Biology subjects

Voigt, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Voigt, B..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

VerteBrain reveals novel neural and non-neural protein assemblies conserved across vertebrate evolution

Protein-protein interactions underlie core brain functions, including neurotransmitter release, receptor activation, and intracellular signaling essential for learning, memory, and cognition. Here, we systematically map conserved brain protein interactions across five vertebrate species-rabbit, chicken, dolphin, pig, and mouse-using co-fractionation and immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry. From 2,197 biochemical fractions, we identify over 81,000 high-confidence interactions among 6,108 conserved proteins. This interaction map (VerteBrain) reveals both regulatory and structural complexes, including extensive synaptonemal protein associations likely involved in inter-neuronal coordination. Conservation across species underscores essential roles in neuronal and glial function, as well as in additional tissues for more widely expressed complexes. The VerteBrain dataset uncovers candidate disease mechanisms, including roles for ARHGEF1 in short stature syndromes, synaptic vesicle trafficking complexes in epilepsy, and RELCH in congenital deafness. VerteBrain provides a publicly accessible framework for investigating brain protein interactions and their relevance to human neurological disorders.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2024

A conserved regulation of cell expansion underlies notochord mechanics, spine morphogenesis, and endochondral bone lengthening

Cell size is a key contributor to tissue morphogenesis1. As a notable example, growth plate hypertrophic chondrocytes use cellular biogenesis and disproportionate fluid uptake to expand 10-20 times in size to drive lengthening of endochondral bone2,3. Similarly, notochordal cells expand to one of the largest cell types in the developing embryo to drive axial extension4-6. In zebrafish, the notochord vacuolated cells undergo vacuole fusion to form a single large, fluid-filled vacuole that fills the cytoplasmic space and contributes to vacuolated cell expansion7. When this process goes awry, the notochord lacks sufficient hydrostatic pressure to support vertebral bone deposition resulting in adult spines with misshapen vertebral bones and scoliosis8. However, it remains unclear whether endochondral bone and the notochord share common genetic and cellular mechanisms for regulating cell and tissue expansion. Here, we demonstrate that the 5-inositol phosphatase gene, inppl1a, regulates notochord expansion, spine morphogenesis, and endochondral bone lengthening in zebrafish. Furthermore, we show that inppl1a regulates notochord expansion independent of vacuole fusion, thereby genetically decoupling these processes. We demonstrate that inppl1a-dependent notochord expansion is essential to establish normal mechanical properties of the notochord to facilitate the development of a straight spine. Finally, we find that inppl1a is also important for endochondral bone lengthening in fish, as has been shown in the human INPPL1-related endochondral bone disorder, Opsismodysplasia9. Overall, this work reveals a conserved mechanism of cell size regulation that influences disparate tissues critical for skeletal development and short-stature disorders.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Discovery and Engineering of Retrons for Precise GenomeEditing

Retrons are promising gene editing tools because they can produce multi-copy single-stranded DNA in cells via self-primed reverse transcription. However, their potential for inserting genetic cargos in eukaryotes remains largely unexplored. Here we report the discovery and engineering of highly efficient retron-based gene editors for mammalian cells and vertebrates. Through bioinformatic analysis of metagenomic data and functional screening, we identified novel retron reverse transcriptases (RTs) that are highly active in mammalian cells. Rational design further improved the editing efficiency to levels comparable with conventional single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide donors but from a genetically encoded cassette. Small molecule inhibitors of non-homologous end joining factors and Cas9-DNA repair protein fusions further increase homology-directed repair. Retron editors also exhibited robust activity with Cas12a nuclease and Cas9 nickase, expanding the genomic target scope and bypassing the need for a DNA double-stranded break. Using a rationally engineered retron editor, we incorporate a split GFP epitope tag for live cell imaging. Finally, we develop an all-RNA delivery strategy to enable DNA-free gene editing in cells and vertebrate embryos. This work establishes retron editors as a versatile and efficient tool for precise gene editing, offering new opportunities for biotechnology and biomedical research.

molecular biology↗