@article{SchellerYarman2015, author = {Scheller, Frieder W. and Yarman, Aysu}, title = {Bio vs. Mimetika in der Bioanalytik}, series = {Biochemie und analytische Biochemie}, volume = {4}, journal = {Biochemie und analytische Biochemie}, number = {2}, issn = {2161-1009}, pages = {2}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Nat{\"u}rliche Evolution hat geschaffenBiopolymereauf der Basis von Aminos{\"a}uren undNukleotidezeigt hohe chemische Selektivit{\"a}t und katalytische Kraft. Die molekulare Erkennung durch Antik{\"o}rper und die katalytische Umwandlung der Substratmolek{\"u}le durch Enzyme findet in sogenannten Paratopen oder katalytischen Zentren des Makromolek{\"u}ls statt, die typischerweise 10-15 Aminos{\"a}uren umfassen. Die konzertierte Wechselwirkung zwischen den Reaktionspartnern f{\"u}hrt zu Affinit{\"a}ten bis zu nanomolaren Konzentrationen f{\"u}r die Antigenbindung und n{\"a}hert sich einer Million Ums{\"a}tze pro Sekunde anEnzym-katalysierte Reaktionen.}, language = {de} } @article{BlankenburgBalfanzHayashietal.2015, author = {Blankenburg, Stefanie and Balfanz, Sabine and Hayashi, Y. and Shigenobu, S. and Miura, T. and Baumann, Otto and Baumann, Arnd and Blenau, Wolfgang}, title = {Cockroach GABA(B) receptor subtypes: Molecular characterization, pharmacological properties and tissue distribution}, series = {Neuropharmacology}, volume = {88}, journal = {Neuropharmacology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0028-3908}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.08.022}, pages = {134 -- 144}, year = {2015}, abstract = {gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Its effects are mediated by either ionotropic GABA(A) receptors or metabotropic GABA(B) receptors. GABA(B) receptors regulate, via Gi/o, G-proteins, ion channels, and adenylyl cyclases. In humans, GABA(B) receptor subtypes are involved in the etiology of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In arthropods, however, these members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family are only inadequately characterized. Interestingly, physiological data have revealed important functions of GABA(B) receptors in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. We have cloned cDNAs coding for putative GABA(B) receptor subtypes 1 and 2 of P. americana (PeaGB1 and PeaGB2). When both receptor proteins are co-expressed in mammalian cells, activation of the receptor heteromer with GABA leads to a dose-dependent decrease in cAMP production. The pharmacological profile differs from that of mammalian and Drosophila GABA(B) receptors. Western blot analyses with polyclonal antibodies have revealed the expression of PeaGB1 and PeaGB2 in the CNS of the American cockroach. In addition to the widespread distribution in the brain, PeaGB1 is expressed in salivary glands and male accessory glands. Notably, PeaGB1-like immunoreactivity has been detected in the GABAergic salivary neuron 2, suggesting that GABA(B) receptors act as autoreceptors in this neuron.}, language = {en} } @article{GeyerStrixnerKreftetal.2015, author = {Geyer, Juliane and Strixner, Lena and Kreft, Stefan and Jeltsch, Florian and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Adapting conservation to climate change: a case study on feasibility and implementation in Brandenburg, Germany}, series = {Regional environmental change}, volume = {15}, journal = {Regional environmental change}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1436-3798}, doi = {10.1007/s10113-014-0609-9}, pages = {139 -- 153}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Conservation actions need to account for global climate change and adapt to it. The body of the literature on adaptation options is growing rapidly, but their feasibility and current state of implementation are rarely assessed. We discussed the practicability of adaptation options with conservation managers analysing three fields of action: reducing the vulnerability of conservation management, reducing the vulnerability of conservation targets (i.e. biodiversity) and climate change mitigation. For all options, feasibility, current state of implementation and existing obstacles to implementation were analysed, using the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, as a case study. Practitioners considered a large number of options useful, most of which have already been implemented at least in part. Those options considered broadly implemented resemble mainly conventional measures of conservation without direct relation to climate change. Managers are facing several obstacles for adapting to climate change, including political reluctance to change, financial and staff shortages in conservation administrations and conflictive EU funding schemes in agriculture. A certain reluctance to act, due to the high degree of uncertainty with regard to climate change scenarios and impacts, is widespread. A lack of knowledge of appropriate methods such as adaptive management often inhibits the implementation of adaptation options in the field of planning and management. Based on the findings for Brandenburg, we generally conclude that it is necessary to focus in particular on options that help to reduce vulnerability of conservation management itself, i.e. those that enhance management effectiveness. For instance, adaptive and proactive risk management can be applied as a no-regrets option, independently from specific climate change scenarios or impacts, strengthening action under uncertainty.}, language = {en} } @article{HamalainenDammhahnAujardetal.2015, author = {Hamalainen, Anni and Dammhahn, Melanie and Aujard, Fabienne and Kraus, Cornelia}, title = {Losing grip: Senescent decline in physical strength in a small-bodied primate in captivity and in the wild}, series = {Experimental gerontology}, volume = {61}, journal = {Experimental gerontology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0531-5565}, doi = {10.1016/j.exger.2014.11.017}, pages = {54 -- 61}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Muscle strength reflects physical functioning, declines at old age and predicts health and survival in humans and laboratory animals. Age-associated muscle deterioration causes loss of strength and may impair fitness of wild animals. However, the effects of age and life-history characteristics on muscle strength in wild animals are unknown. We investigated environment-and sex-specific patterns of physical functioning by measuring grip strength in wild and captive gray mouse lemurs. We expected more pronounced strength senescence in captivity due to condition-dependent, extrinsic mortality found in nature. Males were predicted to be stronger but potentially experience more severe senescence than females as predicted by life history theory. We found similar senescent declines in captive males and females as well as wild females, whereas wild males showed little decline, presumably due to their early mortality. Captive animals were generally weaker and showed earlier declines than wild animals. Unexpectedly, females tended to be stronger than males, especially in the reproductive season. Universal intrinsic mechanisms (e. g. sarcopenia) likely cause the similar patterns of strength loss across settings. The female advantage in muscle strength merits further study; it may follow higher reproductive investment by males, or be an adaptation associated with female social dominance.}, language = {en} } @article{MakowerSchuurmansGrothetal.2015, author = {Makower, A. Katharina and Schuurmans, J. Merijn and Groth, Detlef and Zilliges, Yvonne and Matthijs, Hans C. P. and Dittmann-Th{\"u}nemann, Elke}, title = {Transcriptomics-Aided dissection of the intracellular and extracellular roles of microcystin in microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806}, series = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {81}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0099-2240}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.02601-14}, pages = {544 -- 554}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Recent studies have provided evidence for both intracellular and extracellular roles of the potent hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis. Here, we surveyed transcriptomes of the wild-type strain M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 and the microcystin-deficient Delta mcyB mutant under low light conditions with and without the addition of external MC of the LR variant (MC-LR). Transcriptomic data acquired by microarray and quantitative PCR revealed substantial differences in the relative expression of genes of the central intermediary metabolism, photosynthesis, and energy metabolism. In particular, the data provide evidence for a lower photosystem I (PSI)-to-photosystem II (PSII) ratio and a more pronounced carbon limitation in the microcystin-deficient mutant. Interestingly, only 6\% of the transcriptional differences could be complemented by external microcystin-LR addition. This MC signaling effect was seen exclusively for genes of the secondary metabolism category. The orphan polyketide synthase gene cluster IPF38-51 was specifically downregulated in response to external MC-LR under low light. Our data suggest a hierarchical and light-dependent cross talk of secondary metabolites and support both an intracellular and an extracellular role of MC in Microcystis.}, language = {en} } @article{HenryNeillBeckeretal.2015, author = {Henry, Brian D. and Neill, Daniel R. and Becker, Katrin Anne and Gore, Suzanna and Bricio-Moreno, Laura and Ziobro, Regan and Edwards, Michael J. and Muehlemann, Kathrin and Steinmann, Joerg and Kleuser, Burkhard and Japtok, Lukasz and Luginbuehl, Miriam and Wolfmeier, Heidi and Scherag, Andre and Gulbins, Erich and Kadioglu, Aras and Draeger, Annette and Babiychuk, Eduard B.}, title = {Engineered liposomes sequester bacterial exotoxins and protect from severe invasive infections in mice}, series = {Nature biotechnology : the science and business of biotechnology}, volume = {33}, journal = {Nature biotechnology : the science and business of biotechnology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {New York}, issn = {1087-0156}, doi = {10.1038/nbt.3037}, pages = {81 -- U295}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Gram-positive bacterial pathogens that secrete cytotoxic pore-forming toxins, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, cause a substantial burden of disease. Inspired by the principles that govern natural toxin-host interactions, we have engineered artificial liposomes that are tailored to effectively compete with host cells for toxin binding. Liposome-bound toxins are unable to lyse mammalian cells in vitro. We use these artificial liposomes as decoy targets to sequester bacterial toxins that are produced during active infection in vivo. Administration of artificial liposomes within 10 h after infection rescues mice from septicemia caused by S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, whereas untreated mice die within 24-33 h. Furthermore, liposomes protect mice against invasive pneumococcal pneumonia. Composed exclusively of naturally occurring lipids, tailored liposomes are not bactericidal and could be used therapeutically either alone or in conjunction with antibiotics to combat bacterial infections and to minimize toxin-induced tissue damage that occurs during bacterial clearance.}, language = {en} } @article{SchopperMuhlenbockSorenssonetal.2015, author = {Schopper, S. and Muhlenbock, P. and Sorensson, C. and Hellborg, L. and Lenman, M. and Widell, S. and Fettke, J{\"o}rg and Andreasson, Erik}, title = {Arabidopsis cytosolic alpha-glycan phosphorylase, PHS2, is important during carbohydrate imbalanced conditions}, series = {Plant biology}, volume = {17}, journal = {Plant biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1435-8603}, doi = {10.1111/plb.12190}, pages = {74 -- 80}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Arabidopsis thaliana has two isoforms of alpha-glycan phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1), one residing in the plastid and the other in the cytosol. The cytosolic phosphorylase, PHS2, acts on soluble heteroglycans that constitute a part of the carbohydrate pool in a plant. This study aimed to define a physiological role for PHS2. Under standard growth conditions phs2 knock-out mutants do not show any clear growth phenotype, and we hypothesised that during low-light conditions where carbohydrate imbalance is perturbed, this enzyme is important. Soil-grown phs2 mutant plants developed leaf lesions when placed in very low light. Analysis of soluble heteroglycan (SHG) levels showed that the amount of glucose residues in SHG was higher in the phs2 mutant compared to wild-type plants. Furthermore, a standard senescence assay from soil-grown phs2 mutant plants showed that leaves senesced significantly faster in darkness than the wild-type leaves. We also found decreased hypocotyl extension in in vitro-grown phs2 mutant seedlings when grown for long time in darkness at 6 degrees C. We conclude that PHS2 activity is important in the adult stage during low-light conditions and senescence, as well as during prolonged seedling development when carbohydrate levels are unbalanced.}, language = {en} } @article{CaronDeFrenneBrunetetal.2015, author = {Caron, Maria Mercedes and De Frenne, Pieter and Brunet, J. and Chabrerie, Olivier and Cousins, S. A. O. and De Backer, L. and Decocq, G. and Diekmann, M. and Heinken, Thilo and Kolb, A. and Naaf, T. and Plue, J. and Selvi, Federico and Strimbeck, G. R. and Wulf, Monika and Verheyen, Kris}, title = {Interacting effects of warming and drought on regeneration and early growth of Acer pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides}, series = {Plant biology}, volume = {17}, journal = {Plant biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1435-8603}, doi = {10.1111/plb.12177}, pages = {52 -- 62}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Climate change is acting on several aspects of plant life cycles, including the sexual reproductive stage, which is considered amongst the most sensitive life-cycle phases. In temperate forests, it is expected that climate change will lead to a compositional change in community structure due to changes in the dominance of currently more abundant forest tree species. Increasing our understanding of the effects of climate change on currently secondary tree species recruitment is therefore important to better understand and forecast population and community dynamics in forests. Here, we analyse the interactive effects of rising temperatures and soil moisture reduction on germination, seedling survival and early growth of two important secondary European tree species, Acer pseudoplatanus and A.platanoides. Additionally, we analyse the effect of the temperature experienced by the mother tree during seed production by collecting seeds of both species along a 2200-km long latitudinal gradient. For most of the responses, A.platanoides showed higher sensitivity to the treatments applied, and especially to its joint manipulation, which for some variables resulted in additive effects while for others only partial compensation. In both species, germination and survival decreased with rising temperatures and/or soil moisture reduction while early growth decreased with declining soil moisture content. We conclude that although A.platanoides germination and survival were more affected after the applied treatments, its initial higher germination and larger seedlings might allow this species to be relatively more successful than A.pseudoplatanus in the face of climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{KieferClaesNzayisengaetal.2015, author = {Kiefer, Christian S. and Claes, Andrea R. and Nzayisenga, Jean-Claude and Pietra, Stefano and Stanislas, Thomas and Hueser, Anke and Ikeda, Yoshihisa and Grebe, Markus}, title = {Arabidopsis AIP1-2 restricted by WER-mediated patterning modulates planar polarity}, series = {Development : Company of Biologists}, volume = {142}, journal = {Development : Company of Biologists}, number = {1}, publisher = {Company of Biologists Limited}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0950-1991}, doi = {10.1242/dev.111013}, pages = {151 -- 161}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The coordination of cell polarity within the plane of the tissue layer (planar polarity) is crucial for the development of diverse multicellular organisms. Small Rac/Rho-family GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton contribute to planar polarity formation at sites of polarity establishment in animals and plants. Yet, upstream pathways coordinating planar polarity differ strikingly between kingdoms. In the root of Arabidopsis thaliana, a concentration gradient of the phytohormone auxin coordinates polar recruitment of Rho-of-plant (ROP) to sites of polar epidermal hair initiation. However, little is known about cytoskeletal components and interactions that contribute to this planar polarity or about their relation to the patterning machinery. Here, we show that ACTIN7 (ACT7) represents a main actin isoform required for planar polarity of root hair positioning, interacting with the negative modulator ACTIN-INTERACTING PROTEIN1-2 (AIP1-2). ACT7, AIP1-2 and their genetic interaction are required for coordinated planar polarity of ROP downstream of ethylene signalling. Strikingly, AIP1-2 displays hair cell file-enriched expression, restricted by WEREWOLF (WER)-dependent patterning and modified by ethylene and auxin action. Hence, our findings reveal AIP1-2, expressed under control of the WER-dependent patterning machinery and the ethylene signalling pathway, as a modulator of actin-mediated planar polarity.}, language = {en} } @article{MassieWeithoffKucklaenderetal.2015, author = {Massie, Thomas Michael and Weithoff, Guntram and Kucklaender, Nina and Gaedke, Ursula and Blasius, Bernd}, title = {Enhanced Moran effect by spatial variation in environmental autocorrelation}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {6}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms6993}, pages = {8}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Spatial correlations in environmental stochasticity can synchronize populations over wide areas, a phenomenon known as the Moran effect. The Moran effect has been confirmed in field, laboratory and theoretical investigations. Little is known, however, about the Moran effect in a common ecological case, when environmental variation is temporally autocorrelated and this autocorrelation varies spatially. Here we perform chemostat experiments to investigate the temporal response of independent phytoplankton populations to autocorrelated stochastic forcing. In contrast to naive expectation, two populations without direct coupling can be more strongly correlated than their environmental forcing (enhanced Moran effect), if the stochastic variations differ in their autocorrelation. Our experimental findings are in agreement with numerical simulations and analytical calculations. The enhanced Moran effect is robust to changes in population dynamics, noise spectra and different measures of correlation-suggesting that noise-induced synchrony may play a larger role for population dynamics than previously thought.}, language = {en} }