Sepse é a primeira causa de morte em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. A gravidade dessa doença é considerada conseqüência de um desequilíbrio da resposta inflamatória e, apesar dos avanços em diagnóstico e tratamento, os índices de mortalidade se mantêm inalterados. O papel dos receptores Fc de immunoglobulinas nesta situação é pouco esclarecido. Tais receptores deflagram respostas imunes opostas, que dependem do receptor envolvido e podem ser tanto ativatórias, quanto inibitórias. As respostas ativatórias são atribuídas a um motivo chamado ITAM, enquanto as inibitórias são relacionadas ao motivo ITIM. Camundongos apresentam dois receptores de IgG ativatórios (FcγRI e FcγRIII), que portam motivos ITAM, associados a uma sub-unidade conhecida como cadeia gamma, assim como um receptor de IgG que apresenta um motivo ITIM na sua porção intra-citoplasmática (FcγRII). Este trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo do papel destes receptores em bacteremias e sepse. Para isso, utilizamos um modelo de peritonite induzida por ligadura e punção cecal. Este projeto descreve pela primeira vez, um papel importante do FcRγII na indução de apoptose em linfócitos B, durante infecção bacteriana severa. Nossos resultados colocaram em evidência, ainda, o fato de que animais deficientes em cadeia gamma apresentam mortalidade diminuída, quando submetidos a esse modelo de peritonite, e que essa diminuição é associada a menores valores de TNFα no soro e nos fluidos peritoneais, menor recrutamento peritoneal de células inflamatórias, assim como a um surpreendente aumento na fagocitose de E. coli. Hemocultura e cultura do lavado peritoneal desses animais revelaram uma flora multimicrobiana, enquanto camundongos selvagens apresentaram uma forte predominância de E. coli e um número total bastante superior de bactérias. Esse papel inibitório da cadeia gamma pode estar relacionado a mecanismos de auto-tolerância. Lisado total de células peritoneais de camundongos deficientes em cadeia gamma apresentam fosforilação aumentada de diversas proteínas, quando comparados a lisados obtidos, a partir de camundongos selvagens. Estudos semelhantes realizados com camundongos transgênicos para o receptor de IgA (FcαRI), entretanto, não demonstraram um papel crucial desse receptor nesta doença. Este trabalho abre, portanto, novas perspectivas para o tratamento de doenças infecciosas, através de intervenção sobre a cadeia gamma e coloca em rediscussão os conceitos atuais de ITAM e ITIM. / Sepsis is the first cause of death in Critical Care Units and despite the development in its diagnosis and treatment, mortality remains unaffected. The role of immunoglobulin Fc receptors in sepsis is not clearly understood. These receptors initiate opposing responses, depending on their aggregation by the ligand and can induce activating or inhibitory responses. The activating responses are attributed to a motif known as ITAM, and the inhibitory responses to another one called ITIM. Mice express two activating IgG receptors (FcγRI et FcγRIII) which have ITAM motifs in the intracytoplasmic domain of an associated subunit, called the FcRγ chain, as well as an inhibitory IgG receptor which possesses an ITIM motif in its intracytoplasmic domain. The objective of this work is to study the importance of these receptors in bacteremia and in sepsis. To this aim, we have used a peritonitis model, induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). This project describes for the first time, an important role of FcγRII in B lymphocytes apoptosis. Moreover, our results show that FcRγ chain knockout mice have a decreased mortality in this model, which is associated to diminished TNFα serum and peritoneal fluids levels, to a reduced recruitment of peritoneal inflammatory cells and to a surprising increase in E. coli phagocytosis. Blood and peritoneal fluid cultures have shown a polymicrobial flora 24 hours post-CLP for FcRγ-chain deficient mice, whereas wild-type mice present a strong predominance of E. coli in the same cultures and an increased bacteria total count. Lysates from FcRγ-chain deficient peritoneal cells revealed augmented phosphorylation of many proteins, as compared to wild-type cells. This FcRγ chain inhibitory role could be related to self-tolerance mechanisms. This work opens new perspectives for the treatment of bacterial diseases, proposing FcRγ chain targeting and the reexamination of the actual concepts of ITAM and ITIM.

No description available.

No presente estudo realizamos uma análise ultraestrutural e imuhistoquímica da organização das fibrilas de colágeno no endométrio durante a gestação de camundongos silvestres e deficientes em decorim. Os resultados mostraram que as fibrilas de colágeno em ambos os genótipos sofrem grande variação de forma e tamanho. Observou-se variação significante, na percentagem de distribuição dos diâmetros das fibrilas de colágeno existentes na região decidualizada em ambos os genótipos, porém foi maior nos animais Dcn-/-. Estes animais também apresentam maior percentagem de fibrilas finas quando comparados aos animais Dcn+/+. Observamos ainda que biglicam é expresso no endométrio não decidualizado dos animais Dcn-/-, no 3º dia de gestação. A expressão de lumicam mostrou-se nítida no estroma decidualizado e não decidualizado nos animais Dcn-/- no 7º dia de gestação e foi ausente nos animais Dcn-/-. Estes resultados mostraram que a ausência do decorim promove distúrbios no processo de agregação lateral das fibrilas espessas de colágeno. / The present study is an ultrastructural investigation into the organization of collagen fibrils in the pregnant endometrium of wild-type and decorin-deficient mice. Our results showed that collagen fibrils from both genotypes present a great variability of shape and size in cross section. Significant variation in the diameter of collagen fibrils exists in the decidualized endometrium from both groups of animals. In the decidualized endometrium, the diameter of collagen fibrils increases in both genotypes were higher in Dcn-/- than in Dcn+/+ animals. In the Dcn-/- animals the percentage of thin fibrils with diameter is also higher, when compared with Dcn+/+ animals. We also showed that Bgn is expressed in the non decidualized endometrium in the Dcn-/- animals, on day 3 of pregnancy. The expression of lumican showed a very sharp labeling in the decidualized stroma from day 7, and in the non decidualized estroma from Dcn-/- animals. These results suggest that the deficience of decorin may play a role on collagen fibrillogenesis in different stages of pregnancy.

Lee Yiu Fai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-183). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.viii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xvi / List of Figures --- p.xviii / List of Tables --- p.xxiv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTON / Chapter 1.1 --- Cytochrome P450 (P450) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Cytochrome P450 family --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Role in metabolism --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- P450 catalytic cycle --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (RED) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Characterization and distribution --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Structural and functional domains --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Role in P450 catalytic cycle --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- Drug metabolism --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Understanding of drug metabolism is important for drug development --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Role of P450 in drug metabolism --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- Production of RED knockout in vivo mouse model for screening of P450-dependent new drugs --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Background --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Gene targeting --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Gene targeting vector --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.3.1 --- Classical knockout --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.3.2 --- Conditional knockout --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- Gene knockout mice and its use --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- OBJECTIVES --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1 --- Preparation of RED cDNA by RT-PCR --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Total RNA isolation --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- Materials --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Methods --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.25 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Materials --- p.25 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Methods --- p.25 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- T/A cloning of RED cDNA --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Materials --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Methods --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Midi-preparation of RED cDNA clone --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.4.1 --- Materials --- p.33 / Chapter 3.1.4.2 --- Methods --- p.33 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Confirmation of RED cDNA clone --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.5.1 --- Restriction enzyme mapping --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.5.1.1 --- Materials --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.5.1.2 --- Methods --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.5.2 --- DNA sequencing of RED cDNA sequence --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.5.2.1 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.5.2.2 --- Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.6 --- Preparation and purification of RED cDNA for probe labeling --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.6.1 --- Materials --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.6.2 --- Methods --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.7 --- Non-radioactive random-primed labeling of RED cDNA --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.7.1 --- Materials --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.7.2 --- Methods --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Isolation of RED gene by genomic library screening --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Titering of genomic library --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Materials --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Methods --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Primary screening of genomic library by RED cDNA probe --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Plaque lift --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.1.1 --- Materials --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.1.2 --- Methods --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Proteinase K treatment --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.2 --- Methods --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- "Pre-hybridization, hybridization and detection" --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.2.3.1 --- Materials --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.2.3.2 --- Methods --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Isolation of RED by hybridization screening by Genome System Inc. --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4 --- Characterization of BAC clones containing RED genomic DNA fragments commercially obtained from Genome System Inc. --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Large scale preparation of BAC DNA --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Materials --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Methods --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Restriction enzyme mappings and Southern blotting analysis of BAC DNA fragments --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Materials --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Methods --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Shot-gun sub-cloning of RED genomic DNA fragments from BAC clone in pGEM®-3Z vector --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.3.1 --- Preparation of cloning vector and DNA insert for ligation --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.3.1.1 --- Materials --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.3.1.2 --- Methods --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.3.1.2.1 --- Cloning vectors --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.3.1.2.2 --- DNA inserts --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.3.2 --- Preparation of competent cells and transformation --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.3.2.2 --- Methods --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.3.3 --- Screening for positive recombinant clones --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.1 --- Picking of colonies randomly from the agar plates (method 1) --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.1.1 --- Materials --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.1.2 --- Methods --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.2 --- Colony lifts and hybridization with RED cDNA probes (method 2) --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.3.3.2.2 --- Methods --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5 --- Restriction enzyme mappings and Southern blotting analysis of RED gene subcloned in pGEM®-3Z vector --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Materials --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Methods --- p.56 / Chapter 3.6 --- Exon mappings of the RED genomic DNA fragments by PCR --- p.57 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Materials --- p.57 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Methods --- p.57 / Chapter 3.7 --- Construction of gene targeting vector --- p.57 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Gene targeting vectors la and lb derived from clone H (strategy 1) --- p.60 / Chapter 3.7.1.1 --- Sub-cloning 3.65 kb Hind Ill/Hind III RED gene fragment to pGEM®-3Z vector --- p.60 / Chapter 3.7.1.1.1 --- Materials --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7.1.1.2 --- Methods --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7.1.2 --- Deletion of exonic sequence of RED gene and modification of the digested restriction end to Xho I site --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7.1.2.1 --- Materials --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.1.2.2 --- Methods --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.1.3 --- Preparation of neo cassette --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.1.3.1 --- Materials --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.1.3.2 --- Methods --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.1.4 --- Cloning of neo cassette --- p.66 / Chapter 3.7.1.4.1 --- Methods --- p.66 / Chapter 3.7.1.5 --- Sub-cloning the neo cassette containing RED genomic fragment to pMCI-Thymidine kinase (TK) Poly A vector --- p.67 / Chapter 3.7.1.5.1 --- Materials --- p.67 / Chapter 3.7.1.5.2 --- Methods --- p.67 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- "Gene targeting vectors 2a/2b, 3a/3b and 4a derived from clone X8 (strategy 2,3 and 4 respectively)" --- p.67 / Chapter 3.8 --- Preparation and testing the genomic probes for screening recombinant embryonic stem (ES) cells --- p.73 / Chapter 3.8.1 --- Cloning of genomic probes --- p.73 / Chapter 3.8.1.1 --- Materials --- p.73 / Chapter 3.8.1.2 --- Methods --- p.73 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- Purification of DNA for labeling --- p.78 / Chapter 3.8.2.1 --- Materials --- p.78 / Chapter 3.8.2.2 --- Methods --- p.78 / Chapter 3.8.3 --- ECF random prime labeling of genomic probes --- p.79 / Chapter 3.8.3.1 --- Materials --- p.79 / Chapter 3.8.3.2 --- Methods --- p.79 / Chapter 3.8.4 --- Restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA and Southern blotting --- p.80 / Chapter 3.8.4.1 --- Materials --- p.80 / Chapter 3.8.4.2 --- Methods --- p.80 / Chapter 3.8.5 --- Testing the specificity of genomic probes --- p.80 / Chapter 3.8.5.1 --- Materials --- p.80 / Chapter 3.8.5.2 --- Methods --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- RESULTS --- p.86 / Chapter 4.1 --- Total RNA isolation and RT-PCR of RED cDNAs --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2 --- Confirmation of the RT-PCR RED cDNA clone --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Restriction enzyme mapping --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- DNA sequencing --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3 --- Genomic library screening of RED gene --- p.90 / Chapter 4 4 --- Restriction enzyme mappings and Southern blotting analysis of RED Gene containing BAC clone from Genome System Inc. --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5 --- Shot-gun sub-cloning of RED gene containing genomic DNA fragments to pGEM®-3Z vectors --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Cloning of Hind III cut RED gene fragment --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Cloning of Xba I cut RED gene fragment --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Cloning of EcoR I cut RED gene fragment --- p.95 / Chapter 4.6 --- Identification of RED exons in the shot-gun sub-cloning clones by PCR --- p.95 / Chapter 4.7 --- Construction of restriction enzyme maps of the RED gene containing clones --- p.100 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Clone H --- p.100 / Chapter 4.7.1.1 --- Single restriction enzyme digestions and Southern blotting --- p.100 / Chapter 4.7.1.2 --- Double restriction enzyme digestions and Southern blotting --- p.100 / Chapter 4.7.1.3 --- Restriction enzyme map --- p.101 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Clone X8 --- p.101 / Chapter 4.7.2.1 --- Single restriction enzyme digestions and Southern blotting --- p.101 / Chapter 4.7.2.2 --- Double restriction enzyme digestion and Southern blotting --- p.104 / Chapter 4.7.2.3 --- Restriction enzyme map --- p.104 / Chapter 4.7.3 --- Clone El4 --- p.105 / Chapter 4.7.3.1 --- Single restriction enzyme digestions and Southern blotting --- p.105 / Chapter 4.7.3.2 --- Double restriction enzyme digestion and Southern blotting --- p.108 / Chapter 4.7.3.3 --- Restriction enzyme map --- p.108 / Chapter 4.8 --- Construction of gene targeting vector --- p.108 / Chapter 4.8.1 --- Gene targeting vector based on the clone H (strategy 1) with deletion of RED exon 16 --- p.113 / Chapter 4.8.1.1 --- Cloning a smaller RED genomic DNA into pGEM®-3Z vectors --- p.113 / Chapter 4.8.1.2 --- Replacement of exon of RED gene by neo cassette --- p.113 / Chapter 4.8.1.3 --- Cloning to TK vector --- p.113 / Chapter 4.8.2 --- Targeting vector based on the clone X8 --- p.124 / Chapter 4.8.2.1 --- Strategy 2 (deletion of RED exon 4) --- p.124 / Chapter 4.8.2.1.1 --- Cloning 3.9 kb Kpn I/Hinc II RED genomic DNA into pGEM®-3Z vectors --- p.124 / Chapter 4.8.2.1.2 --- Replacement of exon of RED gene by neo cassette --- p.124 / Chapter 4.8.2.1.3 --- Cloning to TK vector --- p.124 / Chapter 4.8.2.2 --- Strategy 3 (deletion of RED exon 5-8) --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.2.1 --- Cloning the genomic DNA into pGEM®-3Z vectors --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.2.2 --- Replacement of exon of RED gene by neo cassette --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.2.3 --- Cloning to TK vector --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.3 --- Strategy 4 (deletion of RED exon 7-10) --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.3.1 --- Cloning the genomic DNA into pGEM®-3Z vectors --- p.136 / Chapter 4.8.2.3.2 --- Replacement of exon of RED gene by neo cassette --- p.152 / Chapter 4.8.2.3.3 --- Cloning to TK vector --- p.152 / Chapter 4.9 --- Testing for the specificity of genomic DNA probes --- p.152 / Chapter 4.9.1 --- Preparation of restriction enzyme digested genomic DNA --- p.152 / Chapter 4.9.2 --- Hybridization of the probes to genomic DNA --- p.163 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- DISCUSSION --- p.167 / Chapter 5.1 --- Proposed significant of RED knockout mice for new drug screening --- p.167 / Chapter 5.2 --- Experimental problems --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Genomic library screening --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Cloning --- p.168 / Chapter 5.3 --- RED gene targeting vector construction / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Isolation of RED gene for gene targeting vectors construction --- p.169 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Deletion of different exons in different RED gene targeting vectors --- p.169 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Components in the targeting vectors --- p.170 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Enhancements of homologous recombination --- p.171 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.173 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- FUTURE STUDIES --- p.175 / Chapter 7.1 --- Identification of the sizes of RED gene introns --- p.175 / Chapter 7.2 --- Production of RED knockout mice --- p.175 / Chapter 7.3 --- Characterization of RED knockout mice --- p.175 / Chapter 7.4 --- Conditional gene knockout for RED gene --- p.177 / REFERENCES --- p.178 / APPENDIX --- p.184

Chloroplasts are organelles that convert light energy to chemical energy through photosynthesis. The movement of chloroplasts within the cell for the optimization of light absorption is crucial for plant survival. Cellular motor proteins and cytoskeletal tracks can facilitate transport of organelles. As an ancient superfamily of microtubule-dependent motors, kinesins participate in various cellular activities including cytokinesis, vesicle and organelle movements. Based on phylogenetic relationships and functional analysis, the kinesin superfamily has been subdivided into more than 14 families, most of which can be found in plants. With the ever increasing amount of genomic information, it is important and beneficial to systematically characterize and document kinesins within an organism. As a result of my collaborative work with other members of the Vidali lab, a detailed phylogenetic characterization of the 76 kinesins of the kinesin superfamily in the moss Physcomitrella patens is reported here. We found a remarkable conservation of families and subfamily classes with Arabidopsis, which is important for future comparative analyses of functions. Some of the families are composed of fewer members, while other families are greatly expanded in moss. To improve the comparison between species, and to simplify communication between research groups, we proposed a classification of subfamilies based on our phylogenetic analysis. As part of my efforts in studying chloroplasts motility, I investigated the function of two members of Physcomitrella kinesin family 14 class V proteins, Ppkin14-Va and -Vb. These two proteins are orthologs of the Arabidopsis KAC proteins which mediate actin-based chloroplast movement in Arabidopsis thaliana. In contrast, in the Physcomitrella both actin filaments (AFs) and microtubules (MTs) participate in chloroplast movement. Our results show that Ppkin14-Vs are important for maintaining chloroplast dispersion. They also function during chloroplast light avoidance responses via an AF-dependent, rather than MT-dependent mechanism. Although two Ppkin14- Vs do not act as MT-based motors, our phylogenetic study on moss kinesins provides an important source of information to track other potential kinesins that are predicted to move chloroplasts on MTs.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is a gasotransmitter with several key roles in metabolism and vascular function. The effects of H2S are dependent on concentration and target organ. For example, increased H2S concentrations impair liver metabolic function but protect against vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST), a nuclear encoded mitochondrial matrix enzyme, is proposed to be a component of the sulfide oxidising unit (SOU) which metabolises H2S. Preliminary data has shown that Tst deletion in mice (Tst-/-) increases circulating H2S levels measured in whole blood. Therefore, it was hypothesised that Tst-/- mice would exhibit worsened metabolic function in the liver but also protection of vascular function under conditions of vascular stress e.g. atherosclerosis. Liver metabolism was assessed by extensive metabolic phenotyping of Tst-/-mice fed control diet and in conditions of metabolic dysfunction induced by a high fat diet (HFD). Tst deletion altered glucose metabolism in mice; gluconeogenesis was increased in liver from Tst-/-mice fed control diet. Glucose intolerance in HFD-fed Tst-/-mice was also more severe than HFDfed C57BL/6 controls. In vitro metabolic investigations in primary hepatocytes isolated from Tst-/-mice demonstrated that mitochondrial ATP-linked and leak respiration were increased compared to controls. The effect of Tst deletion on vascular function was investigated in Tst- /-mice fed control or HFD using myography. Tst deletion did not alter vessel function when mice were maintained on a normal diet. HFD feeding (20 weeks) reduced maximal vessel constriction in the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors in C57BL/6 aorta. However, in Tst-/-mice fed HFD there was no reduction in maximal constriction suggesting a protective action of Tst deletion. The effects of Tst deletion on atherosclerotic lesions was investigated by generating double knock-out (DKO) mice by deletion of the Tst gene in ApoE-/- mice and (ApoE-/-Tst-/-). Atherosclerotic lesion formation was accelerated by feeding mice a western diet. Within the brachiocephalic branch lesion volume and total vessel volume were reduced in DKO mice fed western diet for 12 weeks, indicating that Tst deletion reduced lesion formation. Plasma cholesterol was reduced in DKO mice compared to ApoE-/- controls and a trend towards reduced systolic blood pressure was also noted. Overall this work supported the hypothesis that Tst deletion engenders metabolic dysfunction but vascular protection. The findings are consistent with the reported effects of increased H2S signalling. Overall inhibition of TST represents a novel target for treatment of atherosclerosis, with the caveat that glycaemia may be worsened due to hepatic metabolic dysfunction.

O peso corporal dos animais tende a ser relativamente estável durante longos períodos de tempo. Situações de restrição calórica ou aumento na ingestão de calorias levam a alterações fisiológicas compensatórias que resistem aos efeitos destas perturbações. De fato, o gasto energético aumenta em animais submetidos à dieta hipercalórica, a chamada termogênese facultativa, de modo a manter os estoques energéticos constantes. É possível que defeitos na termogênese facultativa estejam envolvidos no desenvolvimento da obesidade. O BAT, o principal sítio de termogênese facultativa, é ativado pela liberação de NE pelo Sistema Nervoso Simpático, que se liga aos receptores adrenérgicos b1, b2 e b3 expressos nos adipócitos marrons. Diversos estudos demonstram que os receptores b são importantes na proteção contra a obesidade, mas ainda não é claro qual o papel de cada isoforma neste processo. Assim sendo, o objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar o papel das isoformas b1 e b2 na mediação da termogênese facultativa induzida pela dieta. Para tanto, nós tratamos camundongos com nocaute para o receptor adrenérgico b1 (KOb1) e camundongos com nocaute para o receptor b2 (KOb2) com dieta hipercalórica por 22 semanas. O peso corporal foi medido diariamente e o consumo de oxigênio foi determinado usando-se um sistema de respirometria aberto ao final do experimento. A composição corporal foi determinada pela análise da carcaça. Animais foram expostos ao frio de 4ºC por 4h e sua temperatura corporal foi medida em vários tempos e a resposta térmica do iBAT foi determinada pela infusão de NE ou agonista b adrenérgico. Além disso, foram determinados os níveis de RNAm das isoformas de receptores adrenérgicos b nos animais nocaute. Os resultados obtidos em nosso estudo mostram que os animais KOb1 e KOb2 tratados com dieta hipercalórica não desenvolvem obesidade mais severa do que os animais selvagens mas não são capazes de aumentar o consumo de oxigênio induzido pela dieta, sugerindo que estes receptores não são relevantes na termogênese induzida pela dieta. Por outro lado, nossos dados indicam que a presença do receptor b1 é exigida para termogênese induzida pelo frio, uma vez que os camundongos KOb1 são sensíveis ao frio e a capacidade termogênica do BAT destes animais em reposta à NE é bastante reduzida quando comparados com animais selvagens. A ausência do receptor b2 não piora a resposta dos animais ao frio sugerindo que esta isoforma não esteja envolvida na termogênese induzida pela dieta ou pelo frio. Os nossos achados indicam que a isoforma do receptor adrenérgico b1 é fundamental na termogênese induzida pelo frio, mas não pela dieta. Além disso, é provável que a termogênese induzida pela dieta seja regulada por mecanismos distintos da termogênese induzida pelo frio. / The body weight of animals tends to be relatively stable over long periods of time. Situations of caloric restriction or increase in intake of calories lead to compensatory physiological changes that resist the effects of these disorders. In fact, the energy expenditure increases in animals treated with diet hypercaloric called facultative thermogenesis, in order to keep to energy stock constant. Defects in this facultative thermogenesis may be related to the development of obesity. Brown adipose tissue is the main site of facultative thermogenesis and is activated by signaling of b1, b2 e b3 adrenergic receptors by Norepinephrine released by Sympathetic Nervous System. Several studies showed that the isoforms b of adrenergic receptors are important in mechanisms involved in obesity and also in promoting cold tolerance. Nonetheless, it is unclear the role of each isoform in these process. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of isoforms b1 and b2 in mediate the facultative thermogenesis. For that, we fed nocaute mice for the adrenergic receptor b1 (KOb1) and nocaute mice for the adrenergic receptor b2 (KOb2) with high fat diet for 22 weeks. During treatment body weight was determined daily. By the end of the experiment oxygen consumption was measured using a system of open respirometry and body composition was determined by analysis of the carcass. We also exposed KOb1 and KOb2 animals to cold (4C). The thermogenic response of iBAT was evaluated through i.v NE infusion. The results obtained in our study showed that the animals KOb1 and KOb2 treated with high fat diet did not gain more fat when compared to wild type animals, but are unable to increase the oxygen consumption, suggesting that these receptors are not relevant in development of obesity. Furthermore, our data indicate that the presence of the b1 receptor is required for cold-induced thermogenesis, since the KOb1 mice are sensitive to cold and BAT thermogenic response is significantly impaired when compared with animals wild type. The absence of b2 receptor does not worsen the response of animals to cold suggesting that this isoform is not involved in the diet- or cold- induced thermogenesis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the b1 isoform of the adrenergic receptor is critical in the cold-induced thermogenesis, but not in diet induced thermogenesis. Moreover, it is likely that the diet-induced thermogenesis and cold-induced thermogenesis are regulated by different mechanisms.

Hey1, Hey2 and HeyL are downstream effectors of the Notch signalling pathway. Hey genes play decisive roles during embryonic development for example in cardiovascular development. However, the precise transcriptional programmes and genes, which are affected by each single Hey gene, are still poorly understood. One drawback for the analysis of Hey1, Hey2 or HeyL single gene function is that these genes are co-expressed in many tissues and share a high degree of functional redundancy. Thus, it was necessary to establish a system, which is either devoid of Hey expression, or just comprises one single Hey gene family member. For this, Hey1(fl/fl)/Hey2(-/-)/HeyL(-/-)- as well as Hey-triple- knock out (KO)-ES cells (embryonic stem cells) were generated in this work, because ES cells and their differentiation as EBs (embryoid bodies) represent a valuable tool for the in vitro analysis of embryonic developmental processes. After the establishment of Hey1(fl/fl)/Hey2(-/-)/HeyL(-/-)- and Hey-triple- KO-ES cells, it could be seen by ALP staining and pluripotency marker expression that loss of Hey expression did not affect ES cell pluripotency features. Thus, these ES cells represent bona fide ES cells and could be further used for the differentiation as EBs. Here, differences in gene expression between Hey1(fl/fl)/Hey2(-/-)/HeyL(-/-)- and Hey-triple- KO-ES cells (after the loss of Hey1) could be observed in realtime-RT-PCR analysis for the endodermal marker AFP as well as for neural and myogenic markers in d10 EBs. However, the establishment of inducible Hey1, Hey2 or HeyL ES cell lines will be essential to confirm these findings and to search for novel Hey target genes. To get further insight into the mode of Hey action, the analysis of Hey interaction partners is necessary. One such binding partner, the Bre protein, has previously been found in a yeast-two-hybrid screen. Bre has been described to be a member of two distinct complexes (i.e. the nuclear BRCA1-A complex with a function in DNA damage response and the cytoplasmic BRISC complex), to directly interact with the TNF-receptor and Fas and to interfere with apoptotic signalling. The Hey-Bre interaction could be further corroborated in this work; yet, it was not possible to narrow down the interaction site of Bre with Hey1. It rather seems that non-overlapping parts of the Bre protein may bind to Hey. This interaction may be direct– pointing to more than one interaction site inside the Bre protein – or via a common binding partner such as the endogenous Bre protein itself. Besides the interaction studies, functional assays were performed for a more detailed characterisation of Hey1 and Bre interaction. Here, it could be shown that Hey1 over-expression did not have any influence on Bre sub-cellular localisation. Interestingly, it could be demonstrated that Bre positively interfered with Hey1 repressive function in luciferase assays at three of four promoters analysed. Moreover, interaction with Bre seems to lead to a stabilisation of Hey1. As Bre has been described to modulate the E3-ligase activity intrinsic to the BRCC complex it was analysed whether Bre over-expression results in an ubiquitination of Hey1. Yet, this could not be observed in the present work. Furthermore, an interaction of Bre with ubiquitinated proteins could not be demonstrated in an ubiquitin binding assay. To obtain a better insight into Bre function, Bre LacZ gene trap-ES cells and animals were generated. However, realtime-RT-analyses revealed that these cells and mice did not show a loss of Bre expression on mRNA level indicating that insertion mutagenesis did not occur as expected. However, embryos derived from these mice could nevertheless be used for the detection of tissues with Bre expression by β-galactosidase staining. Bre deficiency on mRNA levels was only achieved after the deletion of the floxed exon 3 resulting in the generation of Bre del-mice. Bre del-mice were fertile and without any obvious phenotype and they were used for the generation of Bre del- and wt-MEFs (murine embryonic fibroblasts). Characterisation of these cells showed that proliferation was not affected after loss of Bre (neither under normal nor under stress conditions). However, loss of Bre notably resulted in a reduction in the BRCA1 DNA damage response, in a slightly increased sensitivity towards apoptosis induction by FasL treatment and in an increase in the K63-poly-ubiquitin content in Bre del-cytoplasmic fractions, probably linked to a change in the BRISC de-ubiquitinase activity. Even though these results have the same tendencies as observed in former studies, the effects in the present work are less striking. Further studies as well as intercrossing of Bre del- to Hey KO-animals will be necessary to further understand the functional relevance of Hey and Bre interaction. / Hey1, Hey2 und HeyL sind Zielgene des Notch Signalwegs und spielen eine entscheidende Rolle während der Embryonalentwicklung, z. B. bei der Bildung des kardiovaskulären Systems. Die genauen Effekte eines jeden einzelnen Hey Gens auf Transkriptionsprogramme und einzelne Gene sind allerdings noch relativ unbekannt. Einer der Gründe hierfür liegt vermutlich in der Koexpression von Hey-Proteinen in vielen Geweben bzw. in der daraus resultierenden funktionellen Redundanz. Daher sollte in dieser Arbeit ein System entwickelt werden, in dem entweder keines oder jeweils nur eines der Hey-Gene intakt ist. Hierzu wurden Hey1fl/fl/Hey2-/-/HeyL-/- und Hey-triple-knock out (KO) ES-Zellen (embryonale Stammzellen) etabliert. ES-Zellen stellen ein hervorragendes Modellsystem für die Embryonalentwicklung dar, weil ihre in vitro Differenzierung als sog. „embryoid bodies“ (EBs) embryonale Entwicklungsprozesse widerspiegelt. Der Verlust der Hey-Genexpression hatte keinen Einfluss auf den Stammzellcharakter der etablierten Zellen, da sowohl die generierten Hey-triple-KO- als auch die Hey1fl/fl/Hey2-/-/HeyL-/--ES-Zellen eine positive ALP-Färbung sowie eine hohe Expression von Pluripotenzmarkern zeigten. Daher konnten die Zellen im Folgenden als EBs differenziert und auf Genexpressionsunterschiede während der Differenzierung untersucht werden. Zwischen Hey1fl/fl/Hey2-/-/HeyL-/-- (mit intakter Hey1-Expression) und Hey-triple- KO- ES Zellen konnten an EB Tag 10 mittels realtime-RT-PCR Unterschiede in der Genexpression für den endodermalen Marker AFP, sowie für neurale und myogene Marker festgestellt werden. Um diese Ergebnisse zu bestätigen, aber auch, um neue Hey Zielgene ausfindig machen zu können, ist jedoch die Etablierung induzierbarer ES-Zellen (für Hey1, Hey2 bzw. HeyL) notwendig. Um einen tieferen Einblick in die Funktionsweise der Hey-Gene gewinnen zu können ist die Untersuchung von Hey Interaktionspartnern wichtig. Das Bre-Protein ist ein solcher Bindepartner und wurde zuvor in einem Yeast-two-hybrid Assay gefunden. Bre ist in zwei verschiedenen Komplexen beschrieben worden: dem nukleären BRCA1-A-Komplex, der eine Rolle bei der Detektion von DNA-Schäden spielt und dem cytoplasmatischen BRISC-Komplex. Es ist außerdem bekannt, dass Bre direkt mit dem TNF-Rezeptor und mit Fas interagiert und die apoptotische Antwort in der Zelle beeinflusst. Die Interaktion zwischen Bre und Hey1 konnte in dieser Arbeit zunächst bestätigt werden; in weiteren Ko-immunpräzipitations-Experimenten war es aber nicht möglich, den Bereich des Bre-Proteins zu bestimmen, der die Interaktion mit Hey1 vermittelt, da verschiedene nicht überlappende Bereiche des Bre-Proteins eine Interaktion mit Hey1 zeigten. Ob es sich hierbei um direkte Interaktionen handelte und Bre somit mehrere Bindestellen für Hey1 aufweist oder ob die Interaktion indirekt über einen gemeinsamen Bindepartner wie z.B. das endogene Bre-Protein selbst vermittelt wird, ist noch nicht geklärt. Für eine weitere Charakterisierung der Interaktion zwischen den beiden Proteinen wurden funktionelle Versuche durchgeführt. Hierbei konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Überexpression von Hey1 keinen Einfluss auf die subzelluläre Lokalisation des Bre Proteins hat. Mit Hilfe von Luziferase Assays konnte aber interessanterweise nachgewiesen werden, dass Bre bei drei von vier untersuchten Promotern positiv auf die Repression durch Hey1 einwirkte. Außerdem scheint die Überexpression von Bre möglicherweise eine Stabilisierung des Hey1-Proteins zu bewirken. Da Bre eine Verstärkung der E3-Ligasefunktion des BRCC-Komplexes zugeschrieben wird, wurde außerdem untersucht, ob die Überexpression von Bre zu einer Ubiquitinylierung von Hey1 führt. Dies konnte allerdings nicht festgestellt werden. Desweiteren konnte in einem Ubiquitin-Bindeassay keine Interaktion von Bre mit anderen ubiquitinylierten Proteinen gezeigt werden. ...

Die Stickstoffmonoxid (NO)/cGMP-Signaltransduktion besitzt eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Tonusregulation der glatten Muskulatur. Dabei ist NO neben seiner herausragenden Bedeutung für das vaskuläre System einer der wichtigsten inhibitorischen Neurotransmitter im Gastrointestinaltrakt. Die Wirkung von NO beruht hauptsächlich auf der Aktivierung der NO-sensitiven Guanylyl-Cyclase (NO-GC), die aus zwei Untereinheiten aufgebaut ist (α und ß). Die Deletion der ß1-Untereinheit in Mäusen resultiert in einem vollständigen NO-GC-Knockout (GCKO). Im Gastrointestinaltrakt ist die Expression von NO-GC in glatten Muskelzellen (SMC), interstitiellen Zellen von Cajal (ICC) und Fibroblasten-ähnlichen Zellen (FLC) nachgewiesen. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Bedeutung des NO/cGMP-Signalweges für die Regulation von Kontraktion und Relaxation innerhalb dieser drei Zelltypen anhand von zellspezifischen GCKO-Tieren untersucht. SMC- und ICC-spezifische GCKO-Tiere waren bereits vorhanden. FLC-spezifische GCKO-Tiere wurden generiert und mit den vorhandenen ICC- und SMC-GCKO-Linien gekreuzt, um Doppel- und Tripel-Knockout-Tiere zu erhalten. FLC-GCKO-Tiere zeigen eine NO-induzierte Relaxation glattmuskulären Gewebes, die der von WT-Tieren gleicht. Auch Gewebe von FLC/ICC- und FLC/SM-GCKO-Tieren kann durch NO relaxiert werden. Erst die Deletion der NO-GC in allen drei Zelltypen (Tripel-GCKO) führt zu einer Unterbrechung der NO-Relaxation, wie sie aus GCKO-Tieren bekannt ist. Überraschenderweise zeigt sich bei FLC-GCKO-Tieren eine beschleunigte Darmpassagezeit. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit lassen darauf schließen, dass die NO-GC in allen drei Zelltypen des Gastrointestinaltrakts an der nitrergen Signaltransduktion beteiligt ist, wenn auch auf unterschiedliche Weise. Es besteht demnach eine Interaktion zwischen den verschiedenen Zelltypen, die durch weiterführende Versuche mit den vorhandenen Doppel-Knockout-Tieren sowie der Tripel-GCKO-Linie nähergehend untersucht werden muss. Der zweite Teil der Arbeit beschäftigte sich mit der Rolle der NO-GC im unteren Harntrakt. Dort liegt die NO-GC in verschieden Zelltypen vor. In Urethra-Gewebe wird die NO-GC ausschließlich in SMC exprimiert, während sie in der Harnblase einzig in interstitiellen Zellen, nicht aber in SMC, befindet. Funktionell hat dies zur Folge, dass die NO-induzierte Urethra-Relaxation ausschließlich von glatten Muskelzellen vermittelt wird. Die Harnblasenmuskulatur hingegen zeigt keine Relaxation auf NO-Gabe hin. Die Identifizierung der NO-GC-exprimierenden interstitiellen Zellen sowie ihre Funktion sind bislang ungeklärt. In einem dritten Projekt wurden Untersuchungen zur Effektivität der NO-GC-Inhibitoren ODQ und NS2028 durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass bei einem Einsatz der Inhibitoren nicht von einer vollständigen Hemmung der NO-GC ausgegangen werden sollte. Drei Faktoren beeinflussen nachhaltig die Inhibitor-Effektivität: (1) die Klasse des NO-Donors, (2) die Inkubationszeit mit dem Inhibitor und dem NO-Donor sowie (3) die Stärke der Vorkontraktion bei Versuchen mit Glattmuskelgewebe. Die Wahl dieser Parameter bestimmt, in welchem Ausmaß ODQ und NS2028 die NO-stimulierte NO GC inhibieren können. Aus diesem Projektteil resultiert, dass man den Einsatz dieser Inhibitoren nicht, wie vielfach in der Literatur vorzufinden, als Beweis für cGMP unabhängige Effekte nutzen sollte. / The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signal transduction has a prominent role in the control of smooth muscle tone. Besides its outstanding function in vascular relaxation NO is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It acts predominantly via NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) which consists of two subunits (α and ß). Deletion of the ß1 subunit in the mouse leads to a global NO-GC knockout (GCKO). In the GI tract, expression of NO-GC is detected in smooth muscle cells (SMC), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and fibroblast-like cells (FLC). Using cell-specific knock-out mice the impact of NO/cGMP-signaling on regulation of contraction and relaxation in the respective GI cell types was investigated. SMC- and ICC-specific GCKO mice already existed in our lab whereas FLC-specific GCKO mice were generated and then crossed to obtain double and triple mutants. GI smooth muscle from FLC-GCKO mice shows a WT-like relaxation towards NO. Also tissue from FLC/ICC- and FLC/SM-GCKO mice can be relaxed by addition of NO. Only deletion of NO-GC in all three cell types leads to an abolished relaxation as seen in GCKO tissue. Surprisingly, FLC-GCKO mice show an accelerated gut transit time in comparison to WT animals. These results lead to the conclusion that NO-GC in all three GI cell types mediates nitrergic signaling in smooth muscle, even though in different ways. There seems to be an interaction of the three cell types which needs to be further attended to by investigation of the double- and triple-GCKO mutants. The second part of this project engaged in the investigation of NO-GC in the lower urinary (LU) tract. Here, expression of NO-GC is detected in urethra and urinary bladder. Urethral NO-GC is expressed in SMC whereas in the urinary bladder NO-GC expression can only be detected in interstitial cells. As a consequence, NO-induced urethral relaxation is exclusively dependent on SMC. Bladder smooth muscle does not reveal NO-mediated relaxation. The identification and function of the NO-GC expressing interstitial cells remains to be further investigated. Investigation of the NO-GC inhibitors ODQ and NS2028 shows that their efficiency is dependent on three different factors: (1) class of NO donor, (2) incubation time of the inhibitor and the NO donor and (3) the strength of pre-contraction when using smooth muscle tissue. The choice of these parameters determines to which extent ODQ and NS2028 are able to inhibit NO-GC. For that reason use of these inhibitors should not be taken as proof of cGMP-independent effects.

SPRED proteins are inhibitors of the Ras/ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, an evolutionary highly conserved and very widespread signaling cascade regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. To elucidate physiological consequences of SPRED2 deficiency, SPRED2 KO mice were generated by a gene trap approach. An initial phenotypical characterization of KO mice aged up to five months identified SPRED2 as a regulator of chondrocyte differentiation and bone growth. Here, the loss of SPRED2 leads to an augmented FGFR-dependent ERK activity, which in turn causes hypochondroplasia-like dwarfism. However, long term observations of older KO mice revealed a generally bad state of health and manifold further symptoms, including excessive grooming associated with severe self-inflicted wounds, an abnormally high water uptake, clear morphological signs of kidney deterioration, and a reduced survival due to sudden death. Based on these observations, the aim of this study was to discover an elicitor of this complex and versatile phenotype. The observed kidney degeneration in our SPRED2 KO mice was ascribed to hydronephrosis characterized by severe kidney atrophy and apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Kidney damage prompted us to analyze drinking behavior and routine serum parameters. Despite polydipsia, which was characterized by a nearly doubled daily water uptake, the significantly elevated Na+ and Cl- levels and the resulting serum hyperosmolality could not be compensated in SPRED2 KOs. Since salt and water balance is primarily under hormonal control of aldosterone and AVP, we analyzed both hormone levels. While serum AVP was similar in WTs and KOs, even after experimental water deprivation and an extreme loss of body fluid, serum aldosterone was doubled in SPRED2 KO mice. Systematic investigation of contributing upstream hormone axes demonstrated that hyperaldosteronism developed independently of an overactivated Renin-Angiotensin system as indicated by halved serum Ang II levels in KO mice. However, aldosterone synthase expression in the adrenal gland was substantially augmented. Serum corticosterone, which is like aldosterone released from the adrenal cortex, was more than doubled in SPRED2 KOs, too. Similar to corticosterone, the production of aldosterone is at least in part under control of pituitary ACTH, which is further regulated by upstream hypothalamic CRH release. In fact, stress hormone secretion from this complete hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was upregulated because serum ACTH, the mid acting pituitary hormone, and hypothalamic CRH, the upstream hormonal inductor of HPA axis activity, were also elevated by 30% in SPRED2 KO mice. This was accompanied by an upregulated ERK activity in paraventricular nucleus-containing hypothalamic brain regions and by augmented hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels in our SPRED2 KO mice. In vitro studies using the hypothalamic cell line mHypoE-44 further demonstrated that both SPRED1 and SPRED2 were able to downregulate CRH promoter activity, CRH secretion, and Ets factor-dependent CRH transcription. This was in line with the presence of various Ets factor binding sites in the CRH promoter region, especially for Ets1. Thus, this study shows for the first time that SPRED2-dependent inhibition of Ras/ERK/MAPK signaling by suppression of ERK activity leads to a downregulation of Ets1 factor-dependent transcription, which further results in inhibition of CRH promoter activity, CRH transcription, and CRH release from the hypothalamus. The consecutive hyperactivity of the complete HPA axis in our SPRED2 KO mice reflects an elevated endogenous stress response becoming manifest by excessive grooming behavior and self-inflicted skin lesions on the one hand; on the other hand, in combination with elevated aldosterone synthase expression, this upregulated HPA hormone release explains hyperaldosteronism and the associated salt and water imbalances. Both hyperaldosteronism and polydipsia very likely contribute further to the observed kidney damage. Taken together, this study initially demonstrates that SPRED2 is essential for the appropriate regulation of HPA axis activity and of body homeostasis. To further enlighten and compare consequences of SPRED2 deficiency in mice and particularly in humans, two follow-up studies investigating SPRED2 function especially in heart and brain, and a genetic screen to identify human SPRED2 loss-of-function mutations are already in progress. / SPRED-Proteine sind Inhibitoren des hochkonservierten und in allen Geweben verbreiteten Ras/ERK/MAPK-Signalwegs, welcher Proliferation, Differenzierung und das Wachstum von Zellen reguliert. Um physiologische Konsequenzen der SPRED2-Defizienz im lebenden Modellorganismus aufzuklären, haben wir SPRED2-KO-Mäuse mithilfe der „gene trap“-Methode generiert. Eine erste Studie zur phänotypischen Charakterisierung mit KO-Mäusen bis zu einem Alter von fünf Monaten identifizierte SPRED2 als Regulator der Chondrozytendifferenzierung und des Knochenwachstums. So bewirkt der Verlust der SPRED2-Proteinfunktion eine erhöhte FGFR-vermittelte ERK-Aktivität, was wiederum einen Hypochondroplasie-ähnlichen Minderwuchs verursacht. Allerdings offenbarten Langzeitbeobachtungen älterer KO-Mäuse einen im Allgemeinen sehr schlechten Gesundheitszustand und weitere facettenreiche Symptome, darunter exzessives Putzverhalten mit schweren, selbst zugefügten Wunden, einen abnorm hohen täglichen Wasserkonsum, klare morphologische Anzeichen einer Nierenschädigung und eine reduzierte Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit durch plötzlichen Tod. Ziel dieser Studie war es, basierend auf unseren Beobachtungen, einen Auslöser für diesen komplexen und vielseitigen Phänotyp zu finden. Die beobachtete Nierendegeneration in unseren SPRED2-KO-Mäusen war auf eine Hydronephrose zurückzuführen, welche durch schwere Atrophie des Nierengewebes und Apoptose von Nierentubuluszellen gekennzeichnet war. Aufgrund des Nierenschadens haben wir Trinkverhalten und gängige Serumparameter analysiert. Trotz der Polydipsie, die sich durch eine nahezu verdoppelte tägliche Wasseraufnahme manifestierte, konnten signifikant erhöhte Na+- und Cl--Werte und die daraus resultierende Hyperosmolalität im Serum der SPRED2-KOs nicht kompensiert werden. Weil Salz- und Wasserhaushalt zum größten Teil unter der hormonellen Kontrolle von Aldosteron und ADH stehen, haben wir beide Hormonspiegel untersucht. Während die ADH-Werte im Serum von WT- und KO-Mäusen vergleichbar waren, insbesondere nach experimentellem Wasserentzug und einem extremen Verlust von Körperflüssigkeit, waren die Serumspiegel von Aldosteron in den SPRED2-KO-Mäusen verdoppelt. Die systematische Untersuchung übergeordneter regulatorischer Hormonachsen ergab, dass sich der Hyperaldosteronismus unabhängig von einer erhöhten Aktivität des Renin-Angiotensin-Systems entwickelte, da die Serum-Ang II-Spiegel in den SPRED2-KOs etwa um die Hälfte reduziert waren. Die Expression der Aldosteronsynthase in der Nebenniere war jedoch wesentlich erhöht. Für Kortikosteron, das wie Aldosteron von der Nebennierenrinde freigesetzt wird, konnten wir ebenfalls mehr als doppelt so hohe Werte im Serum der KO-Tiere detektieren. Die Aldosteron-Produktion steht, ähnlich wie bei Kortikosteron, zumindest teilweise unter der Kontrolle des hypophysären Hormons ACTH, dessen Sekretion wiederum übergeordnet durch die Freisetzung von CRH aus dem Hypothalamus geregelt wird. Tatsächlich war die Stresshormon-Sekretion entlang dieser gesamten Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden-Achse erhöht, da Serum-ACTH, das mittlere, hypophysäre Hormon, und hypothalamisches CRH, der übergeordnete hormonelle Induktor der HPA-Achse, in den SPRED2-KOs auch um 30% erhöht waren. Zusätzlich waren die ERK-Aktivität ebenso wie die CRH-mRNA-Spiegel im paraventrikulären Nukleus des Hypothalamus in unseren SPRED2-KO-Mäusen deutlich höher. In vitro Studien mit der Hypothalamus-Zelllinie mHypoE-44 zeigten weiterhin, dass sowohl SPRED1 als auch SPRED2 die Aktivität des CRH-Promotors, die CRH-Sekretion und die Ets-Faktor-abhängige CRH-Transkription reduzieren können. Passend dazu enthält die CRH-Promotorregion zahlreiche verschiedene Bindungsstellen für Transkriptionsfaktoren der Ets-Familie, speziell für Ets1. Somit zeigt diese Studie zum ersten Mal, dass die durch SPRED2-vermittelte Hemmung der Ras/ERK/MAPK-Signalkaskade mittels Unterdrückung der ERK-Aktivität zu einer Herunterregulation der Ets1-Faktor-abhängigen Transkription führt, was eine Hemmung der CRH-Promotoraktivität, der CRH-Transkription und der CRH-Freisetzung aus dem Hypothalamus zur Folge hat. Die daraus resultierende Hyperaktivität der gesamten HPA-Achse in unseren SPRED2-KO-Mäusen spiegelt eine erhöhte endogene Stress-Reaktion wider und äußert sich durch übermäßiges Putzverhalten und durch selbst zugefügte Hautläsionen auf der einen Seite; auf der anderen Seite erklärt dies, in Kombination mit der erhöhten Aldosteronsynthase-Expression, den Hyperaldosteronismus und das damit verbundene Ungleichgewicht in Salz- und Wasserhaushalt. Weiterhin tragen sowohl Hyperaldosteronismus als auch Polydipsie sehr wahrscheinlich zu den beobachteten Nierenschädigungen bei. Zusammengefasst ist diese Studie ein erster Hinweis, dass SPRED2 wesentlich an der adäquaten Regulation der HPA-Achsen-Aktivität beteiligt ist und essentiell ist für die Aufrechterhaltung der Homöostase im Körper. Um die Folgen von SPRED2-Defizienz in Mäusen und vor allem im Menschen weiter aufzuklären und zu vergleichen, erforschen wir in zwei Folgeprojekten die Funktion von SPRED2 speziell im Gehirn und im Herzen und führen parallel ein genetisches Screening zur Identifikation von funktionellen SPRED2-Mutationen im Menschen durch.