Biology subjects

Hohl, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hohl, M..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The role of Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in uremic vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. One of the proposed mechanisms of driving vascular calcification is a phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs), particularly PDGFR-{beta}, were shown to modulate the VSMC phenotype. However, their role in uremic vascular calcification remained unclear. We adapted an ex vivo calcification model using murine aortas to simulate uremic conditions. Compared to control conditions, incubation with hemodialysate from CKD patients or using aortas from CKD animals both resulted in significantly increased PDGFR-{beta} phosphorylation and vascular calcification. Inhibition of PDGF signaling using soluble PDGFR-{beta} or the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib significantly reduced uremic calcification and enhanced vascular elasticity. Next, we generated transgenic mice with a VSMC-specific, inducible expression of constitutively active PDGFR-{beta}. The aortas of these mice exhibited significantly increased vascular calcification ex vivo, which was further aggravated by uremic conditions. We established an in vivo model of accelerated vascular calcification and CKD in the transgenic mice, showing significantly aggravated vascular calcification and phenotypic switching of VSMCs compared to non-transgenic littermates. Finally, increased expression of phosphorylated PDGFR-{beta} and a VSMC phenotypic switching were detected in human arteries from patients with CKD compared to those without CKD. In conclusion, PDGFR-{beta} contributes to CKD-associated vascular calcification, representing a potential novel therapeutic target.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species cause arrhythmias in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiac disease and caused by genetic variants that often increase sarcomeric Ca2+ sensitivity. While Ca2+ sensitization explains diastolic dysfunction, the genesis of ventricular arrhythmias is unresolved. Here, we show that HCM mutations or pharmacological interventions that increase myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity generate bioenergetic mismatch and oxidative stress during {beta}-adrenergic stimulation which provide a trigger and a substrate for arrhythmias. For any given sarcomere shortening that produces work and consumes ATP, less Ca2+ stimulates the Krebs cycle to maintain mitochondrial NADH. This reverses the mitochondrial transhydrogenase to regenerate NADH from NADPH, supporting ATP production at the cost of NADPH-dependent antioxidative capacity. The ensuing overflow of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondria and glutathione oxidation induce spontaneous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ waves, well-defined triggers of arrhythmias. Furthermore, transhydrogenase-dependent ROS formation slows electrical conduction during {beta}-adrenergic stimulation in vivo, providing a substrate for arrhythmias. Chronic treatment with a mitochondrially-targeted ROS scavenger abolishes the arrhythmic burden during {beta}-adrenergic stimulation in HCM mice in vivo, while inducing mitochondrial ROS with a redox cycler is sufficient to induce arrhythmias in wild-type animals. These findings may lead to new strategies to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with HCM.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Chronic Interferon Stimulated Gene Transcription Promotes Oncogene Induced Breast Cancer

The Mre11 complex (comprising Mre11, Rad50, Nbs1) is integral to the maintenance of genome stability. We previously showed that a hypomorphic Mre11 mutant mouse strain (Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1) was highly susceptible to oncogene induced breast cancer. Here we used a mammary organoid system to examine which Mre11 dependent responses are tumor suppressive. We found that Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1 organoids exhibited an elevated interferon stimulated gene (ISG) signature and sustained changes in chromatin accessibility. This Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1 phenotype depended on DNA binding of a nuclear innate immune sensor, IFI205. Ablation of Ifi205 in Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1 organoids restored baseline and oncogene-induced chromatin accessibility patterns to those observed in WT. Implantation of Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1 organoids and activation of oncogene led to aggressive metastatic breast cancer. This outcome was reversed in implanted Ifi205-/- Mre11ATLD1/ATLD1 organoids. These data reveal a connection between innate immune signaling and tumor suppression in mammary epithelium. Given the abundance of aberrant DNA structures that arise in the context of genome instability syndromes, the data further suggest that cancer predisposition in those contexts may be partially attributable to tonic innate immune transcriptional programs.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Structural basis for triacylglyceride extraction frommycobacterial inner membrane by MFS transporter Rv1410

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is protected from antibiotic therapy by a multi-layered hydrophobic cell envelope. Major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter Rv1410 and the periplasmic lipoprotein LprG are involved in transport of triacylglycerides (TAGs) that seal the mycomembrane. Here, we report a 2.7 [A] structure of a mycobacterial Rv1410 homologue, which adopts an outward-facing conformation and exhibits unusual transmembrane helix 11 and 12 extensions that protrude [~]20 [A] into the periplasm. A small, very hydrophobic cavity suitable for lipid transport is constricted by a unique and functionally important ion-lock likely involved in proton coupling. Combining mutational analyses and MD simulations, we propose that TAGs are extracted from the core of the inner membrane into the central cavity via lateral clefts present in the inward-facing conformation. The periplasmic helix extensions are crucial for lifting TAGs away from the membrane plane and channeling them into the lipid binding pocket of LprG.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

RTEL1 Influences the Abundance and Localization of TERRA RNA

Telomere repeat containing RNAs (TERRAs) are a family of long non-coding RNAs transcribed from the sub-telomeric regions of eukaryotic chromosomes. TERRA transcripts can form R-loops at chromosome ends; however the importance of these structures or the regulation of TERRA expression and retention in telomeric R-loops remain unclear. Here, we show that the RTEL1 (Regulator of Telomere Length 1) helicase influences the abundance and localization of TERRA in human cells. Depletion of RTEL1 leads to increased levels of TERRA RNA while reducing TERRA-containing R loops at telomeres. In vitro, RTEL1 shows a strong preference for binding G-quadruplex structures which form in TERRA. This binding is mediated by the C-terminal region of RTEL1, and is independent of the RTEL1 helicase domain. RTEL1 binding to TERRA appears to be essential for cell viability, underscoring the importance of this function. Degradation of TERRA containing R-loops by overexpression of RNAse H1 partially recapitulates the increased TERRA levels and telomeric instability associated with RTEL1 deficiency. Collectively, these data suggest that regulation of TERRA at the telomeres is a key function of the RTEL1 helicase, and that loss of that function may contribute to the disease phenotypes of patients with RTEL1 mutations.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Automated flight interception traps for interval sampling of insects

Recent debates on insect decline require sound assessments on the relative drivers that may negatively impact insect populations. Often, baseline data rely on insect monitorings that integrates catches over long time periods. If, however, effects of time-critical environmental factors (e.g., light pollution) are of interest, higher temporal resolution of insect observations during specific time intervals are required (e.g., between dusk and dawn). Conventional time-critical insect trapping is labour-intensive (manual activation/deactivation) and temporally inaccurate as not all traps can be serviced synchronically at different sites. Also, temporal shifts of environmental conditions (e.g., sunset/sunrise) are not accounted for. We provide a battery-driven automated insect flight-interception trap which samples insects during seven user-defined time intervals. A commercially available flight-interception trap is fitted to a rotating platform containing seven flasks and a passage hole. The passage hole avoids unwanted sampling during time-intervals not of interest. Comparisons between two manual and two automated traps during 71 nights in 2018 showed no difference in caught insects. An experiment using 20 automated traps during 104 nights in 2019 proved that the automated flight interception traps is reliable. The automated trap opens new research possibilities as any insect-sampling interval can be defined. It is efficient and saves manpower and associated costs as activation/deactivation is required only every seven sampling intervals. Also, the traps are accurate because all traps sample exactly the same intervals. The trap is low maintenance and robust due to straightforward technical design. It can be controlled manually or via Bluetooth and smartphone.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Modeling Cancer Genomic Data in Yeast Reveals Selection Against ATM Function During Tumorigenesis

The DNA damage response (DDR) comprises multiple functions that collectively preserve genomic integrity and suppress tumorigenesis. The Mre11 complex and ATM govern a major axis of the DDR and several lines of evidence implicate that axis in tumor suppression. Components of the Mre11 complex are mutated in approximately five percent of human cancers. Inherited mutations of complex members cause severe chromosome instability syndromes, such as Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome, which is associated with strong predisposition to malignancy. And in mice, Mre11 complex mutations are markedly more susceptible to oncogene-induced carcinogenesis. The complex is integral to all modes of double strand break (DSB) repair and is required for the activation of ATM to effect DNA damage signaling. To understand which functions of the Mre11 complex are important for tumor suppression, we undertook mining of cancer genomic data from the clinical sequencing program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which includes the Mre11 complex among the 468 genes assessed. Twenty five mutations in MRE11 and RAD50 were modeled in S.cerevisiae and in vitro. The mutations were chosen based on recurrence and conservation between human and yeast. We found that a significant fraction of tumor-borne RAD50 and MRE11 mutations exhibited separation of function phenotypes wherein Tel1/ATM activation was defective while DNA repair functions were mildly or not affected. At the molecular level, the gene products of RAD50 mutations exhibited defects in ATP binding and hydrolysis. The data reflect the importance of Rad50 ATPase activity for Tel1/ATM activation and suggest that inactivation of ATM signaling confers an advantage to burgeoning tumor cells.\n\nAuthor SummaryA complex network of functions is required for suppressing tumorigenesis. These include processes that regulate cell growth and differentiation, processes that repair damage to DNA and thereby prevent cancer promoting mutations and signaling pathways that lead to growth arrest and programmed cell death. The Mre11 complex influences both signaling and DNA repair. To understand its role in tumor suppression, we characterized mutations affecting members of the Mre11 complex that were uncovered through cancer genomic analyses. The data reveal that the signaling functions of the Mre11 complex are important for tumor suppression to a greater degree than its role in DNA repair.

genetics↗