@misc{KleessenNikoloski2012, author = {Kleessen, Sabrina and Nikoloski, Zoran}, title = {Dynamic regulatory on/off minimization for biological systems under internal temporal perturbations}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {852}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43112}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431128}, pages = {15}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Flux balance analysis (FBA) together with its extension, dynamic FBA, have proven instrumental for analyzing the robustness and dynamics of metabolic networks by employing only the stoichiometry of the included reactions coupled with adequately chosen objective function. In addition, under the assumption of minimization of metabolic adjustment, dynamic FBA has recently been employed to analyze the transition between metabolic states. Results: Here, we propose a suite of novel methods for analyzing the dynamics of (internally perturbed) metabolic networks and for quantifying their robustness with limited knowledge of kinetic parameters. Following the biochemically meaningful premise that metabolite concentrations exhibit smooth temporal changes, the proposed methods rely on minimizing the significant fluctuations of metabolic profiles to predict the time-resolved metabolic state, characterized by both fluxes and concentrations. By conducting a comparative analysis with a kinetic model of the Calvin-Benson cycle and a model of plant carbohydrate metabolism, we demonstrate that the principle of regulatory on/off minimization coupled with dynamic FBA can accurately predict the changes in metabolic states. Conclusions: Our methods outperform the existing dynamic FBA-based modeling alternatives, and could help in revealing the mechanisms for maintaining robustness of dynamic processes in metabolic networks over time.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kluth2012, author = {Kluth, Oliver}, title = {Einfluss von Glucolipotoxizit{\"a}t auf die Funktion der β-Zellen diabetessuszeptibler und -resistenter Mausst{\"a}mme}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-61961}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, die Auswirkungen von Glucose- und Lipidtoxizit{\"a}t auf die Funktion der β-Zellen von Langerhans-Inseln in einem diabetesresistenten (B6.V-Lepob/ob, ob/ob) sowie diabetessuszeptiblen (New Zealand Obese, NZO) Mausmodell zu untersuchen. Es sollten molekulare Mechanismen identifiziert werden, die zum Untergang der β-Zellen in der NZO-Maus f{\"u}hren bzw. zum Schutz der β-Zellen der ob/ob-Maus beitragen. Zun{\"a}chst wurde durch ein geeignetes di{\"a}tetisches Regime in beiden Modellen durch kohlenhydratrestriktive Ern{\"a}hrung eine Adipositas(Lipidtoxizit{\"a}t) induziert und anschließend durch F{\"u}tterung einer kohlenhydrathaltigen Di{\"a}t ein Zustand von Glucolipotoxizit{\"a}t erzeugt. Dieses Vorgehen erlaubte es, in der NZO-Maus in einem kurzen Zeitfenster eine Hyperglyk{\"a}mie sowie einen β-Zelluntergang durch Apoptose auszul{\"o}sen. Im Vergleich dazu blieben ob/ob-M{\"a}use l{\"a}ngerfristig normoglyk{\"a}misch und wiesen keinen β-Zelluntergang auf. Die Ursache f{\"u}r den β-Zellverlust war die Inaktivierung des Insulin/IGF-1-Rezeptor-Signalwegs, wie durch Abnahme von phospho-AKT, phospho-FoxO1 sowie des β-zellspezifischen Transkriptionsfaktors PDX1 gezeigt wurde. Mit Ausnahme des Effekts einer Dephosphorylierung von FoxO1, konnten ob/ob-M{\"a}use diesen Signalweg aufrechterhalten und dadurch einen Verlust von β-Zellen abwenden. Die glucolipotoxischen Effekte wurden in vitro an isolierten Inseln beider St{\"a}mme und der β-Zelllinie MIN6 best{\"a}tigt und zeigten, dass ausschließlich die Kombination hoher Glucose und Palmitatkonzentrationen (Glucolipotoxizit{\"a}t) negative Auswirkungen auf die NZO-Inseln und MIN6-Zellen hatte, w{\"a}hrend ob/ob-Inseln davor gesch{\"u}tzt blieben. Die Untersuchung isolierter Inseln ergab, dass beide St{\"a}mme unter glucolipotoxischen Bedingungen keine Steigerung der Insulinexpression aufweisen und sich bez{\"u}glich ihrer Glucose-stimulierten Insulinsekretion nicht unterscheiden. Mit Hilfe von Microarray- sowie immunhistologischen Untersuchungen wurde gezeigt, dass ausschließlich ob/ob-M{\"a}use nach Kohlenhydratf{\"u}tterung eine kompensatorische transiente Induktion der β-Zellproliferation aufwiesen, die in einer nahezu Verdreifachung der Inselmasse nach 32 Tagen m{\"u}ndete. Die hier erzielten Ergebnisse lassen die Schlussfolgerung zu, dass der β-Zelluntergang der NZO-Maus auf eine Beeintr{\"a}chtigung des Insulin/IGF-1-Rezeptor-Signalwegs sowie auf die Unf{\"a}higkeit zur β- Zellproliferation zur{\"u}ckgef{\"u}hrt werden kann. Umgekehrt erm{\"o}glichen der Erhalt des Insulin/IGF-1-Rezeptor-Signalwegs und die Induktion der β-Zellproliferation in der ob/ob-Maus den Schutz vor einer Hyperglyk{\"a}mie und einem Diabetes.}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Schad2012, author = {Schad, Julia}, title = {Evolution of major histocompatibility complex genes in New World bats and their functional importance in parasite resistance and life-history decisions in the lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-63513}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) constitute a central component of the adaptive immune system and play an essential role in parasite resistance and associated life-history strategies. In addition to pathogen-mediated selection also sexual selection mechanisms have been identified as the main drivers of the typically-observed high levels of polymorphism in functionally important parts of the MHC. The recognition of the individual MHC constitution is presumed to be mediated through olfactory cues. Indeed, MHC genes are in physical linkage with olfactory receptor genes and alter the individual body odour. Moreover, they are expressed on sperm and trophoplast cells. Thus, MHC-mediated sexual selection processes might not only act in direct mate choice decisions, but also through cryptic processes during reproduction. Bats (Chiroptera) represent the second largest mammalian order and have been identified as important vectors of newly emerging infectious diseases affecting humans and wildlife. In addition, they are interesting study subjects in evolutionary ecology in the context of olfactory communication, mate choice and associated fitness benefits. Thus, it is surprising that Chiroptera belong to the least studied mammalian taxa in terms of their MHC evolution. In my doctoral thesis I aimed to gain insights in the evolution and diversity pattern of functional MHC genes in some of the major New World bat families by establishing species-specific primers through genome-walking into unknown flanking parts of familiar sites. Further, I took a free-ranging population of the lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) in Panama as an example to understand the functional importance of the individual MHC constitution in parasite resistance and reproduction as well as the possible underlying selective forces shaping the observed diversity. My studies indicated that the typical MHC characteristics observed in other mammalian orders, like evidence for balancing and positive selection as well as recombination and gene conversion events, are also present in bats shaping their MHC diversity. I found a wide range of copy number variation of expressed DRB loci in the investigated species. In Saccopteryx bilineata, a species with a highly developed olfactory communication system, I found an exceptionally high number of MHC loci duplications generating high levels of variability at the individual level, which has never been described for any other mammalian species so far. My studies included for the first time phylogenetic relationships of MHC genes in bats and I found signs for a family-specific independent mode of evolution of duplicated genes, regardless whether the highly variable exon 2 (coding for the antigen binding region of the molecule) or more conserved exons (3, 4; encoding protein stabilizing parts) were considered indicating a monophyletic origin of duplicated loci within families. This result questions the general assumed pattern of MHC evolution in mammals where duplicated genes of different families usually cluster together suggesting that duplication occurred before speciation took place, which implies a trans-species mode of evolution. However, I found a trans-species mode of evolution within genera (Noctilio, Myotis) based on exon 2 signified by an intermingled clustering of DRB alleles. The gained knowledge on MHC sequence evolution in major New World bat families will facilitate future MHC investigations in this order. In the N. albiventris study population, the single expressed MHC class II DRB gene showed high sequence polymorphism, moderate allelic variability and high levels of population-wide heterozygosity. Whereas demographic processes had minor relevance in shaping the diversity pattern, I found clear evidence for parasite-mediated selection. This was evident by historical positive Darwinian selection maintaining diversity in the functionally important antigen binding sites, and by specific MHC alleles which were associated with low and high ectoparasite burden according to predictions of the 'frequency dependent selection hypothesis'. Parasite resistance has been suggested to play an important role in mediating costly life history trade-offs leading to e.g. MHC- mediated benefits in sexual selection. The 'good genes model' predicts that males with a genetically well-adapted immune system in defending harmful parasites have the ability to allocate more resources to reproductive effort. I found support for this prediction since non-reproductive adult N. albiventris males carried more often an allele associated with high parasite loads, which differentiated them genetically from reproductively active males as well as from subadults, indicating a reduced transmission of this allele in subsequent generations. In addition, they suffered from increased ectoparasite burden which presumably reduced resources to invest in reproduction. Another sign for sexual selection was the observation of gender-specific difference in heterozygosity, with females showing lower levels of heterozygosity than males. This signifies that the sexes differ in their selection pressures, presumably through MHC-mediated molecular processes during reproduction resulting in a male specific heterozygosity advantage. My data make clear that parasite-mediated selection and sexual selection are interactive and operate together to form diversity at the MHC. Furthermore, my thesis is one of the rare studies contributing to fill the gap between MHC-mediated effects on co-evolutionary processes in parasite-host-interactions and on aspects of life-history evolution.}, language = {en} } @misc{LarhlimiDavidSelbigetal.2012, author = {Larhlimi, Abdelhalim and David, Laszlo and Selbig, Joachim and Bockmayr, Alexander}, title = {F2C2}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {921}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43243}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-432431}, pages = {11}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Flux coupling analysis (FCA) has become a useful tool in the constraint-based analysis of genome-scale metabolic networks. FCA allows detecting dependencies between reaction fluxes of metabolic networks at steady-state. On the one hand, this can help in the curation of reconstructed metabolic networks by verifying whether the coupling between reactions is in agreement with the experimental findings. On the other hand, FCA can aid in defining intervention strategies to knock out target reactions. Results: We present a new method F2C2 for FCA, which is orders of magnitude faster than previous approaches. As a consequence, FCA of genome-scale metabolic networks can now be performed in a routine manner. Conclusions: We propose F2C2 as a fast tool for the computation of flux coupling in genome-scale metabolic networks. F2C2 is freely available for non-commercial use at https://sourceforge.net/projects/f2c2/files/.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hinz2012, author = {Hinz, Justyna}, title = {Factors modifying the aggregation of atrophin-1 acting in cis and in trans}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-60385}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Ten polyQ (polyglutamine) diseases constitute a group of hereditary, neurodegenerative, lethal disorders, characterized by neuronal loss and motor and cognitive impairments. The only common molecular feature of polyQ disease-associated proteins is the homopolymeric polyglutamine repeat. The pathological expansion of polyQ tract invariably leads to protein misfolding and aggregation, resulting in formation of the fibrillar intraneuronal deposits (aggregates) of the disease protein. The polyQ-related cellular toxicity is currently attributed to early, small, soluble aggregate species (oligomers), whereas end-stage, fibrillar, insoluble aggregates are considered to be benign. In the complex cellular environment aggregation and toxicity of mutant polyQ proteins can be affected by both the sequences of the corresponding disease protein (factors acting in cis) and the cellular environment (factors acting in trans). Additionally, the nucleus has been suggested to be the primary site of toxicity in the polyQ-based neurodegeneration. In this study, the dynamics and structure of nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions were examined to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the cellular aggregation of atrophin-1, a protein implicated in the pathology of dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), a polyQ-based disease with complex clinical features. Dynamic imaging, combined with biochemical and biophysical approaches revealed a large heterogeneity in the dynamics of atrophin-1 within the nuclear inclusions compared with the compact and immobile cytoplasmic aggregates. At least two types of inclusions of polyQ-expanded atrophin-1 with different mobility of the molecular species and ability to exchange with the surrounding monomer pool coexist in the nucleus of the model cell system, neuroblastoma N2a cells. Furthermore, our novel cross-seeding approach which allows for monitoring of the architecture of the aggregate core directly in the cell revealed an evolution of the aggregate core of the polyQ-expanded ATN1 from one composed of the sequences flanking the polyQ domain at early aggregation phases to one dominated by the polyQ stretch in the later aggregation phase. Intriguingly, these changes in the aggregate core architecture of nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions mirrored the changes in the protein dynamics and physico-chemical properties of the aggregates in the aggregation time course. 2D-gel analyses followed by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry) were used to detect alterations in the interaction partners of the pathological ATN1 variant compared to the non-pathological ATN1. Based on these results, we propose that the observed complexity in the dynamics of the nuclear inclusions provides a molecular explanation for the enhanced cellular toxicity of the nuclear aggregates in polyQ-based neurodegeneration.}, language = {en} } @misc{EbertLamprechtSteffenetal.2012, author = {Ebert, Birgitta E. and Lamprecht, Anna-Lena and Steffen, Bernhard and Blank, Lars M.}, title = {Flux-P}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1054}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47669}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-476696}, pages = {872 -- 890}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Quantitative knowledge of intracellular fluxes in metabolic networks is invaluable for inferring metabolic system behavior and the design principles of biological systems. However, intracellular reaction rates can not often be calculated directly but have to be estimated; for instance, via 13C-based metabolic flux analysis, a model-based interpretation of stable carbon isotope patterns in intermediates of metabolism. Existing software such as FiatFlux, OpenFLUX or 13CFLUX supports experts in this complex analysis, but requires several steps that have to be carried out manually, hence restricting the use of this software for data interpretation to a rather small number of experiments. In this paper, we present Flux-P as an approach to automate and standardize 13C-based metabolic flux analysis, using the Bio-jETI workflow framework. Exemplarily based on the FiatFlux software, it demonstrates how services can be created that carry out the different analysis steps autonomously and how these can subsequently be assembled into software workflows that perform automated, high-throughput intracellular flux analysis of high quality and reproducibility. Besides significant acceleration and standardization of the data analysis, the agile workflow-based realization supports flexible changes of the analysis workflows on the user level, making it easy to perform custom analyses.}, language = {en} } @misc{JingAmbroseKnoxetal.2012, author = {Jing, Runchun and Ambrose, Michael A. and Knox, Maggie R. and Smykal, Petr and Hybl, Miroslav and Ramos, {\´A}. and Caminero, Constantino and Burstin, Judith and Duc, Gerard and van Soest, L. J. M. and Święcicki, W. K. and Pereira, M. Graca and Vishnyakova, Margarita and Davenport, Guy F. and Flavell, Andrew J. and Ellis, T. H. Noel}, title = {Genetic diversity in European Pisum germplasm collections}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {871}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43474}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-434743}, pages = {367 -- 380}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The distinctness of, and overlap between, pea genotypes held in several Pisum germplasm collections has been used to determine their relatedness and to test previous ideas about the genetic diversity of Pisum. Our characterisation of genetic diversity among 4,538 Pisum accessions held in 7 European Genebanks has identified sources of novel genetic variation, and both reinforces and refines previous interpretations of the overall structure of genetic diversity in Pisum. Molecular marker analysis was based upon the presence/absence of polymorphism of retrotransposon insertions scored by a high-throughput microarray and SSAP approaches. We conclude that the diversity of Pisum constitutes a broad continuum, with graded differentiation into sub-populations which display various degrees of distinctness. The most distinct genetic groups correspond to the named taxa while the cultivars and landraces of Pisum sativum can be divided into two broad types, one of which is strongly enriched for modern cultivars. The addition of germplasm sets from six European Genebanks, chosen to represent high diversity, to a single collection previously studied with these markers resulted in modest additions to the overall diversity observed, suggesting that the great majority of the total genetic diversity collected for the Pisum genus has now been described. Two interesting sources of novel genetic variation have been identified. Finally, we have proposed reference sets of core accessions with a range of sample sizes to represent Pisum diversity for the future study and exploitation by researchers and breeders.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Pusch2012, author = {Pusch, Martin}, title = {Horizontale und vertikale Konnektivit{\"a}t in Fließgew{\"a}ssern und Seen : {\"o}kologische Funktionen und anthropogene {\"U}berformung}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-63713}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Gew{\"a}sser werden traditionellerweise als abgeschlossene {\"O}kosysteme gesehen, und insbeson¬dere das Zirkulieren von Wasser und N{\"a}hrstoffen im Pelagial von Seen wird als Beispiel daf{\"u}r angef{\"u}hrt. Allerdings wurden in der j{\"u}ngeren Vergangenheit wichtige Verkn{\"u}pfungen des Freiwasserk{\"o}rpers von Gew{\"a}ssern aufgezeigt, die einerseits mit dem Benthal und andererseits mit dem Litoral, der terrestrischen Uferzone und ihrem Einzugsgebiet bestehen. Dadurch hat in den vergangen Jahren die horizontale und vertikale Konnektivit{\"a}t der Gew{\"a}sser{\"o}kosysteme erh{\"o}htes wissenschaftliches Interesse auf sich gezogen, und damit auch die {\"o}kologischen Funktionen des Gew{\"a}ssergrunds (Benthal) und der Uferzonen (Litoral). Aus der neu beschriebenen Konnektivit{\"a}t innerhalb und zwischen diesen Lebensr{\"a}umen ergeben sich weitreichende Konsequenzen f{\"u}r unser Bild von der Funktionalit{\"a}t der Gew{\"a}sser. In der vorliegenden Habilitationsschrift wird am Beispiel von Fließgew{\"a}ssern und Seen des nordostdeutschen Flachlandes eine Reihe von internen und externen funktionalen Verkn{\"u}pfungen in den horizontalen und vertikalen r{\"a}umlichen Dimensionen aufgezeigt. Die zugrunde liegenden Untersuchungen umfassten zumeist sowohl abiotische als auch biologische Variablen, und umfassten thematisch, methodisch und hinsichtlich der Untersuchungsgew{\"a}sser ein breites Spektrum. Dabei wurden in Labor- und Feldexperimenten sowie durch quantitative Feldmes¬sungen {\"o}kologischer Schl{\"u}sselprozesse wie N{\"a}hrstoffretention, Kohlenstoffumsatz, extrazellu¬l{\"a}re Enzymaktivit{\"a}t und Ressourcenweitergabe in Nahrungsnetzen (mittels Stabilisotopen¬methode) untersucht. In Bezug auf Fließgew{\"a}sser wurden dadurch wesentliche Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich der Wirkung einer durch Konnekticit{\"a}t gepr{\"a}gten Hydromorphologie auf die die aquatische Biodiversit{\"a}t und die benthisch-pelagische Kopplung erbracht, die wiederum einen Schl{\"u}sselprozess darstellt f{\"u}r die Retention von in der fließenden Welle transportierten Stoffen, und damit letztlich f{\"u}r die Produktivit{\"a}t eines Flussabschnitts. Das Litoral von Seen wurde in Mitteleuropa jahrzehntelang kaum untersucht, so dass die durchgef{\"u}hrten Untersuchungen zur Gemeinschaftsstruktur, Habitatpr{\"a}ferenzen und Nahrungs¬netzverkn{\"u}pfungen des eulitoralen Makrozoobenthos grundlegend neue Erkenntnisse erbrach¬ten, die auch unmittelbar in Ans{\"a}tze zur {\"o}kologischen Bewertung von Seeufern gem{\"a}ß EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie eingehen. Es konnte somit gezeigt werden, dass die Intensit{\"a}t sowohl die internen als auch der externen {\"o}kologischen Konnektivit{\"a}t durch die Hydrologie und Morphologie der Gew{\"a}sser sowie durch die Verf{\"u}gbarkeit von N{\"a}hrstoffen wesentlich beeinflusst wird, die auf diese Weise vielfach die {\"o}kologische Funktionalit{\"a}t der Gew{\"a}sser pr{\"a}gen. Dabei tr{\"a}gt die vertikale oder horizontale Konnektivit{\"a}t zur Stabilisierung der beteiligten {\"O}kosysteme bei, indem sie den Austausch erm{\"o}glicht von Pflanzenn{\"a}hrstoffen, von Biomasse sowie von migrierenden Organismen, wodurch Phasen des Ressourcenmangels {\"u}berbr{\"u}ckt werden. Diese Ergebnisse k{\"o}nnen im Rahmen der Bewirtschaftung von Gew{\"a}ssern dahingehend genutzt werden, dass die Gew{\"a}hrleistung horizontaler und vertikaler Konnektivit{\"a}t in der Regel mit r{\"a}umlich komplexeren, diverseren, zeitlich und strukturell resilienteren sowie leistungsf{\"a}hi¬geren {\"O}kosystemen einhergeht, die somit intensiver und sicherer nachhaltig genutzt werden k{\"o}nnen. Die Nutzung einer kleinen Auswahl von {\"O}kosystemleistungen der Fl{\"u}sse und Seen durch den Menschen hat oftmals zu einer starken Reduktion der {\"o}kologischen Konnektivit{\"a}t, und in der Folge zu starken Verlusten bei anderen {\"O}kosystemleistungen gef{\"u}hrt. Die Ergebnisse der dargestellten Forschungen zeigen auch, dass die Entwicklung und Implementierung von Strategien zum integrierten Management von komplexen sozial-{\"o}kologischen Systemen wesentlich unterst{\"u}tzt werden kann, wenn die horizontale und vertikale Konnektivit{\"a}t gezielt entwickelt wird.}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Bringmann2012, author = {Bringmann, Martin}, title = {Identification of novel components that connect cellulose synthases to the cytoskeleton}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-61478}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth and the main load-bearing structure in plant cell walls. Cellulose microfibrils are laid down in a tight parallel array, surrounding plant cells like a corset. Orientation of microfibrils determines the direction of growth by directing turgor pressure to points of expansion (Somerville et al., 2004). Hence, cellulose deficient mutants usually show cell and organ swelling due to disturbed anisotropic cell expansion (reviewed in Endler and Persson, 2011). How do cellulose microfibrils gain their parallel orientation? First experiments in the 1960s suggested, that cortical microtubules aid the cellulose synthases on their way around the cell (Green, 1962; Ledbetter and Porter, 1963). This was proofed in 2006 through life cell imaging (Paredez et al., 2006). However, how this guidance was facilitated, remained unknown. Through a combinatory approach, including forward and reverse genetics together with advanced co-expression analysis, we identified pom2 as a cellulose deficient mutant. Map- based cloning revealed that the gene locus of POM2 corresponded to CELLULOSE SYNTHASE INTERACTING 1 (CSI1). Intriguingly, we previously found the CSI1 protein to interact with the putative cytosolic part of the primary cellulose synthases in a yeast-two-hybrid screen (Gu et al., 2010). Exhaustive cell biological analysis of the POM2/CSI1 protein allowed to determine its cellular function. Using spinning disc confocal microscopy, we could show that in the absence of POM2/CSI1, cellulose synthase complexes lose their microtubule-dependent trajectories in the plasma membrane. The loss of POM2/CSI1, however does not influence microtubule- dependent delivery of cellulose synthases (Bringmann et al., 2012). Consequently, POM2/CSI1 acts as a bridging protein between active cellulose synthases and cortical microtubules. This thesis summarizes three publications of the author, regarding the identification of proteins that connect cellulose synthases to the cytoskeleton. This involves the development of bioinformatics tools allowing candidate gene prediction through co-expression studies (Mutwil et al., 2009), identification of candidate genes through interaction studies (Gu et al., 2010), and determination of the cellular function of the candidate gene (Bringmann et al., 2012).}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Reinert2012, author = {Reinert, Armin}, title = {Identifizierung und funktionelle Charakterisierung von f{\"u}r die arbuskul{\"a}re Mykorrhizasymbiose spezifischen Genen in Medicago truncatula}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-63805}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Die Mykorrhiza (griechisch: m{\´y}kēs f{\"u}r „Pilz"; rhiza f{\"u}r „Wurzel") stellt eine Symbiose zwischen Pilzen und einem Großteil der Landpflanzen dar. Der Pilz verbessert durch die Symbiose die Versorgung der Pflanze mit N{\"a}hrstoffen, w{\"a}hrend die Pflanze den Pilz mit Kohlenhydraten versorgt. Die arbuskul{\"a}re Mykorrhiza (AM) stellt dabei einen beson-dere Form der Mykorrhiza dar. Der AM-Pilz bildet dabei w{\"a}hrend der Symbiose die namensgebenden Arbuskeln innerhalb der Wurzelzellen als Ort des prim{\"a}ren N{\"a}hrstoff- austausches aus. Die AM-Symbiose (AMS) ist der Forschungsschwerpunkt dieser Arbeit. Als Modellorganismen wurden Medicago truncatula und Glomus intraradices verwendet. Es wurden Transkriptionsanalysen durchgef{\"u}hrt um u.a. AMS regulierte Transkriptions- faktoren (TFs) zu identifizieren. Die Aktivit{\"a}t der Promotoren von drei der so identifizier-ten AMS-regulierten TFs (MtOFTN, MtNTS, MtDES) wurde mit Hilfe eine Reportergens visualisiert. Der Bereich der gr{\"o}ßten Promotoraktivit{\"a}t waren in einem Fall nur die ar- buskelhaltigen Zellen (MtOFTN). Im zweiten Fall war der Promotor auch aktiv in nicht arbuskelhaltigen Zellen, jedoch am st{\"a}rksten aktiv in den arbuskelhaltigen Zellen (MtNTS). Ein weiterer Promotor war in arbuskelhaltigen Zellen und den diesen benach-barten Zellen gleich aktiv (MtDES). Zus{\"a}tzlich wurden weitere Gene als AMS-reguliert identifiziert und es wurde f{\"u}r drei dieser Gene (MtPPK, MtAmT, MtMDRL) ebenfalls eine Promotor::Reporter-Aktivit{\"a}ts- studie durchgef{\"u}hrt. Die Promotoren der Kinase (MtPPK) und des Ammoniumtrans-porters (MtAmt) waren dabei ausschließlich in arbuskelhaltigen Zellen aktiv, w{\"a}hrend die Aktivit{\"a}t des ABC-Transporters (MtMDRL) keinem bestimmten Zelltyp zuzuordnen war. F{\"u}r zwei weitere identifizierte Gene, ein Kupfertransporter (MtCoT) und ein Zucker- bzw. Inositoltransporter (MtSuT), wurden RNA-Interferenz (RNAi)-Untersuchungen durchgef{\"u}hrt. Dabei stellte sich in beiden F{\"a}llen heraus, dass, sobald ein RNAi-Effekt in den transformierten Wurzeln vorlag, diese in einem deutlich geringerem Ausmaß wie in der Wurzelkontrolle von G. intraradices kolonisiert worden sind. Im Falle von MtCoT k{\"o}nnte das aus dem selben Grund geschehen, wie im Falle von MtPt4. Welche Rolle MtSuT genau in der Ausbildung der AMS spielt und welche Rolle Inositol in der Aus- bildung der AMS spielt m{\"u}sste durch weitere Untersuchungen am Protein untersucht werden. Weitere Untersuchen an den in dieser Arbeit als spezifisch f{\"u}r arbuskelhaltige Zellen gezeigten Genen MtAmT, MtPPK und MtOFTN k{\"o}nnten ebenfalls aufschlussreich f{\"u}r das weitere Verst{\"a}ndnis der AMS sein. Dies trifft auch auf die TFs MtNTS und MtDES zu, die zwar nicht ausschließlich arbuskelspezifisch transkribiert werden, aber auch eine Rolle in der Regulation der AMS innerhalb von M. truncatula Wurzeln zu spielen scheinen.}, language = {de} }