Molecular Genetics of Aging

Research topic(s)

My lab at the Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)External link focuses on two areas: in a gene-centric approach we are addressing the role of the Wilms tumor suppressor gene Wt1 in organogenesis, homeostasis and regeneration. In a process-centric approach we are analyzing the molecular genetics of aging and regeneration, employing both zebrafish and the short-lived African killifish Nothobranchius furzeri. Regarding our work in N. furzeri we have identified a novel sex determining gene, gdf6Y that encodes a growth factor belonging to the TGF-beta family. Inactivation of gdf6Y in males leads to a complete sex reversal, while its overexpression leads to masculinization. Also, we have succeeded in establishing transparent N. furzeri animals; very recently we have integrated an allele encoding a fluorescent reporter together with nitroreducatese into the p21 locus of the transparent killifish line. The resulting animals will be used to monitor senescence in real time in vivo and to address the role of senescent cells in aging and regeneration.

Methods

•  Molecular biology methods including RNA-Seq and single cell sequencing
• Standard and modern microscopy including light sheet microscopy
• Developmental biology methods including in situ hybridization and RNAscope
• Generation of transgenic fish using Tol2 and CRISPR/Cas9

Selected Publications

Hopfenmüller VL, Perner B, Reuter H, Bates TJD, Große A, Englert C. (2022) The Wilms tumor gene wt1a contributes to blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier function in zebrafish.External link Front Cell Dev Biol, 9:809962

Sanz-Morejón A, García-Redondo AB, Reuter H, Marques IJ, Bates T, Galardi-Castilla M, Große A, Manig S, Langa X, Errnst A, Piragyte I, Botos MA, González-Rosa JM, Ruiz-Ortega M, Briones AM, Salaices M, Englert C, Mercader N. (2019) Wilms tumor 1b expression defines a pro-regenerative macrophage subtype and is required for organ regeneration in the zebrafish.External link Cell Rep, 28(5):1296-1306

Schnerwitzki D, Perry S, Ivanova A, Caixeta FV, Cramer P, Günther S, Weber K, Tafreshiha A, Becker L, Vargas Panesso IL, Klopstock T, Hrabe de Angelis M, Schmidt M, Kullander K, Englert C. (2018) Neuron-specific inactivation of Wt1 alters locomotion in mice and changes interneuron composition in the spinal cordExternal link. Life Sci Alliance, 1(4):e201800106

Platzer M, Englert C. (2016) Nothobranchius furzeri: A model for aging research and more.External link Trends Genet, 32(9):543-552

Reichwald K, Petzold A, Koch P, Downie BR, Hartmann N, Pietsch S, Baumgart M, Chalopin D, Felder M, Bens M, Sahm A, Szafranski K, Taudien S, Groth M, Arisi I, Weise A, Bhatt SS, Sharma V, Kraus JM, Schmid F, Priebe S, Liehr T, Görlach M, Than M, Hiller M, Kestler HA, Volff JN, Schartl M, Cellerino A**, Englert C**, Platzer M.** (2015) Insights into sex chromosome evolution and aging from the genome of a short-lived fish.External link Cell, 163(6):1527-1538 (** co-corresponding authors)

Links

Learn moreExternal link