Biology subjects

Schultz, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Schultz, S..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Single-Molecule Nanopore Profiling of p53-TAD Conformational Dynamics, Interactions, and Inhibition

Investigating the conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is essential to understanding how their structural heterogeneity underlies function and how their dysregulation contributes to diseases. Here, we utilized an MspA nanopore-based approach for studying the conformational dynamics and interactions of IDPs at the single-molecule level. The platform was demonstrated using the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain of tumor suppressor p53 (p53-TAD), one of the important proteins in cancer biology. We showed that MspA can stably capture p53-TAD and resolve up to six distinct current states with frequent interconversions, revealing a rich conformational landscape. The nanopore also detected the effect of a cancer-associated double mutational variant, N29K/N30D. Combining experiments with steered molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that the mutant sampled compact conformational states more frequently than wild type, consistent with previous NMR studies. Importantly, the MspA platform enabled direct monitoring of E3 ligase MDM2 binding to p53-TAD and resolved how this interaction is inhibited by anti-cancer compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Notably, EGCG stabilizes one of the six states sampled by p53-TAD, providing a mechanistic explanation for its inhibitory effect. Together, these findings demonstrate the promise of the nanopore platform for label-free monitoring of IDP conformational dynamics, modulation, binding and inhibition at single-molecule resolution.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2026

Force-Dependent Cell-Cell Adhesion Dynamics in a Stochastic Regime for Cancer Invasion

Cell-cell adhesion is a key regulator of cancer invasion. In this work, we extend a pre-existing individual based cancer invasion model by introducing a stochastic representation of N-cadherin-mediated adhesion, where the lifetime of a cell-cell bond depends on the pulling force acting on the bond. Using experimental data, we derive expressions for the mean and standard deviation of N-cadherin bond lifetimes and fit them to Gamma distributions, enabling their treatment as force-dependent random variables. These distributions are then used to modify the diffusion coefficient of mesenchymal cancer cells. The model predicts reduced random motility with increasing adhesion and incorporates a dynamic transition between catch- and slip-bond behaviour. Along with this model for cell motility, we propose a preliminary physical framework, that can be used to model pattern formation as a result of the new adhesion mechanic.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Virally encoded interleukin-6 (vIL-6) coordinates with human IL-6 to modulate cytokine expression during KSHV infection

Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) is characterized by its ability to establish lifelong infections that can lead to disease in immunocompromised individuals. Understanding the complex interactions between KSHV, the host cellular machinery, and the immune response is essential for unraveling the mechanisms underlying viral persistence and pathogenesis. KSHV extensively remodels the host gene expression landscape by inducing widespread RNA decay via the viral endoribonuclease SOX. While the vast majority of cellular mRNAs are degraded by SOX, select transcripts including Interleukin 6 (IL-6) escape degradation. Interestingly, KSHV encodes a viral homolog of IL-6, known as viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6). Given the importance of IL-6 for KSHV biology and its ability to escape SOX-mediated decay, we explored how vIL-6 expression is regulated upon KSHV infection. Our data demonstrate that unlike IL-6, vIL-6 3UTR does not provide protection from SOX degradation, yet vIL-6 mRNA steady state levels remain high throughout KSHV lytic cycle, suggesting a distinct transcriptional regulation. To assess the contributions of vIL-6 and IL-6 in modulating host gene expression, inflammatory signaling and KSHV-driven pathogenesis, we used a vIL-6 null viral mutant combined with an IL-6 knock down to perform transcriptomic analyses. This analysis revealed that depletion of IL-6, vIL-6 or both results in distinct alterations of the host gene expression environment, with differential effects on chemokine signaling and related pathways as well as a synergistic effect when both IL-6 and vIL-6 are present. Furthermore, functional assays confirmed vIL-6 alone is sufficient to activate key signaling pathways and pro-inflammatory responses, including the JAK/STAT pathway. Collectively, our findings suggest a mechanistic synergy between vIL-6 and IL-6 that may enhance KSHV-mediated immune modulation and contribute to viral persistence and tumorigenesis.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

IL-6 Evades KSHV-Mediated Hyperadenylation repression via CRM1-Dependent Nuclear Export.

RNA turnover is critical for regulating cellular homeostasis, with nuclear export representing a key step in mRNA fate. During infection by Kaposis Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), widespread mRNA decay is mediated by the viral endonuclease SOX, which depletes cytoplasmic transcripts and induces secondary nuclear RNA processing defects. One such defect includes transcript hyperadenylation, which promotes nuclear retention and decay. However, a subset of mRNAs escapes both SOX degradation and nuclear retention, raising questions about their export mechanisms. Here, we investigate how KSHV infection impacts mRNA poly(A) tail length and nuclear export dynamics using poly(A)-sequencing in KSHV-positive cells. Our data confirm a global increase in poly(A) tail length during KSHV infection, yet we identified a group of hyperadenylated transcripts that remain localized in the cytoplasm, suggesting active evasion of nuclear retention. Notably, we focused on interleukin-6 (IL-6), an mRNA known to escape SOX-mediated decay. Using G/I tailing and sPAT assays, we show that IL-6 is hyperadenylated yet, exported. We demonstrate that its export is dependent upon the CRM1 nuclear export pathway, rather than through the canonical NXF1-NXT1 pathway. Inhibition of CRM1 impairs IL-6 nuclear export and reduces steady-state mRNA levels, implicating CRM1 export in the stabilization of this transcript. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which select host mRNAs like IL-6, bypass KSHV-imposed nuclear export block, thereby preserving their cytoplasmic function during infection. This study highlights viral manipulation of RNA processing and export pathways as a critical determinant of transcript fate and identifies CRM1 as a key mediator of selective transcript preservation during KSHV infection. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTKaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) globally disrupts host gene expression by inducing host shutoff which triggers a global repression of the host transcriptome via widespread RNA decay, RNA, nascent transcript hyperadenylation and nuclear export blocks, yet a subset of transcripts escape this repression. This study reveals that despite acquiring long poly(A) tails, select host mRNAs such as IL-6 evade nuclear retention by using the alternative CRM1-dependent export pathway and remain stable in the cytoplasm. These findings challenge the prevailing model that hyperadenylation alone dictates nuclear decay and uncover a selective mechanism by which crucial host transcripts bypass KSHV-mediated gene repression. Understanding this selective escape provides new insights into host-virus interactions and highlights CRM1 as a potential therapeutic target in KSHV-associated diseases.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

CK1a-Mediated Two-Step Subunit Remodeling of the Circadian FRQ-FRH Complex

The circadian clock of Neurospora operates through a negative feedback loop in which FRQ, along with FRH and CK1a, inhibits its transcriptional activator, WCC, via phosphorylation. CK1a, anchored to FRQ, hyperphosphorylates FRQ at its IDRs in a slow, temperature-independent manner, forming a module suited for molecular timekeeping. However, the molecular processes triggered by FRQs hyperphosphorylation have remained unclear. We show that FRH, the folded binding partner of disordered FRQ, decodes FRQs time-dependent phosphorylation state by triggering a two-step remodeling of the FRQ-FRH complex: initially, two FRH molecules bind a FRQ dimer, keeping it inactive by blocking its interaction with WCC. Gradual phosphorylation induces with a delay the dissociation of one FRH, exposing a binding site for WCC and activating the complex. Following a time delay, attributable to the slow and stochastic nature of phosphorylation, the release of the second FRH promotes nuclear export and subsequent degradation of FRQ. This stepwise remodeling ensures precise activation and inactivation of FRQ and positions FRH as a hub for decoding temporal phosphorylation information.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

The pathogenicity of PSEN2 variants is tied to Aβ production and homology to PSEN1

INTRODUCTIONThough recognized as a potential cause of Autosomal Dominant Alzheimers Disease, the pathogenicity of many PSEN2 variants remains uncertain. We compared A{beta} production across all missense PSEN2 variants in the Alzforum database and, when possible, to corresponding PSEN1 variants. METHODSWe expressed 74 PSEN2 variants, 21 of which had homologous PSEN1 variants with the same amino acid substitution, in HEK293 cells lacking PSN1/2. A{beta} production was compared to age at symptom onset (AAO) and between homologous PSEN1/2 variants. RESULTSA{beta}42/40 and A{beta}37/42 ratios were associated with AAO across PSEN2 variants, strongly driven by PSEN2 variants with PSEN1 homologs. PSEN2 AAO was 18.3 years later compared to PSEN1 homologs. A{beta} ratios from PSEN1/2 homologs were highly correlated, suggesting a similar mechanism of {gamma}-secretase dysfunction. DISCUSSIONThe existence of a PSEN1 homolog and patterns of A{beta} production are important considerations in assessing the pathogenicity of previously-reported and new PSEN2 variants.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Perceptions on the genetic biocontrol of invasive carp

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an invasive species that damages native aquatic ecosystems. Advances in genetic engineering have led to novel genetic biocontrol methods that have the potential to aid in the control of carp and other invasive species. Research and development of these technologies is proceeding in parallel with outreach activities which aim to inform and engage the public. Public perceptions on the ethics, economics, and policy decisions surrounding the possible application of genetic control technologies are important in decision-making processes. Here we report results from a survey of more than 1,300 adults that measures the perceptions of risks, benefits, and overall comfort with a panel of existing and proposed carp control methods. Our population sample largely agrees that carp control is an important issue that demands action. We observe trends suggesting that comfort levels with the possible future implementation of genetic biocontrol for common carp are strongly influenced by the perception of benefits compared to other methods, in particular effectiveness and environmental safety. No statistically significant correlations between comfort levels and river/lake use habits nor demographics are observed. There is a need for further research to identify how respondents from similar backgrounds come to different knowledge and attitudes on the matter.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2023

Functional variations in gamma-secretase activity are critical determinants of the clinical, biomarker, and cognitive progression of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundThe balance between production, clearance, and toxicity of A{beta} peptides is central to Alzheimers disease (AD) pathobiology. Though highly variable in terms of age at symptom onset (AAO), hundreds of variants in PSEN1 cause autosomal dominant forms of AD (ADAD) with nearly complete penetrance. PSEN1 forms the catalytic core of the {gamma}-secretase complex and thereby directly mediates the production of longer, aggregation-prone A{beta} peptides relative to shorter, non-aggregating peptides. We hypothesized that the broad AAO and biomarker heterogeneity seen across ADAD would be predictable based on mutation-specific differences in the production of A{beta} species. MethodsA{beta}-37, 38, 40, 42, and 43 production was quantified from 161 unique PSEN1 variants expressed in HEK293 cells. Prediction of AAO was carried out in 106 variants with available AAO and then replicated in 55 variants represented across 190 PSEN1 mutation carriers who have detailed cognitive and biomarker data from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimers Network (DIAN). ResultsVariations in A{beta} production across the 161 mutations examined in cell-based models were highly predictive of AAO. In those with corresponding in vivo data from the DIAN study, our cell-based {gamma}-secretase composite was strongly associated with biomarker and cognitive trajectories. ConclusionsThese findings elucidate the critical link between {gamma}-secretase function, A{beta} production, and AD progression and offer mechanistic support for the amyloid hypothesis. The approach used here represents a powerful tool to account for heterogeneity in disease progression in ADAD clinical trials and to assess the pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance or with limited family history.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Ocean currents drive the worldwide colonization of the most widespread marine plant, eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Currents are unique drivers of oceanic phylogeography and so determine the distribution of marine coastal species, along with past glaciations and sea level changes. Here, we reconstruct the worldwide colonization history of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), the most widely distributed marine flowering plant or seagrass from its origin in the Northwest Pacific, based on nuclear and chloroplast genomes. We identified two divergent Pacific clades with evidence for admixture along the East Pacific coast. Multiple west to east (trans-Pacific) colonization events support the key role of the North Pacific Current. Time-calibrated nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies yielded concordant estimates of the arrival of Z. marina in the Atlantic through the Canadian Arctic, suggesting that eelgrass-based ecosystems, hotspots of biodiversity and carbon sequestration, have only been present since [~]208 Kya (thousand years ago). Mediterranean populations were founded [~]53 Kya while extant distributions along western and eastern Atlantic shores coincide with the end of the Last Glacial Maximum ([~]20 Kya). The recent colonization and 5-to 7-fold lower genomic diversity of Atlantic compared to the Pacific populations raises concern and opportunity about how Atlantic eelgrass might respond to rapidly warming coastal oceans.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

NF-κB inhibitor alpha has a cross-variant role during SARS-CoV-2 infection in ACE2-overexpressing human airway organoids

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread worldwide, tractable primary airway cell models that accurately recapitulate the cell-intrinsic response to arising viral variants are needed. Here we describe an adult stem cell-derived human airway organoid model overexpressing the ACE2 receptor that supports robust viral replication while maintaining 3D architecture and cellular diversity of the airway epithelium. ACE2-OE organoids were infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants and subjected to single-cell RNA-sequencing. NF-{kappa}B inhibitor alpha was consistently upregulated in infected epithelial cells, and its mRNA expression positively correlated with infection levels. Confocal microscopy showed more I{kappa}B expression in infected than bystander cells, but found concurrent nuclear translocation of NF-{kappa}B that I{kappa}B usually prevents. Overexpressing a nondegradable I{kappa}B mutant reduced NF-{kappa}B translocation and increased viral infection. These data demonstrate the functionality of ACE2-OE organoids in SARS-CoV-2 research and identify an incomplete NF-{kappa}B feedback loop as a rheostat of viral infection that may promote inflammation and severe disease.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Vascular mimicry by VE-cadherin enables trophoblast endovascular invasion and spiral artery remodeling during placental development

During formation of the mammalian placenta trophoblasts invade the maternal decidua and remodel spiral arteries to bring maternal blood into the placenta. This process, known as endovascular invasion, is thought to involve the adoption of functional characteristics of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) by trophoblasts through a process termed vascular mimicry. The genetic and molecular basis of vascular mimicry remains poorly defined, however, and whether trophoblasts utilize specialized endothelial proteins in an analogous manner to create vascular channels remains untested. Vascular endothelial (VE-)cadherin is a homotypic adhesion protein that is expressed selectively by ECs in which it enables formation of tight vessels and regulation of EC junctions. VE-cadherin is also expressed in invasive trophoblasts and is a prime candidate for a molecular mechanism of vascular mimicry by those cells. Here, we show that the VE-cadherin is required for trophoblast migration and endovascular invasion into the maternal decidua in the mouse. VE-cadherin deficiency results in loss of spiral artery remodeling that leads to decreased flow of maternal blood into the placenta, fetal growth restriction, and death. These studies identify a non-endothelial role for VE-cadherin in trophoblasts during placental development and suggest that endothelial proteins may play functionally unique roles in trophoblasts that do not simply mimic those in ECs.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Host autophagy mediates organ wasting and nutrient mobilization for tumor growth

During tumor growth - when nutrient and anabolic demands are high - autophagy supports tumor metabolism and growth through lysosomal organelle turnover and nutrient recycling1. Ras-driven tumors additionally invoke non-autonomous autophagy in the microenvironment to support tumor growth, in part through transfer of amino acids2-4. Here we uncover a third critical role of autophagy in mediating systemic organ wasting and nutrient mobilization for tumor growth using a well-characterized malignant tumor model in Drosophila melanogaster. Micro-computed X-ray tomography and metabolic profiling reveal that RasV12; scrib-/- tumors grow 10-fold in volume, while systemic organ wasting unfolds with progressive muscle atrophy, loss of body mass, -motility, -feeding and eventually death. Tissue wasting is found to be mediated by autophagy and results in host mobilization of amino acids and sugars into circulation. Natural abundance Carbon 13 tracing demonstrates that tumor biomass is increasingly derived from host tissues as a nutrient source as wasting progresses. We conclude that host autophagy mediates organ wasting and nutrient mobilization that is utilized for tumor growth.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

GAK and PRKCD are positive regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy

The mechanisms involved in programmed or damage-induced removal of mitochondria by mitophagy in response to different stimuli remains elusive. Here, we have screened for regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy using an siRNA library targeting 197 proteins containing lipid interacting domains. We identify Cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) and Protein Kinase C Delta (PRKCD) as novel regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy, with both being dispensable for PRKN-dependent mitophagy and starvation-induced autophagy. We demonstrate that the kinase activity of both GAK and PRKCD are required for efficient mitophagy in vitro, that PRKCD is present on mitochondria, and that PRKCD is required for ULK1/ATG13 recruitment to early autophagic structures. Importantly, we demonstrate in vivo relevance for both kinases in the regulation of basal mitophagy. Knockdown of GAK homologue (gakh-1) in C.elegans or PRKCD homologues in zebrafish led to significant inhibition of basal mitophagy, highlighting the evolutionary relevance of these kinases in mitophagy.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Learning to Select Actions Shapes Recurrent Dynamics in the Corticostriatal System

Learning to select appropriate actions based on their values is fundamental to adaptive behavior. This form of learning is supported by fronto-striatal systems. The dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the dorsal striatum (dSTR), which are strongly interconnected, are key nodes in this circuitry. Substantial experimental evidence, including neurophysiological recordings, have shown that neurons in these structures represent key aspects of learning. The computational mechanisms that shape the neurophysiological responses, however, are not clear. To examine this, we developed a recurrent neural network (RNN) model of the dlPFC-dSTR circuit and trained it on an oculomotor sequence learning task. We compared the activity generated by the model to activity recorded from monkey dlPFC and dSTR in the same task. This network consisted of a striatal component which encoded action values, and a prefrontal component which selected appropriate actions. After training, this system was able to autonomously represent and update action values and select actions, thus being able to closely approximate the representational structure in corticostriatal recordings. We found that learning to select the correct actions drove action-sequence representations further apart in activity space, both in the model and in the neural data. The model revealed that learning proceeds by increasing the distance between sequence-specific representations. This makes it more likely that the model will select the appropriate action sequence as learning develops. Our model thus supports the hypothesis that learning in networks drives the neural representations of actions further apart, increasing the probability that the network generates correct actions as learning proceeds. Altogether, this study advances our understanding of how neural circuit dynamics are involved in neural computation, showing how dynamics in the corticostriatal system support task learning.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Multiphoton minimal inertia scanning for fast acquisition of neural activity signals

Multi-photon laser scanning microscopy provides a powerful tool for monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of neural circuit activity. It is, however, intrinsically a point scanning technique. Standard raster scanning enables imaging at subcellular resolution; however, acquisition rates are limited by the size of the field of view to be scanned. Recently developed scanning strategies such as Travelling Salesman Scanning (TSS) have been developed to maximize cellular sampling rate by scanning only regions of interest in the field of view corresponding to locations of interest such as somata. However, such strategies are not optimized for the mechanical properties of galvanometric scanners. We describe here the Adaptive Spiral Scanning (SSA) algorithm, which fits a set of near-circular trajectories to the cellular distribution to avoid inertial drifts of galvanometer position. We compare its performance to raster scanning and TSS in terms of cellular sampling frequency and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Using surrogate neuron spatial position data, we show that SSA acquisition rates are an order of magnitude higher than those for raster scanning and generally exceed those achieved by TSS for neural densities comparable with those found in the cortex. We show that this result also holds true for in vitro hippocampal mouse brain slices bath loaded with the synthetic calcium dye Cal-520 AM. The ability of TSS to \"park\" the laser on each neuron along the scanning trajectory, however, enables higher SNR than SSA when all targets are precisely scanned. Raster scanning has the highest SNR but at a substantial cost in number of cells scanned. To understand the impact of sampling rate and SNR on functional calcium imaging, we used the Cramer-Rao Bound on evoked calcium traces recorded simultaneously with electrophysiology traces to calculate the lower bound estimate of the spike timing occurrence. The results show that TSS and SSA achieve comparable accuracy in spike time estimates compared to raster scanning despite their lower SNR. SSA is an easily implementable way for standard multi-photon laser scanning systems to gain temporal precision in the detection of action potentials while scanning hundreds of active cells.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2016

Neuronal gain modulability is determined by dendritic morphology: a computational optogenetic study

The mechanisms by which the gain of the neuronal input-output function may be modulated have been the subject of much investigation. However, little is known of the role of dendrites in neuronal gain control. New optogenetic experimental paradigms based on spatial profiles or patterns of light stimulation offer the prospect of elucidating many aspects of single cell function, including the role of dendrites in gain control. We thus developed a model to investigate how competing excitatory and inhibitory input within the dendritic arbor alters neuronal gain, incorporating kinetic models of opsins into our modeling to ensure it is experimentally testable. To investigate how different topologies of the neuronal dendritic tree affect the neurons input-output characteristics we generate branching geometries which replicate morphological features of most common neurons, but keep the number of branches and overall area of dendrites approximately constant. We found a relationship between a neurons gain modulability and its dendritic morphology, with neurons with bipolar dendrites with a moderate degree of branching being most receptive to control of the gain of their input-output relationship. The theory was then tested and confirmed on two examples of realistic neurons: 1) layer V pyramidal cells - confirming their role in neural circuits as a regulator of the gain in the circuit in addition to acting as the primary excitatory neurons, and 2) stellate cells. In addition to providing testable predictions and a novel application of dual-opsins, our model suggests that innervation of all dendritic subdomains is required for full gain modulation, revealing the importance of dendritic targeting in the generation of neuronal gain control and the functions that it subserves. Finally, our study also demonstrates that neurophysiological investigations which use direct current injection into the soma and bypass the dendrites may miss some important neuronal functions, such as gain modulation.\n\nAuthor SummaryO_LIGain modulability indicated by dendritic morphology\nC_LIO_LIPyramidal cell-like shapes optimally receptive to modulation\nC_LIO_LIAll dendritic subdomains required for gain modulation, partial illumination is insufficient\nC_LIO_LIComputational optogenetic models improve and refine experimental protocols\nC_LI

neuroscience↗