Development of Eco-factors for the European Union based on the Ecological Scarcity Method

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - Weighting as an optional step in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) has recently gained momentum through increased policy requirements in the...     

Efficient Pre-mRNA Cleavage Prevents Replication-Stress-Associated Genome Instability

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Genetic and Epigenetic Variation across Genes Involved in Energy Metabolism and Mitochondria of Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Lines

The increasingdemandfor biopharmaceutical products drives the search for efficient cell factories that are able to sustainably support rapid growth, high productivity, and product quality. As these depend on energy generation, here the genomic variation in nuclear genes associated with mitochondria and energy metabolism and the mitochondrial genome of 14 cell lines is investigated. The variants called enable reliable tracing of lineages. Unique sequence variations are observed in cell lines adapted to grow in protein‐free media, enriched in signaling pathways or mitogen‐activated protein kinase 3. High‐producing cell lines bear unique mutations in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase (ND2 and ND4) and in peroxisomal acyl‐CoA synthetase (ACSL4), involved in lipid metabolism. As phenotypes are determined not only by functional mutations, but also by the exquisite regulation of expression patterns, it is not surprising that ≈50% of the genes investigated here are found to be differentially methylated and thus epigenetically controlled, enabling a clear distinction of high producers, and cells adapted to a minimal, glutamine (Gln)‐free medium. Similar pathways are enriched as those identified by genome variation. This strengthens the hypothesis that these phenomena act together to define cell behavior.     

Integrated Phosphoproteome and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Chlamydia-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Host Cells

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Combined transgene immortalized urothelial cells capable of reprogramming and hepatic differentiation

Human primary cells, including urine-derived cells (UCs), are an excellent source for generation of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model disease. However, replicative senescence starts early and shortens the time window for generation of iPSCs. We addressed the question whether combinations of transgenes allows efficient immortalization of UCs, iPSC generation, and differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). Retroviral transfer of three gene cassettes HPVE6E7 (H), hTERT/p53DD (T), cyclinD1/CDK4R24C (C) encoding five genes was established in primary UCs. Long-term cell proliferation was observed in cells carrying transgenes H, HT, HC, and HCT, whereas cells carrying transgenes C, T and CT showed early senescence similar to UCs. iPSCs could be exclusively generated from immortalized UCs transduced with transgenes HCT and HC. iPSC colonies appeared however later and in smaller number as compared to UCs. Using an established hepatic differentiation protocol, HLCs were obtained with high efficacy. Of note, a high expression of individual transgenes was observed in immortalized UCs, which was down-regulated after reprogramming in four out of five genes. One transgene was re-expressed in HLCs as compared to iPSCs. Our data suggest that individual transgene combinations result in advanced growth rates of immortalized cells and do not prevent iPSC formation and HLC differentiation. Retroviral transgene expression is mostly silenced in iPSCs but can be rarely re-expressed after hepatic differentiation. An extended time window for iPSC establishment can be proposed that allows straightforward functional analyses of differentiated cells.     

Dynamics of embryonic pancreas development using real-time imaging

Current knowledge about developmental processes in complex organisms has relied almost exclusively on analyses of fixed specimens. However, organ growth is highly dynamic, and visualization of such dynamic processes, e.g., real-time tracking of cell movement and tissue morphogenesis, is becoming increasingly important. Here, we use live imaging to investigate expansion of the embryonic pancreatic epithelium in mouse. Using time-lapse imaging of tissue explants in culture, fluorescently labeled pancreatic epithelium was found to undergo significant expansion accompanied by branching. Quantification of the real-time imaging data revealed lateral branching as the predominant mode of morphogenesis during epithelial expansion. Live imaging also allowed documentation of dynamic beta-cell formation and migration. During in vitro growth, appearance of newly formed beta-cells was visualized using pancreatic explants from MIP-GFP transgenic animals. Migration and clustering of beta-cells were recorded for the first time using live imaging. Total beta-cell mass and concordant aggregation increased during the time of imaging, demonstrating that cells were clustering to form "pre-islets". Finally, inhibition of Hedgehog signaling in explant cultures led to a dramatic increase in total beta-cell mass, demonstrating application of the system in investigating roles of critical embryonic signaling pathways in pancreas development including beta-cell expansion. Thus, pancreas growth in vitro can be documented by live imaging, allowing visualization of the developing pancreas in real-time.     

A genetic screen for modifiers of the delta1-dependent notch signaling function in the mouse

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved transduction pathway involved in embryonic patterning and regulation of cell fates during development. Recent studies have demonstrated that this pathway is integral to a complex system of interactions, which are also involved in distinct human diseases. Delta1 is one of the known ligands of the Notch receptors. Mice homozygous for a loss-of-function allele of the Delta1 gene Dll1(lacZ/lacZ) die during embryonic development. Here, we present the results of two phenotype-driven modifier screens. Heterozygous Dll1(lacZ) knockout animals were crossed with ENU-mutagenized mice and screened for dysmorphological, clinical chemical, and immunological variants that are dependent on the Delta1 loss-of-function allele. First, we show that mutagenized heterozygous Dll1(lacZ) offspring have reduced body weight and altered specific clinical chemical parameters, including changes in metabolites and electrolytes relevant for kidney function. In our mutagenesis screen we have successfully generated 35 new mutant lines. Of major interest are 7 mutant lines that exhibit a Dll1(lacZ/+)-dependent phenotype. These mutant mouse lines provide excellent in vivo tools for studying the role of Notch signaling in kidney and liver function, cholesterol and iron metabolism, cell-fate decisions, and during maturation of T cells in the immune system.