A5078099512- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Click Chemistry and Applications
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease
- Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Enzyme Production and Characterization
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Biotin and Related Studies
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Phytase and its Applications
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
University of Duisburg-Essen
2016-2025
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research
2008-2022
Essen University Hospital
2015-2020
Faculty (United Kingdom)
2015
Max Planck Society
2007-2012
Chemical Genomics Centre
2007-2012
Leiden University
2010-2012
Scripps Research Institute
2010-2012
Stanford University
2012
Sainsbury Laboratory
2010
Current models of plant–pathogen interactions stipulate that pathogens secrete effector proteins disable plant defense components known as virulence targets. Occasionally, the perturbations caused by these effectors trigger innate immunity via disease resistance described “guard hypothesis.” This model is nicely illustrated interaction between fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum and tomato. C. secretes a protease inhibitor Avr2 targets tomato cysteine Rcr3 pim . In plants carry protein Cf2,...
Abstract The interaction between the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum and its host tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an ideal model to study suppression of extracellular defenses by pathogens. Secretion protease inhibitor AVR2 C. during infection suggests that papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) are part defense response. We show apoplast contains a remarkable diversity PLCP activities with seven PLCPs fall into four different subfamilies. Of these PLCPs, transcription only PIP1 RCR3...
Abstract Papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) are a large class of proteolytic enzymes associated with development, immunity, and senescence. Although many properties have been described for individual proteases, the distribution these characteristics has not studied collectively. Here, we analyzed 723 plant PLCPs classify them into nine subfamilies that present throughout kingdom. Analysis revealed previously unreported distinct subfamily-specific functional structural characteristics....
Abstract Since the leaf apoplast is a primary habitat for many plant pathogens, apoplastic proteins are potent, ancient targets effectors secreted by pathogens. So far, however, only few effector have been identified and characterized. Here, we discovered that papain-like cysteine protease C14 new common target of EPIC1 EPIC2B, two apoplastic, cystatin-like potato (Solanum tuberosum) late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. tomato lycopersicum) typified carboxyl-terminal granulin domain....
Plants and animals recognize conserved flagellin fragments as a signature of bacterial invasion. These immunogenic elicitor peptides are embedded in the polymer require hydrolytic release before they can activate cell surface receptors. Although much signaling is understood, little known about fragments. We discovered that plant-secreted β-galactosidase 1 (BGAL1) Nicotiana benthamiana promotes acts immunity against pathogenic Pseudomonas syringae strains only when carry terminal modified...
Ustilago maydis is a biotrophic pathogen causing maize (Zea mays) smut disease. Transcriptome profiling of infected plants indicated that gene encoding putative cystatin (CC9) induced upon penetration by U. wild type. By contrast, cc9 not after infection with the effector mutant Δpep1, which elicits massive plant defenses. Silencing resulted in strongly defense expression and hypersensitive response to wild-type infection. Consequently, fungal colonization was reduced cc9-silenced plants,...
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a crucial role in regulating RNA function and fate. However, the full complement of RBPs has only recently begun to be uncovered through proteome-wide approaches such as interactome capture (RIC). RIC been applied various cell lines organisms, including plants, greatly expanding repertoire RBPs. several technical challenges have limited efficacy when plant tissues. Here, we report an improved version that overcomes difficulties imposed by leaf tissue. Using...
The ClpC1:ClpP1P2 protease is a core component of the proteostasis system in mycobacteria. To improve efficacy antitubercular agents targeting Clp protease, we characterized mechanism antibiotics cyclomarin A and ecumicin. Quantitative proteomics revealed that cause massive proteome imbalances, including upregulation two unannotated yet conserved stress response factors, ClpC2 ClpC3. These proteins likely protect from excessive amounts misfolded or A, which show to mimic damaged proteins....
Faithful chromosome segregation requires that sister chromatids establish bi-oriented kinetochore-microtubule attachments. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) prevents premature anaphase onset with incomplete However, how microtubule attachment and signaling are coordinated remains unclear. conserved kinase Mps1 initiates SAC by localizing transiently to kinetochores in prometaphase is released upon bi-orientation. Using biochemistry, structure predictions, cellular assays, we shed light...
The extracellular space (apoplast) in plants is a key battleground during microbial infections. To avoid recognition, the bacterial model phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 produces glycosyrin. Glycosyrin inhibits plant-secreted β-galactosidase BGAL1, which would otherwise initiate release of immunogenic peptides from flagellin. Here, we report structure, biosynthesis, and multifunctional roles High-resolution cryo–electron microscopy chemical synthesis revealed that...
Activity-based protein profiling is a powerful method to display enzyme activities in proteomes and provides crucial information on activity rather than or transcript abundance. We applied activity-based using fluorophosphonate-based probes the of Ser hydrolases model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Multidimensional identification technology in-gel analysis fluorophosphonate-labeled leaf extracts revealed over 50 hydrolases, including dozens proteases, esterases, lipases, representing 10...
RD21-like proteases are ubiquitous, plant-specific papain-like typified by carrying a C-terminal granulin domain. involved in immunity and associated with senescence various types of biotic abiotic stresses. Here, we interrogated Arabidopsis RD21 regulation trafficking site-directed mutagenesis, agroinfiltration, western blotting, protease activity profiling protein degradation. Using an introduced N-glycan sensor, deglycosylation experiments glyco-engineered N. benthamiana plants, show that...
Radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity is closely linked to endothelial cell (EC) damage and dysfunction (acute effects). However, the underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced adverse late effects with respect vascular compartment remain elusive, no causative radioprotective treatment available date.The importance injury EC for in lungs after whole thorax irradiation (WTI) was investigated using a mouse model pneumopathy. We show that WTI induces loss as long-term complication, which...
Summary Agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana is a flexible and scalable platform for recombinant protein ( RP ) production, but its great potential hampered by plant proteases that degrade s. Here, we tested 29 candidate protease inhibitors PI s) in agroinfiltrated N. leaves enhancing accumulation of three unrelated s: glycoenzyme α‐Galactosidase; glycohormone erythropoietin EPO ); IgG antibody VRC 01. Of the previously described s accumulation, found only cystatin Sl CYS 8 to be effective....
Infiltration of disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens into leaves Nicotiana benthamiana (agroinfiltration) facilitates quick and safe production antibodies, vaccines, enzymes metabolites for industrial use (molecular farming). However, yield purity proteins produced by agroinfiltration are hampered unintended proteolysis, restricting viability the platform. Proteolysis may be linked to an immune response agroinfiltration, but understanding is limited. To identify proteases, we studied...
Abstract Spirochaetes are frequently detected in anoxic hydrocarbon- and organohalide-polluted groundwater, but their role such ecosystems has remained unclear. To address this, we studied a sulfate-reducing, naphthalene-degrading enrichment culture, mainly comprising the sulfate reducer Desulfobacterium N47 rod-shaped Spirochete Rectinema cohabitans HM. Genome sequencing proteome analysis suggested that is an obligate fermenter catabolizes proteins carbohydrates, resulting acetate, ethanol,...
Nicotiana benthamiana is an important model organism of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family. Several draft assemblies N. genome have been generated, but many gene-models in these appear incorrect.Here we present improved proteome based on Niben1.0.1 assembly guided by gene models from other species. Due to fragmented nature genome, protein-encoding genes are missing or partial. We complement proteins similarly annotating assemblies. This approach overcomes problems caused mis-annotated...
Abstract Activation of the replicative Mcm2-7 helicase by loading GINS and Cdc45 is crucial for replication origin firing, as such faithful genetic inheritance. Our biochemical structural studies demonstrate that activator interacts with TopBP1 through two separate binding surfaces, first involving a stretch highly conserved amino acids in TopBP1-GINI region, second surface on TopBP1-BRCT4. The surfaces bind to opposite ends A domain subunit Psf1. Mutation analysis reveals either...
Infection of plants by bacterial leaf pathogens at wound sites is common in nature. Plants defend to prevent pathogen invasion, but several can overcome spatial restriction and enter tissues. The molecular mechanisms used suppress containment infection are poorly understood. Here, we studied Pseudomonas syringae strains causing brown spot on bean blossom blight pear. These exist as epiphytes that cause disease upon wounding caused hail, sand storms frost. We demonstrate these producing...