Biology subjects

Forster, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Forster, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Ciliary ARLs drive renal cystogenesis

BackgroundPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the leading genetic cause of renal failure, resulting in the accumulation of fluid filled cysts and gross enlargement of the kidney. Mutations in PKD1 or PKD2, which encode ciliary polycystin proteins, are the most common cause of PKD. These proteins function in a cilia-dependent cyst activation (CDCA) pathway-one that requires cilia for its pro-cystic function-yet the molecular driver(s) of this pathway are unknown. ARL13B is a regulatory GTPase enriched in cilia and links to renal cystogenesis. ARL13B possesses guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity for ARL3, another ARL with links to cilia. MethodsWe used two distinct Arl13b mouse alleles to investigate whether ARL13B is a component of the CDCA pathway: Arl13bV358A encodes for enzymatically normal ARL13B that is undetectable in cilia, and Arl13bR79Q encodes for cilia-localized ARL13B lacking a residue critical for its ARL3 GEF activity. We used these alleles in a Pkd1-deficient adult mouse model and investigated renal morphology (H&E and cystic index analysis), physiology (blood urea nitrogen measurements), renal fibrosis (picrosirius staining and -smooth muscle actin levels), renal injury (SOX9 immunofluorescent staining and quantification), and Wnt signaling ({beta}-catenin and cyclin D1 protein levels). ResultsWe found that loss of ciliary ARL13B or mutation of a single residue critical for its ARL3 GEF activity suppressed Pkd1-dependent cysts. We observed reductions in kidney size, cystic index, and blood urea nitrogen. We also observed suppression of renal fibrosis, renal injury, and {beta}-catenin and cyclin D1 protein levels. ConclusionsOur results identified a subcellular location and mechanism driving Pkd1-dependent renal cystogenesis. We demonstrated that expression of a critical residue for ARL13Bs GEF activity specifically in cilia is a key mechanism of the CDCA pathway driving renal cystogenesis. Key PointsO_LILoss of ciliary ARL13B suppressed renal cystogenesis in an adult mouse model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) without ablating cilia C_LIO_LILoss of ciliary ARL13B or mutation of the residue critical for its GEF activity did not affect renal morphology or physiology in an adult induced mouse model C_LIO_LIMutation of a residue critical for ARL13B activation of ARL3 suppressed cystic phenotypes in Pkd1-dependent cysts C_LI

genetics↗

bioRxiv2024

Effect of Genotype and Age on a Defined Microbiota in Gnotobiotic SCID Piglets

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) individuals lack functional T and B lymphocytes, leading to a deficient adaptive immune system. SCID pigs are a unique large animal biomedical model as they possess many similarities to humans, allowing for the collection of translatable data in regenerative medicine, cancer, and other biomedical research topics. While many studies suggest early gut microbiota development is necessary for developing the intestinal barrier and immune system, these animals are often cesarian section derived, leaving them uncolonized for normal intestinal microflora. The hypothesis was that an increase in complexity of microbiota inoculum will allow for more stability in the composition of the gut microbiota of SCID piglets. This was tested across multiple litters of SCID piglets with three different defined microbiota consortium (2-strain, 6-strain, 7-strain). All piglets received their designated defined microbiota by oral gavage immediately after birth and again 24 hours later. There was no effect of SCID genotype on the composition of the gut microbiota, but there was a significant effect due to piglet age. Additionally, all three defined microbiota consortia were deemed safe to use in SCID piglets, and the 7-strain microbiota was the most stable over time. Based on these results, the 7-strain defined microbiota will be added to the SCID pig husbandry protocol, allowing for a more reproducible model.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

Macromolecular organization of the pyoverdine biosynthetic pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The biosynthesis of the pyoverdine siderophore in Pseudomonas aeruginosa inlvolves multiple enzymes including Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetases (NRPS). We used in vitro single-molecule tracking and FRET-FLIM (Forster resonance energy transfer measured by fluorescence lifetime microscopy) to explore the spatial partitioning of the ornithine hydroxylase PvdA and to characterize its interactions with NRPS. The statistical description of thousands of single PvdA traces in cells using jump distance distribution analysis showed PvdA was mostly diffusing bound to large complex in the cytoplasm with a small exchangeable trapped fraction diffusing slower. FRET-FLIM clearly showed PvdA are physically interacting with the four NRPS PvdJ, PvdI, PvdL and PvdD of the pyoverdine pathway in the cellular context. Our data provide evidence for strongly organized multi-enzymatic biosynthetic complexes named siderosomes responsible for the siderophore biosynthesis. PvdA binding mode is strikingly different according to the NRPS it is interacting with suggesting PvdA binding site have co-evolved with the enzymatic active sites of NRPS.

biophysics↗