Matthias BehrUniversity of Leipzig · Institute of Biology
Matthias Behr
PhD, Dr rer. nat. habil.
About
29
Publications
3,666
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
853
Citations
Introduction
Head Cell & Developmental Biology,
Coordinator Bioimaging Core Facility
University of Leipzig
Skills and Expertise
Additional affiliations
October 2013 - February 2016
January 2009 - present
Life and Medical Sciences
Position
- Dr. Matthias Behr
Description
- airway clearance Respiratory Distress Syndrome
August 2003 - September 2013
Publications
Publications (29)
The Drosophila melanogaster tracheal system and the mammalian lung are branching networks of tubular epithelia that convert during late embryogenesis from liquid- to air-filling. Little is known about how respiratory-tube size and physiology are coordinated. Here, we show that the Drosophila wurst gene encodes a unique J-domain transmembrane protei...
The cuticle forms an apical extracellular-matrix (ECM) that covers exposed organs, such as epidermis, trachea and gut, for organizing morphogenesis and protection of insects. Recently, we reported that cuticle proteins and chitin are involved in ECM formation. However, molecular mechanisms that control assembly, maturation and replacement of the EC...
Improved wound healing of burnt skin and skin lesions, as well as medical implants and replacement products, requires the support of synthetical matrices. Yet, producing synthetic biocompatible matrices that exhibit specialized flexibility, stability, and biodegradability is challenging. Synthetic chitin/chitosan matrices may provide the desired ad...
Membrane expansion integrates multiple forces to mediate precise tube growth and network formation. Defects lead to deformations, as found in diseases such as polycystic kidney diseases, aortic aneurysms, stenosis, and tortuosity. We identified a mechanism of sensing and responding to the membrane-driven expansion of tracheal tubes. The apical memb...
Highlights
•
Chitin matrix formation and turnover involve several enzymes for chitin synthesis, maturation, and degradation.
•
Insect GH18 family chitinases participate in chitin matrix formation and degradation.
•
Insect chitinases show distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns and molecular functions at chitinous cuticles.
•
GH18 enzym...
Membrane expansion integrates multiple forces to mediate precise tube growth and network formation. Defects lead to deformations, as found in diseases such as polycystic kidney diseases, aortic aneurysms, stenosis, and tortuosity. We identified a mechanism of sensing and responding to the membrane expansion of tracheal tubes. We show in Drosophila...
Tight barriers are crucial for animals. Insect respiratory cells establish barriers through their extracellular matrices. These chitinous-matrices must be soft and flexible to provide ventilation, but also tight enough to allow oxygen flow and protection against dehydration, infections, and environmental stresses. However, genes that control soft,...
Identification of signals for systemic adaption of hormonal regulation would help to understand the crosstalk between cells and environmental cues contributing to growth, metabolic homeostasis and development. Physiological states are controlled by precise pulsatile hormonal release, including endocrine steroids in human and ecdysteroids in insects...
The architecture of the outer body wall cuticle is fundamental to protect arthropods against invading pathogens and numerous other harmful stresses. Such robust cuticles are formed by parallel running chitin microfibrils. Molting and also local wounding leads to dynamic assembly and disassembly of the chitin-matrix throughout development. However,...
Assembly and maturation of the apical extracellular matrix (aECM) is crucial for protecting organisms, but underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epidermal cells secrete proteins and enzymes that assemble at the apical cell surface to provide epithelial integrity and stability during developmental growth and upon tissue damage. W...
Epithelial tissues separate body compartments with different compositions. Tight junctions (TJs) in vertebrates and septate junctions (SJs) in invertebrates control the paracellular flow of molecules between these compartments. This epithelial barrier function of TJs and SJs must be stably maintained in tissue morphogenesis during cell proliferatio...
Claudins are integral transmembrane components of the tight junctions forming trans-epithelial barriers in many organs, such
as the nervous system, lung, and epidermis. In Drosophila three claudins have been identified that are required for forming the tight junctions analogous structure, the septate junctions
(SJs). The lack of claudins results in...
The epidermis and internal tubular organs, such as gut and lungs, are exposed to a hostile environment. They form an extracellular matrix to provide epithelial integrity and to prevent contact with pathogens and toxins. In arthropods, the cuticle protects, shapes, and enables the functioning of organs. During development, cuticle matrix is shielded...
Clathrin coated vesicles (CCVs) organize major routes of cargo selective endocytosis in
higher eukaryotic cellsThe formation of CCVs requires clathrin
molecules. During CCV budding, clathrin molecules assemble to form a cage-like coat
around the nascent vesicle membrane. Clathrin assembly is assisted by numerous adaptor
proteins.In order to analyze...
Tubular organs are required for transport of liquids or gases. The Drosophila tracheal system and the human lungs need to undergo liquid to air transition to enable oxygen transport in the postembryonic or neonatal development respectively. In humans, a failure of airway liquid-clearance can lead to severe clinical syndromes, such as neonatal respi...
At the end of embryogenesis, Drosophila and mammalian airways convert from liquid-filled to air-filled tubes. This process is regulated by Clathrin-mediated endocytosis. However, these molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In Drosophila, the DnaJ transmembrane protein Wurst interacts with Clathrin and Hsc70 to mediate early steps of endocytos...
Lung, cardiovascular system, liver and kidney are some examples for organs that develop ramified three-dimensional networks of epithelial tubes. The tube morphology affects flow rates of transported materials, such as liquids and gases. Therefore, it is important to understand how tube morphology is controlled. In Drosophila melanogaster many evolu...
Clathrin-coated vesicles mediate cellular endocytosis of nutrients and molecules that are involved in a variety of biological processes. Basic components of the vesicle coat are clathrin heavy chain (Chc) and clathrin light chain molecules. In Drosophila melanogaster the chc gene function has been analyzed in a number of previous studies mainly usi...
The mammalian lung and the Drosophila airways are composed of an intricate network of epithelial tubes that transports fluids or gases and converts during late embryogenesis from liquid- to air-filling. Conserved growth factor pathways have been characterized in model organisms such as Drosophila or the mouse that control patterning and branching o...
Insects have evolved chitin-containing structures such as the cuticle or peritrophic membranes that serve to protect their bodies against the hostile environment. The specific mechanisms by which these structures are produced, are mostly unknown. We have identified a novel multigene family, the obstructor family, which encodes ten putatively secret...
Vertebrate claudin proteins are integral components of tight junctions, which function as paracellular diffusion barriers in epithelia. We identified Megatrachea (Mega), a Drosophila transmembrane protein homologous to claudins, and show that it acts in septate junctions, the corresponding structure of invertebrates. Our analysis revealed that Mega...