@article{LohmannGuoTietjen2018, author = {Lohmann, Dirk and Guo, Tong and Tietjen, Britta}, title = {Zooming in on coarse plant functional types-simulated response of savanna vegetation composition in response to aridity and grazing}, series = {Theoretical ecology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Theoretical ecology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1874-1738}, doi = {10.1007/s12080-017-0356-x}, pages = {161 -- 173}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Precipitation and land use in terms of livestock grazing have been identified as two of the most important drivers structuring the vegetation composition of semi-arid and arid savannas. Savanna research on the impact of these drivers has widely applied the so-called plant functional type (PFT) approach, grouping the vegetation into two or three broad types (here called meta-PFTs): woody plants and grasses, which are sometimes divided into perennial and annual grasses. However, little is known about the response of functional traits within these coarse types towards water availability or livestock grazing. In this study, we extended an existing eco-hydrological savanna vegetation model to capture trait diversity within the three broad meta-PFTs to assess the effects of both grazing and mean annual precipitation (MAP) on trait composition along a gradient of both drivers. Our results show a complex pattern of trait responses to grazing and aridity. The response differs for the three meta-PFTs. From our findings, we derive that trait responses to grazing and aridity for perennial grasses are similar, as suggested by the convergence model for grazing and aridity. However, we also see that this only holds for simulations below a MAP of 500 mm. This combined with the finding that trait response differs between the three meta-PFTs leads to the conclusion that there is no single, universal trait or set of traits determining the response to grazing and aridity. We finally discuss how simulation models including trait variability within meta-PFTs are necessary to understand ecosystem responses to environmental drivers, both locally and globally and how this perspective will help to extend conceptual frameworks of other ecosystems to savanna research.}, language = {en} } @misc{PratHajnýGrunewaldetal.2018, author = {Pr{\´a}t, Tom{\´a}š and Hajny', Jakub and Grunewald, Wim and Vasileva, Mina and Moln{\´a}r, Gergely and Tejos, Ricardo and Schmid, Markus and Sauer, Michael and Friml, Jiř{\´i}}, title = {WRKY23 is a component of the transcriptional network mediating auxin feedback on PIN polarity}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1123}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-44633}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-446331}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Auxin is unique among plant hormones due to its directional transport that is mediated by the polarly distributed PIN auxin transporters at the plasma membrane. The canalization hypothesis proposes that the auxin feedback on its polar flow is a crucial, plant-specific mechanism mediating multiple self-organizing developmental processes. Here, we used the auxin effect on the PIN polar localization in Arabidopsis thaliana roots as a proxy for the auxin feedback on the PIN polarity during canalization. We performed microarray experiments to find regulators of this process that act downstream of auxin. We identified genes that were transcriptionally regulated by auxin in an AXR3/IAA17-and ARF7/ARF19-dependent manner. Besides the known components of the PIN polarity, such as PID and PIP5K kinases, a number of potential new regulators were detected, among which the WRKY23 transcription factor, which was characterized in more detail. Gain-and loss-of-function mutants confirmed a role for WRKY23 in mediating the auxin effect on the PIN polarity. Accordingly, processes requiring auxin-mediated PIN polarity rearrangements, such as vascular tissue development during leaf venation, showed a higher WRKY23 expression and required the WRKY23 activity. Our results provide initial insights into the auxin transcriptional network acting upstream of PIN polarization and, potentially, canalization-mediated plant development.}, language = {en} } @article{PratHajnyGrunewaldetal.2018, author = {Prat, Tomas and Hajny, Jakub and Grunewald, Wim and Vasileva, Mina and Molnar, Gergely and Tejos, Ricardo and Schmid, Markus and Sauer, Michael and Friml, Jiř{\´i}}, title = {WRKY23 is a component of the transcriptional network mediating auxin feedback on PIN polarity}, series = {PLoS Genetics : a peer-reviewed, open-access journal}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS Genetics : a peer-reviewed, open-access journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1553-7404}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1007177}, pages = {18}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Auxin is unique among plant hormones due to its directional transport that is mediated by the polarly distributed PIN auxin transporters at the plasma membrane. The canalization hypothesis proposes that the auxin feedback on its polar flow is a crucial, plant-specific mechanism mediating multiple self-organizing developmental processes. Here, we used the auxin effect on the PIN polar localization in Arabidopsis thaliana roots as a proxy for the auxin feedback on the PIN polarity during canalization. We performed microarray experiments to find regulators of this process that act downstream of auxin. We identified genes that were transcriptionally regulated by auxin in an AXR3/IAA17-and ARF7/ARF19-dependent manner. Besides the known components of the PIN polarity, such as PID and PIP5K kinases, a number of potential new regulators were detected, among which the WRKY23 transcription factor, which was characterized in more detail. Gain-and loss-of-function mutants confirmed a role for WRKY23 in mediating the auxin effect on the PIN polarity. Accordingly, processes requiring auxin-mediated PIN polarity rearrangements, such as vascular tissue development during leaf venation, showed a higher WRKY23 expression and required the WRKY23 activity. Our results provide initial insights into the auxin transcriptional network acting upstream of PIN polarization and, potentially, canalization-mediated plant development.}, language = {en} } @article{MrochenSchulzFischeretal.2018, author = {Mrochen, Daniel M. and Schulz, Daniel and Fischer, Stefan and Jeske, Kathrin and El Gohary, Heba and Reil, Daniela and Imholt, Christian and Truebe, Patricia and Suchomel, Josef and Tricaud, Emilie and Jacob, Jens and Heroldova, Marta and Br{\"o}ker, Barbara M. and Strommenger, Birgit and Walther, Birgit and Ulrich, Rainer G. and Holtfreter, Silva}, title = {Wild rodents and shrews are natural hosts of Staphylococcus aureus}, series = {International Journal of Medical Microbiology}, volume = {308}, journal = {International Journal of Medical Microbiology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Jena}, issn = {1438-4221}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.09.014}, pages = {590 -- 597}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Laboratory mice are the most commonly used animal model for Staphylococcus aureus infection studies. We have previously shown that laboratory mice from global vendors are frequently colonized with S. aureus. Laboratory mice originate from wild house mice. Hence, we investigated whether wild rodents, including house mice, as well as shrews are naturally colonized with S. aureus and whether S. aureus adapts to the wild animal host. 295 animals of ten different species were caught in different locations over four years (2012-2015) in Germany, France and the Czech Republic. 45 animals were positive for S. aureus (15.3\%). Three animals were co-colonized with two different isolates, resulting in 48 S. aureus isolates in total. Positive animals were found in Germany and the Czech Republic in each studied year. The S. aureus isolates belonged to ten different spa types, which grouped into six lineages (clonal complex (CC) 49, CC88, CC130, CC1956, sequence type (ST) 890, ST3033). CC49 isolates were most abundant (17/48, 35.4\%), followed by CC1956 (14/48, 29.2\%) and ST890 (9/48, 18.8\%). The wild animal isolates lacked certain properties that are common among human isolates, e.g., a phage-encoded immune evasion cluster, superantigen genes on mobile genetic elements and antibiotic resistance genes, which suggests long-term adaptation to the wild animal host. One CC130 isolate contained the mecC gene, implying wild rodents might be both reservoir and vector for methicillin-resistant. In conclusion, we demonstrated that wild rodents and shrews are naturally colonized with S. aureus, and that those S. aureus isolates show signs of host adaptation.}, language = {en} } @article{HermanussenBilogubLindletal.2018, author = {Hermanussen, Michael and Bilogub, Maria and Lindl, A. C. and Harper, D. and Mansukoski, L. and Scheffler, Christiane}, title = {Weight and height growth of malnourished school-age children during re-feeding}, series = {European journal of clinical nutrition}, volume = {72}, journal = {European journal of clinical nutrition}, number = {12}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {0954-3007}, doi = {10.1038/s41430-018-0274-z}, pages = {1603 -- 1619}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background In view of the ongoing debate on "chronic malnutrition" and the concept of "stunting" as "a better measure than underweight of the cumulative effects of undernutrition and infection (WHO)", we translate, briefly comment and republish three seminal historic papers on catch-up growth following re-feeding after severe food restriction of German children during and after World War I. The observations were published in 1920 and 1922, and appear to be of particular interest to the modern nutritionist. Results The papers of Abderhalden (1920) and Bloch (1920) describe German children of all social strata who were born shortly before World War I, and raised in apparently "normal" families. After severe long-standing undernutrition, they participated in an international charity program. They experienced exceptional catch-up growth in height of 3-5 cm within 6-8 weeks. Goldstein (1922) observed 512 orphans and children from underprivileged families. Goldstein described very different growth patterns. These children were much shorter (mean height between -2.0 and -2.8 SDS, modern WHO reference). They mostly failed to catch-up in height, but tended to excessively increase in weight particularly during adolescence.}, language = {en} } @article{KaruwanarintPhonratTungtrongchitretal.2018, author = {Karuwanarint, Piyaporn and Phonrat, Benjaluck and Tungtrongchitr, Anchalee and Suriyaprom, Kanjana and Chuengsamarn, Somlak and Schweigert, Florian J. and Tungtrongchitr, Rungsunn}, title = {Vitamin D-binding protein and its polymorphisms as a predictor for metabolic syndrome}, series = {Biomarkers in medicine}, volume = {12}, journal = {Biomarkers in medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Future Medicine}, address = {London}, issn = {1752-0363}, doi = {10.2217/bmm-2018-0029}, pages = {465 -- 473}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Aim: To investigate the relationship of vitamin D-binding protein (GC) and genetic variation of GC (rs4588, rs7041 and rs2282679) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Thai population. Materials \& methods: GCglobulin concentrations were measured by quantitative western blot analysis in 401 adults. All participants were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Results: GC-globulin levels were significatly lower in MetS subjects than in control subjects, in which significant negative correlations of GC-globulin levels with systolic blood pressure, glucose and age were found. Male participants who carried the GT genotype for rs4588 showed an increased risk of MetS compared with the GG wild-type (odds ratio: 3.25; p = 0.004). Conclusion: GC-globulin concentrations and variation in GC rs4588 were supported as a risk factor for MetS in Thais.}, language = {en} } @article{WienholdMacriNouaillesetal.2018, author = {Wienhold, Sandra-Maria and Macri, Mario and Nouailles, Geraldine and Dietert, Kristina and Gurtner, Corinne and Gruber, Achim D. and Heimesaat, Markus M. and Lienau, Jasmin and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Opitz, Bastian and Suttorp, Norbert and Witzenrath, Martin and M{\"u}ller-Redetzky, Holger C.}, title = {Ventilator-induced lung injury is aggravated by antibiotic mediated microbiota depletion in mice}, series = {Critical Care}, volume = {22}, journal = {Critical Care}, number = {282}, publisher = {BMC}, address = {London}, issn = {1466-609X}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-018-2213-8}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {BackgroundAntibiotic exposure alters the microbiota, which can impact the inflammatory immune responses. Critically ill patients frequently receive antibiotic treatment and are often subjected to mechanical ventilation, which may induce local and systemic inflammatory responses and development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether disruption of the microbiota by antibiotic therapy prior to mechanical ventilation affects pulmonary inflammatory responses and thereby the development of VILI.MethodsMice underwent 6-8weeks of enteral antibiotic combination treatment until absence of cultivable bacteria in fecal samples was confirmed. Control mice were housed equally throughout this period. VILI was induced 3 days after completing the antibiotic treatment protocol, by high tidal volume (HTV) ventilation (34ml/kg; positive end-expiratory pressure=2 cmH(2)O) for 4h. Differences in lung function, oxygenation index, pulmonary vascular leakage, macroscopic assessment of lung injury, and leukocyte and lymphocyte differentiation were assessed. Control groups of mice ventilated with low tidal volume and non-ventilated mice were analyzed accordingly.ResultsAntibiotic-induced microbiota depletion prior to HTV ventilation led to aggravation of VILI, as shown by increased pulmonary permeability, increased oxygenation index, decreased pulmonary compliance, enhanced macroscopic lung injury, and increased cytokine/chemokine levels in lung homogenates.ConclusionsDepletion of the microbiota by broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to HTV ventilation renders mice more susceptible to developing VILI, which could be clinically relevant for critically ill patients frequently receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics.}, language = {en} } @article{FujikuraJingHanadaetal.2018, author = {Fujikura, Ushio and Jing, Runchun and Hanada, Atsushi and Takebayashi, Yumiko and Sakakibara, Hitoshi and Yamaguchi, Shinjiro and Kappel, Christian and Lenhard, Michael}, title = {Variation in splicing efficiency underlies morphological evolution in capsella}, series = {Developmental cell}, volume = {44}, journal = {Developmental cell}, number = {2}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1534-5807}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2017.11.022}, pages = {192 -- 203}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Understanding the molecular basis of morphological change remains a central challenge in evolutionary-developmental biology. The transition from outbreeding to selfing is often associated with a dramatic reduction in reproductive structures and functions, such as the loss of attractive pheromones in hermaphroditic Caenorhabditis elegans and a reduced flower size in plants. Here, we demonstrate that variation in the level of the brassinosteroid-biosynthesis enzyme CYP724A1 contributes to the reduced flower size of selfing Capsella rubella compared with its outbreeding ancestor Capsella grandiflora. The primary transcript of the C. rubella allele is spliced more efficiently than that of C. grandiflora, resulting in higher brassinosteroid levels. These restrict organ growth by limiting cell proliferation. More efficient splicing of the C. rubella allele results from two de novo mutations in the selfing lineage. Thus, our results highlight the potentially widespread importance of differential splicing efficiency and higher-than-optimal hormone levels in generating phenotypic variation.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuVainViottietal.2018, author = {Liu, Qinsong and Vain, Thomas and Viotti, Corrado and Doyle, Siamsa M. and Tarkowska, Danuse and Novak, Ondrej and Zipfel, Cyril and Sitbon, Folke and Robert, Stephanie and Hofius, Daniel}, title = {Vacuole integrity maintained by DUF300 proteins is required for brassinosteroid signaling regulation}, series = {Molecular plant}, volume = {11}, journal = {Molecular plant}, number = {4}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1674-2052}, doi = {10.1016/j.molp.2017.12.015}, pages = {553 -- 567}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Brassinosteroid (BR) hormone signaling controls multiple processes during plant growth and development and is initiated at the plasma membrane through the receptor kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) together with co-receptors such as BRI1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE1 (BAK1). BRI1 abundance is regulated by endosomal recycling and vacuolar targeting, but the role of vacuole-related proteins in BR receptor dynamics and BR responses remains elusive. Here, we show that the absence of two DUF300 domain-containing tonoplast proteins, LAZARUS1 (LAZ1) and LAZ1 HOMOLOG1 (LAZ1H1), causes vacuole morphology defects, growth inhibition, and constitutive activation of BR signaling. Intriguingly, tonoplast accumulation of BAK1 was substantially increased and appeared causally linked to enhanced BRI1 trafficking and degradation in laz1 laz1h1 plants. Since unrelated vacuole mutants exhibited normal BR responses, our findings indicate that DUF300 proteins play distinct roles in the regulation of BR signaling by maintaining vacuole integrity required to balance subcellular BAK1 pools and BR receptor distribution.}, language = {en} } @article{deAbreueLimaLiWenetal.2018, author = {de Abreu e Lima, Francisco Anastacio and Li, Kun and Wen, Weiwei and Yan, Jianbing and Nikoloski, Zoran and Willmitzer, Lothar and Brotman, Yariv}, title = {Unraveling lipid metabolism in maize with time-resolved multi-omics data}, series = {The plant journal}, volume = {93}, journal = {The plant journal}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0960-7412}, doi = {10.1111/tpj.13833}, pages = {1102 -- 1115}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Maize is the cereal crop with the highest production worldwide, and its oil is a key energy resource. Improving the quantity and quality of maize oil requires a better understanding of lipid metabolism. To predict the function of maize genes involved in lipid biosynthesis, we assembled transcriptomic and lipidomic data sets from leaves of B73 and the high-oil line By804 in two distinct time-series experiments. The integrative analysis based on high-dimensional regularized regression yielded lipid-transcript associations indirectly validated by Gene Ontology and promoter motif enrichment analyses. The co-localization of lipid-transcript associations using the genetic mapping of lipid traits in leaves and seedlings of a B73 x By804 recombinant inbred line population uncovered 323 genes involved in the metabolism of phospholipids, galactolipids, sulfolipids and glycerolipids. The resulting association network further supported the involvement of 50 gene candidates in modulating levels of representatives from multiple acyl-lipid classes. Therefore, the proposed approach provides high-confidence candidates for experimental testing in maize and model plant species.}, language = {en} }