Quantitative Measurement of Fluorescent Layers with Respect to Spatial Thickness Variations and Substrate Properties.

Imaging fluorescence spectroscopy proves to be a fast and sensitive method for measuring the thickness of thin coatings in the manufacturing industry. This encouraged us to systematically study, theoretically and experimentally, parameters that influence the fluorescence of thin layers. We analyzed the fluorescence signal as a function of the scattering and reflectance properties of the sample substrate. In addition, we investigated effects of the layer properties on fluorescence emission. A ray-tracing software is used to describe the influence of these parameters on the fluorescence emission of thin layers. Experiments using a custom-made system for imaging fluorescence analysis verify the simulations. This work shows a factor five variation of fluorescence intensity as a function of the reflectance of the sample substrate. Simulations show variations by a factor of up to eight for samples with different surface roughness. Results on tilted samples indicate a significant increase of the detected fluorescence signal, for fluorescent droplets on reflective substrates, if illuminated and coaxially observed at angles greater than 25°. These findings are of utmost relevance for all applications which utilize the fluorescence emission to quantify thin layers. These applications range from in-line lubricant monitoring in press plants to monitoring of functional coatings in medical technology and the detection of filmic contaminations.

Calibration of systems for quantitative fluorescence analysis of thin layers.

Imaging fluorescence analysis is a powerful tool for the characterization of thin functional layers. Due to the development of new components such as cost-efficient and long life diode lasers and LEDs as well as sensitive cameras, the number of industrial in situ sensors based on fluorescence analysis technology increased rapidly in recent years. Of crucial importance for all these new sensors are efficient and robust methods for calibration. Although there are many examples for the calibration of laboratory setups for single specialized applications, there is no standardized method for the traceable device independent calibration of imaging fluorescence systems. This paper presents the evaluation of five different methods for the calibration of systems for quantitative fluorescence analysis. Each method is applied for the calibration of an imaging fluorescence laser scanner. In addition to characterizing the precision of the methods, the work analyzes the usability of the methods for different applications. The results show for the first time that a calibrated IR point sensor can be used for the auto calibration of high resolution imaging inline fluorescence sensors. In addition, we present a novel method for the transfer of calibration data between analysis systems with different optical setups by using a solid material fluorescence standard.

DYRK1B regulates Hedgehog-induced microtubule acetylation.

The posttranslational modification (PTM) of tubulin subunits is important for the physiological functions of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton. Although major advances have been made in the identification of enzymes carrying out MT-PTMs, little knowledge is available on how intercellular signaling molecules and their associated pathways regulate MT-PTM-dependent processes inside signal-receiving cells. Here we show that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, a paradigmatic intercellular signaling system, affects the MT acetylation state in mammalian cells. Mechanistically, Hh pathway activity increases the levels of the MT-associated DYRK1B kinase, resulting in the inhibition of GSK3ß through phosphorylation of Serine 9 and the subsequent suppression of HDAC6 enzyme activity. Since HDAC6 represents a major tubulin deacetylase, its inhibition increases the levels of acetylated MTs. Through the activation of DYRK1B, Hh signaling facilitates MT-dependent processes such as intracellular mitochondrial transport, mesenchymal cell polarization or directed cell migration. Taken together, we provide evidence that intercellular communication through Hh signals can regulate the MT cytoskeleton and contribute to MT-dependent processes by affecting the level of tubulin acetylation.

Identification of a novel actin-dependent signal transducing module allows for the targeted degradation of GLI1.

The Down syndrome-associated DYRK1A kinase has been reported as a stimulator of the developmentally important Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, but cells from Down syndrome patients paradoxically display reduced Hh signalling activity. Here we find that DYRK1A stimulates GLI transcription factor activity through phosphorylation of general nuclear localization clusters. In contrast, in vivo and in vitro experiments reveal that DYRK1A kinase can also function as an inhibitor of endogenous Hh signalling by negatively regulating ABLIM proteins, the actin cytoskeleton and the transcriptional co-activator MKL1 (MAL). As a final effector of the DYRK1A-ABLIM-actin-MKL1 sequence, we identify the MKL1 interactor Jumonji domain demethylase 1A (JMJD1A) as a novel Hh pathway component stabilizing the GLI1 protein in a demethylase-independent manner. Furthermore, a Jumonji-specific small-molecule antagonist represents a novel and powerful inhibitor of Hh signal transduction by inducing GLI1 protein degradation in vitro and in vivo.

Histone deacetylase 6 represents a novel drug target in the oncogenic Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Uncontrolled Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is the cause of several malignancies, including the pediatric cancer medulloblastoma, a neuroectodermal tumor affecting the cerebellum. Despite the development of potent Hh pathway antagonists, medulloblastoma drug resistance is still an unresolved issue that requires the identification of novel drug targets. Following up on our observation that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) expression was increased in Hh-driven medulloblastoma, we found that this enzyme is essential for full Hh pathway activation. Intriguingly, these stimulatory effects of HDAC6 are partly integrated downstream of primary cilia, a known HDAC6-regulated structure. In addition, HDAC6 is also required for the complete repression of basal Hh target gene expression. These contrasting effects are mediated by HDAC6's impact on Gli2 mRNA and GLI3 protein expression. As a result of this complex interaction with Hh signaling, global transcriptome analysis revealed that HDAC6 regulates only a subset of Smoothened- and Gli-driven genes, including all well-established Hh targets such as Ptch1 or Gli1. Importantly, medulloblastoma cell survival was severely compromised by HDAC6 inhibition in vitro and pharmacologic HDAC6 blockade strongly reduced tumor growth in an in vivo allograft model. In summary, our data describe an important role for HDAC6 in regulating the mammalian Hh pathway and encourage further studies focusing on HDAC6 as a novel drug target in medulloblastoma.

GLI1 inhibition promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells.

The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been identified as an important deregulated signal transduction pathway in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer type characterized by a highly metastatic phenotype. In PDAC, the canonical HH pathway activity is restricted to the stromal compartment while HH signaling in the tumor cells is reduced as a consequence of constitutive KRAS activation. Here, we report that in the tumor compartment of PDAC the HH pathway effector transcription factor GLI1 regulates epithelial differentiation. RNAi-mediated knockdown of GLI1 abolished characteristics of epithelial differentiation, increased cell motility, and synergized with TGFß to induce an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, EMT conversion in PDAC cells occurred in the absence of induction of SNAIL or SLUG, two canonical inducers of EMT in many other settings. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that GLI1 directly regulated the transcription of E-cadherin, a key determinant of epithelial tissue organization. Collectively, our findings identify GLI1 as an important positive regulator of epithelial differentiation, and they offer an explanation for how decreased levels of GLI1 are likely to contribute to the highly metastatic phenotype of PDAC.