|
|
Studies of cell signaling triggered by the TRH receptor
Trubačová, Radka ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Brejchová, Jana (referee) ; Lazar, Josef (referee)
Activation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRH-R) signaling has an irreplaceable role in a number of cellular processes. Thyroliberin (TRH) plays an important role in the regulation of secretion of other hormones and there are also mentions of its possible antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects. On the other hand, TRH is quickly degraded and also its other properties, such as cardiac and endocrine side effects and low lipophilicity, disadvantage the therapeutic applications of this hormone compared to its various analogues. Due to their effects on the central nervous systém, TRH and its analogues represent a potential possibility for the treatment of various neurological diseasses, including neurodegenerative disorders. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of TRH and its analogues have not yet been fully elucidated. So far, little is known about the involvement of TRH, or its analogues, in the regulation of energy metabolism or impact on the cellular phosphoproteome. In the first part of the thesis, we focused on the study of the effect of TRH and interacting partners of TRH-R on the lateral mobility of this receptor in the membrane of the TRY-1 cell line stably expressing TRH-R labeled with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) at the C-terminus. The results of...
|
|
|
Prediction and analysis of traffic crossings using machine learning
Hlaváček, Jakub ; Frýza, Tomáš (referee) ; Götthans, Jakub (advisor)
The thesis focuses on the area of traffic control, specifically traffic control of intersections, especially control technologies based on the obtained traffic data. The main goal of the work is the design and subsequent implementation of a real intersection Anenská and Capt. Jaroše, Pardubice in the form of a model. The work also deals with the demonstration of the used signal programs of junction control through the created model. The model is assembled from a wooden base and smaller parts are made by 3-D printing. The unit is controlled by an Arduino microcomputer. In creating this thesis, I managed to understand the comprehensive traffic management in today’s cities, which requires the current traffic situation.
|
|
|
Mechanisms of the tolerance and homeostasis of immune cells
Tsyklauri, Oksana ; Štěpánek, Ondřej (advisor) ; Černý, Jan (referee) ; Froňková, Eva (referee)
The ability of the immune system to tolerate self-antigens while mounting appropriate responses to pathogens is indispensable for the survival of the organism. Despite years of research, many details of the mechanisms of self-tolerance are still not well understood. The objective of this thesis is to extend our knowledge of the mechanisms of immune tolerance. The core of the PhD thesis consists of five publications related to two main research directions. The first one addresses the mechanisms of peripheral immune tolerance established by regulatory T cells (Tregs). We showed that Tregs increase the quorum of self-reactive CD8+ T cells required for the induction of autoimmunity. In addition, we identified a novel subset of antigen-stimulated CD8+ T cells, which expand in the absence of Tregs. We called them super-effector T cells. We revealed that the administration of IL-2 phenocopies the absence of Tregs, i.e., it induces super- effector T cells, and enhances CD8+ T cell response in autoimmunity and cancer. Our results provide strong evidence that the major suppressive mechanism of Tregs is limiting IL-2 availability for CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, in a collaborative project, we have shown that MyD88 signaling in thymic epithelial cells contributes to the development of Tregs and thus to the...
|
|
|
Opioid receptors and their signaling system in the myocardium
Ladislav, Marek ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Neckář, Jan (referee)
The main objective of this bachelor thesis is to systematically collect and sort information about opioid receptors and their signaling system in the myocardium. Heart activity is controlled mainly by adrenergic signaling, and this work therefore contains also some data concerning the characteristic and significance of other relevant receptors. For better understanding, general basic information about opioid system, especially about the receptors and their signaling, is also provided. Relatively little is known about opioid receptors in the myocardium even though these receptors may have an important role especially in various pathophysiological conditions. There can be several reasons for this. The possibility of further characterization of opioid receptors in the myocardium is rather difficult due to the relatively small number of these receptors in heart tissue. The situation is somewhat complicated also by some differences in the modulation of cardiac function among different species. The complete molecular mechanism by which opioid receptors act on the myocardium has not yet been fully uncovered. Especially in the case of humans this knowledge can be crucial, because these receptors and their ligands could be used for medical purposes.
|
|
|
The role of NG2 glycoprotein in regulation of Rho/ROCK signaling
Kratochvílová, Magdalena ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Kuželová, Kateřina (referee)
NG2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which takes part in cellular processes such as adhesion, migration or invasivity, i.e., in processes important in tissue development but also in tumor and metastasis formation. Among other things, NG2 leads to an inhibition of neurite growth, and probably plays an important role in amoeboid type of cell invasion. These processes are in many respects similar. Both in inhibition of neurite growth and in mesenchymal-amoeboid transition occur morphological changes which lead to a loss of cell protrusions and a transition to a rounded shape. In both of these processes Rho/ROCK signaling also plays a crucial role. Connection between NG2 and the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has been indicated in the process of inhibition of neurite growth. The mechanism of Rho/ROCK signaling regulation by NG2 glycoprotein is, however, still unknown. In this thesis is proposed a molecular mechanism of Rho/ROCK pathway activation by glycoprotein NG2 which relies on the NG2/MUPP1/Syx signaling complex where the scaffold protein MUPP1, bound to activated NG2, enables binding and activation of the Syx protein. Syx then as RhoGEF activates Rho/ROCK signaling, and the activated Rho/ROCK pathway leads to inhibition of neurite growth, increased cell contractility and traction forces. These processes are...
|
|
|
Molecular physiology of opioid receptors
Valný, Martin ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Hejnová, Lucie (referee)
The opioid receptors (OR) belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). ORs mediate the effects of the opioids, leading primarily to inhibition of neuroexcitability, predominantly through the class of the inhibitory G proteins Gi/Go. Cloning of ORs confirmed the existence of four subtypes of ORs, which mediate effects of different classes of opioid ligands. The major aim of this work is to summarize the current knowledge about characteristics and function of ORs at the molecular level. Acute exposition of ORs to their agonists results in activation of the signaling cascades that trigger mechanisms leading to analgesia. Chronic exposition of ORs to their agonists leads to desensitization and internalization of the receptors and induces adaptive changes in signal transduction system that suppresses the opioid action, and may result in the development of opioid tolerance and dependence. Although a big progress has been made in the field of understanding the molecular mechanisms of the OR-mediated signaling, there are still a lot of unresolved questions that are necessary to answer.
|
|
|
Canonical and non-canonical signalling triggered by activated TRAIL receptors in human cells
Nahácka, Zuzana ; Anděra, Ladislav (advisor) ; Rudolf, Emil (referee) ; Vondráček, Jan (referee)
TRAIL ligand can trigger apoptosis of permissive human cells via engagement of its two pro- apoptotic receptors TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5). Its ability to induce apoptosis independently on p53 status and to selectively kill cancer cells in vitro and in vivo made this ligand an attractive target in cancer research. However, acquired resistance of primary cancer cells, unsatisfactory outcome of clinical trials and recent studies arguing that TRAIL might under specific conditions promote cancer progression, opened new plethora of questions, which need to be addressed. Though both receptors DR4 and DR5 are ubiquitously expressed, different types of tumours show preference for either of the receptors. The relative participation of DR4 and DR5 in TRAIL- induced signalling is still largely unknown. To analyse TRAIL receptor-specific signalling, I prepared Strep-tagged, trimerised variants of recombinant human TRAIL ligands with high affinity for either DR4 or DR5 receptor. Using these receptor-specific ligands, I examined a contribution of individual pro-apoptotic receptors to TRAIL-induced signalling pathways. I found that in TRAIL resistant colorectal HT-29 cells but not in pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells, DISC formation and initial caspase-8 processing proceeded comparably in both DR4- and...
|
|
|
Molecular physiology of adenosine receptors
Eichlerová, Lenka ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Hejnová, Lucie (referee)
Adenosine mediates its physiological signaling functions through the interaction with four receptor subtypes. The adenosine receptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are named A1, A2A, A2B and A3 receptors. Since they are widespread throughout the body, they are involved in many physiological processes and dysfunction of the adenosine system may have serious pathological consequences. Activity of adenosine receptors is inhibited by methylxanthines. Caffeine is a typical non-selective antagonist of the receptors, which is known to affect the sleep cycle. A great progress occurred in understanding the structure of adenosine receptors after the crystallographic model was solved for A2A receptor in complex with the antagonist ZM241385, which is referred to as super-caffeine. Understanding the receptor structure as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of their function and interactions represent a starting point to the development of new drugs, which are going to be highly efficient and selective for each adenosine receptor subtype.
|
|
|
Analysis of cell signaling mediated by the adapter protein Daxx
Švadlenka, Jan ; Anděra, Ladislav (advisor) ; Forstová, Jitka (referee) ; Stopka, Tomáš (referee)
2 Abstract Multifunctional adapter protein and histone chaperone Daxx has been described in nu- merous cellular processes, including the regulation of apoptotic and stress signalling, antiviral response and processes connected to chromatin (e. g. transcription). Its influ- ence on chromatin-related processes is mainly carried out by several associated en- zymes, such as DNA-methyltransferase-1, histone deacetylases and chromatin- remodelling ATPase ATRX. In the complex with ATRX Daxx functions as a chaperone of histone-3.3, maintaining the constitutive heterochromatin e. g. at centromeric and telomeric regions. The main aim of this Thesis was a better understanding of the Daxx cellular functions through identification and functional characterization of its novel interacting proteins. Using the yeast two-hybrid screen, several such new Daxx-interacting proteins were identified. These proteins were mainly nuclear, connected to the regulation of chroma- tin-related processes. More detailed analysis focused on the interaction of Daxx with chromatin-remodelling ATPase Brg1. This interaction was confirmed both in vitro and in the cells, where Daxx and Brg1 associated mainly in high molecular weight pro- tein complexes. These likely chromatin-remodelling complexes contain, in addition to Brg1, several...
|
|
|
Canonical and non-canonical signalling triggered by activated TRAIL receptors in human cells
Nahácka, Zuzana
TRAIL ligand can trigger apoptosis of permissive human cells via engagement of its two pro- apoptotic receptors TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5). Its ability to induce apoptosis independently on p53 status and to selectively kill cancer cells in vitro and in vivo made this ligand an attractive target in cancer research. However, acquired resistance of primary cancer cells, unsatisfactory outcome of clinical trials and recent studies arguing that TRAIL might under specific conditions promote cancer progression, opened new plethora of questions, which need to be addressed. Though both receptors DR4 and DR5 are ubiquitously expressed, different types of tumours show preference for either of the receptors. The relative participation of DR4 and DR5 in TRAIL- induced signalling is still largely unknown. To analyse TRAIL receptor-specific signalling, I prepared Strep-tagged, trimerised variants of recombinant human TRAIL ligands with high affinity for either DR4 or DR5 receptor. Using these receptor-specific ligands, I examined a contribution of individual pro-apoptotic receptors to TRAIL-induced signalling pathways. I found that in TRAIL resistant colorectal HT-29 cells but not in pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells, DISC formation and initial caspase-8 processing proceeded comparably in both DR4- and...
|
guest ::
