Publications by authors named "D Meierhofer"

Loss-of-function variants in ATP6V0A2, encoding the trans Golgi V-ATPase subunit V0a2, cause wrinkly skin syndrome (WSS), a connective tissue disorder with glycosylation defects and aberrant cortical neuron migration. We used knock-out (Atp6v0a2) and knock-in (Atp6v0a2) mice harboring the R755Q missense mutation selectively abolishing V0a2-mediated proton transport to investigate the WSS pathomechanism. Homozygous mutants from both strains displayed a reduction of growth, dermis thickness, and elastic fiber formation compatible with WSS.

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Pregnancy places a metabolic burden on the body including the liver, which is responsible for ensuring adequate nutrition for the maternal and fetal systems. To gain a better understanding of liver adaptation, this study investigates metabolic shifts occurring in livers of pregnant rats. Metabolic capacities of the livers of pregnant and non-pregnant female Wistar rats were assessed using comprehensive metabolic models.

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Article Synopsis
  • Serum response factor (SRF) is crucial for various cellular processes like growth and movement, and it's vital for early embryonic development, specifically for forming certain structures.
  • SRF interacts with proteins CTCF and cohesin at specific genomic regions, helping to form long-range chromatin loops and manage the insulation of topologically associating domains (TADs).
  • In embryonic stem cells, SRF works with factors like SOX2 and NANOG to create three-dimensional structures that support pluripotency, indicating it has important roles in organizing chromatin at higher levels.
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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists are studying how to tell if a donated liver is healthy enough to use for transplant by looking at special markers during a process called HOPE.
  • They collected samples from livers in 10 different centers across 7 countries and found that the levels of a marker called FMN can help predict if the liver will work well after being transplanted.
  • The study showed that FMN is better at predicting liver problems compared to older methods, making it a promising tool for doctors to decide which livers are suitable for transplant.
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Expansion of the glutamine tract (poly-Q) in the protein huntingtin (HTT) causes the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease (HD). Emerging evidence suggests that mutant HTT (mHTT) disrupts brain development. To gain mechanistic insights into the neurodevelopmental impact of human mHTT, we engineered male induced pluripotent stem cells to introduce a biallelic or monoallelic mutant 70Q expansion or to remove the poly-Q tract of HTT.

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