@misc{FritzRosaSicard2018, author = {Fritz, Michael Andre and Rosa, Stefanie and Sicard, Adrien}, title = {Mechanisms Underlying the Environmentally Induced Plasticity of Leaf Morphology}, series = {Frontiers in genetics}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in genetics}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-8021}, doi = {10.3389/fgene.2018.00478}, pages = {25}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The primary function of leaves is to provide an interface between plants and their environment for gas exchange, light exposure and thermoregulation. Leaves have, therefore a central contribution to plant fitness by allowing an efficient absorption of sunlight energy through photosynthesis to ensure an optimal growth. Their final geometry will result from a balance between the need to maximize energy uptake while minimizing the damage caused by environmental stresses. This intimate relationship between leaf and its surroundings has led to an enormous diversification in leaf forms. Leaf shape varies between species, populations, individuals or even within identical genotypes when those are subjected to different environmental conditions. For instance, the extent of leaf margin dissection has, for long, been found to inversely correlate with the mean annual temperature, such that Paleobotanists have used models based on leaf shape to predict the paleoclimate from fossil flora. Leaf growth is not only dependent on temperature but is also regulated by many other environmental factors such as light quality and intensity or ambient humidity. This raises the question of how the different signals can be integrated at the molecular level and converted into clear developmental decisions. Several recent studies have started to shed the light on the molecular mechanisms that connect the environmental sensing with organ-growth and patterning. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on the influence of different environmental signals on leaf size and shape, their integration as well as their importance for plant adaptation.}, language = {en} } @misc{AlbersUestuenWitzeletal.2018, author = {Albers, Philip and Uestuen, Suayib and Witzel, Katja and Bornke, Frederik}, title = {Identification of a novel target of the bacterial effector HopZ1a}, series = {Phytopathology}, volume = {108}, journal = {Phytopathology}, number = {10}, publisher = {American Phytopathological Society}, address = {Saint Paul}, issn = {0031-949X}, pages = {1}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae is a gram-negative bacterium which infects a wide range of plant species including important crops plants. To suppress plant immunity and cause disease P.syringae injects type-III effector proteins (T3Es) into the plant cell cytosol. In this study, we identified a novel target of the well characterized bacterial T3E HopZ1a. HopZ1a is an acetyltransferase that was shown to disrupt vesicle transport during innate immunity by acetylating tubulin. Using a yeast-two-hybrid screen approach, we identified a REMORIN (REM) protein from tobacco as a novel HopZ1a target. HopZ1a interacts with REM at the plasma membrane (PM) as shown by split-YFP experiments. Interestingly, we found that PBS1, a well-known kinase involved in plant immunity also interacts with REM in pull-down assays, and at the PM as shown by BiFC. Furthermore, we confirmed that REM is phosphorylated by PBS1 in vitro. Overexpression of REM provokes the upregulation of defense genes and leads to disease-like phenotypes pointing to a role of REM in plant immune signaling. Further protein-protein interaction studies reveal novel REM binding partners with a possible role in plant immune signaling. Thus, REM might act as an assembly hub for an immune signaling complex targeted by HopZ1a. Taken together, this is the first report describing that a REM protein is targeted by a bacterial effector. How HopZ1a might mechanistically manipulate the plant immune system through interfering with REM function will be discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{FrancoObregonCambriaGreutertetal.2018, author = {Franco-Obregon, Alfredo and Cambria, Elena and Greutert, Helen and Wernas, Timon and Hitzl, Wolfgang and Egli, Marcel and Sekiguchi, Miho and Boos, Norbert and Hausmann, Oliver and Ferguson, Stephen J. and Kobayashi, Hiroshi and W{\"u}rtz-Kozak, Karin}, title = {TRPC6 in simulated microgravity of intervertebral disc cells}, series = {European Spine Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {European Spine Journal}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0940-6719}, doi = {10.1007/s00586-018-5688-8}, pages = {2621 -- 2630}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Purpose Prolonged bed rest and microgravity in space cause intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are implicated in mechanosensing of several tissues, but are poorly explored in IVDs. Methods Primary human IVD cells from surgical biopsies composed of both annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus (passage 1-2) were exposed to simulated microgravity and to the TRPC channel inhibitor SKF-96365 (SKF) for up to 5days. Proliferative capacity, cell cycle distribution, senescence and TRPC channel expression were analyzed. Results Both simulated microgravity and TRPC channel antagonism reduced the proliferative capacity of IVD cells and induced senescence. While significant changes in cell cycle distributions (reduction in G1 and accumulation in G2/M) were observed upon SKF treatment, the effect was small upon 3days of simulated microgravity. Finally, downregulation of TRPC6 was shown under simulated microgravity. Conclusions Simulated microgravity and TRPC channel inhibition both led to reduced proliferation and increased senescence. Furthermore, simulated microgravity reduced TRPC6 expression. IVD cell senescence and mechanotransduction may hence potentially be regulated by TRPC6 expression. This study thus reveals promising targets for future studies.}, language = {en} } @article{GoetzNaherFettkeetal.2018, author = {G{\"o}tz, Klaus-Peter and Naher, Jobadatun and Fettke, J{\"o}rg and Chmielewski, Frank M.}, title = {Changes of proteins during dormancy and bud development of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)}, series = {Scientia horticulturae : an international journal sponsored by the International Society for Horticultural Science}, volume = {239}, journal = {Scientia horticulturae : an international journal sponsored by the International Society for Horticultural Science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0304-4238}, doi = {10.1016/j.scienta.2018.05.016}, pages = {41 -- 49}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Trees control the flowering processes in response to both environmental and endogenous (mechanisms at cellular/tissue level) conditions. Dormancy of flower buds is characterized by the reduction of growth and the enhancement of frost and desiccation resistance. The release of endodormancy and the beginning of ontogenetic development, as two important dates for developing reliable phenological models, escape from any visible signs. Thus, we identified - to our knowledge as first - relevant proteins in sweet cherry buds occurring during these phenological phases at high time resolution in three seasons (2012/13-2014/15) under natural conditions in Northeast Germany. The protein content of buds from the first week of October to leaf fall, from leaf fall to the end of endodormancy (t1), from t1 to the beginning of ontogenetic development (t1*), and from t1* until swollen bud, was comparable in each of the seasons. The increase of the protein content began after swollen bud and markedly differences occurred at side green, green tip, tight and open cluster. SDS gel electrophoresis followed by peptide mass fingerprinting accomplished by MALDI-TOF MS was applied for protein identification. 'Volume intensity' has been used to demonstrate the pattern and changes of proteins. None of the analysed proteins like for cell proliferation/differentiation (Phytosulfokines 3), carbon fixation (Rubisco), and defense against pathogenes (Major allergen Pru sv 1) indicates the date of endodormancy release or the beginning of the (invisible) ontogenetic development. The stages around green tip, tight, and open cluster resulted in markedly increase of the volume intensity of the protein for cell proliferation/differentiation and the carbon fixation, whereas the volume intensity of a protein for defense against pathogens markedly decreased. The pattern and changes of the volume intensity of neoxanthin synthase (NXS) in sweet cherry buds followed the increasing demand during endo- and ecodormancy to produce neoxanthin, which is a prominent member of the group of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers.}, language = {en} } @article{NavarroRetamalBremerIngolfssonetal.2018, author = {Navarro-Retamal, Carlos and Bremer, Anne and Ingolfsson, Helgi I. and Alzate-Morales, Jans and Caballero, Julio and Thalhammer, Anja and Gonzalez, Wendy and Hincha, Dirk K.}, title = {Folding and Lipid Composition Determine Membrane Interaction of the Disordered Protein COR15A}, series = {Biophysical journal}, volume = {115}, journal = {Biophysical journal}, number = {6}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0006-3495}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.014}, pages = {968 -- 980}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Plants from temperate climates, such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, are challenged with seasonal low temperatures that lead to increased freezing tolerance in fall in a process termed cold acclimation. Among other adaptations, this involves the accumulation of cold-regulated (COR) proteins, such as the intrinsically disordered chloroplast-localized protein COR15A. Together with its close homolog COR15B, it stabilizes chloroplast membranes during freezing. COR15A folds into amphipathic alpha-helices in the presence of high concentrations of low-molecular-mass crowders or upon dehydration. Under these conditions, the (partially) folded protein binds peripherally to membranes. In our study, we have used coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the details of COR15A-membrane binding and its effects on membrane structure and dynamics. Simulation results indicate that at least partial folding of COR15A and the presence of highly unsaturated galactolipids in the membranes are necessary for efficient membrane binding. The bound protein is stabilized on the membrane by interactions of charged and polar amino acids with galactolipid headgroups and by interactions of hydrophobic amino acids with the upper part of the fatty acyl chains. Experimentally, the presence of liposomes made from a mixture of lipids mimicking chloroplast membranes induces additional folding in COR15A under conditions of partial dehydration, in agreement with the simulation results.}, language = {en} } @article{MoeserLorenzSajfutdinowetal.2018, author = {M{\"o}ser, Christin and Lorenz, Jessica S. and Sajfutdinow, Martin and Smith, David M.}, title = {Pinpointed Stimulation of EphA2 Receptors via DNA-Templated Oligovalence}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {19}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms19113482}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {DNA nanostructures enable the attachment of functional molecules to nearly any unique location on their underlying structure. Due to their single-base-pair structural resolution, several ligands can be spatially arranged and closely controlled according to the geometry of their desired target, resulting in optimized binding and/or signaling interactions. Here, the efficacy of SWL, an ephrin-mimicking peptide that binds specifically to EphrinA2 (EphA2) receptors, increased by presenting up to three of these peptides on small DNA nanostructures in an oligovalent manner. Ephrin signaling pathways play crucial roles in tumor development and progression. Moreover, Eph receptors are potential targets in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, the quantitative impact of SWL valency on binding, phosphorylation (key player for activation) and phenotype regulation in EphA2-expressing prostate cancer cells was demonstrated. EphA2 phosphorylation was significantly increased by DNA trimers carrying three SWL peptides compared to monovalent SWL. In comparison to one of EphA2's natural ligands ephrin-A1, which is known to bind promiscuously to multiple receptors, pinpointed targeting of EphA2 by oligovalent DNA-SWL constructs showed enhanced cell retraction. Overall, we show that DNA scaffolds can increase the potency of weak signaling peptides through oligovalent presentation and serve as potential tools for examination of complex signaling pathways.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwanholdIobbiNivolLehmannetal.2018, author = {Schwanhold, Nadine and Iobbi-Nivol, Chantal and Lehmann, Angelika and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {Same but different}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {13}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {11}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0201935}, pages = {24}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The maturation of bacterial molybdoenzymes is a complex process leading to the insertion of the bulky bis-molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide (bis-MGD) cofactor into the apoenzyme. Most molybdoenzymes were shown to contain a specific chaperone for the insertion of the bis-MGD cofactor. Formate dehydrogenases (FDH) together with their molecular chaperone partner seem to display an exception to this specificity rule, since the chaperone FdhD has been proven to be involved in the maturation of all three FDH enzymes present in Escherichia colt. Multiple roles have been suggested for FdhD-like chaperones in the past, including the involvement in a sulfur transfer reaction from the L-cysteine desulfurase IscS to bis-MGD by the action of two cysteine residues present in a conserved CXXC motif of the chaperones. However, in this study we show by phylogenetic analyses that the CXXC motif is not conserved among FdhD-like chaperones. We compared in detail the FdhD-like homologues from Rhodobacter capsulatus and E. colt and show that their roles in the maturation of FDH enzymes from different subgroups can be exchanged. We reveal that bis-MGDbinding is a common characteristic of FdhD-like proteins and that the cofactor is bound with a sulfido-ligand at the molybdenum atom to the chaperone. Generally, we reveal that the cysteine residues in the motif CXXC of the chaperone are not essential for the production of active FDH enzymes.}, language = {en} } @article{ReilBinderFreiseetal.2018, author = {Reil, Daniela and Binder, Florian and Freise, Jona and Imholt, Christian and Beyrers, Konrad and Jacob, Jens and Kr{\"u}ger, Detlev H. and Hofmann, J{\"o}rg and Dreesman, Johannes and Ulrich, Rainer G{\"u}nter}, title = {Hantaviren in Deutschland}, series = {Berliner und M{\"u}nchener tier{\"a}rztliche Wochenschrift}, volume = {131}, journal = {Berliner und M{\"u}nchener tier{\"a}rztliche Wochenschrift}, number = {11-12}, publisher = {Schl{\"u}tersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH \& Co. KG.}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {0005-9366}, doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-18003}, pages = {453 -- 464}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Hantaviruses are small mammal-associated pathogens that are found in rodents but also in shrews, moles and bats. Aim of this manuscript is to give a current overview of the epidemiology and ecology of hantaviruses in Germany and to discuss respective models for the prediction of virus outbreaks. In Germany the majority of human disease cases are caused by the Puumala virus (PUUV), transmitted by the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). PUUV is associated with the Western evolutionary lineage of the bank vole and is not present in the eastern and northern parts of Germany. A second human pathogenic hantavirus is the Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV), genotype Kurkino; its reservoir host, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), is mostly occurring in the eastern part of Germany. A PUUV-related hantavirus is the rarely pathogenic Tula virus (TULV), that is associated with the common vole (Microtus arvalis). In addition, Seewis virus, Asikkala virus, and Bruges virus are shrew- and mole-associated hantaviruses with still unknown pathogenicity in humans. Human disease cases are associated with the different hantaviruses according to their regional distribution. The viruses can cause mild to severe but also subclinical courses of the respective disease. The number of human PUUV disease cases in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017 correlates with the occurrence of high levels of seed production of beech trees ("beech mast") in the preceding year. Models based on weather parameters for the prediction of PUUV disease clusters as developed in recent years need further validation and optimisation. in addition to the abundance of infected reservoir rodents, the exposure behaviour of humans affects the risk of human infection. The application of robust forecast models can assist the public health service to develop and communicate spatially and temporally targeted information. Thus, further recommendations to mitigate infection risk for the public may be provided.}, language = {de} } @article{BrechunArndtWoolley2018, author = {Brechun, Katherine Emily and Arndt, Katja Maren and Woolley, G. Andrew}, title = {Selection of protein-protein interactions of desired affinities with a bandpass circuit}, series = {Journal of molecular biology : JMB}, volume = {431}, journal = {Journal of molecular biology : JMB}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {London}, issn = {0022-2836}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2018.11.011}, pages = {391 -- 400}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We have developed a genetic circuit in Escherichia coli that can be used to select for protein-protein interactions of different strengths by changing antibiotic concentrations in the media. The genetic circuit links protein-protein interaction strength to beta-lactamase activity while simultaneously imposing tuneable positive and negative selection pressure for beta-lactamase activity. Cells only survive if they express interacting proteins with affinities that fall within set high- and low-pass thresholds; i.e. the circuit therefore acts as a bandpass filter for protein-protein interactions. We show that the circuit can be used to recover protein-protein interactions of desired affinity from a mixed population with a range of affinities. The circuit can also be used to select for inhibitors of protein-protein interactions of defined strength. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{vanGrunsvenJaehnichenGrubisicetal.2018, author = {van Grunsven, Roy Hendrikus Antonius and Jaehnichen, David and Grubisic, Maja and H{\"o}lker, Franz}, title = {Slugs (Arionidae) benefit from nocturnal artificial illumination}, series = {Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology}, volume = {329}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology}, number = {8-9}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2471-5646}, doi = {10.1002/jez.2170}, pages = {429 -- 433}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Artificial illumination increases around the globe and this has been found to affect many groups of organisms and ecosystems. By manipulating nocturnal illumination using one large experimental field site with 24 streetlights and one dark control, we assessed the impact of artificial illumination on slugs over a period of 4 years. The number of slugs, primarily Arionidae, increased strongly in the illuminated site but not on the dark site. There are several nonexclusive explanations for this effect, including reduced predation and increased food quality in the form of carcasses of insects attracted by the light. As slugs play an important role in ecosystems and are also important pest species, the increase of slugs under artificial illumination cannot only affect ecosystem functioning but also have important economic consequences.}, language = {en} } @misc{MesserschmidtMachensHochreinetal.2018, author = {Messerschmidt, Katrin and Machens, Fabian and Hochrein, Lena and Naseri, Gita}, title = {Orthogonal, light-inducible protein expression platform in yeast Sacchararomyces cerevisiae}, series = {New biotechnology}, volume = {44}, journal = {New biotechnology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1871-6784}, doi = {10.1016/j.nbt.2018.05.153}, pages = {S19 -- S19}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{NeumannGoetzWrzoleketal.2018, author = {Neumann, Bettina and G{\"o}tz, Robert and Wrzolek, Pierre and Scheller, Frieder W. and Weidinger, Inez M. and Schwalbe, Matthias and Wollenberger, Ulla}, title = {Enhancement of the Electrocatalytic Activity of Thienyl-Substituted Iron Porphyrin Electropolymers by a Hangman Effect}, series = {ChemCatChem : heterogeneous \& homogeneous \& bio- \& nano-catalysis ; a journal of ChemPubSoc Europe}, volume = {10}, journal = {ChemCatChem : heterogeneous \& homogeneous \& bio- \& nano-catalysis ; a journal of ChemPubSoc Europe}, number = {19}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1867-3880}, doi = {10.1002/cctc.201800934}, pages = {4353 -- 4361}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The thiophene-modified iron porphyrin FeT3ThP and the respective iron Hangman porphyrin FeH3ThP, incorporating a carboxylic acid hanging group in the second coordination sphere of the iron center, were electropolymerized on glassy carbon electrodes using 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as co-monomer. Scanning electron microscopy images and Resonance Raman spectra demonstrated incorporation of the porphyrin monomers into a fibrous polymer network. Porphyrin/polyEDOT films catalyzed the reduction of molecular oxygen in a four-electron reaction to water with onset potentials as high as +0.14V vs. Ag/AgCl in an aqueous solution of pH7. Further, FeT3ThP/polyEDOT films showed electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of hydrogen peroxide at highly positive potentials, which was significantly enhanced by introduction of the carboxylic acid hanging group in FeH3ThP. The second coordination sphere residue promotes formation of a highly oxidizing reaction intermediate, presumably via advantageous proton supply, as observed for peroxidases and catalases making FeH3ThP/polyEDOT films efficient mimics of heme enzymes.}, language = {en} } @article{KurzeHeinkenFartmann2018, author = {Kurze, Susanne and Heinken, Thilo and Fartmann, Thomas}, title = {Nitrogen enrichment in host plants increases the mortality of common Lepidoptera species}, series = {Oecologia}, volume = {188}, journal = {Oecologia}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0029-8549}, doi = {10.1007/s00442-018-4266-4}, pages = {1227 -- 1237}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The recent decline of Lepidoptera species strongly correlates with the increasing intensification of agriculture in Western and Central Europe. However, the effects of changed host-plant quality through agricultural fertilization on this insect group remain largely unexplored. For this reason, we tested the response of six common butterfly and moth species to host-plant fertilization using fertilizer quantities usually applied in agriculture. The larvae of the study species Coenonympha pamphilus, Lycaena phlaeas, Lycaena tityrus, Pararge aegeria, Rivula sericealis and Timandra comae were distributed according to a split-brood design to three host-plant treatments comprising one control treatment without fertilization and two fertilization treatments with an input of 150 and 300kgNha(-1)year(-1), respectively. In L.tityrus, we used two additional fertilization treatments with an input of 30 and 90kgNha(-1)year(-1), respectively. Fertilization increased the nitrogen concentration of both host-plant species, Rumex acetosella and Poa pratensis, and decreased the survival of larvae in all six Lepidoptera species by at least one-third, without clear differences between sorrel- and grass-feeding species. The declining survival rate in all species contradicts the well-accepted nitrogen-limitation hypothesis, which predicts a positive response in species performance to dietary nitrogen content. In contrast, this study presents the first evidence that current fertilization quantities in agriculture exceed the physiological tolerance of common Lepidoptera species. Our results suggest that (1) the negative effect of plant fertilization on Lepidoptera has previously been underestimated and (2) that it contributes to the range-wide decline of Lepidoptera.}, language = {en} } @misc{QuiterioMartinsOnofreetal.2018, author = {Quiterio, Ana and Martins, Joao and Onofre, Marcos and Costa, Joao and Rodrigues, Joao Mota and Gerlach, Erin and Scheur, Claude and Herrmann, Christian}, title = {MOBAK 1 assessment in primary physical education}, series = {Perceptual \& motor skills}, volume = {125}, journal = {Perceptual \& motor skills}, number = {6}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {Thousand Oaks}, issn = {0031-5125}, doi = {10.1177/0031512518804358}, pages = {1055 -- 1069}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Children's motor competence is known to have a determinant role in learning and engaging later in complex motor skills and, thus, in physical activity. The development of adequate motor competence is a central aim of physical education, and assuring that pupils are learning and developing motor competence depends on accurate assessment protocols. The MOBAK 1 test battery is a recent instrument developed to assess motor competence in primary physical education. This study used the MOBAK 1 to explore motor competence levels and gender differences among 249 (Mage = 6.3, SD = 0.5 years; 127 girls and 122 boys) Grade 1 primary school Portuguese children. On independent sample t tests, boys presented higher object movement motor competence than girls (boys: M = 5.8, SD = 1.7; girls: M = 4.0, SD = 1.7; p < .001), while girls were more proficient among self-movement skills (girls: M = 5.1, SD = 1.8; boys: M = 4.3, SD = 1.7; p < .01). On "total motor competence," boys (M = 10.3, SD = 2.6) averaged one point ahead of girls (M = 9.1, SD = 2.9). The percentage of girls in the first quartile of object movement was 18.9\%, while, for "self movement," the percentage of boys in the first quartile was almost double that of girls (30.3\% and 17.3\%, respectively). The confirmatory model to test for construct validity confirmed the assumed theoretical two-factor structure of MOBAK 1 test items in this Portuguese sample. These results support the MOBAK 1 instrument for assessing motor competence and highlighted gender differences, of relevance to intervention efforts.}, language = {en} } @article{EndesfelderWeicheltSchilleretal.2018, author = {Endesfelder, Stefanie and Weichelt, Ulrike and Schiller, Cornelia and Winter, Katja and von Haefen, Clarissa and B{\"u}hrer, Christoph}, title = {Caffeine protects against anticonvulsant-induced impaired neurogenesis in the developing rat brain}, series = {Neurotoxicity Research}, volume = {34}, journal = {Neurotoxicity Research}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1029-8428}, doi = {10.1007/s12640-018-9872-8}, pages = {173 -- 187}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In preterm infants, phenobarbital is the first-line antiepileptic drug for neonatal seizures while caffeine is used for the treatment of apnea. Data from experimental animals suggest that phenobarbital and other anticonvulsants are toxic for the developing brain, while neuroprotective effects have been reported for caffeine both in newborn rodents and preterm human infants. To characterize the interaction of phenobarbital and caffeine in the hippocampus of the developing rodent brain, we examined the effects of both drugs given separately or together on postnatal neurogenesis after administration to neonatal rats throughout postnatal day (P) 4 to P6. Phenobarbital treatment (50 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease of proliferative capacity in the dentate gyrus. Phenobarbital also reduced expression of neuronal markers (doublecortin (DCX), calretinin, NeuN), neuronal transcription factors (Pax6, Sox2, Tbr1/2, Prox1), and neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3) up to 24 h after the last administration. The phenobarbital-mediated impairment of neurogenesis was largely ameliorated by preconditioning with caffeine (10 mg/kg). In contrast, caffeine alone reduced proliferative capacity and expression of the neuronal markers DCX and NeuN at 6 h, but increased expression of neurotrophins and neuronal transcription factors at 6 and 12 h. These results indicate that administration of phenobarbital during the vulnerable phase of brain development negatively interferes with neuronal development, which can be prevented in part by co-administration of caffeine.}, language = {en} } @misc{BestZhengBorgiaetal.2018, author = {Best, Robert B. and Zheng, Wenwei and Borgia, Alessandro and Buholzer, Karin and Borgia, Madeleine B. and Hofmann, Hagen and Soranno, Andrea and Nettels, Daniel and Gast, Klaus and Grishaev, Alexander and Schuler, Benjamin}, title = {Comment on "Innovative scattering analysis shows that hydrophobic disordered proteins are expanded in water"}, series = {Science}, volume = {361}, journal = {Science}, number = {6405}, publisher = {American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0036-8075}, doi = {10.1126/science.aar7101}, pages = {2}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Riback et al. (Reports, 13 October 2017, p. 238) used small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments to infer a degree of compaction for unfolded proteins in water versus chemical denaturant that is highly consistent with the results from Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments. There is thus no "contradiction" between the two methods, nor evidence to support their claim that commonly used FRET fluorophores cause protein compaction.}, language = {en} } @article{ChenPerssonGrebeetal.2018, author = {Chen, Hsiang-Wen and Persson, Staffan and Grebe, Markus and McFarlane, Heather E.}, title = {Cellulose synthesis during cell plate assembly}, series = {Physiologia plantarum}, volume = {164}, journal = {Physiologia plantarum}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0031-9317}, doi = {10.1111/ppl.12703}, pages = {17 -- 26}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The plant cell wall surrounds and protects the cells. To divide, plant cells must synthesize a new cell wall to separate the two daughter cells. The cell plate is a transient polysaccharide-based compartment that grows between daughter cells and gives rise to the new cell wall. Cellulose constitutes a key component of the cell wall, and mutants with defects in cellulose synthesis commonly share phenotypes with cytokinesis-defective mutants. However, despite the importance of cellulose in the cell plate and the daughter cell wall, many open questions remain regarding the timing and regulation of cellulose synthesis during cell division. These questions represent a critical gap in our knowledge of cell plate assembly, cell division and growth. Here, we review what is known about cellulose synthesis at the cell plate and in the newly formed cross-wall and pose key questions about the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes. We further provide an outlook discussing outstanding questions and possible future directions for this field of research.}, language = {en} } @article{SchibalskiKoernerMaieretal.2018, author = {Schibalski, Anett and K{\"o}rner, Katrin and Maier, Martin and Jeltsch, Florian and Schr{\"o}der, Boris}, title = {Novel model coupling approach for resilience analysis of coastal plant communities}, series = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America}, volume = {28}, journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1051-0761}, doi = {10.1002/eap.1758}, pages = {1640 -- 1654}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Resilience is a major research focus covering a wide range of topics from biodiversity conservation to ecosystem (service) management. Model simulations can assess the resilience of, for example, plant species, measured as the return time to conditions prior to a disturbance. This requires process-based models (PBM) that implement relevant processes such as regeneration and reproduction and thus successfully reproduce transient dynamics after disturbances. Such models are often complex and thus limited to either short-term or small-scale applications, whereas many research questions require species predictions across larger spatial and temporal scales. We suggest a framework to couple a PBM and a statistical species distribution model (SDM), which transfers the results of a resilience analysis by the PBM to SDM predictions. The resulting hybrid model combines the advantages of both approaches: the convenient applicability of SDMs and the relevant process detail of PBMs in abrupt environmental change situations. First, we simulate dynamic responses of species communities to a disturbance event with a PBM. We aggregate the response behavior in two resilience metrics: return time and amplitude of the response peak. These metrics are then used to complement long-term SDM projections with dynamic short-term responses to disturbance. To illustrate our framework, we investigate the effect of abrupt short-term groundwater level and salinity changes on coastal vegetation at the German Baltic Sea. We found two example species to be largely resilient, and, consequently, modifications of SDM predictions consisted mostly of smoothing out peaks in the occurrence probability that were not confirmed by the PBM. Discrepancies between SDM- and PBM-predicted species responses were caused by community dynamics simulated in the PBM and absent from the SDM. Although demonstrated with boosted regression trees (SDM) and an existing individual-based model, IBC-grass (PBM), our flexible framework can easily be applied to other PBM and SDM types, as well as other definitions of short-term disturbances or long-term trends of environmental change. Thus, our framework allows accounting for biological feedbacks in the response to short- and long-term environmental changes as a major advancement in predictive vegetation modeling.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuurmansBrinkmannMakoweretal.2018, author = {Schuurmans, Jasper Merijn and Brinkmann, Bregje W. and Makower, Katharina and Dittmann, Elke and Huisman, Jef and Matthijs, Hans C. P.}, title = {Microcystin interferes with defense against high oxidative stress in harmful cyanobacteria}, series = {Harmful algae}, volume = {78}, journal = {Harmful algae}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1568-9883}, doi = {10.1016/j.hal.2018.07.008}, pages = {47 -- 55}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Harmful cyanobacteria producing toxic microcystins are a major concern in water quality management. In recent years, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been successfully applied to suppress cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. Physiological studies, however, indicate that microcystin protects cyanobacteria against oxidative stress, suggesting that H2O2 addition might provide a selective advantage for microcystin-producing (toxic) strains. This study compares the response of a toxic Microcystis strain, its non-toxic mutant, and a naturally non-toxic Microcystis strain to H2O2 addition representative of lake treatments. All three strains initially ceased growth upon H2O2 addition. Contrary to expectation, the non-toxic strain and non-toxic mutant rapidly degraded the added H2O2 and subsequently recovered, whereas the toxic strain did not degrade H2O2 and did not recover. Experimental catalase addition enabled recovery of the toxic strain, demonstrating that rapid H2O2 degradation is indeed essential for cyanobacterial survival. Interestingly, prior to H2O2 addition, gene expression of a thioredoxin and peroxiredoxin was much lower in the toxic strain than in its non-toxic mutant. Thioredoxin and peroxiredoxin are both involved in H2O2 degradation, and microcystin may potentially suppress their activity. These results show that microcystin-producing strains are less prepared for high levels of oxidative stress, and are therefore hit harder by H2O2 addition than non-toxic strains.}, language = {en} } @article{BiterovaEsmaeeliMoghaddamTabalvandaniAlanenetal.2018, author = {Biterova, Ekaterina and Esmaeeli Moghaddam Tabalvandani, Mariam and Alanen, Heli I. and Saaranen, Mirva and Ruddock, Lloyd W.}, title = {Structures of Angptl3 and Angptl4, modulators of triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-25237-7}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death globally and is linked to a number of risk factors including serum low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a). Recently two proteins, angiopoietin-like protein 3 and 4, have emerged from genetic studies as being factors that significantly modulate plasma triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease. The exact function and mechanism of action of both proteins remains to be elucidated, however, mutations in these proteins results in up to 34\% reduction in coronary artery disease and inhibition of function results in reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Here we report the crystal structures of the fibrinogen-like domains of both proteins. These structures offer new insights into the reported loss of function mutations, the mechanisms of action of the proteins and open up the possibility for the rational design of low molecular weight inhibitors for intervention in coronary artery disease.}, language = {en} } @article{WhitcombNguyenBrueckneretal.2018, author = {Whitcomb, Sarah J. and Nguyen, Huu Cuong and Br{\"u}ckner, Franziska and Hesse, Holger and Hoefgen, Rainer}, title = {CYSTATHIONINE GAMMA-SYNTHASE activity in rice is developmentally regulated and strongly correlated with sulfate}, series = {Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology}, volume = {270}, journal = {Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Clare}, issn = {0168-9452}, doi = {10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.02.016}, pages = {234 -- 244}, year = {2018}, abstract = {An important goal of rice cultivar development is improvement of protein quality, especially with respect to essential amino acids such as methionine. With the goal of increasing seed methionine content, we generated Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Taipei 309 transgenic lines expressing a feedback-desensitized CYSTATHIONINE GAMMA-SYNTHASE from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtD-CGS) under the control of the maize ubiquitin promoter. Despite persistently elevated cystathionine gamma-synthase (CGS) activity in the AtD-CGS transgenic lines relative to untransformed Taipei, sulfate was the only sulfur-containing compound found to be elevated throughout vegetative development. Accumulation of methionine and other sulfur-containing metabolites was limited to the leaves of young plants. Sulfate concentration was found to strongly and positively correlate with CGS activity across vegetative development, irrespective of whether the activity was provided by the endogenous rice CGS or by a combination of endogenous and AtD-CGS. Conversely, the concentrations of glutathione, valine, and leucine were clearly negatively correlated with CGS activity in the same tissues. We also observed a strong decrease in CGS activity in both untransformed Taipei and the AtD-CGS transgenic lines as the plants approached heading stage. The mechanism for this downregulation is currently unknown and of potential importance for efforts to increase methionine content in rice.}, language = {en} } @article{StreubelFritzTeltowetal.2018, author = {Streubel, Susanna and Fritz, Michael Andre and Teltow, Melanie and Kappel, Christian and Sicard, Adrien}, title = {Successive duplication-divergence mechanisms at the RCO locus contributed to leaf shape diversity in the Brassicaceae}, series = {Development : Company of Biologists}, volume = {145}, journal = {Development : Company of Biologists}, number = {8}, publisher = {Company of Biologists}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0950-1991}, doi = {10.1242/dev.164301}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Gene duplication is a major driver for the increase of biological complexity. The divergence of newly duplicated paralogs may allow novel functions to evolve, while maintaining the ancestral one. Alternatively, partitioning the ancestral function among paralogs may allow parts of that role to follow independent evolutionary trajectories. We studied the REDUCED COMPLEXITY (RCO) locus, which contains three paralogs that have evolved through two independent events of gene duplication, and which underlies repeated events of leaf shape evolution within the Brassicaceae. In particular, we took advantage of the presence of three potentially functional paralogs in Capsella to investigate the extent of functional divergence among them. We demonstrate that the RCO copies control growth in different areas of the leaf. Consequently, the copies that are retained active in the different Brassicaceae lineages contribute to define the leaf dissection pattern. Our results further illustrate how successive gene duplication events and subsequent functional divergence can increase trait evolvability by providing independent evolutionary trajectories to specialized functions that have an additive effect on a given trait.}, language = {en} } @article{BoernkeRocksch2018, author = {B{\"o}rnke, Frederik and Rocksch, Thorsten}, title = {Thigmomorphogenesis}, series = {Scientia horticulturae : an international journal sponsored by the International Society for Horticultural Science}, volume = {234}, journal = {Scientia horticulturae : an international journal sponsored by the International Society for Horticultural Science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0304-4238}, doi = {10.1016/j.scienta.2018.02.059}, pages = {344 -- 353}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Controlled regulation of plant growth is a general prerequisite for the production of marketable ornamental plants. Consumers as well as retailers prefer stronger, more compact plants with greener leaves as these not only better meet a certain desired visual quality but also allow for a maximization of production per unit area as well as facilitation of packaging and transport. The same applies for the production of young vegetable plants. Special attention is paid to solid, compact and resilient plants that survive transport and planting without any problems. During the last decades plant growth control has mainly been achieved through the application of chemical plant growth regulators that generally interfere with the function of growth regulating hormones. However, there is an increasing demand to replace chemical treatments by other means such as the modulation of growth conditions, including temperature, light and fertilization. Alternatively, the application of mechanical stimulation has been shown to induce plant responses that yield some of the commercially relevant phenotypes including increased compactness, higher girth, darker leaves and a delay in flowering. The ability of plants to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli is an adaptive trait associated with increased fitness in many environmental settings. Mechanical stimulation in nature occurs e.g. through wind, rain, neighboring plants or predatory animals and induces a range of morphogenic responses that have been summarized under the term thigmomorphogenesis. We are only just about to begin to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying mechanosensing and the associated morphogenic changes in plants. However, a number of examples suggest that mechanical stimulation applied in a greenhouse setting can be used to alter plant growth in order to produce marketable plants. In this review will briefly summarize the current knowledge concerning the biological principles of thigmomorphogenesis and discuss the potential of mechanical growth regulation in commercial plant production especially with respect to organic horticulture.}, language = {en} } @article{DeFrenneBlondeelBrunetetal.2018, author = {De Frenne, Pieter and Blondeel, H. and Brunet, J. and Caron, M. M. and Chabrerie, O. and Cougnon, M. and Cousins, S. A. O. and Decocq, G. and Diekmann, M. and Graae, B. J. and Hanley, M. E. and Heinken, Thilo and Hermy, M. and Kolb, A. and Lenoir, J. and Liira, J. and Orczewska, A. and Shevtsova, A. and Vanneste, T. and Verheyen, K.}, title = {Atmospheric nitrogen deposition on petals enhances seed quality of the forest herb Anemone nemorosa}, series = {Plant biology}, volume = {20}, journal = {Plant biology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1435-8603}, doi = {10.1111/plb.12688}, pages = {619 -- 626}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Elevated atmospheric input of nitrogen (N) is currently affecting plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The growth and survival of numerous plant species is known to respond strongly to N fertilisation. Yet, few studies have assessed the effects of N deposition on seed quality and reproductive performance, which is an important life-history stage of plants. Here we address this knowledge gap by assessing the effects of atmospheric N deposition on seed quality of the ancient forest herb Anemone nemorosa using two complementary approaches. By taking advantage of the wide spatiotemporal variation in N deposition rates in pan-European temperate and boreal forests over 2years, we detected positive effects of N deposition on the N concentration (percentage N per unit seed mass, increased from 2.8\% to 4.1\%) and N content (total N mass per seed more than doubled) of A.nemorosa seeds. In a complementary experiment, we applied ammonium nitrate to aboveground plant tissues and the soil surface to determine whether dissolved N sources in precipitation could be incorporated into seeds. Although the addition of N to leaves and the soil surface had no effect, a concentrated N solution applied to petals during anthesis resulted in increased seed mass, seed N concentration and N content. Our results demonstrate that N deposition on the petals enhances bioaccumulation of N in the seeds of A.nemorosa. Enhanced atmospheric inputs of N can thus not only affect growth and population dynamics via root or canopy uptake, but can also influence seed quality and reproduction via intake through the inflorescences.}, language = {en} } @article{DunsingLucknerZuehlkeetal.2018, author = {Dunsing, Valentin and Luckner, Madlen and Zuehlke, Boris and Petazzi, Roberto Arturo and Herrmann, Andreas and Chiantia, Salvatore}, title = {Optimal fluorescent protein tags for quantifying protein oligomerization in living cells}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-28858-0}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy has become a popular toolbox for non-disruptive analysis of molecular interactions in living cells. The quantification of protein oligomerization in the native cellular environment is highly relevant for a detailed understanding of complex biological processes. An important parameter in this context is the molecular brightness, which serves as a direct measure of oligomerization and can be easily extracted from temporal or spatial fluorescence fluctuations. However, fluorescent proteins (FPs) typically used in such studies suffer from complex photophysical transitions and limited maturation, inducing non-fluorescent states. Here, we show how these processes strongly affect molecular brightness measurements. We perform a systematic characterization of non-fluorescent states for commonly used FPs and provide a simple guideline for accurate, unbiased oligomerization measurements in living cells. Further, we focus on novel red FPs and demonstrate that mCherry2, an mCherry variant, possesses superior properties with regards to precise quantification of oligomerization.}, language = {en} } @article{YannelliKarrerHalletal.2018, author = {Yannelli, Florencia A. and Karrer, Gerhard and Hall, Rea and Kollmann, Johannes and Heger, Tina}, title = {Seed density is more effective than multi-trait limiting similarity in controlling grassland resistance against plant invasions in mesocosms}, series = {Applied vegetation science : official organ of the International Association for Vegetation Science}, volume = {21}, journal = {Applied vegetation science : official organ of the International Association for Vegetation Science}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1402-2001}, doi = {10.1111/avsc.12373}, pages = {411 -- 418}, year = {2018}, abstract = {QuestionDisturbed areas offer great opportunities for restoring native biodiversity, but they are also prone to invasion by alien plants. Following the limiting similarity hypothesis, we address the question of whether or not similarity of plant functional traits helps developing seed mixtures of native communities with high resistance to invasive species at an early stage of restoration. LocationCentre of Greenhouses and Laboratories Durnast, Technische Universitat Munchen, Freising, Germany. MethodsUsing a system of linear equations, we designed native communities maximizing the similarity between the native and two invasive species according to ten functional traits. We used native grassland plants, two invasive alien species that are often problematic in disturbed areas (i.e., Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Solidago gigantea) and trait information obtained from databases. The two communities were then tested for resistance against establishment of the two invaders separately in a greenhouse experiment. We measured height of the invasive species and above-ground biomass, along with leaf area index, 4 and 8months after sowing respectively. ResultsBoth invasive species were successfully reduced by the native community designed to suppress S. gigantea dominated by small-seeded species. These results could be considered as partial support for the limiting similarity hypothesis. However, given the success of this mixture against both invasive species, suppression was better explained by a seed density effect resulting from the smaller seed mass of the native species included in this mixture. Further, the dominance of a fast-developing competitive species could also contribute to its success. ConclusionsThere was no unequivocal support for the limiting similarity hypothesis in terms of the traits selected. Instead we found that increasing seeding density of native species and selecting species with a fast vegetative development is an effective way to suppress invasive plants during early stages of restoration. If limiting similarity is used to design communities for restoration, early life-history traits should be taken into account.}, language = {en} } @article{HackenbergHakanpaeaeCaietal.2018, author = {Hackenberg, Claudia and Hakanpaeae, Johanna and Cai, Fei and Antonyuk, Svetlana and Eigner, Caroline and Meissner, Sven and Laitaoja, Mikko and Janis, Janne and Kerfeld, Cheryl A. and Dittmann, Elke and Lamzin, Victor S.}, title = {Structural and functional insights into the unique CBS-CP12 fusion protein family in cyanobacteria}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {27}, publisher = {National Acad. of Sciences}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1806668115}, pages = {7141 -- 7146}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cyanobacteria are important photosynthetic organisms inhabiting a range of dynamic environments. This phylum is distinctive among photosynthetic organisms in containing genes encoding uncharacterized cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)-chloroplast protein (CP12) fusion proteins. These consist of two domains, each recognized as stand-alone photosynthetic regulators with different functions described in cyanobacteria (CP12) and plants (CP12 and CBSX). Here we show that CBS-CP12 fusion proteins are encoded in distinct gene neighborhoods, several unrelated to photosynthesis. Most frequently, CBS-CP12 genes are in a gene cluster with thioredoxin A (TrxA), which is prevalent in bloom-forming, marine symbiotic, and benthic mat cyanobacteria. Focusing on a CBS-CP12 from Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 encoded in a gene cluster with TrxA, we reveal that the domain fusion led to the formation of a hexameric protein. We show that the CP12 domain is essential for hexamerization and contains an ordered, previously structurally uncharacterized N-terminal region. We provide evidence that CBS-CP12, while combining properties of both regulatory domains, behaves different from CP12 and plant CBSX. It does not form a ternary complex with phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Instead, CBS-CP12 decreases the activity of PRK in an AMP-dependent manner. We propose that the novel domain architecture and oligomeric state of CBS-CP12 expand its regulatory function beyond those of CP12 in cyanobacteria.}, language = {en} } @article{HegerNiklesJacobs2018, author = {Heger, Tina and Nikles, Gabriele and Jacobs, Brooke S.}, title = {Differentiation in native as well as introduced ranges}, series = {AoB PLANTS}, volume = {10}, journal = {AoB PLANTS}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {2041-2851}, doi = {10.1093/aobpla/ply009}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Germination, a crucial phase in the life cycle of a plant, can be significantly influenced by competition and facilitation. The aim of this study was to test whether differences in cover of surrounding vegetation can lead to population differentiation in germination behaviour of an annual grassland species, and if so, whether such a differentiation can be found in the native as well as in the introduced range. We used maternal progeny of Erodium cicutarium previously propagated under uniform conditions that had been collected in multiple populations in the native and two introduced ranges, in populations representing extremes in terms of mean and variability of the cover of surrounding vegetation. In the first experiment, we tested the effect of germination temperature and mean cover at the source site on germination, and found interlinked effects of these factors. In seeds from one of the introduced ranges (California), we found indication for a 2-fold dormancy, hindering germination at high temperatures even if physical dormancy was broken and water was available. This behaviour was less strong in high cover populations, indicating cross-generational facilitating effects of dense vegetation. In the second experiment, we tested whether spatial variation in cover of surrounding vegetation has an effect on the proportion of dormant seeds. Contrary to our expectations, we found that across source regions, high variance in cover was associated with higher proportions of seeds germinating directly after storage. In all three regions, germination seemed to match the local environment in terms of climate and vegetation cover. We suggest that this is due to a combined effect of introduction of preadapted genotypes and local evolutionary processes.}, language = {en} } @article{KaechMatheHubertDennisetal.2018, author = {K{\"a}ch, Heidi and Mathe-Hubert, Hugo and Dennis, Alice B. and Vorburger, Christoph}, title = {Rapid evolution of symbiont-mediated resistance compromises biological control of aphids by parasitoids}, series = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {11}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1752-4571}, doi = {10.1111/eva.12532}, pages = {220 -- 230}, year = {2018}, abstract = {There is growing interest in biological control as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to control pest insects. Aphids are among the most detrimental agricultural pests worldwide, and parasitoid wasps are frequently employed for their control. The use of asexual parasitoids may improve the effectiveness of biological control because only females kill hosts and because asexual populations have a higher growth rate than sexuals. However, asexuals may have a reduced capacity to track evolutionary change in their host populations. We used a factorial experiment to compare the ability of sexual and asexual populations of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum to control caged populations of black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) of high and low clonal diversity. The aphids came from a natural population, and one-third of the aphid clones harbored Hamiltonella defensa, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont that increases resistance to parasitoids. We followed aphid and parasitoid population dynamics for 3months but found no evidence that the reproductive mode of parasitoids affected their effectiveness as biocontrol agents, independent of host clonal diversity. Parasitoids failed to control aphids in most cases, because their introduction resulted in strong selection for clones protected by H.defensa. The increasingly resistant aphid populations escaped control by parasitoids, and we even observed parasitoid extinctions in many cages. The rapid evolution of symbiont-conferred resistance in turn imposed selection on parasitoids. In cages where asexual parasitoids persisted until the end of the experiment, they became dominated by a single genotype able to overcome the protection provided by H.defensa. Thus, there was evidence for parasitoid counteradaptation, but it was generally too slow for parasitoids to regain control over aphid populations. It appears that when pest aphids possess defensive symbionts, the presence of parasitoid genotypes able to overcome symbiont-conferred resistance is more important for biocontrol success than their reproductive mode.}, language = {en} } @article{Yarman2018, author = {Yarman, Aysu}, title = {Electrosynthesized Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Laccase Using the Inactivated Enzyme as the Target}, series = {Bulletin of the Korean chemical society}, volume = {39}, journal = {Bulletin of the Korean chemical society}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1229-5949}, doi = {10.1002/bkcs.11413}, pages = {483 -- 488}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The first molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the recognition of the copper-enzyme laccase was successfully prepared by electropolymerizing scopoletin in the presence of alkaline-inactivated enzyme. Laccase-MIP and the control polymer without laccase (nonimprinted polymer, NIP) were characterized by voltammetry using the redox marker ferricyanide. After electropolymerization, the signals for ferricyanide for both the MIP and the NIP were almost completely suppressed and increased after removal of the target from the polymer layer. Rebinding of both inactivated and active laccase decreased the ferricyanide peak currents to almost equal extent. The relative decrease of signal suppression approached saturation above 10 nM. Furthermore, the surface activity of rebound laccase toward the oxidation of catechol was investigated. The surface activity approached saturation above 10 nM, a value close to the value of the measurements with ferricyanide. Interaction of NIP with laccase brought about a six times smaller signal of catechol oxidation.}, language = {en} } @misc{HiggsHarrisHegeretal.2018, author = {Higgs, Eric S. and Harris, Jim A. and Heger, Tina and Hobbs, Richard J. and Murphy, Stephen D. and Suding, Katharine N.}, title = {Keep ecological restoration open and flexible}, series = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, volume = {2}, journal = {Nature Ecology \& Evolution}, number = {4}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2397-334X}, doi = {10.1038/s41559-018-0483-9}, pages = {580 -- 580}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{ShiJoshiTielboergeretal.2018, author = {Shi, Jun and Joshi, Jasmin Radha and Tielboerger, Katja and Verhoeven, Koen J. F. and Macel, Mirka}, title = {Costs and benefits of admixture between foreign genotypes and local populations in the field}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3946}, pages = {3675 -- 3684}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Admixture is the hybridization between populations within one species. It can increase plant fitness and population viability by alleviating inbreeding depression and increasing genetic diversity. However, populations are often adapted to their local environments and admixture with distant populations could break down local adaptation by diluting the locally adapted genomes. Thus, admixed genotypes might be selected against and be outcompeted by locally adapted genotypes in the local environments. To investigate the costs and benefits of admixture, we compared the performance of admixed and within-population F1 and F2 generations of the European plant Lythrum salicaria in a reciprocal transplant experiment at three European field sites over a 2-year period. Despite strong differences between site and plant populations for most of the measured traits, including herbivory, we found limited evidence for local adaptation. The effects of admixture depended on experimental site and plant population, and were positive for some traits. Plant growth and fruit production of some populations increased in admixed offspring and this was strongest with larger parental distances. These effects were only detected in two of our three sites. Our results show that, in the absence of local adaptation, admixture may boost plant performance, and that this is particularly apparent in stressful environments. We suggest that admixture between foreign and local genotypes can potentially be considered in nature conservation to restore populations and/or increase population viability, especially in small inbred or maladapted populations.}, 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{BragaGomezAparicioHegeretal.2018, author = {Braga, Raul Renno and Gomez-Aparicio, Lorena and Heger, Tina and Simoes Vitule, Jean Ricardo and Jeschke, Jonathan M.}, title = {Structuring evidence for invasional meltdown}, series = {Biological invasions : unique international journal uniting scientists in the broad field of biological invasions}, volume = {20}, journal = {Biological invasions : unique international journal uniting scientists in the broad field of biological invasions}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1387-3547}, doi = {10.1007/s10530-017-1582-2}, pages = {923 -- 936}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Negative interactions have been suggested as a major barrier for species arriving in a new habitat. More recently, positive interactions drew attention from community assembly theory and invasion science. The invasional meltdown hypothesis (IMH) introduced the idea that positive interactions among non-native species could facilitate one another's invasion, even increasing their impact upon the native community. Many studies have addressed IMH, but with contrasting results, reflecting various types of evidence on a multitude of scales. Here we use the hierarchy-of-hypotheses (HoH) approach to differentiate key aspects of IMH, organizing and linking empirical studies to sub-hypotheses of IMH. We also assess the level of empirical support for each sub-hypothesis based on the evidence reported in the studies. We identified 150 studies addressing IMH. The majority of studies support IMH, but the evidence comes from studies with different aims and questions. Supporting studies at the community or ecosystem level are currently rare. Evidence is scarce for marine habitats and vertebrates. Few sub-hypotheses are questioned by more than 50\% of the evaluated studies, indicating that non-native species do not affect each other's survival, growth, reproduction, abundance, density or biomass in reciprocal A ↔ B interactions. With the HoH for IMH presented here, we can monitor progress in empirical tests and evidences of IMH. For instance, more tests at the community and ecosystem level are needed, as these are necessary to address the core of this hypothesis.}, language = {en} } @article{NitschKaupenjohannWulf2018, author = {Nitsch, Paula and Kaupenjohann, Martin and Wulf, Monika}, title = {Forest continuity, soil depth and tree species are important parameters for SOC stocks in an old forest (Templiner Buchheide, northeast Germany)}, series = {Geoderma : an international journal of soil science}, volume = {310}, journal = {Geoderma : an international journal of soil science}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0016-7061}, doi = {10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.08.041}, pages = {65 -- 76}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Forest mineral soils have the potential to accumulate large amounts of carbon (C). Numerous factors, which have often been insufficiently studied, affect soil organic C (SOC) stocks. Detailed knowledge of variation in SOC storage is important to assess the C accumulation potential of forest soils. To examine the impacts of forest continuity, soil depth and tree species on SOC stocks, 15 ancient ( > 230 years of forest continuity) and 15 old ( > 100 but < 200 years of forest continuity) forest soils, topsoil and subsoil in the Templiner Buchheide (Brandenburg, NE Germany) were compared. The old forest sites were afforested on former grassland or wasteland. On all sites grew one of three dominant tree species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) or oak (Quercus spec.). Pine forest sites had been underplanted with beech and were mixed-species stands. Soil samples were taken down to a mean depth of 55 cm. Total contents of SOC, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg); soil pH; and bulk densities were determined. The soils of ancient forest sites stored significantly more total SOC, N, P, S, K and Mg than did the old ones. Mean total SOC stocks in ancient forests of all three tree species were 12-17\% larger compared with those in old forests. Significant differences in SOC stocks between the two forest continuity groups appeared only in subsoil and not in topsoil. Pine forest stored larger SOC stocks than did beech and oak forests. Significant differences were found between ancient pine and oak forests and between ancient beech and oak forests. Soils in ancient beech and pine forests at depths of between 29 and 55 cm contained, on average, even 50\% larger SOC stocks than did soils at the same depths in ancient oak forests and in all old forests. Forest continuity significantly affected SOC stocks. These results support previous studies that old forests are still able to enrich SOC. Although soil samples were carried out to a mean depth of only 55 cm, the results indicate that differences in SOC stocks between ancient and old forest could also be found in deeper soil layers. It was suggested that beech and mixed-species stands of beech and pine and total soil P stocks had a positive effect on SOC stocks in subsoil. To understand SOC accumulation in forests, especially in subsoil, with a forest continuity of > 100 years, the role of different tree species and of total P cycling in forests, deeper sampling depths and repeated sampling would be required.}, language = {en} } @article{BeaumontWarringtonCavadinoetal.2018, author = {Beaumont, Robin N. and Warrington, Nicole M. and Cavadino, Alana and Tyrrell, Jessica and Nodzenski, Michael and Horikoshi, Momoko and Geller, Frank and Myhre, Ronny and Richmond, Rebecca C. and Paternoster, Lavinia and Bradfield, Jonathan P. and Kreiner-Moller, Eskil and Huikari, Ville and Metrustry, Sarah and Lunetta, Kathryn L. and Painter, Jodie N. and Hottenga, Jouke-Jan and Allard, Catherine and Barton, Sheila J. and Espinosa, Ana and Marsh, Julie A. and Potter, Catherine and Zhang, Ge and Ang, Wei and Berry, Diane J. and Bouchard, Luigi and Das, Shikta and Hakonarson, Hakon and Heikkinen, Jani and Helgeland, Oyvind and Hocher, Berthold and Hofman, Albert and Inskip, Hazel M. and Jones, Samuel E. and Kogevinas, Manolis and Lind, Penelope A. and Marullo, Letizia and Medland, Sarah E. and Murray, Anna and Murray, Jeffrey C. and Njolstad, Pal R. and Nohr, Ellen A. and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Ring, Susan M. and Ruth, Katherine S. and Santa-Marina, Loreto and Scholtens, Denise M. and Sebert, Sylvain and Sengpiel, Verena and Tuke, Marcus A. and Vaudel, Marc and Weedon, Michael N. and Willemsen, Gonneke and Wood, Andrew R. and Yaghootkar, Hanieh and Muglia, Louis J. and Bartels, Meike and Relton, Caroline L. and Pennell, Craig E. and Chatzi, Leda and Estivill, Xavier and Holloway, John W. and Boomsma, Dorret I. and Montgomery, Grant W. and Murabito, Joanne M. and Spector, Tim D. and Power, Christine and Jarvelin, Marjo-Ritta and Bisgaard, Hans and Grant, Struan F. A. and Sorensen, Thorkild I. A. and Jaddoe, Vincent W. and Jacobsson, Bo and Melbye, Mads and McCarthy, Mark I. and Hattersley, Andrew T. and Hayes, M. Geoffrey and Frayling, Timothy M. and Hivert, Marie-France and Felix, Janine F. and Hypponen, Elina and Lowe, William L. and Evans, David M. and Lawlor, Debbie A. and Feenstra, Bjarke and Freathy, Rachel M.}, title = {Genome-wide association study of offspring birth weight in 86 577 women identifies five novel loci and highlights maternal genetic effects that are independent of fetal genetics}, series = {Human molecular genetics}, volume = {27}, journal = {Human molecular genetics}, number = {4}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, organization = {Early Growth Genetics EGG}, issn = {0964-6906}, doi = {10.1093/hmg/ddx429}, pages = {742 -- 756}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Genome-wide association studies of birth weight have focused on fetal genetics, whereas relatively little is known about the role of maternal genetic variation. We aimed to identify maternal genetic variants associated with birth weight that could highlight potentially relevant maternal determinants of fetal growth. We meta-analysed data on up to 8.7 million SNPs in up to 86 577 women of European descent from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the UK Biobank. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) and analyses of mother-child pairs to quantify the separate maternal and fetal genetic effects. Maternal SNPs at 10 loci (MTNR1B, HMGA2, SH2B3, KCNAB1, L3MBTL3, GCK, EBF1, TCF7L2, ACTL9, CYP3A7) were associated with offspring birth weight at P< 5 x 10(-8). In SEM analyses, at least 7 of the 10 associations were consistent with effects of the maternal genotype acting via the intrauterine environment, rather than via effects of shared alleles with the fetus. Variants, or correlated proxies, at many of the loci had been previously associated with adult traits, including fasting glucose (MTNR1B, GCK and TCF7L2) and sex hormone levels (CYP3A7), and one (EBF1) with gestational duration. The identified associations indicate that genetic effects on maternal glucose, cytochrome P450 activity and gestational duration, and potentially on maternal blood pressure and immune function, are relevant for fetal growth. Further characterization of these associations in mechanistic and causal analyses will enhance understanding of the potentially modifiable maternal determinants of fetal growth, with the goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with low and high birth weights.}, language = {en} } @article{ParkKrauseKarnahletal.2018, author = {Park, Misoon and Krause, Cornelia and Karnahl, Matthias and Reichardt, Ilka and El Kasmi, Farid and Mayer, Ulrike and Stierhof, York-Dieter and Hiller, Ulrike and Strompen, Georg and Bayer, Martin and Kientz, Marika and Sato, Masa H. and Nishimura, Marc T. and Dangl, Jeffery L. and Sanderfoot, Anton A. and J{\"u}rgens, Gerd}, title = {Concerted Action of Evolutionarily Ancient and Novel SNARE Complexes in Flowering-Plant Cytokinesis}, series = {Developmental cell}, volume = {44}, journal = {Developmental cell}, number = {4}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1534-5807}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.027}, pages = {500 -- +}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Membrane vesicles delivered to the cell-division plane fuse with one another to form the partitioning membrane during plant cytokinesis, starting in the cell center. In Arabidopsis, this requires SNARE complexes involving the cytokinesis-specific Qa-SNARE KNOLLE. However, cytokinesis still occurs in knolle mutant embryos, suggesting contributions from KNOLLE-independent SNARE complexes. Here we show that Qa-SNARE SYP132, having counterparts in lower plants, functionally overlaps with the flowering plant-specific KNOLLE. SYP132 mutation causes cytokinesis defects, knolle syp132 double mutants consist of only one or a few multi-nucleate cells, and SYP132 has the same SNARE partners as KNOLLE. SYP132 and KNOLLE also have non-overlapping functions in secretion and in cellularization of the embryo-nourishing endosperm resulting from double fertilization unique to flowering plants. Evolutionarily ancient non-specialized SNARE complexes originating in algae were thus amended by the appearance of cytokinesis-specific SNARE complexes, meeting the high demand for membrane-fusion capacity during endosperm cellularization in angiosperms.}, language = {en} } @article{KaufmannDuffusMitrovaetal.2018, author = {Kaufmann, Hans Paul and Duffus, Benjamin R. and Mitrova, Biljana and Iobbi-Nivol, Chantal and Teutloff, Christian and Nimtz, Manfred and Jaensch, Lothar and Wollenberger, Ulla and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {Modulating the Molybdenum Coordination Sphere of Escherichia coli Trimethylamie N-Oxide Reductase}, series = {Biochemistry}, volume = {57}, journal = {Biochemistry}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0006-2960}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01108}, pages = {1130 -- 1143}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The well-studied enterobacterium Escherichia coli present in the human gut can reduce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) to trimethylamine during anaerobic respiration. The TMAO reductase TorA is a monomeric, bis-molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide (bis-MGD) cofactor-containing enzyme that belongs to the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase family of molybdoenzymes. We report on a system for the in vitro reconstitution of TorA with molybdenum cofactors (Moco) from different sources. Higher TMAO reductase activities for TorA were obtained when using Moco sources containing a sulfido ligand at the molybdenum atom. For the first time, we were able to isolate functional bis-MGD from Rhodobacter capsulatus formate dehydrogenase (FDH), which remained intact in its isolated state and after insertion into apo-TorA yielded a highly active enzyme. Combined characterizations of the reconstituted TorA enzymes by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and direct electrochemistry emphasize that TorA activity can be modified by changes in the Mo coordination sphere. The combination of these results together with studies of amino acid exchanges at the active site led us to propose a novel model for binding of the substrate to the molybdenum atom of TorA.}, language = {en} } @article{SustrHlavačekDuschletal.2018, author = {Sustr, David and Hlav{\´a}ček, Anton{\´i}n and Duschl, Claus and Volodkin, Dmitry}, title = {Multi-fractional analysis of molecular diffusion in polymer multilayers by FRAP}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1520-6106}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b11051}, pages = {1323 -- 1333}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Comprehensive analysis of the multifractional molecular diffusion provides a deeper understanding of the diffusion phenomenon in the fields of material science, molecular and cell biology, advanced biomaterials, etc. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is commonly employed to probe the molecular diffusion. Despite FRAP being a very popular method, it is not easy to assess multifractional molecular diffusion due to limited possibilities of approaches for analysis. Here we present a novel simulation-optimization-based approach (S-approach) that significantly broadens possibilities of the analysis. In the S-approach, possible fluorescence recovery scenarios are primarily simulated and afterward compared with a real measurement while optimizing parameters of a model until a sufficient match is achieved. This makes it possible to reveal multifractional molecular diffusion. Fluorescent latex particles of different size and fluorescein isothiocyanate in an aqueous medium were utilized as test systems. Finally, the S-approach has been used to evaluate diffusion of cytochrome c loaded into multilayers made of hyaluronan and polylysine. Software for evaluation of multifractional molecular diffusion by S-approach has been developed aiming to offer maximal versatility and user-friendly way for analysis.}, language = {en} } @article{KuecuekgoezeLeimkuehler2018, author = {K{\"u}{\c{c}}{\"u}kg{\"o}ze, G{\"o}khan and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {Direct comparison of the four aldehyde oxidase enzymes present in mouse gives insight into their substrate specificities}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {13}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {1}, publisher = {Public Library of Science}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0191819}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Mammalian aldehyde oxidases (AOXs) are molybdo-flavoenzymes which are present in many tissues in various mammalian species, including humans and rodents. Different species contain a different number of AOX isoforms. In particular, the reasons why mammals other than humans express a multiplicity of tissue-specific AOX enzymes is unknown. In mouse, the isoforms mAOX1, mAOX3, mAOX4 and mAOX2 are present. We previously established a codon-optimized heterologous expression systems for the mAOX1-4 isoforms in Escherichia coli that gives yield to sufficient amounts of active protein for kinetic characterizations and sets the basis in this study for site-directed mutagenesis and structure-function studies. A direct and simultaneous comparison of the enzymatic properties and characteristics of the four enzymes on a larger number of substrates has never been performed. Here, thirty different structurally related aromatic, aliphatic and N-heterocyclic compounds were used as substrates, and the kinetic parameters of all four mAOX enzymes were directly compared. The results show that especially mAOX4 displays a higher substrate selectivity, while no major differences between mAOX1, mAOX2 and mAOX3 were identified. Generally, mAOX1 was the enzyme with the highest catalytic turnover for most substrates. To understand the factors that contribute to the substrate specificity of mAOX4, site-directed mutagenesis was applied to substitute amino acids in the substrate-binding funnel by the ones present in mAOX1, mAOX3, and mAOX2. An increase in activity was obtained by the amino acid exchange M1088V in the active site identified to be specific for mAOX4, to the amino acid identified in mAOX3.}, language = {en} } @misc{LucknerDunsingChiantiaetal.2018, author = {Luckner, Madlen and Dunsing, Valentin and Chiantia, Salvatore and Hermann, Andreas}, title = {Oligomerization and nuclear shuttling dynamics of viral proteins studied by quantitative molecular brightness analysis using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy}, series = {Biophysical journal}, volume = {114}, journal = {Biophysical journal}, number = {3}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0006-3495}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2017.11.1951}, pages = {350A -- 350A}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @misc{DunsingMagnusLiebschetal.2018, author = {Dunsing, Valentin and Magnus, Mayer and Liebsch, Filip and Multhaup, Gerhard and Chiantia, Salvatore}, title = {Direct Evidence of APLP1 Trans Interactions in Cell-Cell Adhesion Platforms Investigated via Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy}, series = {Biophysical journal}, volume = {114}, journal = {Biophysical journal}, number = {3}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0006-3495}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2017.11.2067}, pages = {373A -- 373A}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The Amyloid-precursor-like protein 1 (APLP1) is a neuronal type I transmembrane protein which plays a role in synaptic adhesion and synaptogenesis. Past investigations indicated that APLP1 is involved in the formation of protein-protein complexes that bridge the junctions between neighboring cells. Nevertheless, APLP1-APLP1 trans interactions have never been directly observed in higher eukaryotic cells. Here, we investigate APLP1 interactions and dynamics directly in living human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, using fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy techniques, namely cross-correlation scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (sFCS) and Number\&Brightness (N\&B). Our results show that APLP1 forms homotypic trans complexes at cell-cell contacts. In the presence of zinc ions, the protein forms macroscopic clusters, exhibiting an even higher degree of trans binding and strongly reduced dynamics. Further evidence from Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles and live cell actin staining suggests that the presence of an intact cortical cytoskeleton is required for zinc-induced cis multimerization. Subsequently, large adhesion platforms bridging interacting cells are formed through APLP1-APLP1 direct trans interactions. Taken together, our results provide direct evidence that APLP1 functions as a neuronal zinc-dependent adhesion protein and provide a more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of APLP1 adhesion platforms. Further, they show that fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy techniques are useful tools for the investigation of protein-protein interactions at cell-cell adhesion sites.}, language = {en} } @article{StoesselSchultedosSantosetal.2018, author = {Stoessel, Daniel and Schulte, Claudia and dos Santos, Marcia C. Teixeira and Scheller, Dieter and Rebollo-Mesa, Irene and Deuschle, Christian and Walther, Dirk and Schauer, Nicolas and Berg, Daniela and da Costa, Andre Nogueira and Maetzler, Walter}, title = {Promising Metabolite Profiles in the Plasma and CSF of Early Clinical}, series = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1663-4365}, doi = {10.3389/fnagi.2018.00051}, pages = {14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Parkinson's disease (PD) shows high heterogeneity with regard to the underlying molecular pathogenesis involving multiple pathways and mechanisms. Diagnosis is still challenging and rests entirely on clinical features. Thus, there is an urgent need for robust diagnostic biofluid markers. Untargeted metabolomics allows establishing low-molecular compound biomarkers in a wide range of complex diseases by the measurement of various molecular classes in biofluids such as blood plasma, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Here, we applied untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine plasma and CSF metabolite profiles. We semiquantitatively determined small-molecule levels (<= 1.5 kDa) in the plasma and CSF from early PD patients (disease duration 0-4 years; n = 80 and 40, respectively), and sex-and age-matched controls (n = 76 and 38, respectively). We performed statistical analyses utilizing partial least square and random forest analysis with a 70/30 training and testing split approach, leading to the identification of 20 promising plasma and 14 CSF metabolites. The semetabolites differentiated the test set with an AUC of 0.8 (plasma) and 0.9 (CSF). Characteristics of the metabolites indicate perturbations in the glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, and amino acid metabolism in PD, which underscores the high power of metabolomic approaches. Further studies will enable to develop a potential metabolite-based biomarker panel specific for PD}, language = {en} } @article{PalkopoulouLipsonMallicketal.2018, author = {Palkopoulou, Eleftheria and Lipson, Mark and Mallick, Swapan and Nielsen, Svend and Rohland, Nadin and Baleka, Sina Isabelle and Karpinski, Emil and Ivancevici, Atma M. and Thu-Hien To, and Kortschak, Daniel and Raison, Joy M. and Qu, Zhipeng and Chin, Tat-Jun and Alt, Kurt W. and Claesson, Stefan and Dalen, Love and MacPhee, Ross D. E. and Meller, Harald and Rocar, Alfred L. and Ryder, Oliver A. and Heiman, David and Young, Sarah and Breen, Matthew and Williams, Christina and Aken, Bronwen L. and Ruffier, Magali and Karlsson, Elinor and Johnson, Jeremy and Di Palma, Federica and Alfoldi, Jessica and Adelsoni, David L. and Mailund, Thomas and Munch, Kasper and Lindblad-Toh, Kerstin and Hofreiter, Michael and Poinar, Hendrik and Reich, David}, title = {A comprehensive genomic history of extinct and living elephants}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {11}, publisher = {National Acad. of Sciences}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1720554115}, pages = {E2566 -- E2574}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{WutkeSandovalCastellanosBeneckeetal.2018, author = {Wutke, Saskia and Sandoval-Castellanos, Edson and Benecke, Norbert and D{\"o}hle, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Friederich, Susanne and Gonzalez, Javier and Hofreiter, Michael and Lougas, Lembi and Magnell, Ola and Malaspinas, Anna-Sapfo and Morales-Muniz, Arturo and Orlando, Ludovic and Reissmann, Monika and Trinks, Alexandra and Ludwig, Arne}, title = {Decline of genetic diversity in ancient domestic stallions in Europe}, series = {Science Advances}, volume = {4}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2375-2548}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aap9691}, pages = {7}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Present-day domestic horses are immensely diverse in their maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, yet they show very little variation on their paternally inherited Y chromosome. Although it has recently been shown that Y chromosomal diversity in domestic horses was higher at least until the Iron Age, when and why this diversity disappeared remain controversial questions. We genotyped 16 recently discovered Y chromosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 96 ancient Eurasian stallions spanning the early domestication stages (Copper and Bronze Age) to the Middle Ages. Using this Y chromosomal time series, which covers nearly the entire history of horse domestication, we reveal how Y chromosomal diversity changed over time. Our results also show that the lack of multiple stallion lineages in the extant domestic population is caused by neither a founder effect nor random demographic effects but instead is the result of artificial selection-initially during the Iron Age by nomadic people from the Eurasian steppes and later during the Roman period. Moreover, the modern domestic haplotype probably derived from another, already advantageous, haplotype, most likely after the beginning of the domestication. In line with recent findings indicating that the Przewalski and domestic horse lineages remained connected by gene flow after they diverged about 45,000 years ago, we present evidence for Y chromosomal introgression of Przewalski horses into the gene pool of European domestic horses at least until medieval times.}, language = {en} } @misc{DammhahnDingemanseNiemelaeetal.2018, author = {Dammhahn, Melanie and Dingemanse, Niels J. and Niemelae, Petri T. and Reale, Denis}, title = {Pace-of-life syndromes}, series = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, volume = {72}, journal = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0340-5443}, doi = {10.1007/s00265-018-2473-y}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This introduction to the topical collection on Pace-of-life syndromes: a framework for the adaptive integration of behaviour, physiology, and life history provides an overview of conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and empirical progress in research on pace-of-life syndromes (POLSs) over the last decade. The topical collection has two main goals. First, we briefly describe the history of POLS research and provide a refined definition of POLS that is applicable to various key levels of variation (genetic, individual, population, species). Second, we summarise the main lessons learned from current POLS research included in this topical collection. Based on an assessment of the current state of the theoretical foundations and the empirical support of the POLS hypothesis, we propose (i) conceptual refinements of theory, particularly with respect to the role of ecology in the evolution of (sexual dimorphism in) POLS, and (ii) methodological and statistical approaches to the study of POLS at all major levels of variation. This topical collection further holds (iii) key empirical examples demonstrating how POLS structures may be studied in wild populations of (non) human animals, and (iv) a modelling paper predicting POLS under various ecological conditions. Future POLS research will profit from the development of more explicit theoretical models and stringent empirical tests of model assumptions and predictions, increased focus on how ecology shapes (sex-specific) POLS structures at multiple hierarchical levels, and the usage of appropriate statistical tests and study designs. Significance statement As an introduction to the topical collection, we summarise current conceptual, theoretical, methodological and empirical progress in research on pace-of-life syndromes (POLSs), a framework for the adaptive integration of behaviour, physiology and life history at multiple hierarchical levels of variation (genetic, individual, population, species). Mixed empirical support of POLSs, particularly at the within-species level, calls for an evaluation and refinement of the hypothesis. We provide a refined definition of POLSs facilitating testable predictions. Future research on POLSs will profit from the development of more explicit theoretical models and stringent empirical tests of model assumptions and predictions, increased focus on how ecology shapes (sex-specific) POLSs structures at multiple hierarchical levels and the usage of appropriate statistical tests and study designs.}, language = {en} } @misc{WiegmannRutschmannWillemsen2018, author = {Wiegmann, Alex and Rutschmann, Ronja and Willemsen, Pascale}, title = {Correction to: Empirically Investigating the Concept of Lying (vol 34, pg 591, 2017)}, series = {Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research}, volume = {35}, journal = {Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New Dehli}, issn = {0970-7794}, doi = {10.1007/s40961-017-0123-9}, pages = {223 -- 223}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{SchedinaGrothSchluppetal.2018, author = {Schedina, Ina Maria and Groth, Detlef and Schlupp, Ingo and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {The gonadal transcriptome of the unisexual Amazon molly Poecilia formosa in comparison to its sexual ancestors, Poecilia mexicana and Poecilia latipinna}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {12}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2164}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-017-4382-2}, pages = {1 -- 18}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background The unisexual Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) originated from a hybridization between two sexual species, the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) and the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana). The Amazon molly reproduces clonally via sperm-dependent parthenogenesis (gynogenesis), in which the sperm of closely related species triggers embryogenesis of the apomictic oocytes, but typically does not contribute genetic material to the next generation. We compare for the first time the gonadal transcriptome of the Amazon molly to those of both ancestral species, P. mexicana and P. latipinna. Results We sequenced the gonadal transcriptomes of the P. formosa and its parental species P. mexicana and P. latipinna using Illumina RNA-sequencing techniques (paired-end, 100 bp). De novo assembly of about 50 million raw read pairs for each species was performed using Trinity, yielding 106,922 transcripts for P. formosa, 115,175 for P. latipinna, and 133,025 for P. mexicana after eliminating contaminations. On the basis of sequence similarity comparisons to other teleost species and the UniProt databases, functional annotation, and differential expression analysis, we demonstrate the similarity of the transcriptomes among the three species. More than 40\% of the transcripts for each species were functionally annotated and about 70\% were assigned to orthologous genes of a closely related species. Differential expression analysis between the sexual and unisexual species uncovered 2035 up-regulated and 564 down-regulated genes in P. formosa. This was exemplary validated for six genes by qRT-PCR. Conclusions We identified more than 130 genes related to meiosis and reproduction within the apomictically reproducing P. formosa. Overall expression of these genes seems to be down-regulated in the P. formosa transcriptome compared to both ancestral species (i.e., 106 genes down-regulated, 29 up-regulated). A further 35 meiosis and reproduction related genes were not found in the P. formosa transcriptome, but were only expressed in the sexual species. Our data support the hypothesis of general down-regulation of meiosis-related genes in the apomictic Amazon molly. Furthermore, the obtained dataset and identified gene catalog will serve as a resource for future research on the molecular mechanisms behind the reproductive mode of this unisexual species.}, language = {en} } @article{SchererTiedemannSchlupp2018, author = {Scherer, Ulrike and Tiedemann, Ralph and Schlupp, Ingo}, title = {Male size, not female preferences influence female reproductive success in a poeciliid fish (Poecilia latipinna)}, series = {BMC Research Notes}, volume = {11}, journal = {BMC Research Notes}, number = {364}, publisher = {Biomed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1756-0500}, doi = {10.1186/s13104-018-3487-2}, pages = {1 -- 5}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Objective We investigated the potential role of indirect benefits for female mate preferences in a highly promiscuous species of live-bearing fishes, the sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna using an integrative approach that combines methods from animal behavior, life-history evolution, and genetics. Males of this species solely contribute sperm for reproduction, and consequently females do not receive any direct benefits. Despite this, females typically show clear mate preferences. It has been suggested that females can increase their reproductive success through indirect benefits from choosing males of higher quality. Results Although preferences for large body size have been recorded as an honest signal for genetic quality, this particular study resulted in female preference being unaffected by male body size. Nonetheless, larger males did sire more offspring, but with no effect on offspring quality. This study presents a methodical innovation by combining preference testing with life history measurements—such as the determination of the dry weight of fish embryos—and paternity analyses on single fish embryos.}, language = {en} } @misc{RomeroMujalliJeltschTiedemann2018, author = {Romero-Mujalli, Daniel and Jeltsch, Florian and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Individual-based modeling of eco-evolutionary dynamics}, series = {Regional environmental change}, volume = {19}, journal = {Regional environmental change}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1436-3798}, doi = {10.1007/s10113-018-1406-7}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A challenge for eco-evolutionary research is to better understand the effect of climate and landscape changes on species and their distribution. Populations of species can respond to changes in their environment through local genetic adaptation or plasticity, dispersal, or local extinction. The individual-based modeling (IBM) approach has been repeatedly applied to assess organismic responses to environmental changes. IBMs simulate emerging adaptive behaviors from the basic entities upon which both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms act. The objective of this review is to summarize the state of the art of eco-evolutionary IBMs and to explore to what degree they already address the key responses of organisms to environmental change. In this, we identify promising approaches and potential knowledge gaps in the implementation of eco-evolutionary mechanisms to motivate future research. Using mainly the ISI Web of Science, we reveal that most of the progress in eco-evolutionary IBMs in the last decades was achieved for genetic adaptation to novel local environmental conditions. There is, however, not a single eco-evolutionary IBM addressing the three potential adaptive responses simultaneously. Additionally, IBMs implementing adaptive phenotypic plasticity are rare. Most commonly, plasticity was implemented as random noise or reaction norms. Our review further identifies a current lack of models where plasticity is an evolving trait. Future eco-evolutionary models should consider dispersal and plasticity as evolving traits with their associated costs and benefits. Such an integrated approach could help to identify conditions promoting population persistence depending on the life history strategy of organisms and the environment they experience.}, language = {en} } @article{SchnitzlerReckendorfPinzoneetal.2018, author = {Schnitzler, Joseph G. and Reckendorf, Anja and Pinzone, Marianna and Autenrieth, Marijke and Tiedemann, Ralph and Covaci, Adrian and Malarvannan, Govindan and Ruser, Andreas and Das, Krishna and Siebert, Ursula}, title = {Supporting evidence for PCB pollution threatening global killer whale population}, series = {Aquatic Toxicology}, volume = {206}, journal = {Aquatic Toxicology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0166-445X}, doi = {10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.11.008}, pages = {102 -- 104}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A recent Science report predicted the global killer whale population to collapse due to PCB pollution. Here we present empirical evidence, which supports and extends the reports' statement. In 2016, a neonate male killer whale stranded on the German island of Sylt. Neonatal attributes indicated an age of at least 3 days. The stomach contained ∼20 mL milk residue and no pathologies explaining the cause of death could be detected. Blubber samples presenting low lipid concentrations were analysed for persistent organic pollutants. Skin samples were collected for genotyping of the mitochondrial control region. The blubber PCB concentrations were very high [SPCBs, 225 mg/kg lipid weight (lw)], largely exceeding the PCB toxicity thresholds reported for the onset of immunosuppression [9 mg/kg lw ∑PCB] and for severe reproductive impairment [41 mg/kg lw ∑PCB] reported for marine mammals. Additionally, this individual showed equally high concentrations in p,p'-DDE [226 mg/kg lw], PBDEs [5 mg/kg lw] and liver mercury levels [1.1 μg/g dry weight dw]. These results suggest a high placental transfer of pollutants from mother to foetus. Consequently, blubber and plasma PCB concentrations and calf mortality rates are both high in primiparous females. With such high pollutant levels, this neonate had poor prerequisites for survival. The neonate belonged to Ecotype I (generalist feeder) and carried the mitochondrial haplotype 35 present in about 16\% of the North Atlantic killer whale from or close to the North Sea. The relevance of this data becomes apparent in the UK West Coast Community, the UK's only residentorca population, which is currently composed of only eight individuals (each four males and females) and no calves have been reported over the last 19 years.Despite worldwide regulations, PCBs persist in the environment and remain a severe concern for killer whale populations, placing calves at high risk due to the mother-offspring PCB-transfer resulting in a high toxicological burden of the neonates.}, language = {en} } @article{SenczukHavensteinMilanaetal.2018, author = {Senczuk, Gabriele and Havenstein, Katja and Milana, Valentina and Ripa, Chiara and De Simone, Emanuela and Tiedemann, Ralph and Castiglia, Riccardo}, title = {Spotlight on islands}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-33326-w}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Groups of proximate continental islands may conceal more tangled phylogeographic patterns than oceanic archipelagos as a consequence of repeated sea level changes, which allow populations to experience gene flow during periods of low sea level stands and isolation by vicariant mechanisms during periods of high sea level stands. Here, we describe for the first time an ancient and diverging lineage of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus from the western Pontine Islands. We used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences of 156 individuals with the aim of unraveling their phylogenetic position, while microsatellite loci were used to test several a priori insular biogeographic models of migration with empirical data. Our results suggest that the western Pontine populations colonized the islands early during their Pliocene volcanic formation, while populations from the eastern Pontine Islands seem to have been introduced recently. The inter-island genetic makeup indicates an important role of historical migration, probably due to glacial land bridges connecting islands followed by a recent vicariant mechanism of isolation. Moreover, the most supported migration model predicted higher gene flow among islands which are geographically arranged in parallel. Considering the threatened status of small insular endemic populations, we suggest this new evolutionarily independent unit be given priority in conservation efforts.}, language = {en} } @article{ParaskevopoulouTiedemannWeithoff2018, author = {Paraskevopoulou, Sofia and Tiedemann, Ralph and Weithoff, Guntram}, title = {Differential response to heat stress among evolutionary lineages of an aquatic invertebrate species complex}, series = {Biology letters}, volume = {14}, journal = {Biology letters}, number = {11}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {1744-9561}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2018.0498}, pages = {5}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Under global warming scenarios, rising temperatures can constitute heat stress to which species may respond differentially. Within a described species, knowledge on cryptic diversity is of further relevance, as different lineages/cryptic species may respond differentially to environmental change. The Brachionus calyciflorus species complex (Rotifera), which was recently described using integrative taxonomy, is an essential component of aquatic ecosystems. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these (formerly cryptic) species differ in their heat tolerance. We assigned 47 clones with nuclear ITS1 (nuITS1) and mitochondrial COI (mtCOI) markers to evolutionary lineages, now named B. calyciflorus sensu stricto (s.s.) and B. fernandoi. We selected 15 representative clones and assessed their heat tolerance as a bi-dimensional phenotypic trait affected by both the intensity and duration of heat stress. We found two distinct groups, with B. calyciflorus s.s. clones having higher heat tolerance than the novel species B. fernandoi. This apparent temperature specialization among former cryptic species underscores the necessity of a sound species delimitation and assignment, when organismal responses to environmental changes are investigated.}, language = {en} } @article{ReckendorfLudesWehrmeisterWohlseinetal.2018, author = {Reckendorf, Anja and Ludes-Wehrmeister, Eva and Wohlsein, Peter and Tiedemann, Ralph and Siebert, U. and Lehnert, Kristina}, title = {First record of Halocercus sp (Pseudaliidae) lungworm infections in two stranded neonatal orcas (Orcinus orca)}, series = {Parasitology}, volume = {145}, journal = {Parasitology}, number = {12}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {0031-1820}, doi = {10.1017/S0031182018000586}, pages = {1553 -- 1557}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Orca (Orcinus orca) strandings are rare and post-mortem examinations on fresh individuals are scarce. Thus, little is known about their parasitological fauna, prevalence of infections, associated pathology and the impact on their health. During post-mortem examinations of two male neonatal orcas stranded in Germany and Norway, lungworm infections were found within the bronchi of both individuals. The nematodes were identified as Halocercus sp. (Pseudaliidae), which have been described in the respiratory tract of multiple odontocete species, but not yet in orcas. The life cycle and transmission pathways of some pseudaliid nematodes are incompletely understood. Lungworm infections in neonatal cetaceans are an unusual finding and thus seem to be an indicator for direct mother-to-calf transmission (transplacental or transmammary) of Halocercus sp. nematodes in orcas.}, language = {en} } @misc{AutenriethErnstDeavilleetal.2018, author = {Autenrieth, Marijke and Ernst, Anja and Deaville, Rob and Demaret, Fabien and Ijsseldijk, Lonneke L. and Siebert, Ursula and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Putative origin and maternal relatedness of male sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) recently stranded in the North Sea}, series = {Mammalian biology = Zeitschrift f{\"u}r S{\"a}ugetierkunde}, volume = {88}, journal = {Mammalian biology = Zeitschrift f{\"u}r S{\"a}ugetierkunde}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {1616-5047}, doi = {10.1016/j.mambio.2017.09.003}, pages = {156 -- 160}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The globally distributed sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has a partly matrilineal social structure with predominant male dispersal. At the beginning of 2016, a total of 30 male sperm whales stranded in five different countries bordering the southern North Sea. It has been postulated that these individuals were on a migration route from the north to warmer temperate and tropical waters where females live in social groups. By including samples from four countries (n = 27), this event provided a unique chance to genetically investigate the maternal relatedness and the putative origin of these temporally and spatially co-occuring male sperm whales. To utilize existing genetic resources, we sequenced 422 bp of the mitochondrial control region, a molecular marker for which sperm whale data are readily available from the entire distribution range. Based on four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the mitochondrial control region, five matrilines could be distinguished within the stranded specimens, four of which matched published haplotypes previously described in the Atlantic. Among these male sperm whales, multiple matrilineal lineages co-occur. We analyzed the population differentiation and could show that the genetic diversity of these male sperm whales is comparable to the genetic diversity in sperm whales from the entire Atlantic Ocean. We confirm that within this stranding event, males do not comprise maternally related individuals and apparently include assemblages of individuals from different geographic regions. (c) 2017 Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Saugetierkunde. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuLaemkeLinetal.2018, author = {Liu, Hsiang-chin and L{\"a}mke, J{\"o}rn and Lin, Siou-ying and Hung, Meng-Ju and Liu, Kuan-Ming and Charng, Yee-yung and B{\"a}urle, Isabel}, title = {Distinct heat shock factors and chromatin modifications mediate the organ-autonomous transcriptional memory of heat stress}, series = {The plant journal}, volume = {95}, journal = {The plant journal}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0960-7412}, doi = {10.1111/tpj.13958}, pages = {401 -- 413}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Plants can be primed by a stress cue to mount a faster or stronger activation of defense mechanisms upon subsequent stress. A crucial component of such stress priming is the modified reactivation of genes upon recurring stress; however, the underlying mechanisms of this are poorly understood. Here, we report that dozens of Arabidopsis thaliana genes display transcriptional memory, i.e. stronger upregulation after a recurring heat stress, that lasts for at least 3 days. We define a set of transcription factors involved in this memory response and show that the transcriptional memory results in enhanced transcriptional activation within minutes of the onset of a heat stress cue. Further, we show that the transcriptional memory is active in all tissues. It may last for up to a week, and is associated during this time with histone H3 lysine 4 hypermethylation. This transcriptional memory is cis-encoded, as we identify a promoter fragment that confers memory onto a heterologous gene. In summary, heat-induced transcriptional memory is a widespread and sustained response, and our study provides a framework for future mechanistic studies of somatic stress memory in higher plants.}, language = {en} } @article{BaeurleBrzezinkaAltmann2018, author = {B{\"a}urle, Isabel and Brzezinka, Krzysztof and Altmann, Simone}, title = {BRUSHY1/TONSOKU/MGOUN3 is required for heat stress memory}, series = {Plant Cell \& Environment}, volume = {42}, journal = {Plant Cell \& Environment}, doi = {10.1111/pce.13365}, pages = {771 -- 781}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Plants encounter biotic and abiotic stresses many times during their life cycle and this limits their productivity. Moderate heat stress (HS) primes a plant to survive higher temperatures that are lethal in the na{\"i}ve state. Once temperature stress subsides, the memory of the priming event is actively retained for several days preparing the plant to better cope with recurring HS. Recently, chromatin regulation at different levels has been implicated in HS memory. Here, we report that the chromatin protein BRUSHY1 (BRU1)/TONSOKU/MGOUN3 plays a role in the HS memory in Arabidopsis thaliana. BRU1 is also involved in transcriptional gene silencing and DNA damage repair. This corresponds with the functions of its mammalian orthologue TONSOKU-LIKE/NFΚBIL2. During HS memory, BRU1 is required to maintain sustained induction of HS memory-associated genes, whereas it is dispensable for the acquisition of thermotolerance. In summary, we report that BRU1 is required for HS memory in A. thaliana, and propose a model where BRU1 mediates the epigenetic inheritance of chromatin states across DNA replication and cell division.}, language = {en} } @article{PitzenAskarzadaGraefetal.2018, author = {Pitzen, Valentin and Askarzada, Sophie and Gr{\"a}f, Ralph and Meyer, Irene}, title = {CDK5RAP2 Is an Essential Scaffolding Protein of the Corona of the Dictyostelium Centrosome}, series = {Cells}, volume = {7}, journal = {Cells}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells7040032}, pages = {17}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Dictyostelium centrosomes consist of a nucleus-associated cylindrical, three-layered core structure surrounded by a corona consisting of microtubule-nucleation complexes embedded in a scaffold of large coiled-coil proteins. One of them is the conserved CDK5RAP2 protein. Here we focus on the role of Dictyostelium CDK5RAP2 for maintenance of centrosome integrity, its interaction partners and its dynamic behavior during interphase and mitosis. GFP-CDK5RAP2 is present at the centrosome during the entire cell cycle except from a short period during prophase, correlating with the normal dissociation of the corona at this stage. RNAi depletion of CDK5RAP2 results in complete disorganization of centrosomes and microtubules suggesting that CDK5RAP2 is required for organization of the corona and its association to the core structure. This is in line with the observation that overexpressed GFP-CDK5RAP2 elicited supernumerary cytosolic MTOCs. The phenotype of CDK5RAP2 depletion was very reminiscent of that observed upon depletion of CP148, another scaffolding protein of the corona. BioID interaction assays revealed an interaction of CDK5RAP2 not only with the corona markers CP148, gamma-tubulin, and CP248, but also with the core components Cep192, CP75, and CP91. Furthermore, protein localization studies in both depletion strains revealed that CP148 and CDK5RAP2 cooperate in corona organization.}, language = {en} } @misc{Graef2018, author = {Gr{\"a}f, Ralph}, title = {Comparative Biology of Centrosomal Structures in Eukaryotes}, series = {Cells}, volume = {7}, journal = {Cells}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells7110202}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The centrosome is not only the largest and most sophisticated protein complex within a eukaryotic cell, in the light of evolution, it is also one of its most ancient organelles. This special issue of "Cells" features representatives of three main, structurally divergent centrosome types, i.e., centriole-containing centrosomes, yeast spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and amoebozoan nucleus-associated bodies (NABs). Here, I discuss their evolution and their key-functions in microtubule organization, mitosis, and cytokinesis. Furthermore, I provide a brief history of centrosome research and highlight recently emerged topics, such as the role of centrioles in ciliogenesis, the relationship of centrosomes and centriolar satellites, the integration of centrosomal structures into the nuclear envelope and the involvement of centrosomal components in non-centrosomal microtubule organization.}, language = {en} } @article{RyllEidenHeuseretal.2018, author = {Ryll, Rene and Eiden, Martin and Heuser, Elisa and Weinhardt, Markus and Ziege, Madlen and Hoeper, Dirk and Groschup, Martin H. and Heckel, Gerald and Johne, Reimar and Ulrich, Rainer G.}, title = {Hepatitis E virus in feral rabbits along a rural-urban transect in Central Germany}, series = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics and infectious diseases (MEEGID)}, volume = {61}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics and infectious diseases (MEEGID)}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1567-1348}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.019}, pages = {155 -- 159}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Rabbit associated genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains were detected in feral, pet and farm rabbits in different parts of the world since 2009 and recently also in human patients. Here, we report a serological and molecular survey on 72 feral rabbits, collected along a rural-urban transect in and next to Frankfurt am Main, Central Germany. ELISA investigations revealed in 25 of 72 (34.7\%) animals HEV-specific antibodies. HEV derived RNA was detected in 18 of 72 (25\%) animals by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The complete genomes from two rabbitHEV-strains, one from a rural site and the other from an inner-city area, were generated by a combination of high-throughput sequencing, a primer walking approach and 5′- and 3′- rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Phylogenetic analysis of open reading frame (ORF)1-derived partial and complete ORF1/ORF2 concatenated coding sequences indicated their similarity to rabbit-associated HEV strains. The partial sequences revealed one cluster of closely-related rabbitHEV sequences from the urban trapping sites that is well separated from several clusters representing rabbitHEV sequences from rural trapping sites. The complete genome sequences of the two novel strains indicated similarities of 75.6-86.4\% to the other 17 rabbitHEV sequences; the amino acid sequence identity of the concatenated ORF1/ORF2-encoded proteins reached 89.0-93.1\%. The detection of rabbitHEV in an inner-city area with a high human population density suggests a high risk of potential human infection with the zoonotic rabbitHEV, either by direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Therefore, future investigations on the occurrence and frequency of human infections with rabbitHEV are warranted in populations with different contact to rabbits.}, language = {en} } @article{MontiglioDammhahnMessieretal.2018, author = {Montiglio, Pierre-Olivier and Dammhahn, Melanie and Messier, Gabrielle Dubuc and Reale, Denis}, title = {The pace-of-life syndrome revisited}, series = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, volume = {72}, journal = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, number = {7}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0340-5443}, doi = {10.1007/s00265-018-2526-2}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The pace-of-life syndrome (i.e., POLS) hypothesis posits that behavioral and physiological traits mediate the trade-off between current and future reproduction. This hypothesis predicts that life history, behavioral, and physiological traits will covary under clearly defined conditions. Empirical tests are equivocal and suggest that the conditions necessary for the POLS to emerge are not always met. We nuance and expand the POLS hypothesis to consider alternative relationships among behavior, physiology, and life history. These relationships will vary with the nature of predation risk, the challenges posed by resource acquisition, and the energy management strategies of organisms. We also discuss how the plastic response of behavior, physiology, and life history to changes in ecological conditions and variation in resource acquisition among individuals determine our ability to detect a fast-slow pace of life in the first place or associations among these traits. Future empirical studies will provide most insights on the coevolution among behavior, physiology, and life history by investigating these traits both at the genetic and phenotypic levels in varying types of predation regimes and levels of resource abundance.}, language = {en} } @article{LaemkeUnsicker2018, author = {L{\"a}mke, J{\"o}rn. S. and Unsicker, Sybille Barbara}, title = {Phytochemical variation in treetops}, series = {Oecologia}, volume = {187}, journal = {Oecologia}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0029-8549}, doi = {10.1007/s00442-018-4087-5}, pages = {377 -- 388}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The interaction of plants and their herbivorous opponents has shaped the evolution of an intricate network of defences and counter-defences for millions of years. The result is an astounding diversity of phytochemicals and plant strategies to fight and survive. Trees are specifically challenged to resist the plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses due to their dimension and longevity. Here, we review the recent literature on the consequences of phytochemical variation in trees on insect-tree-herbivore interactions. We discuss the importance of genotypic and phenotypic variation in tree defence against insects and suggest some molecular mechanisms that might bring about phytochemical diversity in crowns of individual trees.}, language = {en} } @article{vanVelzenGaedke2018, author = {van Velzen, Ellen and Gaedke, Ursula}, title = {Reversed predator-prey cycles are driven by the amplitude of prey oscillations}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.4184}, pages = {6317 -- 6329}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Ecoevolutionary feedbacks in predator-prey systems have been shown to qualitatively alter predator-prey dynamics. As a striking example, defense-offense coevolution can reverse predator-prey cycles, so predator peaks precede prey peaks rather than vice versa. However, this has only rarely been shown in either model studies or empirical systems. Here, we investigate whether this rarity is a fundamental feature of reversed cycles by exploring under which conditions they should be found. For this, we first identify potential conditions and parameter ranges most likely to result in reversed cycles by developing a new measure, the effective prey biomass, which combines prey biomass with prey and predator traits, and represents the prey biomass as perceived by the predator. We show that predator dynamics always follow the dynamics of the effective prey biomass with a classic 1/4-phase lag. From this key insight, it follows that in reversed cycles (i.e., -lag), the dynamics of the actual and the effective prey biomass must be in antiphase with each other, that is, the effective prey biomass must be highest when actual prey biomass is lowest, and vice versa. Based on this, we predict that reversed cycles should be found mainly when oscillations in actual prey biomass are small and thus have limited impact on the dynamics of the effective prey biomass, which are mainly driven by trait changes. We then confirm this prediction using numerical simulations of a coevolutionary predator-prey system, varying the amplitude of the oscillations in prey biomass: Reversed cycles are consistently associated with regions of parameter space leading to small-amplitude prey oscillations, offering a specific and highly testable prediction for conditions under which reversed cycles should occur in natural systems.}, language = {en} } @misc{WozniakSicard2018, author = {Wozniak, Natalia Joanna and Sicard, Adrien}, title = {Evolvability of flower geometry}, series = {Seminars in cell \& developmental biology}, volume = {79}, journal = {Seminars in cell \& developmental biology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {London}, issn = {1084-9521}, doi = {10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.028}, pages = {3 -- 15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Flowers represent a key innovation during plant evolution. Driven by reproductive optimization, evolution of flower morphology has been central in boosting species diversification. In most cases, this has happened through specialized interactions with animal pollinators and subsequent reduction of gene flow between specialized morphs. While radiation has led to an enormous variability in flower forms and sizes, recurrent evolutionary patterns can be observed. Here, we discuss the targets of selection involved in major trends of pollinator-driven flower evolution. We review recent findings on their adaptive values, developmental grounds and genetic bases, in an attempt to better understand the repeated nature of pollinator-driven flower evolution. This analysis highlights how structural innovation can provide flexibility in phenotypic evolution, adaptation and speciation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{HuLudsinMartinetal.2018, author = {Hu, Chenlin and Ludsin, Stuart A. and Martin, Jay F. and Dittmann, Elke and Lee, Jiyoung}, title = {Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs)-producing Microcystis in Lake Erie}, series = {Harmful algae}, volume = {77}, journal = {Harmful algae}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1568-9883}, doi = {10.1016/j.hal.2018.05.010}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are UV-absorbing metabolites found in cyanobacteria. While their protective role from UV in Microcystis has been studied in a laboratory setting, a full understanding of the ecology of MAA-producing versus non-MAA-producing Microcystis in natural environments is lacking. This study presents a new tool for quantifying MAA-producing Microcystis and applies it to obtain insight into the dynamics of MAA-producing and non-MAA-producing Microcystis in Lake Erie. This study first developed a sensitive, specific TaqMan real-time PCR assay that targets MAA synthetase gene C (mysC) of Microcystis (quantitative range: 1.7 × 101 to 1.7 × 107 copies/assay). Using this assay, Microcystis was quantified with a MAA-producing genotype (mysC+) in water samples (n = 96) collected during March-November 2013 from 21 Lake Erie sites (undetectable - 8.4 × 106 copies/ml). The mysC+ genotype comprised 0.3-37.8\% of the Microcystis population in Lake Erie during the study period. The proportion of the mysC+ genotype during high solar UV irradiation periods (mean = 18.8\%) was significantly higher than that during lower UV periods (mean = 9.7\%). Among the MAAs, shinorine (major) and porphyra (minor) were detected with HPLC-PDA-MS/MS from the Microcystis isolates and water samples. However, no significant difference in the MAA concentrations existed between higher and lower solar UV periods when the MAA concentrations were normalized with Microcystis mysC abundance. Collectively, this study's findings suggest that the MAA-producing Microcystis are present in Lake Erie, and they may be ecologically advantageous under high UV conditions, but not to the point that they exclusively predominate over the non-MAA-producers.}, language = {en} } @article{HorreoPelaezSuarezetal.2018, author = {Horreo, Jose L. and Pelaez, Maria L. and Suarez, Teresa and Breedveld, Merel Cathelijne and Heulin, Benoit and Surget-Groba, Yann and Oksanen, Tuula A. and Fitze, Patrick S.}, title = {Phylogeography, evolutionary history and effects of glaciations in a species (Zootoca vivipara) inhabiting multiple biogeographic regions}, series = {Journal of biogeography}, volume = {45}, journal = {Journal of biogeography}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0305-0270}, doi = {10.1111/jbi.13349}, pages = {1616 -- 1627}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Location Eurasia. Methods We generated the largest molecular dataset to date of Z. vivipara, ran phylogenetic analyses, reconstructed its evolutionary history, determined the location of glacial refuges and reconstructed ancestral biogeographic regions. Results The phylogenetic analyses revealed a complex evolutionary history, driven by expansions and contractions of the distribution due to glacials and interglacials, and the colonization of new biogeographic regions by all lineages of Z. vivipara. Many glacial refugia were detected, most were located close to the southern limit of the Last Glacial Maximum. Two subclades recolonized large areas covered by permafrost during the last glaciation: namely, Western and Northern Europe and North-Eastern Europe and Asia.}, language = {en} } @article{PoradaVanStanKleidon2018, author = {Porada, Philipp and Van Stan, John T. and Kleidon, Axel}, title = {Significant contribution of non-vascular vegetation to global rainfall interception}, series = {Nature geoscience}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nature geoscience}, number = {8}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {New York}, issn = {1752-0894}, doi = {10.1038/s41561-018-0176-7}, pages = {563 -- +}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Non-vascular vegetation has been shown to capture considerable quantities of rainfall, which may affect the hydrological cycle and climate at continental scales. However, direct measurements of rainfall interception by non-vascular vegetation are confined to the local scale, which makes extrapolation to the global effects difficult. Here we use a process-based numerical simulation model to show that non-vascular vegetation contributes substantially to global rainfall interception. Inferred average global water storage capacity including non-vascular vegetation was 2.7 mm, which is consistent with field observations and markedly exceeds the values used in land surface models, which average around 0.4 mm. Consequently, we find that the total evaporation of free water from the forest canopy and soil surface increases by 61\% when non-vascular vegetation is included, resulting in a global rainfall interception flux that is 22\% of the terrestrial evaporative flux (compared with only 12\% for simulations where interception excludes non-vascular vegetation). We thus conclude that non-vascular vegetation is likely to significantly influence global rainfall interception and evaporation with consequences for regional-to continental-scale hydrologic cycling and climate.}, language = {en} } @article{KobelHoellerGleyJochinkeetal.2018, author = {Kobel-H{\"o}ller, Konstanze and Gley, Kevin and Jochinke, Janina and Heider, Kristina and Fritsch, Verena Nadin and Ha Viet Duc Nguyen, and Lischke, Timo and Radek, Renate and Baumgrass, Ria and Mutzel, Rupert and Thewes, Sascha}, title = {Calcineurin Silencing in Dictyostelium discoideum Leads to Cellular Alterations Affecting Mitochondria, Gene Expression, and Oxidative Stress Response}, series = {Protist}, volume = {169}, journal = {Protist}, number = {4}, publisher = {Elsevier GMBH}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {1434-4610}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2018.04.004}, pages = {584 -- 602}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Calcineurin is involved in development and cell differentiation of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. However, since knockouts of the calcineurin-encoding genes are not possible in D. discoideum it is assumed that the phosphatase also plays a crucial role during vegetative growth of the amoebae. Therefore, we investigated the role of calcineurin during vegetative growth in D. discoideum. RNAi-silenced calcineurin mutants showed cellular alterations with an abnormal morphology of mitochondria and had increased content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In contrast, mitochondria showed no substantial functional impairment. Calcineurin-silencing led to altered expression of calcium-regulated genes as well as mitochondrially-encoded genes. Furthermore, genes related to oxidative stress were higher expressed in the mutants, which correlated to an increased resistance towards reactive oxygen species (ROS). Most of the changes observed during vegetative growth were not seen after starvation of the calcineurin mutants. We show that impairment of calcineurin led to many subtle, but in the sum crucial cellular alterations in vegetative D. discoideum cells. As these alterations were not observed after starvation we propose a dual role for calcineurin during growth and development. Our results imply that calcineurin is one player in the mutual interplay between mitochondria and ROS during vegetative growth.}, language = {en} } @article{UribeRamadassDograetal.2018, author = {Uribe, Veronica and Ramadass, Radhan and Dogra, Deepika and Rasouli, S. Javad and Gunawan, Felix and Nakajima, Hiroyuki and Chiba, Ayano and Reischauer, Sven and Mochizuki, Naoki and Stainier, Didier Y. R.}, title = {In vivo analysis of cardiomyocyte proliferation during trabeculation}, series = {Development : Company of Biologists}, volume = {145}, journal = {Development : Company of Biologists}, number = {14}, publisher = {Company biologists LTD}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0950-1991}, doi = {10.1242/dev.164194}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cardiomyocyte proliferation is crucial for cardiac growth, patterning and regeneration; however, few studies have investigated the behavior of dividing cardiomyocytes in vivo. Here, we use time-lapse imaging of beating hearts in combination with the FUCCI system to monitor the behavior of proliferating cardiomyocytes in developing zebrafish. Confirming in vitro observations, sarcomere disassembly, as well as changes in cell shape and volume, precede cardiomyocyte cytokinesis. Notably, cardiomyocytes in zebrafish embryos and young larvae mostly divide parallel to the myocardial wall in both the compact and trabecular layers, and cardiomyocyte proliferation is more frequent in the trabecular layer. While analyzing known regulators of cardiomyocyte proliferation, we observed that the Nrg/ErbB2 and TGF beta signaling pathways differentially affect compact and trabecular layer cardiomyocytes, indicating that distinct mechanisms drive proliferation in these two layers. In summary, our data indicate that, in zebrafish, cardiomyocyte proliferation is essential for trabecular growth, but not initiation, and set the stage to further investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving cardiomyocyte proliferation in vivo.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhangYarmanErdossyetal.2018, author = {Zhang, Xiaorong and Yarman, Aysu and Erdossy, Julia and Katz, Sagie and Zebger, Ingo and Jetzschmann, Katharina J. and Altintas, Zeynep and Wollenberger, Ulla and Gyurcsanyi, Robert E. and Scheller, Frieder W.}, title = {Electrosynthesized MIPs for transferrin}, series = {Biosensors and bioelectronics : the principal international journal devoted to research, design development and application of biosensors and bioelectronics}, volume = {105}, journal = {Biosensors and bioelectronics : the principal international journal devoted to research, design development and application of biosensors and bioelectronics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0956-5663}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2018.01.011}, pages = {29 -- 35}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Molecularly imprinted polymer (MP) nanofilrns for transferrin (Trf) have been synthesized on gold surfaces by electro-polymerizing the functional monomer scopoletin in the presence of the protein target or around pre-adsorbed Trf. As determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) the film thickness was comparable with the molecular dimension of the target. The target (re)binding properties of the electro-synthesized MIP films was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) through the target-binding induced permeability changes of the MIP nanofilms to the ferricyanide redox marker, as well as by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) of the immobilized protein molecules. For Trf a linear concentration dependence in the lower micromolar range and an imprinting factor of similar to 5 was obtained by SWV and SPR. Furthermore, non-target proteins including the iron-free apo-Trf were discriminated by pronounced size and shape specificity. Whilst it is generally assumed that the rebinding of the target or of cross-reacting proteins exclusively takes place at the polymer here we considered also the interaction of the protein molecules with the underlying gold transducers. We demonstrate by SWV that adsorption of proteins suppresses the signal of the redox marker even at the bare gold surface and by SEIRAS that the treatment of the MIP with proteinase K or NaOH only partially removes the target protein. Therefore, we conclude that when interpreting binding of proteins to directly MIP-covered gold electrodes the interactions between the protein and the gold surface should also be considered.}, language = {en} } @article{KaufmannDuffusTeutloffetal.2018, author = {Kaufmann, Paul and Duffus, Benjamin R. and Teutloff, Christian and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {Functional Studies on Oligotropha carboxidovorans Molybdenum-Copper CO Dehydrogenase Produced in Escherichia coli}, series = {Biochemistry}, volume = {57}, journal = {Biochemistry}, number = {19}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0006-2960}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00128}, pages = {2889 -- 2901}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The Mo/Cu-dependent CO dehydrogenase (CODH) from Oligotropha carboxidovorans is an enzyme that is able to catalyze both the oxidation of CO to CO2 and the oxidation of H-2 to protons and electrons. Despite the close to atomic resolution structure (1.1 angstrom), significant uncertainties have remained with regard to the reaction mechanism of substrate oxidation at the unique Mo/Cu center, as well as the nature of intermediates formed during the catalytic cycle. So far, the investigation of the role of amino acids at the active site was hampered by the lack of a suitable expression system that allowed for detailed site-directed mutagenesis studies at the active site. Here, we report on the establishment of a functional heterologous expression system of O. carboxidovorans CODH in Escherichia coli. We characterize the purified enzyme in detail by a combination of kinetic and spectroscopic studies and show that it was purified in a form with characteristics comparable to those of the native enzyme purified from O. carboxidovorans. With this expression system in hand, we were for the first time able to generate active-site variants of this enzyme. Our work presents the basis for more detailed studies of the reaction mechanism for CO and H-2 oxidation of Mo/Cu-dependent CODHs in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{KunstmannGohlkeBroekeretal.2018, author = {Kunstmann, Ruth Sonja and Gohlke, Ulrich and Br{\"o}ker, Nina Kristin and Roske, Yvette and Heinemann, Udo and Santer, Mark and Barbirz, Stefanie}, title = {Solvent networks tune thermodynamics of oligosaccharide complex formation in an extended protein binding site}, series = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {140}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, number = {33}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0002-7863}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.8b03719}, pages = {10447 -- 10455}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The principles of protein-glycan binding are still not well understood on a molecular level. Attempts to link affinity and specificity of glycan recognition to structure suffer from the general lack of model systems for experimental studies and the difficulty to describe the influence of solvent. We have experimentally and computationally addressed energetic contributions of solvent in protein-glycan complex formation in the tailspike protein (TSP) of E. coli bacteriophage HK620. HK620TSP is a 230 kDa native trimer of right-handed, parallel beta-helices that provide extended, rigid binding sites for bacterial cell surface O-antigen polysaccharides. A set of high affinity mutants bound hexa- or pentasaccharide O-antigen fragments with very similar affinities even though hexasaccharides introduce an additional glucose branch into an occluded protein surface cavity. Remarkably different thermodynamic binding signatures were found for different mutants; however, crystal structure analyses indicated that no major oligosaccharide or protein topology changes had occurred upon complex formation. This pointed to a solvent effect. Molecular dynamics simulations using a mobility-based approach revealed an extended network of solvent positions distributed over the entire oligosaccharide binding site. However, free energy calculations showed that a small water network inside the glucose-binding cavity had the most notable influence on the thermodynamic signature. The energy needed to displace water from the glucose binding pocket depended on the amino acid at the entrance, in agreement with the different amounts of enthalpy-entropy compensation found for introducing glucose into the pocket in the different mutants. Studies with small molecule drugs have shown before that a few active water molecules can control protein complex formation. HK620TSP oligosaccharide binding shows that similar fundamental principles also apply for glycans, where a small number of water molecules can dominate the thermodynamic signature in an extended binding site.}, language = {en} } @article{KhozroughiKrohSchlueteretal.2018, author = {Khozroughi, Amin Ghadiri and Kroh, Lothar W. and Schlueter, Oliver and Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal}, title = {Assessment of the bacterial impact on the post-mortem formation of zinc protoporphyrin IX in pork meat}, series = {Food chemistry}, volume = {256}, journal = {Food chemistry}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0308-8146}, doi = {10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.01.045}, pages = {25 -- 30}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The post-mortem accumulation of the heme biosynthesis metabolite zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) in porcine muscle is associated with both a meat-inherent and a bacterial enzymatic reaction during meat storage. To estimate the bacterial impact on ZnPP formation, meat and meat-like media were investigated by HPLC-FLD (and MALDI-TOF-MS) after inoculation with a representative microorganism (P. fluorescens). Results indicate the principal ability of meat-inherent bacteria to form ZnPP in meat extracts and meat-like media, but not on the meat muscle. Thus it was concluded that the ZnPP formation in meat is due to a meat-inherent enzymatic reaction induced by porcine ferrochelatase (FECH), while the bacterial (FECH) induced reaction seems to be not significant.}, language = {en} } @misc{FischerShaki2018, author = {Fischer, Martin H. and Shaki, Samuel}, title = {Number concepts: abstract and embodied}, series = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London : B, Biological sciences}, volume = {373}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London : B, Biological sciences}, number = {1752}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {0962-8436}, doi = {10.1098/rstb.2017.0125}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Numerical knowledge, including number concepts and arithmetic procedures, seems to be a clear-cut case for abstract symbol manipulation. Yet, evidence from perceptual and motor behaviour reveals that natural number knowledge and simple arithmetic also remain closely associated with modal experiences. Following a review of behavioural, animal and neuroscience studies of number processing, we propose a revised understanding of psychological number concepts as grounded in physical constraints, embodied in experience and situated through task-specific intentions. The idea that number concepts occupy a range of positions on the continuum between abstract and modal conceptual knowledge also accounts for systematic heuristics and biases in mental arithmetic, thus inviting psycho-logical approaches to the study of the mathematical mind.}, language = {en} } @article{DeLombaerdeVerheyenPerringetal.2018, author = {De Lombaerde, Emiel and Verheyen, Kris and Perring, Michael P. and Bernhardt-Roemermann, Markus and Van Calster, Hans and Brunet, Jorg and Chudomelova, Marketa and Decocq, Guillaume and Diekmann, Martin and Durak, Tomasz and Hedl, Radim and Heinken, Thilo and Hommel, Patrick and Jaroszewicz, Bogdan and Kopecky, Martin and Lenoir, Jonathan and Macek, Martin and M{\´a}liš, František and Mitchell, Fraser J. G. and Naaf, Tobias and Newman, Miles and Petř{\´i}k, Petr and Reczyńska, Kamila and Schmidt, Wolfgang and Swierkosz, Krzysztof and Vild, Ondrej and Wulf, Monika and Baetena, Lander}, title = {Responses of competitive understorey species to spatial environmental gradients inaccurately explain temporal changes}, series = {Basic and applied ecology : Journal of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie}, volume = {30}, journal = {Basic and applied ecology : Journal of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie}, publisher = {Elsevier GMBH}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {1439-1791}, doi = {10.1016/j.baae.2018.05.013}, pages = {52 -- 64}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Understorey plant communities play a key role in the functioning of forest ecosystems. Under favourable environmental conditions, competitive understorey species may develop high abundances and influence important ecosystem processes such as tree regeneration. Thus, understanding and predicting the response of competitive understorey species as a function of changing environmental conditions is important for forest managers. In the absence of sufficient temporal data to quantify actual vegetation changes, space-for-time (SFT) substitution is often used, i.e. studies that use environmental gradients across space to infer vegetation responses to environmental change over time. Here we assess the validity of such SFT approaches and analysed 36 resurvey studies from ancient forests with low levels of recent disturbances across temperate Europe to assess how six competitive understorey plant species respond to gradients of overstorey cover, soil conditions, atmospheric N deposition and climatic conditions over space and time. The combination of historical and contemporary surveys allows (i) to test if observed contemporary patterns across space are consistent at the time of the historical survey, and, crucially, (ii) to assess whether changes in abundance over time given recorded environmental change match expectations from patterns recorded along environmental gradients in space. We found consistent spatial relationships at the two periods: local variation in soil variables and overstorey cover were the best predictors of individual species' cover while interregional variation in coarse-scale variables, i.e. N deposition and climate, was less important. However, we found that our SFT approach could not accurately explain the large variation in abundance changes over time. We thus recommend to be cautious when using SFT substitution to infer species responses to temporal changes.}, language = {en} } @article{MuhlRoelkeZoharyetal.2018, author = {Muhl, Rika M. W. and Roelke, Daniel L. and Zohary, Tamar and Moustaka-Gouni, Maria and Sommer, Ulrich and Borics, Gabor and Gaedke, Ursula and Withrow, Frances G. and Bhattacharyya, Joydeb}, title = {Resisting annihilation}, series = {Ecology letters}, volume = {21}, journal = {Ecology letters}, number = {9}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1461-023X}, doi = {10.1111/ele.13109}, pages = {1390 -- 1400}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Allelopathic species can alter biodiversity. Using simulated assemblages that are characterised by neutrality, lumpy coexistence and intransitivity, we explore relationships between within-assemblage competitive dissimilarities and resistance to allelopathic species. An emergent behaviour from our models is that assemblages are more resistant to allelopathy when members strongly compete exploitatively (high competitive power). We found that neutral assemblages were the most vulnerable to allelopathic species, followed by lumpy and then by intransitive assemblages. We find support for our modeling in real-world time-series data from eight lakes of varied morphometry and trophic state. Our analysis of this data shows that a lake's history of allelopathic phytoplankton species biovolume density and dominance is related to the number of species clusters occurring in the plankton assemblages of those lakes, an emergent trend similar to that of our modeling. We suggest that an assemblage's competitive power determines its allelopathy resistance.}, language = {en} } @article{KlauschiesCoutinhoGaedke2018, author = {Klauschies, Toni and Coutinho, Renato Mendes and Gaedke, Ursula}, title = {A beta distribution-based moment closure enhances the reliability of trait-based aggregate models for natural populations and communities}, series = {Ecological modelling : international journal on ecological modelling and engineering and systems ecolog}, volume = {381}, 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.2018.02.001}, pages = {46 -- 77}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Ecological communities are complex adaptive systems that exhibit remarkable feedbacks between their biomass and trait dynamics. Trait-based aggregate models cope with this complexity by focusing on the temporal development of the community's aggregate properties such as its total biomass, mean trait and trait variance. They are based on particular assumptions about the shape of the underlying trait distribution, which is commonly assumed to be normal. However, ecologically important traits are usually restricted to a finite range, and empirical trait distributions are often skewed or multimodal. As a result, normal distribution-based aggregate models may fail to adequately represent the biomass and trait dynamics of natural communities. We resolve this mismatch by developing a new moment closure approach assuming the trait values to be beta-distributed. We show that the beta distribution captures important shape properties of both observed and simulated trait distributions, which cannot be captured by a Gaussian. We further demonstrate that a beta distribution-based moment closure can strongly enhance the reliability of trait-based aggregate models. We compare the biomass, mean trait and variance dynamics of a full trait distribution (FD) model to the ones of beta (BA) and normal (NA) distribution-based aggregate models, under different selection regimes. This way, we demonstrate under which general conditions (stabilizing, fluctuating or disruptive selection) different aggregate models are reliable tools. All three models predicted very similar biomass and trait dynamics under stabilizing selection yielding unimodal trait distributions with small standing trait variation. We also obtained an almost perfect match between the results of the FD and BA models under fluctuating selection, promoting skewed trait distributions and ongoing oscillations in the biomass and trait dynamics. In contrast, the NA model showed unrealistic trait dynamics and exhibited different alternative stable states, and thus a high sensitivity to initial conditions under fluctuating selection. Under disruptive selection, both aggregate models failed to reproduce the results of the FD model with the mean trait values remaining within their ecologically feasible ranges in the BA model but not in the NA model. Overall, a beta distribution-based moment closure strongly improved the realism of trait-based aggregate models.}, language = {en} } @article{OprzeskaZingrebeMeyerRoloffetal.2018, author = {Oprzeska-Zingrebe, Ewa Anna and Meyer, Susann and Roloff, Alexander and Kunte, Hans-J{\"o}rg and Smiatek, Jens}, title = {Influence of compatible solute ectoine on distinct DNA structures}, series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, volume = {20}, journal = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, number = {40}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/c8cp03543a}, pages = {25861 -- 25874}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In nature, the cellular environment of DNA includes not only water and ions, but also other components and co-solutes, which can exert both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on particular oligonucleotide conformations. Among them, ectoine, known as an important osmoprotectant organic co-solute in a broad range of pharmaceutical products, turns out to be of particular relevance. In this article, we study the influence of ectoine on a short single-stranded DNA fragment and on double-stranded helical B-DNA in aqueous solution by means of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with molecular theories of solution. Our results demonstrate a conformation-dependent binding behavior of ectoine, which favors the unfolded state of DNA by a combination of electrostatic and dispersion interactions. In conjunction with the Kirkwood-Buff theory, we introduce a simple framework to compute the influence of ectoine on the DNA melting temperature. Our findings reveal a significant linear decrease of the melting temperature with increasing ectoine concentration, which is found to be in qualitative agreement with results from denaturation experiments. The outcomes of our computer simulations provide a detailed mechanistic rationale for the surprising destabilizing influence of ectoine on distinct DNA structures.}, language = {en} } @article{JetzschmannYarmanRustametal.2018, author = {Jetzschmann, Katharina J. and Yarman, Aysu and Rustam, L. and Kielb, P. and Urlacher, V. B. and Fischer, A. and Weidinger, I. M. and Wollenberger, Ulla and Scheller, Frieder W.}, title = {Molecular LEGO by domain-imprinting of cytochrome P450 BM3}, series = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research on colloid and interfacial phenomena in relation to systems of biological origin ; B, Biointerfaces}, volume = {164}, journal = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research on colloid and interfacial phenomena in relation to systems of biological origin ; B, Biointerfaces}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0927-7765}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.01.047}, pages = {240 -- 246}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Hypothesis: Electrosynthesis of the MIP nano-film after binding of the separated domains or holocytochrome BM3 via an engineered anchor should result in domain-specific cavities in the polymer layer. Experiments: Both the two domains and the holo P450 BM3 have been bound prior polymer deposition via a N-terminal engineered his6-anchor to the electrode surface. Each step of MIP preparation was characterized by cyclic voltammetry of the redox-marker ferricyanide. Rebinding after template removal was evaluated by quantifying the suppression of the diffusive permeability of the signal for ferricyanide and by the NADH-dependent reduction of cytochrome c by the reductase domain (BMR). Findings: The working hypothesis is verified by the discrimination of the two domains by the respective MIPs: The holoenzyme P450 BM3 was ca. 5.5 times more effectively recognized by the film imprinted with the oxidase domain (BMO) as compared to the BMR-MIP or the non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Obviously, a cavity is formed during the imprinting process around the hiss-tag-anchored BMR which cannot accommodate the broader BMO or the P450 BM3. The affinity of the MIP towards P450 BM3 is comparable with that to the monomer in solution. The hiss-tagged P450 BM3 binds (30 percent) stronger which shows the additive effect of the interaction with the MIP and the binding to the electrode.}, language = {en} } @article{PerringBernhardtRoemermannBaetenetal.2018, author = {Perring, Michael P. and Bernhardt-Roemermann, Markus and Baeten, Lander and Midolo, Gabriele and Blondeel, Haben and Depauw, Leen and Landuyt, Dries and Maes, Sybryn L. and De Lombaerde, Emiel and Caron, Maria Mercedes and Vellend, Mark and Brunet, Joerg and Chudomelova, Marketa and Decocq, Guillaume and Diekmann, Martin and Dirnboeck, Thomas and Doerfler, Inken and Durak, Tomasz and De Frenne, Pieter and Gilliam, Frank S. and Hedl, Radim and Heinken, Thilo and Hommel, Patrick and Jaroszewicz, Bogdan and Kirby, Keith J. and Kopecky, Martin and Lenoir, Jonathan and Li, Daijiang and Malis, Frantisek and Mitchell, Fraser J. G. and Naaf, Tobias and Newman, Miles and Petrik, Petr and Reczynska, Kamila and Schmidt, Wolfgang and Standovar, Tibor and Swierkosz, Krzysztof and Van Calster, Hans and Vild, Ondrej and Wagner, Eva Rosa and Wulf, Monika and Verheyen, Kris}, title = {Global environmental change effects on plant community composition trajectories depend upon management legacies}, series = {Global change biology}, volume = {24}, journal = {Global change biology}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1354-1013}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.14030}, pages = {1722 -- 1740}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The contemporary state of functional traits and species richness in plant communities depends on legacy effects of past disturbances. Whether temporal responses of community properties to current environmental changes are altered by such legacies is, however, unknown. We expect global environmental changes to interact with land-use legacies given different community trajectories initiated by prior management, and subsequent responses to altered resources and conditions. We tested this expectation for species richness and functional traits using 1814 survey-resurvey plot pairs of understorey communities from 40 European temperate forest datasets, syntheses of management transitions since the year 1800, and a trait database. We also examined how plant community indicators of resources and conditions changed in response to management legacies and environmental change. Community trajectories were clearly influenced by interactions between management legacies from over 200 years ago and environmental change. Importantly, higher rates of nitrogen deposition led to increased species richness and plant height in forests managed less intensively in 1800 (i.e., high forests), and to decreases in forests with a more intensive historical management in 1800 (i.e., coppiced forests). There was evidence that these declines in community variables in formerly coppiced forests were ameliorated by increased rates of temperature change between surveys. Responses were generally apparent regardless of sites' contemporary management classifications, although sometimes the management transition itself, rather than historic or contemporary management types, better explained understorey responses. Main effects of environmental change were rare, although higher rates of precipitation change increased plant height, accompanied by increases in fertility indicator values. Analysis of indicator values suggested the importance of directly characterising resources and conditions to better understand legacy and environmental change effects. Accounting for legacies of past disturbance can reconcile contradictory literature results and appears crucial to anticipating future responses to global environmental change.}, language = {en} } @article{KellerKunzeBommeretal.2018, author = {Keller, Sebastian and Kunze, Cindy and Bommer, Martin and Paetz, Christian and Menezes, Riya C. and Svatos, Ales and Dobbek, Holger and Schubert, Torsten}, title = {Selective Utilization of Benzimidazolyl-Norcobamides as Cofactors by the Tetrachloroethene Reductive Dehalogenase of Sulfurospirillum multivorans}, series = {Journal of bacteriology}, volume = {200}, journal = {Journal of bacteriology}, number = {8}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0021-9193}, doi = {10.1128/JB.00584-17}, pages = {14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The organohalide-respiring bacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans produces a unique cobamide, namely, norpseudo-B-12, which serves as cofactor of the tetrachloroethene (PCE) reductive dehalogenase (PceA). As previously reported, a replacement of the adeninyl moiety, the lower base of the cofactor, by exogenously applied 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole led to inactive PceA. To explore the general effect of benzimidazoles on the PCE metabolism, the susceptibility of the organism for guided biosynthesis of various singly substituted benzimidazolyl-norcobamides was investigated, and their use as cofactor by PceA was analyzed. Exogenously applied 5-methylbenzimidazole (5-MeBza), 5-hydroxybenzimidazole (5-OHBza), and 5-methoxybenzimidazole (5-OMeBza) were found to be efficiently incorporated as lower bases into norcobamides (NCbas). Structural analysis of the NCbas by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy uncovered a regioselectivity in the utilization of these precursors for NCba biosynthesis. When 5-MeBza was added, a mixture of 5-MeBza-norcobamide and 6-MeBza-norcobamide was formed, and the PceA enzyme activity was affected. In the presence of 5-OHBza, almost exclusively 6-OHBza-norcobamide was produced, while in the presence of 5-OMeBza, predominantly 5-OMeBza-norcobamide was detected. Both NCbas were incorporated into PceA, and no negative effect on the PceA activity was observed. In crystal structures of PceA, both NCbas were bound in the base-off mode with the 6-OHBza and 5-OMeBza lower bases accommodated by the same solvent-exposed hydrophilic pocket that harbors the adenine as the lower base of authentic norpseudo-B-12. In this study, a selective production of different norcobamide isomers containing singly substituted benzimidazoles as lower bases is shown, and unique structural insights into their utilization as co-factors by a cobamide-containing enzyme are provided. IMPORTANCE Guided biosynthesis of norcobamides containing singly substituted benzimidazoles as lower bases by the organohalide-respiring epsilonproteobacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans is reported. An unprecedented specificity in the formation of norcobamide isomers containing hydroxylated or methoxylated benzimidazoles was observed that implicated a strict regioselectivity of the norcobamide biosynthesis in the organism. In contrast to 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolyl-norcobamide, the incorporation of singly substituted benzimidazolyl-norcobamides as a cofactor into the tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenase was not impaired. The enzyme was found to be functional with different isomers and not limited to the use of adeninyl-norcobamide. Structural analysis of the enzyme equipped with either adeninyl-or benzimidazolyl-norcobamide cofactors visualized for the first time structurally different cobamides bound in base-off conformation to the cofactor-binding site of a cobamide-containing enzyme.}, language = {en} } @article{HilongaOtienoGhorbanietal.2018, author = {Hilonga, S. and Otieno, Joseph N. and Ghorbani, Abdolbaset and Pereus, D. and Kocyan, Alexander and de Boer, H.}, title = {Trade of wild-harvested medicinal plant species in local markets of Tanzania and its implications for conservation}, series = {South African journal of botany : an international interdisciplinary journal for botanical sciences}, volume = {122}, journal = {South African journal of botany : an international interdisciplinary journal for botanical sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0254-6299}, doi = {10.1016/j.sajb.2018.08.012}, pages = {214 -- 224}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In Tanzania, about 10\% of the reported 12,000 species of higher plants are estimated to be used as medicine for treating different human health problems. Most of the medicinal plants are collected from wild populations, but their trade and quantities are not properly recorded. Monitoring of trade in wild-harvested medicinal plants is challenging asmostmaterials are traded in various processed forms and most vendors practice informal trade. Yet, monitoring is important for conservation and sustainability. This study aims to assess the trade of wild-harvested medicinal plant species in local markets of Tanzania and its implications for conservation. Semi-structured interviews were used to record frequency, volume of trade and uses of wild-harvested medicinal plants in Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya, Morogoro and Mwanza regions. Relative frequency of citation and informant consensus factor were calculated for each species and mentioned use category. Forty vendors were interviewed, and 400 out of 522 collected market samples were identified to 162 species from herbarium-deposited collections. Plant parts with the largest volume of trade were roots (3818 kg), bark (1163 kg) and leaves (492 kg). The most frequently traded species were Zanthoxylum chalybaeum Engl., Albizia anthelmintica Brongn., Zanha africana (Radlk.) Exell, Warburgia stuhlmannii and Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter \& Mabb. The most popular medicinal plants in the markets are connected to local health problems including malaria, libido disorders or infertility. The high diversity of commercialized plants used for medicinal issues mainly relies on wild stock for local consumption and international trade, and this has significant implications for conservation concerns. (C) 2018 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{PereusOtienoGhorbanietal.2018, author = {Pereus, D. and Otieno, J. N. and Ghorbani, Abdolbaset and Kocyan, Alexander and Hilonga, S. and de Boer, H. J.}, title = {Diversity of Hypoxis species used in ethnomedicine in Tanzania}, series = {South African journal of botany : an international interdisciplinary journal for botanical sciences}, volume = {122}, journal = {South African journal of botany : an international interdisciplinary journal for botanical sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0254-6299}, doi = {10.1016/j.sajb.2018.03.004}, pages = {336 -- 341}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The corms of different Hypoxis species (Hypoxidaceae) are used for the treatment and management of a variety of human ailments and disorders in African traditional medicine. However, the used corms are morphologically similar and it is not known whether this has resulted in different species being harvested, prescribed and sold as the same species. Ethnomedicinal information regarding its use in Tanzania is scanty and the available ethnobotanical information about the plants is mostly from various studies done outside Tanzania. The objective of the study was to document the diverse uses of Hypoxis in Tanzania and study what species are used and whether preferences exist for specific species. Focus group discussions and in depth interviews with informants were done in 15 regions of Tanzania to document local uses of Hypoxis species and collect vouchers for identification. Traditional practitioners use Hypoxis to manage a variety of human illness in Tanzania, and appear to use different species indiscriminately for medicine, socio-cultural applications and for food. Medicinal uses include treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy, cancer, diabetes, gout, headache, HIV/AIDS, infertility, ringworms, stomachache, and urinary tract infections. In Tanzania, different Hypoxis species are used indiscriminately for a range of sociocultural and medicinal purposes. The reported medicinal uses could aid testing and evaluation of traditional herbal medicine and more research is needed to test their pharmacological effects. (C) 2018 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, 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{GeigerKocyan2018, author = {Geiger, Daniel L. and Kocyan, Alexander}, title = {Studies on Oberonia 3. Aberrant flowers and other floral modifications in the orchid genus Oberonia}, series = {Nordic Journal of botany}, volume = {36}, journal = {Nordic Journal of botany}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0107-055X}, doi = {10.1111/njb.01699}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Orchid flowers are amongst the most conspicuous attractions that plants have generated over evolutionary epochs. However, organ homology in particular of androecium and gynoecium of orchid flowers have been, and are still, the subject of long-term discussion. Studies of aberrant - teratologic - flowers have traditionally helped to clarify organ identity in orchids. We here present for the first time teratological flowers within the florally smallest and inconspicuous orchid genus Oberonia and illustrate them by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pseudopeloria with half of a lateral petal transformed into a lip was found in O. costeriana J.J.Sm. and O. mucronata (D.Don) Ormerod \& Seidenf. A supernumerary lip is known from O. mucronata. Oberonia rufilabris Lindl. is documented with multiple aberrations: triple gynostemium and a total of 10 tepals, twin flowers, and duplicate lips. We interpret these aberrations in light of known floral developmental and organ identity information.}, language = {en} } @article{TejosRodriguezFurlanAdamowskietal.2018, author = {Tejos, Ricardo and Rodriguez-Furlan, Cecilia and Adamowski, Maciej and Sauer, Michael and Norambuena, Lorena and Friml, Jiri}, title = {PATELLINS are regulators of auxin-mediated PIN1 relocation and plant development in Arabidopsis thaliana}, series = {Journal of cell science}, volume = {131}, journal = {Journal of cell science}, number = {2}, publisher = {Company of Biologists Limited}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0021-9533}, doi = {10.1242/jcs.204198}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Coordinated cell polarization in developing tissues is a recurrent theme in multicellular organisms. In plants, a directional distribution of the plant hormone auxin is at the core of many developmental programs. A feedback regulation of auxin on the polarized localization of PIN auxin transporters in individual cells has been proposed as a self-organizing mechanism for coordinated tissue polarization, but the molecular mechanisms linking auxin signalling to PIN-dependent auxin transport remain unknown. We used a microarray-based approach to find regulators of the auxin-induced PIN relocation in Arabidopsis thaliana root, and identified a subset of a family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs), the PATELLINs (PATLs). Here, we show that PATLs are expressed in partially overlapping cell types in different tissues going through mitosis or initiating differentiation programs. PATLs are plasma membrane-associated proteins accumulated in Arabidopsis embryos, primary roots, lateral root primordia and developing stomata. Higher order patl mutants display reduced PIN1 repolarization in response to auxin, shorter root apical meristem, and drastic defects in embryo and seedling development. This suggests that PATLs play a redundant and crucial role in polarity and patterning in Arabidopsis.}, language = {en} } @article{LukanMachensColletal.2018, author = {Lukan, Tjaša and Machens, Fabian and Coll, Anna and Baebler, Špela and Messerschmidt, Katrin and Gruden, Kristina}, title = {Plant X-tender}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {13}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {1}, publisher = {Public Library of Science}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0190526}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cloning multiple DNA fragments for delivery of several genes of interest into the plant genome is one of the main technological challenges in plant synthetic biology. Despite several modular assembly methods developed in recent years, the plant biotechnology community has not widely adopted them yet, probably due to the lack of appropriate vectors and software tools. Here we present Plant X-tender, an extension of the highly efficient, scar-free and sequence-independent multigene assembly strategy AssemblX, based on overlap-depended cloning methods and rare-cutting restriction enzymes. Plant X-tender consists of a set of plant expression vectors and the protocols for most efficient cloning into the novel vector set needed for plant expression and thus introduces advantages of AssemblX into plant synthetic biology. The novel vector set covers different backbones and selection markers to allow full design flexibility. We have included ccdB counterselection, thereby allowing the transfer of multigene constructs into the novel vector set in a straightforward and highly efficient way. Vectors are available as empty backbones and are fully flexible regarding the orientation of expression cassettes and addition of linkers between them, if required. We optimised the assembly and subcloning protocol by testing different scar-less assembly approaches: the noncommercial SLiCE and TAR methods and the commercial Gibson assembly and NEBuilder HiFi DNA assembly kits. Plant X-tender was applicable even in combination with low efficient homemade chemically competent or electrocompetent Escherichia coli. We have further validated the developed procedure for plant protein expression by cloning two cassettes into the newly developed vectors and subsequently transferred them to Nicotiana benthamiana in a transient expression setup. Thereby we show that multigene constructs can be delivered into plant cells in a streamlined and highly efficient way. Our results will support faster introduction of synthetic biology into plant science.}, language = {en} } @article{OezerScheffler2018, author = {{\"O}zer, Aydan and Scheffler, Christiane}, title = {Affinity to host population stimulates physical growth in adult offspring of Turkish migrants in Germany}, series = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, volume = {74}, journal = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2018/0825}, pages = {359 -- 364}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Because of political conflicts and climate change, migration will be increased worldwide and integration in host societies is a challenge also for migrants. We hypothesize that migrants, who take up the challenge in a new social environment are taller than migrants who do not pose this challenge. We analyze by a questionnaire possible social, nutritional and ethnic influencing factors to body height (BH) of adult offspring of Turkish migrants (n = 82, 39 males) aged from 18 to 34 years (mean age 24.6 years). The results of multiple regression (downward selection) show that the more a male adult offspring of Turkish migrants feels like belonging to the Turkish culture, the smaller he is (95\% CI, -3.79, -0.323). Further, the more a male adult offspring of Turkish migrants feels like belonging to the German culture, the taller he is (95\% CI, -0.152, 1.738). We discussed it comparable to primates taking up their challenge in dominance, where as a result their body size increase is associated with higher IGF-1 level. IGF-1 is associated with emotional belonging and has a fundamental role in the regulation of metabolism and growth of the human body. With all pilot characteristics of our study results show that the successful challenge of integration in a new society is strongly associated with the emotional integration and identification in the sense of a personal sense of belonging to society. We discuss taller BH as a signal of social growth adjustment. In this sense, a secular trend of BH adaptation of migrants to hosts is a sign of integration.}, language = {en} } @article{BentsGrothSatake2018, author = {Bents, Dominik and Groth, Detlef and Satake, Takashi}, title = {The secular trend and network effects on height of male Japanese students from 1955 to 2015}, series = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, volume = {74}, journal = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2018/0838}, pages = {423 -- 429}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Introduction: Body height is influenced by biological factors such as genetics, nutrition and health, but also by the social network, and environmental and economical factors. During centuries, the Japanese society has developed on islands. This setting provides ideal natural conditions for studying the influence of social networks on human height. Material and methods: We investigated body height of male Japanese students aged 17.5 years obtained in 47 prefectures, from the Japanese school health survey of the years 1955, 1975, 1995, and 2015. Results: Japanese students increased in height from 163.23 cm in 1955 to 170.84 cm in 1995, with no further increase thereafter (170.63 cm in 2015). Students living in neighboring prefectures were similar in height. The correlation of height between neighboring prefectures ranged between r = 0.79 and r = 0.49 among first degree neighbors, between r = 0.49 and r = 0.21 among second degree neighbors and dropped to insignificance among third degree neighbors indicating psychosocial effects of the community on body height. Tall stature and short stature prefectures did not remain tall or short throughout history. Autocorrelations of height within the same prefectures decreased from the 20 years periods of 1955-1975, 1975-1995 and 1995-2015 (r = 0.52, r = 0.61, r = 0.63, respectively) to the 40 years periods of 1955-1995 and 1975-2015 (r = 0.49, r = 0.52), down to the 60 years period of 1955-2015 (r = 0.27), indicating significant volatility of height. Conclusion: Body height of 17.5 years old Japanese students increased since 1955. Body height depended on height of the neighboring prefecture, but was volatile with decreasing autocorrelation during a period of 60 years.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuGroth2018, author = {Liu, Yuk-Chien and Groth, Detlef}, title = {Body height, social dominance and the political climate}, series = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, volume = {74}, journal = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2018/0855}, pages = {445 -- 450}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: The association between stature and social dominance is known. Dominance within social groups and current politics are related issues. We therefore aimed to compare estimates of the opinion of a population about their current political issues, with physical growth. Material and methods: We used data on the 2012 and the 2014 elections for the Japanese House of Representatives and the percent proportion of votes of the 47 prefectures of Japan, and regional data on body height of 17.5 year old men and women. Information on capita income, possession of mobile phones, urban/rural population ratio, and age distribution were added to capture socioeconomic factors. Four political parties were present in most of the 47 prefectures: the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the New Komeito Party (Kom) that is known for their social network community, and the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). Results: A dense network of associations exists between height, age distribution, per capita income, number of smartphones, and voting results. Male and female body height was inversely related with the proportion of votes for New Komeito Party. Average stature decreases by one mm per percent votes for this political party. Medium strong positive associations were found for male body height and voting results of the DPJ and for female body height with the JCP election results. Conclusion: In modern Japan, popular preferences for conservative political structures coincide with shorter stature.}, language = {en} } @article{TischewDierschkeSchwabeetal.2018, author = {Tischew, Sabine and Dierschke, Hartmut and Schwabe, Angelika and Garve, Eckhard and Heinken, Thilo and Holzel, Norbert and Bergmeier, Erwin and Remy, Dominique and Haerdtle, Werner}, title = {Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2019: Die Glatthaferwiese}, series = {Tuexenia : Mitteilungen der Floristisch-Soziologischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft}, journal = {Tuexenia : Mitteilungen der Floristisch-Soziologischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft}, number = {38}, publisher = {Floristisch-Soziologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {0722-494X}, doi = {10.14471/2018.38.011}, pages = {287 -- 295}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Um Themen des Schutzes von Pflanzengemeinschaften wirksamer in der breiten {\"O}ffentlichkeit zu kommunizieren wird der Vorstand der „Floristisch-Soziologischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft (FlorSoz)" ab 2019 eine „Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres" ausrufen. Damit sollen politische und administrative Entscheidungs- und Umsetzungsprozesse zur Erhaltung der Vielfalt von {\"O}kosystemen und Pflanzengesellschaften in Deutschlands gezielt unterst{\"u}tzt werden. F{\"u}r das Jahr 2019 wurde die Glatthaferwiese ausgew{\"a}hlt. Sie z{\"a}hlt aktuell zu den durch Artenverarmung und Fl{\"a}chenr{\"u}ckgang besonders bedrohten Pflanzengesellschaften Deutschlands. Es sind deshalb dringend Maßnahmen zum Schutz und zur Wiederherstellung notwendig. Dieser Artikel gibt einen kurzen {\"U}berblick zur naturschutzfachlichen Bedeutung von Glatthaferwiesen und deren {\"O}kosystemleistungen sowie zur floristisch-soziologischen Erforschung, zu Ursachen ihres R{\"u}ckgangs und zu geeigneten Gegenmaßnahmen.}, language = {de} } @article{ZhaoXiaWuetal.2018, author = {Zhao, Liming and Xia, Yan and Wu, Xiao-Yuan and Schippers, Jos H. M. and Jing, Hai-Chun}, title = {Phenotypic analysis and molecular markers of leaf senescence}, series = {Plant Senescence: Methods and Protocols}, volume = {1744}, journal = {Plant Senescence: Methods and Protocols}, publisher = {Humana Press Inc.}, address = {Totowa}, isbn = {978-1-4939-7672-0}, issn = {1064-3745}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-7672-0_3}, pages = {35 -- 48}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The process of leaf senescence consists of the final stage of leaf development. It has evolved as a mechanism to degrade macromolecules and micronutrients and remobilize them to other developing parts of the plant; hence it plays a central role for the survival of plants and crop production. During senescence, a range of physiological, morphological, cellular, and molecular events occur, which are generally referred to as the senescence syndrome that includes several hallmarks such as visible yellowing, loss of chlorophyll and water content, increase of ion leakage and cell death, deformation of chloroplast and cell structure, as well as the upregulation of thousands of so-called senescence-associated genes (SAGs) and downregulation of photosynthesis-associated genes (PAGs). This chapter is devoted to methods characterizing the onset and progression of leaf senescence at the morphological, physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. Leaf senescence normally progresses in an age-dependent manner but is also induced prematurely by a variety of environmental stresses in plants. Focused on the hallmarks of the senescence syndrome, a series of protocols is described to asses quantitatively the senescence process caused by developmental cues or environmental perturbations. We first briefly describe the senescence process, the events associated with the senescence syndrome, and the theories and methods to phenotype senescence. Detailed protocols for monitoring senescence in planta and in vitro, using the whole plant and the detached leaf, respectively, are presented. For convenience, most of the protocols use the model plant species Arabidopsis and rice, but they can be easily extended to other plants.}, language = {en} } @article{SolovyevPrakashBhatiaetal.2018, author = {Solovyev, Nikolay and Prakash, N. Tejo and Bhatia, Poonam and Prakash, Ranjana and Drobyshev, Evgenii J. and Michalke, Bernhard}, title = {Selenium-rich mushrooms cultivation on a wheat straw substrate from seleniferous area in Punjab, India}, series = {Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology}, volume = {50}, journal = {Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Jena}, issn = {0946-672X}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.07.027}, pages = {362 -- 366}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Intensive rice-wheat cultivation cycle in Northern belt of India in general and in the State of Punjab in particular results in large volumes of straw and other post-harvest residue annually. The agricultural area, bordering the districts of Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, is popularly known as the seleniferous belt of India. The agri-residues, generated in seleniferous region of this state, are observed to contain significantly high concentration of selenium (Se). The present study was aimed to evaluate the Se uptake by different mushroom species: Pleurotus sajorcaju, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, Agaricus bisporus, and Volvariella volvacea, cultivated on Se-rich wheat and paddy straw from the seleniferous region. Wheat (Pleurotus species and A. bisporus) and paddy straw (V. volvacea) was inoculated with the mycelium spawn and left for 7-20 days, depending on the species, to grow. Control mushrooms were grown analogously using the agricultural residues from non-seleniferous area of the State of Punjab. All fruiting bodies were collected and analyzed in triplicate. Se was quantified using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. The Se accumulation was high in all species under study, being the highest in A. bisporus (1396 mu g/g vs. 46.8 mu g/g in controls - dry weight) and V. volvacea (231 mu g/g vs. 3.77 mu g/g - dry weight). The observed biological efficiency and total yield for all mushroom species showed good and unaltered productivity in Se-rich conditions, if compared to the controls. The Se-rich mushrooms can be prospective Se-supplements sourcing and biofortified foods, providing readily bioavailable and accessible Se for the diets deficient of this biologically essential element.}, language = {en} } @article{PerillonvandeWeyerPaezoltetal.2018, author = {Perillon, Cecile and van de Weyer, Klaus and P{\"a}zolt, Jens and Kasprzak, Peter and Hilt, Sabine}, title = {Changes in submerged macrophyte colonization in shallow areas of an oligo-mesotrophic lake and the potential role of groundwater}, series = {Limnologica : ecology and management of inland waters}, volume = {68}, journal = {Limnologica : ecology and management of inland waters}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Jena}, issn = {0075-9511}, doi = {10.1016/j.limno.2017.03.002}, pages = {168 -- 176}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Groundwater influx can significantly contribute to nutrient budgets of lakes and its influence is strongest in shallow littoral areas. In oligo-or mesotrophic systems, additional nutrient supply by groundwater influx may affect benthic primary producers and their interactions. Potential changes can be expected in community composition, biomass, stoichiometry and interactions between submerged macrophytes and epiphyton.}, language = {en} } @article{KoloraWeigertSaffarietal.2018, author = {Kolora, Sree Rohit Raj and Weigert, Anne and Saffari, Amin and Kehr, Stephanie and Walter Costa, Maria Beatriz and Spr{\"o}er, Cathrin and Indrischek, Henrike and Chintalapati, Manjusha and Lohse, Konrad and Doose, Gero and Overmann, J{\"o}rg and Bunk, Boyke and Bleidorn, Christoph and Grimm-Seyfarth, Annegret and Henle, Klaus and Nowick, Katja and Faria, Rui and Stadler, Peter F. and Schlegel, Martin}, title = {Divergent evolution in the genomes of closely related lacertids, Lacerta viridis and L. bilineata, and implications for speciation}, series = {GigaScience}, volume = {8}, journal = {GigaScience}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {2047-217X}, doi = {10.1093/gigascience/giy160}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background Lacerta viridis and Lacerta bilineata are sister species of European green lizards (eastern and western clades, respectively) that, until recently, were grouped together as the L. viridis complex. Genetic incompatibilities were observed between lacertid populations through crossing experiments, which led to the delineation of two separate species within the L. viridis complex. The population history of these sister species and processes driving divergence are unknown. We constructed the first high-quality de novo genome assemblies for both L. viridis and L. bilineata through Illumina and PacBio sequencing, with annotation support provided from transcriptome sequencing of several tissues. To estimate gene flow between the two species and identify factors involved in reproductive isolation, we studied their evolutionary history, identified genomic rearrangements, detected signatures of selection on non-coding RNA, and on protein-coding genes. Findings Here we show that gene flow was primarily unidirectional from L. bilineata to L. viridis after their split at least 1.15 million years ago. We detected positive selection of the non-coding repertoire; mutations in transcription factors; accumulation of divergence through inversions; selection on genes involved in neural development, reproduction, and behavior, as well as in ultraviolet-response, possibly driven by sexual selection, whose contribution to reproductive isolation between these lacertid species needs to be further evaluated. Conclusion The combination of short and long sequence reads resulted in one of the most complete lizard genome assemblies. The characterization of a diverse array of genomic features provided valuable insights into the demographic history of divergence among European green lizards, as well as key species differences, some of which are candidates that could have played a role in speciation. In addition, our study generated valuable genomic resources that can be used to address conservation-related issues in lacertids.}, language = {en} } @article{VannesteValdesVerheyenetal.2018, author = {Vanneste, Thomas and Valdes, Alicia and Verheyen, Kris and Perring, Michael P. and Bernhardt-Roemermann, Markus and Andrieu, Emilie and Brunet, Jorg and Cousins, Sara A. O. and Deconchat, Marc and De Smedt, Pallieter and Diekmann, Martin and Ehrmann, Steffen and Heinken, Thilo and Hermy, Martin and Kolb, Annette and Lenoir, Jonathan and Liira, Jaan and Naaf, Tobias and Paal, Taavi and Wulf, Monika and Decocq, Guillaume and De Frenne, Pieter}, title = {Functional trait variation of forest understorey plant communities across Europe}, series = {Basic and applied ecology : Journal of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie}, volume = {34}, journal = {Basic and applied ecology : Journal of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r {\"O}kologie}, publisher = {Elsevier GmbH}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {1439-1791}, doi = {10.1016/j.baae.2018.09.004}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Global environmental changes are expected to alter the functional characteristics of understorey herb-layer communities, potentially affecting forest ecosystem functioning. However, little is known about what drives the variability of functional traits in forest understories. Here, we assessed the role of different environmental drivers in shaping the functional trait distribution of understorey herbs in fragmented forests across three spatial scales. We focused on 708 small, deciduous forest patches located in 16 agricultural landscape windows, spanning a 2500-km macroclimatic gradient across the temperate forest biome in Europe. We estimated the relative effect of patch-scale, landscape-scale and macroclimatic variables on the community mean and variation of plant height, specific leaf area and seed mass. Macroclimatic variables (monthly temperature and precipitation extremes) explained the largest proportion of variation in community trait means (on average 77\% of the explained variation). In contrast, patch-scale factors dominated in explaining community trait variation (on average 68\% of the explained variation). Notably, patch age, size and internal heterogeneity had a positive effect on the community-level variability. Landscape-scale variables explained only a minor part of the variation in both trait distribution properties. The variation explained by shared combinations of the variable groups was generally negligible. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple spatial scales in predictions of environmental-change effects on the functionality of forest understories. We propose that forest management sustainability could benefit from conserving larger, historically continuous and internally heterogeneous forest patches to maximise ecosystem service diversity in rural landscapes. (C) 2018 Gesellschaft fur Okologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhivkovaKieckerLangeretal.2018, author = {Zhivkova, Veselina and Kiecker, Felix and Langer, Peter and Eberle, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Crucial role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the proapoptotic effects of indirubin derivative DKP-073 in melanoma cells}, series = {Molecular carcinogenesis}, volume = {58}, journal = {Molecular carcinogenesis}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0899-1987}, doi = {10.1002/mc.22924}, pages = {258 -- 269}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Melanoma represents a prime example demonstrating the success of targeted therapy in cancer. Nevertheless, it remained a deadly disease until now, and the identification of new, independent strategies as well as the understanding of their molecular mechanisms may help to finally overcome the high mortality. Both indirubins and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represent promising candidates. Here, the indirubin derivative DKP-073 is shown to trigger apoptosis in melanoma cells, which is enhanced by the combination with TRAIL and is accompanied by complete loss of cell viability. Addressing the signaling cascade, characteristic molecular steps were identified as caspase-3 activation, downregulation of XIAP, upregulation of p53 and TRAIL receptor 2, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and STAT-3 dephosphorylation. The decisive step, however, turned out to be the early production of ROS already at 1 h. This was proven by antioxidant pretreatment, which completely abolished apoptosis induction and loss of cell viability as well as abrogated all signaling effects listed above. Thus, ROS appeared as upstream of all proapoptotic signaling. The data indicate a dominant role of ROS in apoptosis regulation, and the new pathway may expose a possible Achilles heel of melanoma.}, language = {en} } @article{BurschelDecovicNuberetal.2018, author = {Burschel, Sabrina and Decovic, Doris Kreuzer and Nuber, Franziska and Stiller, Marie and Hofmann, Maud and Zupok, Arkadiusz and Siemiatkowska, Beata and Gorka, Michal Jakub and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Friedrich, Thorsten}, title = {Iron-sulfur cluster carrier proteins involved in the assembly of Escherichia coli NADH}, series = {Molecular microbiology}, volume = {111}, journal = {Molecular microbiology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0950-382X}, doi = {10.1111/mmi.14137}, pages = {31 -- 45}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (respiratory complex I) is the main entry point for electrons into the Escherichia coli aerobic respiratory chain. With its sophisticated setup of 13 different subunits and 10 cofactors, it is anticipated that various chaperones are needed for its proper maturation. However, very little is known about the assembly of E. coli complex I, especially concerning the incorporation of the iron-sulfur clusters. To identify iron-sulfur cluster carrier proteins possibly involved in the process, we generated knockout strains of NfuA, BolA, YajL, Mrp, GrxD and IbaG that have been reported either to be involved in the maturation of mitochondrial complex I or to exert influence on the clusters of bacterial complex. We determined the NADH and succinate oxidase activities of membranes from the mutant strains to monitor the specificity of the individual mutations for complex I. The deletion of NfuA, BolA and Mrp led to a decreased stability and partially disturbed assembly of the complex as determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation and native PAGE. EPR spectroscopy of cytoplasmic membranes revealed that the BolA deletion results in the loss of the binuclear Fe/S cluster N1b.}, language = {en} } @article{PancraceIshidaBriandetal.2018, author = {Pancrace, Claire and Ishida, Keishi and Briand, Enora and Pichi, Douglas Gatte and Weiz, Annika R. and Guljarmow, Arthur and Scalvenzi, Thibault and Sassoon, Nathalie and Hertweck, Christian and Dittmann, Elke and Gugger, Muriel}, title = {Unique Biosynthetic Pathway in Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterial Genus Microcystis Jointly Assembles Cytotoxic Aeruginoguanidines and Microguanidines}, series = {ACS chemical biology}, volume = {14}, journal = {ACS chemical biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1554-8929}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.8b00918}, pages = {67 -- 75}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The cyanobacterial genus Microcystis is known to produce an elaborate array of structurally unique and biologically active natural products, including hazardous cyanotoxins. Cytotoxic aeruginoguanidines represent a yet unexplored family of peptides featuring a trisubstituted benzene unit and farnesylated arginine derivatives. In this study, we aimed at assigning these compounds to a biosynthetic gene cluster by utilizing biosynthetic attributes deduced from public genomes of Microcystis and the sporadic distribution of the metabolite in axenic strains of the Pasteur Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria. By integrating genome mining with untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, we linked aeruginoguanidine (AGD) to a nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene cluster and coassigned a significantly smaller product to this pathway, microguanidine (MGD), previously only reported from two Microcystis blooms. Further, a new intermediate class of compounds named microguanidine amides was uncovered, thereby further enlarging this compound family. The comparison of structurally divergent AGDs and MGDs reveals an outstanding versatility of this biosynthetic pathway and provides insights into the assembly of the two compound subfamilies. Strikingly, aeruginoguanidines and microguanidines were found to be as widespread as the hepatotoxic microcystins, but the occurrence of both toxin families appeared to be mutually exclusive.}, language = {en} } @article{MittlerBlasiusGaedkeetal.2018, author = {Mittler, Udo and Blasius, Bernd and Gaedke, Ursula and Ryabov, Alexey B.}, title = {Length-volume relationship of lake phytoplankton}, series = {Limnology and Oceanography: Methods}, volume = {17}, journal = {Limnology and Oceanography: Methods}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1541-5856}, doi = {10.1002/lom3.10296}, pages = {58 -- 68}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The shapes of phytoplankton units (unicellular organisms and colonies) are extremely diverse, and no unique relationship exists between their volume, V, and longest linear dimension, L. However, an approximate scaling between these parameters can be found because the shape variations within each size class are constrained by cell physiology, grazing pressure, and optimality of resource acquisition. To determine this scaling and to test for its seasonal and interannual variation under changing environmental conditions, we performed weighted regression analysis of time-dependent length-volume relations of the phytoplankton community in large deep Lake Constance from 1979 to 1999. We show that despite a large variability in species composition, the V(L) relationship can be approximated as a power law, V similar to L-alpha, with a scaling exponent alpha = 3 for small cells (L < 25 mu m) and alpha = 1.7 if the fitting is performed over the entire length range, including individual cells and colonies. The best description is provided by a transitional power function describing a regime change from a scaling exponent of 3 for small cells to an exponent of 0.4 in the range of large phytoplankton. Testing different weighted fitting approaches we show that remarkably the best prediction of the total community biovolume from measurements of L and cell density is obtained when the regression is weighted with the squares of species abundances. Our approach should also be applicable to other systems and allows converting phytoplankton length distributions (e.g., obtained with automatic monitoring such as flow cytometry) into distributions of biovolume and biovolume-related phytoplankton traits.}, language = {en} }