, author = {Babalola, Jonathan Oyebamiji and Omorogie, Martins Osaigbovo and Babarinde, Adesola Abiola and Unuabonah, Emmanuel Iyayi and Oninla, Vincent Olukayode}, title = {OPTIMIZATION OF THE BIOSORPTION OF Cr3+, Cd2+ AND Pb2+ USING A NEW BIOWASTE: Zea mays SEED CHAFF}, series = {Environmental engineering and management journal}, volume = {15}, journal = {Environmental engineering and management journal}, publisher = {Gh. Asachi Universitatea Tehnic{\"A}ƒ Ia{\AA}Ÿi}, address = {Iasi}, issn = {1582-9596}, pages = {1571 -- 1580}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This study highlights the potential use of yellow Zea mays seed chaff (YZMSC) biomass as a biosorbent for the removal of Cr3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. Fourier transformed Infrared analysis of the biomass suggests that YZMSC biomass is basically composed of cellulose and methyl cellulose. The biosorption capacities, q(max), of YZMSC biomass for Cr3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ are 14.68, 121.95 and 384.62 mg/g respectively. Biosorption equilibrium was achieved at 20, 30 and 60 min for Cr3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ respectively. YZMSC biomass was found to have higher biosorption capacity and overall kinetic rate of uptake for Pb2+ than for Cd2+ and Cr3+. However, Cr3+ had better initial kinetic rate of uptake by the biomass than Pb2+ and Cd2+. The Freundlich equilibrium isotherm model was found to describe equilibrium data better than Langmuir model suggesting that biosorption of these metal ions could be on more than one active site on the surface of YZMSC biomass. Kinetic study predicted the pseudo-second kinetic model as being able to better describe kinetic data obtained than either modified pseudo-first order or Bangham kinetic models. Biosorption of Cr3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ onto YZMSC biomass was endothermic in nature with large positive entropy values. Biosorption of these metal ions onto YZMSC biomass was observed to be feasible and spontaneous above 283 K. Optimization of biomass weight for the removal of these metal ions suggest that 384 kg, 129 kg and 144 kg of YZMSC biomass is required for the removal of 95\% of Cr3+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metal ions respectively from 100 mg/L of metal ions in 10 tonnes of aqueous solutions.}, language = {en} } @article{BachmannHeimbachHassenruecketal.2018, author = {Bachmann, Jennifer and Heimbach, Tabea and Hassenr{\"u}ck, Christiane and Kopprio, German A. and Iversen, Morten Hvitfeldt and Grossart, Hans-Peter and G{\"a}rdes, Astrid}, title = {Environmental Drivers of Free-Living vs. Particle-Attached Bacterial Community Composition in the Mauritania Upwelling System}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-302X}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02836}, pages = {13}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Saharan dust input and seasonal upwelling along North-West Africa provide a model system for studying microbial processes related to the export and recycling of nutrients. This study offers the first molecular characterization of prokaryotic particle-attached (PA; > 3.0 mu m) and free-living (FL; 0.2-3.0 mu m) players in this important ecosystem during August 2016. Environmental drivers for alpha-diversity, bacterial community composition, and differences between FL and PA fractions were identified. The ultra-oligotrophic waters off Senegal were dominated by Cyanobacteria while higher relative abundances of Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes (known particle-degraders) occurred in the upwelling area. Temperature, proxy for different water masses, was the best predictor for changes in FL communities. PA community variation was best explained by temperature and ammonium. Bray Curtis dissimilarities between FL and PA were generally very high and correlated with temperature and salinity in surface waters. Greatest similarities between FL and PA occurred at the deep chlorophyll maximum, where bacterial substrate availability was likely highest. This indicates that environmental drivers do not only influence changes among FL and PA communities but also differences between them. This could provide an explanation for contradicting results obtained by different studies regarding the dissimilarity/similarity between FL and PA communities and their biogeochemical functions.}, language = {en} } @article{BadalyanDierichStibaetal.2014, author = {Badalyan, Artavazd and Dierich, Marlen and Stiba, Konstanze and Schwuchow, Viola and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Wollenberger, Ulla}, title = {Electrical wiring of the aldehyde oxidoreductase PaoABC with a polymer containing osmium redox centers}, series = {Biosensors}, volume = {4}, journal = {Biosensors}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/bios4040403}, pages = {403 -- 421}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Biosensors for the detection of benzaldehyde and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are reported using aldehyde oxidoreductase PaoABC from Escherichia coli immobilized in a polymer containing bound low potential osmium redox complexes. The electrically connected enzyme already electrooxidizes benzaldehyde at potentials below -0.15 V (vs. Ag|AgCl, 1 M KCl). The pH-dependence of benzaldehyde oxidation can be strongly influenced by the ionic strength. The effect is similar with the soluble osmium redox complex and therefore indicates a clear electrostatic effect on the bioelectrocatalytic efficiency of PaoABC in the osmium containing redox polymer. At lower ionic strength, the pH-optimum is high and can be switched to low pH-values at high ionic strength. This offers biosensing at high and low pH-values. A "reagentless" biosensor has been formed with enzyme wired onto a screen-printed electrode in a flow cell device. The response time to addition of benzaldehyde is 30 s, and the measuring range is between 10-150 µM and the detection limit of 5 µM (signal to noise ratio 3:1) of benzaldehyde. The relative standard deviation in a series (n = 13) for 200 µM benzaldehyde is 1.9\%. For the biosensor, a response to succinic semialdehyde was also identified. Based on this response and the ability to work at high pH a biosensor for GABA is proposed by coimmobilizing GABA-aminotransferase (GABA-T) and PaoABC in the osmium containing redox polymer.}, language = {en} } @article{BadalyanNeumannSchaalLeimkuehleretal.2013, author = {Badalyan, Artavazd and Neumann-Schaal, Meina and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Wollenberger, Ursula}, title = {A Biosensor for aromatic aldehydes comprising the mediator dependent PaoABC-Aldehyde oxidoreductase}, series = {Electroanalysis : an international journal devoted to fundamental and practical aspects of electroanalysis}, volume = {25}, journal = {Electroanalysis : an international journal devoted to fundamental and practical aspects of electroanalysis}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1040-0397}, doi = {10.1002/elan.201200362}, pages = {101 -- 108}, year = {2013}, abstract = {A novel aldehyde oxidoreductase (PaoABC) from Escherichia coli was utilized for the development of an oxygen insensitive biosensor for benzaldehyde. The enzyme was immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol and currents were measured for aldehyde oxidation with different one and two electron mediators with the highest sensitivity for benzaldehyde in the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III). The benzaldehyde biosensor was optimized with respect to mediator concentration, enzyme loading and pH using potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The linear measuring range is between 0.5200 mu M benzaldehyde. In correspondence with the substrate selectivity of the enzyme in solution the biosensor revealed a preference for aromatic aldehydes and less effective conversion of aliphatic aldehydes. The biosensor is oxygen independent, which is a particularly attractive feature for application. The biosensor can be applied to detect contaminations with benzaldehyde in solvents such as benzyl alcohol, where traces of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol down to 0.0042?\% can be detected.}, language = {en} } @article{BadalyanYogaSchwuchowetal.2013, author = {Badalyan, Artavazd and Yoga, Etienne Galemou and Schwuchow, Viola and P{\"o}ller, Sascha and Schuhmann, Wolfgang and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Wollenberger, Ursula}, title = {Analysis of the interaction of the molybdenum hydroxylase PaoABC from Escherichia coli with positively and negatively charged metal complexes}, series = {Electrochemistry communications : an international journal dedicated to rapid publications in electrochemistry}, volume = {37}, journal = {Electrochemistry communications : an international journal dedicated to rapid publications in electrochemistry}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {1388-2481}, doi = {10.1016/j.elecom.2013.09.017}, pages = {5 -- 7}, year = {2013}, abstract = {An unusual behavior of the periplasmic aldehyde oxidoreductase (PaoABC) from Escherichia coil has been observed from electrochemical investigations of the enzyme catalyzed oxidation of aromatic aldehydes with different mediators under different conditions of ionic strength. The enzyme has similarity to other molybdoenzymes of the xanthine oxidase family, but the catalytic behavior turned out to be very different. Under steady state conditions the turnover of PaoABC is maximal at pH 4 for the negatively charged ferricyanide and at pH 9 for a positively charged osmium complex. Stopped-flow kinetic measurements of the catalytic half reaction showed that oxidation of benzaldehyde proceeds also above pH 7. Thus, benzaldehyde oxidation can proceed under acidic and basic conditions using this enzyme, a property which has not been described before for molybdenum hydroxylases. It is also suggested that the electron transfer with artificial electron acceptors and PaoABC can proceed at different protein sites and depends on the nature of the electron acceptor in addition to the ionic strength. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{BaderKlierHettrichetal.2016, author = {Bader, Denise and Klier, Dennis Tobias and Hettrich, C. and Bier, Frank Fabian and Wessig, Pablo}, title = {Detecting carbohydrate-lectin interactions using a fluorescent probe based on DBD dyes}, series = {Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications}, volume = {8}, journal = {Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9660}, doi = {10.1039/c5ay02991k}, pages = {1235 -- 1238}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Herein we present an efficient synthesis of a biomimetic probe with modular construction that can be specifically bound by the mannose binding FimH protein - a surface adhesion protein of E. coli bacteria. The synthesis combines the new and interesting DBD dye with the carbohydrate ligand mannose via a Click reaction. We demonstrate the binding to E. coli bacteria over a large concentration range and also present some special characteristics of those molecules that are of particular interest for the application as a biosensor. In particular, the mix-and-measure ability and the very good photo-stability should be highlighted here.}, language = {en} } @article{BaetenWartonVanCalsteretal.2014, author = {Baeten, Lander and Warton, David I. and Van Calster, Hans and De Frenne, Pieter and Verstraeten, Gorik and Bonte, Dries and Bernhardt-R{\"o}mermann, Markus and Cornelis, Johnny and Decocq, Guillaume and Eriksson, Ove and Hedl, Radim and Heinken, Thilo and Hermy, Martin and Hommel, Patrick and Kirby, Keith J. and Naaf, Tobias and Petrik, Petr and Walther, Gian-Reto and Wulf, Monica and Verheyen, Kris}, title = {A model-based approach to studying changes in compositional heterogeneity}, series = {Methods in ecology and evolution : an official journal of the British Ecological Society}, volume = {5}, journal = {Methods in ecology and evolution : an official journal of the British Ecological Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2041-210X}, pages = {156 -- 164}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{BaeumnerGauglitzScheller2010, author = {Baeumner, Antje J. and Gauglitz, Guenter and Scheller, Frieder W.}, title = {Focus on bioanalysis}, issn = {1618-2642}, doi = {10.1007/s00216-010-4203-9}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Editoria}, language = {en} } @article{BailleulGrimmChionetal.2013, author = {Bailleul, Frederic and Grimm, Volker and Chion, Clement and Hammill, Mike}, title = {Modeling implications of food resource aggregation on animal migration phenology}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {3}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.656}, pages = {2535 -- 2546}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The distribution of poikilotherms is determined by the thermal structure of the marine environment that they are exposed to. Recent research has indicated that changes in migration phenology of beluga whales in the Arctic are triggered by changes in the thermal structure of the marine environment in their summering area. If sea temperatures reflect the spatial distribution of food resources, then changes in the thermal regime will affect how homogeneous or clumped food is distributed. We explore, by individual-based modelling, the hypothesis that changes in migration phenology are not necessarily or exclusively triggered by changes in food abundance, but also by changes in the spatial aggregation of food. We found that the level of food aggregation can significantly affect the relationship between the timing of the start of migration to the winter grounds and the total prey capture of individuals. Our approach strongly indicates that changes in the spatial distribution of food resources should be considered for understanding and quantitatively predicting changes in the phenology of animal migration.}, language = {en} } @article{BalazadehJaspertArifetal.2012, author = {Balazadeh, Salma and Jaspert, Nils and Arif, Muhammad and M{\"u}ller-R{\"o}ber, Bernd and Maurino, Veronica G.}, title = {Expression of ROS-responsive genes and transcription factors after metabolic formation of H2O2 in chloroplasts}, series = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {3}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-462X}, doi = {10.3389/fpls.2012.00234}, pages = {30}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Glycolate oxidase (GO) catalyses the oxidation of glycolate to glyoxylate, thereby consuming O-2 and producing H2O2. In this work, Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing GO in the chloroplasts (GO plants) were used to assess the expressional behavior of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive genes and transcription factors (TFs) after metabolic induction of H2O2 formation in chloroplasts. In this organelle, GO uses the glycolate derived from the oxygenase activity of RubisCO. Here, to identify genes responding to an abrupt production of H2O2 in chloroplasts we used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to test the expression of 187 ROS-responsive genes and 1880 TFs after transferring GO and wild-type (WT) plants grown at high CO2 levels to ambient CO2 concentration. Our data revealed coordinated expression changes of genes of specific functional networks 0.5 h after metabolic induction of H2O2 production in GO plants, including the induction of indole glucosinolate and camalexin biosynthesis genes. Comparative analysis using available microarray data suggests that signals for the induction of these genes through H2O2 may originate in the chloroplast. The TF profiling indicated an up-regulation in GO plants of a group of genes involved in the regulation of proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Moreover, the upregulation of expression of IF and IF interacting proteins affecting development (e.g., cell division, stem branching, flowering time, flower development) would impact growth and reproductive capacity, resulting in altered development under conditions that promote the formation of H2O2.}, language = {en} } @article{BalazadehKwasniewskiCaldanaetal.2011, author = {Balazadeh, Salma and Kwasniewski, Miroslaw and Caldana, Camila and Mehrnia, Mohammad and Zanor, Maria Ines and Xue, Gang-Ping and M{\"u}ller-R{\"o}ber, Bernd}, title = {ORS1, an H2O2-Responsive NAC Transcription Factor, Controls Senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana}, series = {Molecular plant}, volume = {4}, journal = {Molecular plant}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1674-2052}, doi = {10.1093/mp/ssq080}, pages = {346 -- 360}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We report here that ORS1, a previously uncharacterized member of the NAC transcription factor family, controls leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana. Overexpression of ORS1 accelerates senescence in transgenic plants, whereas its inhibition delays it. Genes acting downstream of ORS1 were identified by global expression analysis using transgenic plants producing dexamethasone-inducible ORS1-GR fusion protein. Of the 42 up-regulated genes, 30 (similar to 70\%) were previously shown to be up-regulated during age-dependent senescence. We also observed that 32 (similar to 76\%) of the ORS1-dependent genes were induced by long-term (4 d), but not short-term (6 h) salinity stress (150 mM NaCl). Furthermore, expression of 16 and 24 genes, respectively, was induced after 1 and 5 h of treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species known to accumulate during salinity stress. ORS1 itself was found to be rapidly and strongly induced by H2O2 treatment in both leaves and roots. Using in vitro binding site selection, we determined the preferred binding motif of ORS1 and found it to be present in half of the ORS1-dependent genes. ORS1 is a paralog of ORE1/ANAC092/AtNAC2, a previously reported regulator of leaf senescence. Phylogenetic footprinting revealed evolutionary conservation of the ORS1 and ORE1 promoter sequences in different Brassicaceae species, indicating strong positive selection acting on both genes. We conclude that ORS1, similarly to ORE1, triggers expression of senescence-associated genes through a regulatory network that may involve cross-talk with salt- and H2O2-dependent signaling pathways.}, language = {en} } @article{BalazadehSchildhauerAraujoetal.2014, author = {Balazadeh, Salma and Schildhauer, Joerg and Araujo, Wagner L. and Munne-Bosch, Sergi and Fernie, Alisdair and Proost, Sebastian and Humbeck, Klaus and M{\"u}ller-R{\"o}ber, Bernd}, title = {Reversal of senescence by N resupply to N-starved Arabidopsis thaliana: transcriptomic and metabolomic consequences}, series = {Journal of experimental botany}, volume = {65}, journal = {Journal of experimental botany}, number = {14}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0022-0957}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/eru119}, pages = {3975 -- 3992}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Leaf senescence is a developmentally controlled process, which is additionally modulated by a number of adverse environmental conditions. Nitrogen shortage is a well-known trigger of precocious senescence in many plant species including crops, generally limiting biomass and seed yield. However, leaf senescence induced by nitrogen starvation may be reversed when nitrogen is resupplied at the onset of senescence. Here, the transcriptomic, hormonal, and global metabolic rearrangements occurring during nitrogen resupply-induced reversal of senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana were analysed. The changes induced by senescence were essentially in keeping with those previously described; however, these could, by and large, be reversed. The data thus indicate that plants undergoing senescence retain the capacity to sense and respond to the availability of nitrogen nutrition. The combined data are discussed in the context of the reversibility of the senescence programme and the evolutionary benefit afforded thereby. Future prospects for understanding and manipulating this process in both Arabidopsis and crop plants are postulated.}, language = {en} } @article{BalazadehSiddiquiAlluetal.2010, author = {Balazadeh, Salma and Siddiqui, Hamad and Allu, Annapurna Devi and Matallana-Ramirez, Lilian Paola and Caldana, Camila and Mehrnia, Mohammad and Zanor, Maria-In{\´e}s and Koehler, Barbara and M{\"u}ller-R{\"o}ber, Bernd}, title = {A gene regulatory network controlled by the NAC transcription factor ANAC092/AtNAC2/ORE1 during salt-promoted senescence}, issn = {0960-7412}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-313X.2010.04151.x}, year = {2010}, abstract = {P>The onset and progression of senescence are under genetic and environmental control. The Arabidopsis thaliana NAC transcription factor ANAC092 (also called AtNAC2 and ORE1) has recently been shown to control age-dependent senescence, but its mode of action has not been analysed yet. To explore the regulatory network administered by ANAC092 we performed microarray-based expression profiling using estradiol-inducible ANAC092 overexpression lines. Approximately 46\% of the 170 genes up-regulated upon ANAC092 induction are known senescence-associated genes, suggesting that the NAC factor exerts its role in senescence through a regulatory network that includes many of the genes previously reported to be senescence regulated. We selected 39 candidate genes and confirmed their time-dependent response to enhanced ANAC092 expression by quantitative RT-PCR. We also found that the majority of them (24 genes) are up-regulated by salt stress, a major promoter of plant senescence, in a manner similar to that of ANAC092, which itself is salt responsive. Furthermore, 24 genes like ANAC092 turned out to be stage-dependently expressed during seed growth with low expression at early and elevated expression at late stages of seed development. Disruption of ANAC092 increased the rate of seed germination under saline conditions, whereas the opposite occurred in respective overexpression plants. We also detected a delay of salinity-induced chlorophyll loss in detached anac092-1 mutant leaves. Promoter-reporter (GUS) studies revealed transcriptional control of ANAC092 expression during leaf and flower ageing and in response to salt stress. We conclude that ANAC092 exerts its functions during senescence and seed germination through partly overlapping target gene sets.}, language = {en} } @article{BalintMartonSchatzetal.2018, author = {Balint, Miklos and Marton, Orsolya and Schatz, Marlene and D{\"u}ring, Rolf-Alexander and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Proper experimental design requires randomization/balancing of molecular ecology experiments}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3687}, pages = {1786 -- 1793}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Properly designed (randomized and/or balanced) experiments are standard in ecological research. Molecular methods are increasingly used in ecology, but studies generally do not report the detailed design of sample processing in the laboratory. This may strongly influence the interpretability of results if the laboratory procedures do not account for the confounding effects of unexpected laboratory events. We demonstrate this with a simple experiment where unexpected differences in laboratory processing of samples would have biased results if randomization in DNA extraction and PCR steps do not provide safeguards. We emphasize the need for proper experimental design and reporting of the laboratory phase of molecular ecology research to ensure the reliability and interpretability of results.}, language = {en} } @article{BallLienardWattebledetal.2003, author = {Ball, Steven G. and Li{\´e}nard, Luc and Wattebled, Fabrice and Steup, Martin and Hicks, Glenn and d'Hulst, Christophe}, title = {Defining the functions of maltodextrin active enzymes in starch metabolism in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{BanerjeeLipowskySanter2020, author = {Banerjee, Pallavi and Lipowsky, Reinhard and Santer, Mark}, title = {Coarse-grained molecular model for the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor with and without protein}, series = {Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation}, volume = {16}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation}, number = {6}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Washington DC}, issn = {1549-9626}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00056}, pages = {15}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors are a unique class of complex glycolipids that anchor a great variety of proteins to the extracellular leaflet of plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells. These anchors can exist either with or without an attached protein called GPI-anchored protein (GPI-AP) both in vitro and in vivo. Although GPIs are known to participate in a broad range of cellular functions, it is to a large extent unknown how these are related to GPI structure and composition. Their conformational flexibility and microheterogeneity make it difficult to study them experimentally. Simplified atomistic models are amenable to all-atom computer simulations in small lipid bilayer patches but not suitable for studying their partitioning and trafficking in complex and heterogeneous membranes. Here, we present a coarse-grained model of the GPI anchor constructed with a modified version of the MARTINI force field that is suited for modeling carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in an aqueous environment using MARTINI's polarizable water. The nonbonded interactions for sugars were reparametrized by calculating their partitioning free energies between polar and apolar phases. In addition, sugar-sugar interactions were optimized by adjusting the second virial coefficients of osmotic pressures for solutions of glucose, sucrose, and trehalose to match with experimental data. With respect to the conformational dynamics of GPI-anchored green fluorescent protein, the accessible time scales are now at least an order of magnitude larger than for the all-atom system. This is particularly important for fine-tuning the mutual interactions of lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids when comparing to experimental results. We discuss the prospective use of the coarse-grained GPI model for studying protein-sorting and trafficking in membrane models.}, language = {en} } @article{BanerjeeSilvaLipowskyetal.2022, author = {Banerjee, Pallavi and Silva, Daniel Varon and Lipowsky, Reinhard and Santer, Mark}, title = {The importance of side branches of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors}, series = {Glycobiology}, volume = {32}, journal = {Glycobiology}, number = {11}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Cary}, issn = {1460-2423}, doi = {10.1093/glycob/cwac037}, pages = {933 -- 948}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Many proteins are anchored to the cell surface of eukaryotes using a unique family of glycolipids called glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. These glycolipids also exist without a covalently bound protein, in particular on the cell surfaces of protozoan parasites where they are densely populated. GPIs and GPI-anchored proteins participate in multiple cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell adhesion, protein trafficking and pathogenesis of Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Trypanosomiasis and prion diseases, among others. All GPIs share a common conserved glycan core modified in a cell-dependent manner with additional side glycans or phosphoethanolamine residues. Here, we use atomistic molecular dynamic simulations and perform a systematic study to evaluate the structural properties of GPIs with different side chains inserted in lipid bilayers. Our results show a flop-down orientation of GPIs with respect to the membrane surface and the presentation of the side chain residues to the solvent. This finding agrees well with experiments showing the role of the side residues as active epitopes for recognition of GPIs by macrophages and induction of GPI-glycan-specific immune responses. Protein-GPI interactions were investigated by attaching parasitic GPIs to Green Fluorescent Protein. GPIs are observed to recline on the membrane surface and pull down the attached protein close to the membrane facilitating mutual contacts between protein, GPI and the lipid bilayer. This model is efficient in evaluating the interaction of GPIs and GPI-anchored proteins with membranes and can be extended to study other parasitic GPIs and proteins and develop GPI-based immunoprophylaxis to treat infectious diseases.}, language = {en} } @article{BanksNishiyamaHasebeetal.2011, author = {Banks, Jo Ann and Nishiyama, Tomoaki and Hasebe, Mitsuyasu and Bowman, John L. and Gribskov, Michael and dePamphilis, Claude and Albert, Victor A. and Aono, Naoki and Aoyama, Tsuyoshi and Ambrose, Barbara A. and Ashton, Neil W. and Axtell, Michael J. and Barker, Elizabeth and Barker, Michael S. and Bennetzen, Jeffrey L. and Bonawitz, Nicholas D. and Chapple, Clint and Cheng, Chaoyang and Correa, Luiz Gustavo Guedes and Dacre, Michael and DeBarry, Jeremy and Dreyer, Ingo and Elias, Marek and Engstrom, Eric M. and Estelle, Mark and Feng, Liang and Finet, Cedric and Floyd, Sandra K. and Frommer, Wolf B. and Fujita, Tomomichi and Gramzow, Lydia and Gutensohn, Michael and Harholt, Jesper and Hattori, Mitsuru and Heyl, Alexander and Hirai, Tadayoshi and Hiwatashi, Yuji and Ishikawa, Masaki and Iwata, Mineko and Karol, Kenneth G. and Koehler, Barbara and Kolukisaoglu, Uener and Kubo, Minoru and Kurata, Tetsuya and Lalonde, Sylvie and Li, Kejie and Li, Ying and Litt, Amy and Lyons, Eric and Manning, Gerard and Maruyama, Takeshi and Michael, Todd P. and Mikami, Koji and Miyazaki, Saori and Morinaga, Shin-ichi and Murata, Takashi and M{\"u}ller-R{\"o}ber, Bernd and Nelson, David R. and Obara, Mari and Oguri, Yasuko and Olmstead, Richard G. and Onodera, Naoko and Petersen, Bent Larsen and Pils, Birgit and Prigge, Michael and Rensing, Stefan A. and Mauricio Riano-Pachon, Diego and Roberts, Alison W. and Sato, Yoshikatsu and Scheller, Henrik Vibe and Schulz, Burkhard and Schulz, Christian and Shakirov, Eugene V. and Shibagaki, Nakako and Shinohara, Naoki and Shippen, Dorothy E. and Sorensen, Iben and Sotooka, Ryo and Sugimoto, Nagisa and Sugita, Mamoru and Sumikawa, Naomi and Tanurdzic, Milos and Theissen, Guenter and Ulvskov, Peter and Wakazuki, Sachiko and Weng, Jing-Ke and Willats, William W. G. T. and Wipf, Daniel and Wolf, Paul G. and Yang, Lixing and Zimmer, Andreas D. and Zhu, Qihui and Mitros, Therese and Hellsten, Uffe and Loque, Dominique and Otillar, Robert and Salamov, Asaf and Schmutz, Jeremy and Shapiro, Harris and Lindquist, Erika and Lucas, Susan and Rokhsar, Daniel and Grigoriev, Igor V.}, title = {The selaginella genome identifies genetic changes associated with the evolution of vascular plants}, series = {Science}, volume = {332}, journal = {Science}, number = {6032}, publisher = {American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0036-8075}, doi = {10.1126/science.1203810}, pages = {960 -- 963}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Vascular plants appeared similar to 410 million years ago, then diverged into several lineages of which only two survive: the euphyllophytes (ferns and seed plants) and the lycophytes. We report here the genome sequence of the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii (Selaginella), the first nonseed vascular plant genome reported. By comparing gene content in evolutionarily diverse taxa, we found that the transition from a gametophyte- to a sporophyte-dominated life cycle required far fewer new genes than the transition from a nonseed vascular to a flowering plant, whereas secondary metabolic genes expanded extensively and in parallel in the lycophyte and angiosperm lineages. Selaginella differs in posttranscriptional gene regulation, including small RNA regulation of repetitive elements, an absence of the trans-acting small interfering RNA pathway, and extensive RNA editing of organellar genes.}, language = {en} } @article{BapolisiKielbBekiretal.2022, author = {Bapolisi, Alain Murhimalika and Kielb, Patrycja and Bekir, Marek and Lehnen, Anne-Catherine and Radon, Christin and Laroque, Sophie and Wendler, Petra and M{\"u}ller-Werkmeister, Henrike and Hartlieb, Matthias}, title = {Antimicrobial polymers of linear and bottlebrush architecture}, series = {Macromolecular rapid communications : publishing the newsletters of the European Polymer Federation}, volume = {43}, journal = {Macromolecular rapid communications : publishing the newsletters of the European Polymer Federation}, number = {19}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-3927}, doi = {10.1002/marc.202200288}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Polymeric antimicrobial peptide mimics are a promising alternative for the future management of the daunting problems associated with antimicrobial resistance. However, the development of successful antimicrobial polymers (APs) requires careful control of factors such as amphiphilic balance, molecular weight, dispersity, sequence, and architecture. While most of the earlier developed APs focus on random linear copolymers, the development of APs with advanced architectures proves to be more potent. It is recently developed multivalent bottlebrush APs with improved antibacterial and hemocompatibility profiles, outperforming their linear counterparts. Understanding the rationale behind the outstanding biological activity of these newly developed antimicrobials is vital to further improving their performance. This work investigates the physicochemical properties governing the differences in activity between linear and bottlebrush architectures using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Linear copolymers are more solvated, thermo-responsive, and possess facial amphiphilicity resulting in random aggregations when interacting with liposomes mimicking Escheria coli membranes. The bottlebrush copolymers adopt a more stable secondary conformation in aqueous solution in comparison to linear copolymers, conferring rapid and more specific binding mechanism to membranes. The advantageous physicochemical properties of the bottlebrush topology seem to be a determinant factor in the activity of these promising APs.}, language = {en} } @article{BaralRoenschRichteretal.2022, author = {Baral, Hans Otto and R{\"o}nsch, Peter and Richter, Udo and Urban, Alexander and Kruse, Julia and Bemmann, Martin and Kummer, Volker and Javier Valencia, Francisco and Huth, Wolfgang}, title = {Schroeteria decaisneana, S. poeltii, and Ciboria ploettneriana (Sclerotiniaceae, Helotiales, Ascomycota), three parasites on Veronica seeds}, series = {Mycological progress : international journal of the German Mycological Society}, volume = {21}, journal = {Mycological progress : international journal of the German Mycological Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin ; Heidelberg}, issn = {1617-416X}, doi = {10.1007/s11557-021-01742-4}, pages = {359 -- 407}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Ciboria ploettneriana, Schroeteria decaisneana, and S. poeltii produce morphologically very similar apothecia emerging from fallen stromatized seeds of Veronica spp., the former two on V. hederifolia agg. in temperate central Europe and S. poeltii on V. cymbalaria in mediterranean southern Europe. They are described and illustrated in detail based on fresh collections or moist chamber cultures of infected seeds. A key is provided to differentiate the three species from their teleomorphs. For the first time, connections between two teleomorphs and two Schroeteria anamorphs are reported. Members of the anamorph-typified genus Schroeteria are known as host-specific plant parasites that infect seeds of different Veronica spp. In earlier times, they were classified in the Ustilaginales (Basidiomycota), but since more than 30 years, they are referred to as false smut fungi producing smut-like chlamydospores, based on light microscopic and ultrastructural studies which referred them to the Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales). During the present study, rDNA sequences were obtained for the first time from chlamydospores of Schroeteria bornmuelleri (on V. rubrifolia), S. decaisneana (on V. hederifolia), S. delastrina (generic type, on V. arvensis), and S. poeltii (on V. cymbalaria) and from apothecia of C. ploettneriana, S. decaisneana, and S. poeltii. As a result, the anamorph-teleomorph connection could be established for S. decaisneana and S. poeltii by a 100\% ITS similarity, whereas C. ploettneriana could not be connected to a smut-like anamorph. Ciboria ploettneriana in the here-redefined sense clustered in our combined phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU in relationship of Sclerotinia s.l., Botrytis, and Myriosclerotinia rather than Ciboria, but its placement was not supported. Its affiliation in Ciboria was retained until a better solution is found. Also Schroeteria poeltii clustered unresolved in this relationship but with a much higher molecular distance. The remaining three Schroeteria spp. formed a strongly supported monophyletic group, here referred to as "Schroeteria core clade", which clustered with medium to high support as a sister clade of Monilinia jezoensis, a member of the Monilinia alpina group of section Disjunctoriae. We observed ITS distances of 5-6.3\% among members of the Schroeteria core clade, but 13.8-14.7\% between this clade and S. poeltii, which appears to be correlated with the deviating chlamydospore morphology of S. poeltii. Despite its apparent paraphyly, Schroeteria is accepted here in a wide sense as a genus distinct from Monilinia, particularly because of its very special anamorphs. A comparable heterogeneity in rDNA analyses was observed in Monilinia and other genera of Sclerotiniaceae. Such apparent heterogeneity should be met with skepticism, however, because the inclusion of protein-coding genes in phylogenetic analyses resulted in a monophyletic genus Monilinia. More sclerotiniaceous taxa should be analysed for protein-coding genes in the future, including Schroeteria. Four syntype specimens of Ciboria ploettneriana in B were reexamined in the present study, revealing a mixture of the two species growing on V. hederifolia agg. Based on its larger ascospores in comparison with S. decaisneana, a lectotype is proposed for C. ploettneriana.}, language = {en} } @article{BarbierOesterheltLarsonetal.2005, author = {Barbier, Guillaume and Oesterhelt, Christine and Larson, Matthew D. and Halgren, Robert G. and Wilkerson, Curtis and Garavito, Michael R. and Benning, Christoph and Weber, Andreas P. M.}, title = {Comparative genomics of two closely related unicellular thermo-acidophilic red algae, Galdieria sulphuraria and Cyanidioschyzon merolae, reveals the molecular basis of the metabolic flexibility of Galdieria sulphuraria and sigant differences in carbohydrate metabolism of both algae}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Unicellular algae serve as models for the study and discovery of metabolic pathways, for the functional dissection of cell biological processes such as organellar division and cell motility, and for the identification of novel genes and gene functions. The recent completion of several algal genome sequences and expressed sequence tag collections and the establishment of nuclear and organellar transformation methods has opened the way for functional genomics approaches using algal model systems. The thermo-acidophilic unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria represents a particularly interesting species for a genomics approach owing to its extraordinary metabolic versatility such as heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth on more than 50 different carbon sources and its adaptation to hot acidic environments. However, the ab initio prediction of genes required for unknown metabolic pathways from genome sequences is not trivial. A compelling strategy for gene identification is the comparison of similarly sized genomes of related organisms with different physiologies. Using this approach, candidate genes were identified that are critical to the metabolic versatility of Galdieria. Expressed sequence tags and high-throughput genomic sequence reads covering >70\% of the G. sulphuraria genome were compared to the genome of the unicellular, obligate photoautotrophic red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. More than 30\% of the Galdieria sequences did not relate to any of the Cyandioschyzon genes. A closer inspection of these sequences revealed a large number of membrane transporters and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism that are unique to Galdieria. Based on these data, it is proposed that genes involved in the uptake of reduced carbon compounds and enzymes involved in their metabolism are crucial to the metabolic flexibility of G. sulphuraria}, language = {en} } @article{BarbirzBeckerFreibergetal.2009, author = {Barbirz, Stefanie and Becker, Marion and Freiberg, Alexander and Seckler, Robert}, title = {Phage tailspike proteins with beta-solenoid fold as thermostable carbohydrate binding materials}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.200800278}, year = {2009}, abstract = {We have investigated the stability of three tailspike proteins (TSPs) from bacteriophages Sf6, P22, and HK620. Tailspikes are rod-like homotrimers with comparable beta-solenoid folds and similarly high kinetic stability in spite of different amino acid sequences. As tailspikes bind polysaccharides to recognize the bacterial host cell, their stability is required for maintenance of bacteriophage infectivity under harsh extracellular conditions. They resist denaturation by SDS at ambient temperature and their unfolding is slow even in 6 m guanidinium hydrochloride (GdmHCl). This makes them interesting candidates for very stable carbohydrate binding protein materials.}, language = {en} } @article{BarbirzMuellerUetrechtetal.2008, author = {Barbirz, Stefanie and M{\"u}ller, J{\"u}rgen J. and Uetrecht, Charlotte and Clark, Alvin J. and Heinemann, Udo and Seckler, Robert}, title = {Crystal structure of Escherichia coli phage HK620 tailspike : podoviral tailspike endoglycosidase modules are evolutionarily related}, issn = {0950-382X}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Bacteriophage HK620 infects Escherichia coli H and is closely related to Shigella phage Sf6 and Salmonella phage P22. All three Podoviridae recognize and cleave their respective host cell receptor polysaccharide by homotrimeric tailspike proteins. The three proteins exhibit high sequence identity in the 110 residues of their N-terminal particle- binding domains, but no apparent sequence similarity in their major, receptor-binding parts. We have biochemically characterized the receptor-binding part of HK620 tailspike and determined its crystal structure to 1.38 {\AA} resolution. Its major domain is a right-handed parallel ;-helix, as in Sf6 and P22 tailspikes. HK620 tailspike has endo-N- acetylglucosaminidase activity and produces hexasaccharides of an O18A1-type O-antigen. As indicated by the structure of a hexasaccharide complex determined at 1.6 {\AA} resolution, the endoglycosidase-active sites are located intramolecularly, as in P22, and not between subunits, as in Sf6 tailspike. In contrast, the extreme C-terminal domain of HK620 tailspike forms a ;-sandwich, as in Sf6 and unlike P22 tailspike. Despite the different folds, structure-based sequence alignments of the C-termini reveal motifs conserved between the three proteins. We propose that the tailspike genes of P22, Sf6 and HK620 have a common precursor and are not mosaics of unrelated gene fragments.}, language = {en} } @article{BarchewitzGuljamowMeissneretal.2019, author = {Barchewitz, Tino and Guljamow, Arthur and Meißner, Sven and Timm, Stefan and Henneberg, Manja and Baumann, Otto and Hagemann, Martin and Dittmann, Elke}, title = {Non-canonical localization of RubisCO under high-light conditions in the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806}, series = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {21}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1462-2912}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14837}, pages = {4836 -- 4851}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The frequent production of the hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) and its impact on the lifestyle of bloom-forming cyanobacteria are poorly understood. Here, we report that MC interferes with the assembly and the subcellular localization of RubisCO, in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. Immunofluorescence, electron microscopic and cellular fractionation studies revealed a pronounced heterogeneity in the subcellular localization of RubisCO. At high cell density, RubisCO particles are largely separate from carboxysomes in M. aeruginosa and relocate to the cytoplasmic membrane under high-light conditions. We hypothesize that the binding of MC to RubisCO promotes its membrane association and enables an extreme versatility of the enzyme. Steady-state levels of the RubisCO CO2 fixation product 3-phosphoglycerate are significantly higher in the MC-producing wild type. We also detected noticeable amounts of the RubisCO oxygenase reaction product secreted into the medium that may support the mutual interaction of M. aeruginosa with its heterotrophic microbial community.}, language = {en} } @article{BareitherScheffelMetz2017, author = {Bareither, Nils and Scheffel, Andre and Metz, Johannes}, title = {Distribution of polyploid plants in the common annual Brachypodium distachyon (s.l.) in Israel is not linearly correlated with aridity}, series = {Israel Journal of Plant Sciences}, volume = {64}, journal = {Israel Journal of Plant Sciences}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {0792-9978}, pages = {83 -- 92}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The ecological benefits of polyploidy are intensely debated. Some authors argue that plants with duplicated chromosome sets (polyploids) are more stress- resistant and superior colonizers and may thus outnumber their low ploidy conspecifics in more extreme habitats. Brachypodium distachyon (sensu lato), for example, a common annual grass in Israel and the entire Mediterranean basin, comprises three cytotypes of differing chromosome numbers that were recently proposed as distinct species. It was suggested that increased aridity increases the occurrence of its polyploid cytotype. Here, we tested at two spatial scales whether polyploid plants of B. distachyon s. l. are more frequently found in drier habitats in Israel. We collected a total of 430 specimens (i) along a largescale climatic gradient with 15 thoroughly selected sites (spanning 114- 954 mm annual rainfall), and (ii) from corresponding Northern (more mesic) and Southern (more arid) hill slopes to assess the micro- climatic difference between contrasting exposures. Cytotypes were then determined via flow cytometry. Polyploid plants comprised 90\% of all specimens and their proportion ranged between 0\% and 100\% per site. However, this proportion was not correlated with aridity along the large- scale gradient, nor were polyploids more frequently found on Southern exposures. Our results show for both spatial scales that increasing aridity is not the principal driver for the distribution of polyploids in B. distachyon s. l. in Israel. Notably, though, diploid plants were restricted essentially to four intermediate sites, while polyploids dominated the most arid and the most mesic sites. This, to some degree, clustered pattern suggests that the distribution of cytotypes is not entirely random and calls for future studies to assess further potential drivers.}, language = {en} } @article{BarlowCahillHartmannetal.2018, author = {Barlow, Axel and Cahill, James A. and Hartmann, Stefanie and Theunert, Christoph and Xenikoudakis, Georgios and Gonzalez-Fortes, Gloria M. and Paijmans, Johanna L. A. and Rabeder, Gernot and Frischauf, Christine and Garcia-Vazquez, Ana and Murtskhvaladze, Marine and Saarma, Urmas and Anijalg, Peeter and Skrbinsek, Tomaz and Bertorelle, Giorgio and Gasparian, Boris and Bar-Oz, Guy and Pinhasi, Ron and Slatkin, Montgomery and Dalen, Love and Shapiro, Beth and Hofreiter, Michael}, title = {Partial genomic survival of cave bears in living brown bears}, series = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, volume = {2}, journal = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, number = {10}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2397-334X}, doi = {10.1038/s41559-018-0654-8}, pages = {1563 -- 1570}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Although many large mammal species went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene epoch, their DNA may persist due to past episodes of interspecies admixture. However, direct empirical evidence of the persistence of ancient alleles remains scarce. Here, we present multifold coverage genomic data from four Late Pleistocene cave bears (Ursus spelaeus complex) and show that cave bears hybridized with brown bears (Ursus arctos) during the Pleistocene. We develop an approach to assess both the directionality and relative timing of gene flow. We find that segments of cave bear DNA still persist in the genomes of living brown bears, with cave bears contributing 0.9 to 2.4\% of the genomes of all brown bears investigated. Our results show that even though extinction is typically considered as absolute, following admixture, fragments of the gene pool of extinct species can survive for tens of thousands of years in the genomes of extant recipient species.}, language = {en} } @article{BarlowHartmannGonzalezetal.2020, author = {Barlow, Axel and Hartmann, Stefanie and Gonzalez, Javier and Hofreiter, Michael and Paijmans, Johanna L. A.}, title = {Consensify}, series = {Genes / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, volume = {11}, journal = {Genes / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes11010050}, pages = {22}, year = {2020}, abstract = {A standard practise in palaeogenome analysis is the conversion of mapped short read data into pseudohaploid sequences, frequently by selecting a single high-quality nucleotide at random from the stack of mapped reads. This controls for biases due to differential sequencing coverage, but it does not control for differential rates and types of sequencing error, which are frequently large and variable in datasets obtained from ancient samples. These errors have the potential to distort phylogenetic and population clustering analyses, and to mislead tests of admixture using D statistics. We introduce Consensify, a method for generating pseudohaploid sequences, which controls for biases resulting from differential sequencing coverage while greatly reducing error rates. The error correction is derived directly from the data itself, without the requirement for additional genomic resources or simplifying assumptions such as contemporaneous sampling. For phylogenetic and population clustering analysis, we find that Consensify is less affected by artefacts than methods based on single read sampling. For D statistics, Consensify is more resistant to false positives and appears to be less affected by biases resulting from different laboratory protocols than other frequently used methods. Although Consensify is developed with palaeogenomic data in mind, it is applicable for any low to medium coverage short read datasets. We predict that Consensify will be a useful tool for future studies of palaeogenomes.}, language = {en} } @article{BarnettWestburySandovalVelascoetal.2020, author = {Barnett, Ross and Westbury, Michael V. and Sandoval-Velasco, Marcela and Vieira, Filipe Garrett and Jeon, Sungwon and Zazula, Grant and Martin, Michael D. and Ho, Simon Y. W. and Mather, Niklas and Gopalakrishnan, Shyam and Ramos-Madrigal, Jazmin and de Manuel, Marc and Zepeda-Mendoza, M. Lisandra and Antunes, Agostinho and Baez, Aldo Carmona and De Cahsan, Binia and Larson, Greger and O'Brien, Stephen J. and Eizirik, Eduardo and Johnson, Warren E. and Koepfli, Klaus-Peter and Wilting, Andreas and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and Dalen, Love and Lorenzen, Eline D. and Marques-Bonet, Tomas and Hansen, Anders J. and Zhang, Guojie and Bhak, Jong and Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki and Gilbert, M. Thomas P.}, title = {Genomic adaptations and evolutionary history of the extinct scimitar-toothed cat}, series = {Current biology}, volume = {30}, journal = {Current biology}, number = {24}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0960-9822}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.051}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Homotherium was a genus of large-bodied scimitar-toothed cats, morphologically distinct from any extant felid species, that went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene [1-4]. They possessed large, saber-form serrated canine teeth, powerful forelimbs, a sloping back, and an enlarged optic bulb, all of which were key characteristics for predation on Pleistocene megafauna [5]. Previous mitochondrial DNA phylogenies suggested that it was a highly divergent sister lineage to all extant cat species [6-8]. However, mitochondrial phylogenies can be misled by hybridization [9], incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), or sex-biased dispersal patterns [10], which might be especially relevant for Homotherium since widespread mito-nuclear discrepancies have been uncovered in modern cats [10]. To examine the evolutionary history of Homotherium, we generated a -7x nuclear genome and a similar to 38x exome from H. latidens using shotgun and target-capture sequencing approaches. Phylogenetic analyses reveal Homotherium as highly divergent (similar to 22.5 Ma) from living cat species, with no detectable signs of gene flow. Comparative genomic analyses found signatures of positive selection in several genes, including those involved in vision, cognitive function, and energy consumption, putatively consistent with diurnal activity, well-developed social behavior, and cursorial hunting [5]. Finally, we uncover relatively high levels of genetic diversity, suggesting that Homotherium may have been more abundant than the limited fossil record suggests [3, 4, 11-14]. Our findings complement and extend previous inferences from both the fossil record and initial molecular studies, enhancing our understanding of the evolution and ecology of this remarkable lineage.}, language = {en} } @article{BartelHartmannLehmannetal.2012, author = {Bartel, Manuela and Hartmann, Stefanie and Lehmann, Karola and Postel, Kai and Quesada, Humberto and Philipp, Eva E. R. and Heilmann, Katja and Micheel, Burkhard and Stuckas, Heiko}, title = {Identification of sperm proteins as candidate biomarkers for the analysis of reproductive isolation in Mytilus: a case study for the enkurin locus}, series = {Marine biology : international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters}, volume = {159}, journal = {Marine biology : international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0025-3162}, doi = {10.1007/s00227-012-2005-7}, pages = {2195 -- 2207}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Sperm proteins of the marine sessile mussels of the Mytilus edulis species complex are models to investigate reproductive isolation and speciation. This study aimed at identifying sperm proteins and their corresponding genes. This was aided by the use of monoclonal antibodies that preferentially bind to yet unknown sperm molecules. By identifying their target molecules, this approach identified proteins with relevance to Mytilus sperm function. This procedure identified 16 proteins, for example, enkurin, laminin, porin and heat shock proteins. The potential use of these proteins as genetic markers to study reproductive isolation is exemplified by analysing the enkurin locus. Enkurin evolution is driven by purifying selection, the locus displays high levels of intraspecific variation and species-specific alleles group in distinct phylogenetic clusters. These findings characterize enkurin as informative candidate biomarker for analyses of clinal variation and differential introgression in hybrid zones, for example, to understand determinants of reproductive isolation in Baltic Mytilus populations.}, language = {en} } @article{BartholomaeusFedyuninFeistetal.2016, author = {Bartholom{\"a}us, Alexander and Fedyunin, Ivan and Feist, Peter and Sin, Celine and Zhang, Gong and Valleriani, Angelo and Ignatova, Zoya}, title = {Bacteria differently regulate mRNA abundance to specifically respond to various stresses}, series = {Geology}, volume = {374}, journal = {Geology}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {1364-503X}, doi = {10.1098/rsta.2015.0069}, pages = {16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Environmental stress is detrimental to cell viability and requires an adequate reprogramming of cellular activities to maximize cell survival. We present a global analysis of the response of Escherichia coli to acute heat and osmotic stress. We combine deep sequencing of total mRNA and ribosome-protected fragments to provide a genome-wide map of the stress response at transcriptional and translational levels. For each type of stress, we observe a unique subset of genes that shape the stress-specific response. Upon temperature upshift, mRNAs with reduced folding stability up-and downstream of the start codon, and thus with more accessible initiation regions, are translationally favoured. Conversely, osmotic upshift causes a global reduction of highly translated transcripts with high copy numbers, allowing reallocation of translation resources to not degraded and newly synthesized mRNAs.}, language = {en} } @article{BaselHarmsPrechtl2013, author = {Basel, Nicolai and Harms, Ute and Prechtl, Helmut}, title = {Analysis of students' arguments on evolutionary theory}, series = {Journal of biological education}, volume = {47}, journal = {Journal of biological education}, number = {4}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {0021-9266}, doi = {10.1080/00219266.2013.799078}, pages = {192 -- 199}, year = {2013}, abstract = {A qualitative exploratory study was conducted to reveal students' argumentation skills in the context of the topic of evolution. Transcripts from problem-centred interviews on secondary students' beliefs about evolutionary processes of adaptation were analysed using a content analysis approach. For this purpose two categorical systems were deductively developed: one addressing the complexity of students' arguments, the other focusing on students' use of argumentation schemes. Subsequently, the categorical systems were inductively elaborated upon the basis of the analysed material showing a satisfactory inter-rater reliability. Regarding the arguments' complexity, students produced mainly single claims or claims with a single justification consisting of either data or warrants. With regard to argumentation schemes students drew their arguments mainly using causal schemes, analogies, or illustrative examples. Results are discussed in light of possible implications for teaching evolutionary theory using classroom argumentation.}, language = {en} } @article{BaselHarmsPrechtletal.2014, author = {Basel, Nicolai and Harms, Ute and Prechtl, Helmut and Weiss, Thomas and Rothgangel, Martin}, title = {Students' arguments on the science and religion issue: the example of evolutionary theory and Genesis}, series = {Journal of biological education}, volume = {48}, journal = {Journal of biological education}, number = {4}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {0021-9266}, doi = {10.1080/00219266.2013.849286}, pages = {179 -- 187}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Treating creationism as a controversial topic within the science and religion issue in the science classroom has been widely discussed in the recent literature. Some researchers have proposed that this topic is best addressed by focusing on sociocognitive conflict. To prepare new learning opportunities for this approach, it is necessary to know the concrete arguments that students use in their discussions on this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic description of these arguments. For this purpose, upper secondary students (N=43) argued for either the acceptance of evolutionary theory or faith in Genesis in a written speech. The study was conducted during their regular biology and religious education classes. Generated arguments were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Three dimensions of the arguments were described: the content (science or religion), the valuation of the argument (positive or negative), and whether the argument consisted of a descriptive or normative argumentation. The results indicate that students found it easier to generate arguments about the scientific side of the issue; however, these arguments were negatively constructed. The results are discussed with regard to implications for educational approaches for teaching controversial issues at the high-school level.}, language = {en} } @article{BaslerEbenhoehSelbigetal.2011, author = {Basler, Georg and Ebenhoeh, Oliver and Selbig, Joachim and Nikoloski, Zoran}, title = {Mass-balanced randomization of metabolic networks}, series = {Bioinformatics}, volume = {27}, journal = {Bioinformatics}, number = {10}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1367-4803}, doi = {10.1093/bioinformatics/btr145}, pages = {1397 -- 1403}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Motivation: Network-centered studies in systems biology attempt to integrate the topological properties of biological networks with experimental data in order to make predictions and posit hypotheses. For any topology-based prediction, it is necessary to first assess the significance of the analyzed property in a biologically meaningful context. Therefore, devising network null models, carefully tailored to the topological and biochemical constraints imposed on the network, remains an important computational problem. Results: We first review the shortcomings of the existing generic sampling scheme-switch randomization-and explain its unsuitability for application to metabolic networks. We then devise a novel polynomial-time algorithm for randomizing metabolic networks under the (bio)chemical constraint of mass balance. The tractability of our method follows from the concept of mass equivalence classes, defined on the representation of compounds in the vector space over chemical elements. We finally demonstrate the uniformity of the proposed method on seven genome-scale metabolic networks, and empirically validate the theoretical findings. The proposed method allows a biologically meaningful estimation of significance for metabolic network properties.}, language = {en} } @article{BaslerGrimbsEbenhoehetal.2012, author = {Basler, Georg and Grimbs, Sergio and Ebenh{\"o}h, Oliver and Selbig, Joachim and Nikoloski, Zoran}, title = {Evolutionary significance of metabolic network properties}, series = {Interface : journal of the Royal Society}, volume = {9}, journal = {Interface : journal of the Royal Society}, number = {71}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {1742-5689}, doi = {10.1098/rsif.2011.0652}, pages = {1168 -- 1176}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Complex networks have been successfully employed to represent different levels of biological systems, ranging from gene regulation to protein-protein interactions and metabolism. Network-based research has mainly focused on identifying unifying structural properties, such as small average path length, large clustering coefficient, heavy-tail degree distribution and hierarchical organization, viewed as requirements for efficient and robust system architectures. However, for biological networks, it is unclear to what extent these properties reflect the evolutionary history of the represented systems. Here, we show that the salient structural properties of six metabolic networks from all kingdoms of life may be inherently related to the evolution and functional organization of metabolism by employing network randomization under mass balance constraints. Contrary to the results from the common Markov-chain switching algorithm, our findings suggest the evolutionary importance of the small-world hypothesis as a fundamental design principle of complex networks. The approach may help us to determine the biologically meaningful properties that result from evolutionary pressure imposed on metabolism, such as the global impact of local reaction knockouts. Moreover, the approach can be applied to test to what extent novel structural properties can be used to draw biologically meaningful hypothesis or predictions from structure alone.}, language = {en} } @article{BaslerGrimbsNikoloski2012, author = {Basler, Georg and Grimbs, Sergio and Nikoloski, Zoran}, title = {Optimizing metabolic pathways by screening for feasible synthetic reactions}, series = {Biosystems : journal of biological and information processing sciences}, volume = {109}, journal = {Biosystems : journal of biological and information processing sciences}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0303-2647}, doi = {10.1016/j.biosystems.2012.04.007}, pages = {186 -- 191}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Reconstruction of genome-scale metabolic networks has resulted in models capable of reproducing experimentally observed biomass yield/growth rates and predicting the effect of alterations in metabolism for biotechnological applications. The existing studies rely on modifying the metabolic network of an investigated organism by removing or inserting reactions taken either from evolutionary similar organisms or from databases of biochemical reactions (e.g., KEGG). A potential disadvantage of these knowledge-driven approaches is that the result is biased towards known reactions, as such approaches do not account for the possibility of including novel enzymes, together with the reactions they catalyze. Results: Here, we explore the alternative of increasing biomass yield in three model organisms, namely Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coil, and Hordeum vulgare, by applying small, chemically feasible network modifications. We use the predicted and experimentally confirmed growth rates of the wild-type networks as reference values and determine the effect of inserting mass-balanced, thermodynamically feasible reactions on predictions of growth rate by using flux balance analysis. Conclusions: While many replacements of existing reactions naturally lead to a decrease or complete loss of biomass production ability, in all three investigated organisms we find feasible modifications which facilitate a significant increase in this biological function. We focus on modifications with feasible chemical properties and a significant increase in biomass yield. The results demonstrate that small modifications are sufficient to substantially alter biomass yield in the three organisms. The method can be used to predict the effect of targeted modifications on the yield of any set of metabolites (e.g., ethanol), thus providing a computational framework for synthetic metabolic engineering.}, language = {en} }