A5076921484- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Marine Toxins and Detection Methods
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- S100 Proteins and Annexins
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Heidelberg University
2015-2025
Heidelberg University
2025
Heidelberg (Poland)
2017
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
2015
University of California, Berkeley
2011
Bethesda University
2008
Pasadena City College
2008
Science Oxford
2008
University of San Francisco
2008
United States Department of Justice
2008
Hydra, first described by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in a letter to the Royal Society 1702, has been studied biologists for centuries and now is an important model work on axial patterning, stem cell biology regeneration. Its genome, over half of which made up mobile elements, sequenced, as genome Curvibacter sp. bacterium stably associated with Hydra magnipapillata. Comparisons those other animals provide insights into evolution epithelia, contractile tissues, developmentally regulated...
Signal transduction in response to interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) requires binding of the cytokine its receptor (IL‐6R) and subsequent homodimerization signal transducer gp130. The complex IL‐6 soluble IL‐6R (sIL‐6R) triggers dimerization gp130 induces responses on cells that do not express membrane bound IL‐6R. Naturally occurring (sgp130) can be found a ternary with sIL‐6R. We created recombinant sgp130 proteins showed sIL‐6R inhibited IL‐6/sIL‐6R induced proliferation BAF/3 expressing Surprisingly,...
Glycosaminoglycans, a major component of the extracellular matrix molecules in animal tissues, play important roles various physiological events. Glycosaminoglycans are found not only vertebrates but also many invertebrates, implying conserved function kingdom. Here, we discuss analysis glycosaminoglycans 11 invertebrate phyla focusing on structure as well functions elucidated model organisms. Various sulfated structures heparan sulfate widely distributed from very primitive organisms to...
In and evaginations of 2D cell sheets are major shape generating processes in animal development. They result from directed movement intercalation polarized cells associated with changes. Work on several bilaterian model organisms has emphasized the role noncanonical Wnt signaling polarization movement. However, molecular responsible for tissue body ancestral, prebilaterian animals unknown. We show that acts mass movements during bud tentacle evagination regeneration cnidarian polyp Hydra....
Polarized Wnt signaling along the primary body axis is a conserved property of axial patterning in bilaterians and prebilaterians, depends on localized sources ligands. However, mechanisms governing expression that emerged early evolution are poorly understood. Here we find cnidarian Hydra two functionally distinct cis -regulatory elements control head organizer-associated Wnt3 ( HyWnt3 ). An autoregulatory element, which mediates direct inputs Wnt/β-catenin signaling, highly activates...
Signaling filopodia, termed cytonemes, are dynamic actin-based membrane structures that regulate the exchange of signaling molecules and their receptors within tissues. However, how cytoneme formation is regulated remains unclear. Here, we show Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) autocrine controls emergence cytonemes subsequently control paracrine Wnt/β-catenin signal activation. Upon binding Wnt family member Wnt8a, receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 becomes activated. Ror2/PCP leads to induction...
The cnidarian freshwater polyp Hydra sp. exhibits an unparalleled regeneration capacity in the animal kingdom. Using integrative transcriptomic and stable isotope labeling by amino acids cell culture proteomic/phosphoproteomic approach, we studied stem cell-based polyps. As major contributors to head regeneration, identified diverse signaling pathways adopted for response as well enriched novel genes. Our global analysis reveals two distinct molecular cascades: early injury a subsequent,...
Jellyfish, hydras, corals and sea anemones (phylum Cnidaria) are known for their venomous stinging cells, nematocytes, used prey defence. Here we show, however, that the potent Type I neurotoxin of anemone Nematostella vectensis , Nv1, is confined to ectodermal gland cells rather than nematocytes. We demonstrate massive Nv1 secretion upon encounter with a crustacean prey. Concomitant discharge nematocysts probably pierces prey, expediting toxin penetration. Toxin efficiency in water further...
The starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is an emerging model organism for developmental and evolutionary biology. Due to the availability of genome data its amenability genetic manipulation serves as a source comparative molecular phylogenetic studies. Despite this fact, characterization nematocyst inventory nematocyst-specific genes still fragmentary sometimes misleading in cnidarian species. Here, we present thorough qualitative quantitative analysis nematocysts vectensis. In...
Abstract Animal evolution is closely linked to the emergence of nervous system. At present it unknown how basic mechanisms neural induction and formation central systems evolved. We addressed this question in Nematostella vectensis , a member cnidarians, ancient sister group bilaterians. found that β-catenin signalling crucial for early embryonic β-Catenin activity at blastopore induces specific neurogenic genes required development oral also Bmp signalling, which, later larval stages,...
Hydra ’s almost unlimited regenerative potential is based on Wnt signaling, but so far it unknown how the injury stimulus transmitted to discrete patterning fates in head and foot regenerates. We previously identified mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) among earliest response molecules regeneration. Here, we show that three MAPKs—p38, c-Jun N-terminal (JNKs), extracellular signal-regulated (ERKs)—are essential initiate regeneration Hydra, independent of wound position. Their...
Taxonomically restricted genes or lineage-specific contribute to morphological diversification in metazoans and provide unique functions for particular taxa adapting specific environments. To understand how such arise participate evolution, we have investigated a gene called nematogalectin Hydra , which has structural role the formation of nematocysts, stinging organelles that are phylum Cnidaria. Nematogalectin is 28-kDa protein with an N-terminal GlyXY domain (glycine followed by two...
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays crucial roles in animal development and diseases. Here, we report that Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces the ECM remodeling during Hydra axis formation. We determined micro- nanoscopic arrangement of fibrillar type I collagen along Hydra's body using high-resolution microscopy X-ray scattering. Elasticity mapping ex vivo revealed distinctive elasticity patterns axis. A proteomic analysis showed these correlate with a gradient-like distribution...
Growth and morphogenesis during embryonic development, asexual reproduction regeneration require extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We used simple metazoan Hydra to examine fate ECM tissue budding. In growing Hydra, epithelial cells constantly move towards extremities animal into outgrowing buds. It is not known, whether these movements involve migration relative underlying or are displaced as a composite structure. Furthermore, it unclear, how remodeled adapt shape...