Curriculum Vitae Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf Zechner - GOLD - Genomics ...

Curriculum Vitae
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf Zechner
Date of Birth August 25, 1954
University Education
1972-1980 University education in General Chemistry, University of Graz, Austria
July 1980 Ph.D. Graduation in Chemistry, University of Graz, Austria
Career History
1980-1984 University Assistant, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Graz, Austria
1985-1987 Research Associate, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics and Metabolism, The
Rockefeller University, New York, USA
1987-1990 University Assistant, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Graz, Austria
1990-1998 Associate Professor, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Graz,
Austria
1994-1998 Head of the Section of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Biochemistry,
University of Graz, Austria
1998-1999 Professor of Biochemistry, Chairman of the Institute of Biochemistry, University
of Graz, Austria
since 2000 Professor of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz,
Austria
Professional Activities
since 1997 Speaker of the research consortium SFB Biomembranes, Graz, Austria
1998-2004 Chairman of the Natural Science Faculty, University of Graz, Austria
since 1999 Vice President of the Austrian Atherosclerosis Society
since 2002 Project coordinator for the GEN-AU project “GOLD – Genomics of Lipidassociated
Disorders”
2004-2008 Corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
since 2004 Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Lipid Research
since 2007 Speaker of the research consortium SFB LIPOTOX, Graz, Austria
since 2008 Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

Honors and Awards
1985 Max-Kade Fellowship
1986 Erwin-Schroedinger Stipendium
1990 Kuner-Science Award sponsored by Unilever
1990 Award for scientific achievements sponsored by the county of Styria
1996 Hoechst Preis
2007 Wittgenstein Award
Research interests
Biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology of lipid and energy metabolism.
Peer reviewed publications of the last 5 years (present-2006)
1. Haemmerle G, Moustafa T, Woelkart G, Kotzbeck P, Büttner S, Schmidt A, van de Weijer T,
Hesselink M, Jäger D, Kienesberger P, Zierler K, Schreiber R, Eichmann T, Kolb D, Schweiger
M, Kumari M, Eder S, Schoiswohl G, Wongsiriroj N, Pollak N, Radner FW, Preiss-Landl K, Kolbe
T, Rülicke T, Pieske B, Trauner M, Lass A, Zimmermann R, Hoefler G, Cinti S, Kershaw EE,
Schrauwen P, Madeo F, Mayer B, Zechner R. ATGL-mediated fat catabolism regulates cardiac
mitochondrial function via the PPARa and PGC-1a and b, Nature Medicine, epub ahead of print.
2. Mueller KM, Kornfeld JW, Friedbichler K, Blaas L, Egger G, Esterbauer H, Hasselblatt P,
Schlederer M, Haindl S, Wagner KU, Engblom D, Haemmerle G, Kratky D, Sexl V, Kenner L,
Kozlov AV, Terracciano L, Zechner R, Schuetz G, Casanova E, Pospisilik JA, Heim MH, Moriggl
R. Impairment of hepatic growth hormone and glucocorticoid receptor signaling causes steatosis
and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Hepatology, epub ahead of print.
3. Wölkart G, Schrammel A, Dörffel K, Haemmerle G, Zechner R, Mayer B. Cardiac dysfunction in
adipose triglyceride lipase deficiency: Treatment with a PPARα agonist. Br J Pharmacol, in press
(Epub ahead of print)
4. Lasa A, Schweiger M, Kotzbeck P, Churruca I, Simón E, Zechner R, Del Puy Portillo M.
Resveratrol regulates lipolysis via adipose triglyceride lipase. J Nutr Biochem, in press (Epub
ahead of print)
5. Das SK, Eder S, Schauer S, Diwoky C, Temmel H, Guertl B, Gorkiewicz G, Tamilarasan KP,
Kumari P, Trauner M, Zimmermann R, Vesely P, Haemmerle G, Zechner R, Hoefler G. Adipose
triglyceride lipase contributes to cancer-associated cachexia. Science 2011; 333: 233-238.
6. Radner FP, Grond S, Haemmerle G, Lass A, and Zechner R. Fat in the skin. Triacylglycerol
metabolism in keratinocytes and its role in the development of neutral lipid storage disease.
Dermato-Endocrinology 2011; 3: 77-83.
7. Oberer M, Boeszoermenyi A, Nagy HM, Zechner R. Recent insights into the structure and
function of comparative gene identification-58. Curr Opin Lipidol 2011, 22(3):149-158.
8. Borg ML, Andrews ZB, Duh EJ, Zechner R, Meikle PJ, Watt MJ. Pigment Epithelium-Derived
Factor Regulates Lipid Metabolism via Adipose Triglyceride Lipase. Diabetes 2011, 60(5):1458-
1466.
9. Taschler U, Radner FP, Heier C, Schreiber R, Schweiger M, Schoiswohl G, Preiss-Landl K,
Jaeger D, Reiter B, Koefeler HC, Wojciechowski J, Theussl C, Penninger JM, Lass A,
Haemmerle G, Zechner R, Zimmermann R. Monoglyceride Lipase Deficiency in Mice Impairs

Lipolysis and Attenuates Diet-induced Insulin Resistance. J Biol Chem 2011, 286(20):17467-
17477.
10. Harris CA, Haas JT, Streeper RS, Stone SJ, Kumari M, Yang K, Han X, Brownell N, Gross RW,
Zechner R, Farese RV Jr. DGAT enzymes are required for triacylglycerol synthesis and lipid
droplets in adipocytes. J Lipid Res 2011, 52(4):657-667.
11. Scherer T, O'Hare J, Diggs-Andrews K, Schweiger M, Cheng B, Lindtner C, Zielinski E, Vempati
P, Su K, Dighe S, Milsom T, Puchowicz M, Scheja L, Zechner R, Fisher SJ, Previs SF, Buettner
C. Brain insulin controls adipose tissue lipolysis and lipogenesis. Cell Metab 2011,13: 183-94.
12. Aflaki E, Radovic B, Chandak PG, Kolb D, Eisenberg T, Ring J, Fertschai I, Uellen A, Wolinski H,
Kohlwein SD, Zechner R, Levak-Frank S, Sattler W, Graier WF, Malli R, Madeo F, Kratky D.
Triacylglycerol accumulation activates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in macrophages. J
Biol Chem 2011, 286(9):7418-7428.
13. Lass A, Zimmermann R, Oberer M, Zechner R. Lipolysis - a highly regulated multi-enzyme
complex mediates the catabolism of cellular fat stores. Prog Lipid Res 2011; 50: 14-27.
14. Basantani MK, Sitnick MT, Cai L, Brenner DS, Gardner NP, Li JZ, Schoiswohl G, Yang K,
Kumari M, Gross RW, Zechner R, Kershaw EE. Pnpla3/Adiponutrin deficiency in mice does not
contribute to fatty liver disease or metabolic syndrome. J Lipid Res 2011, 52: 318-29.
15. Coassin S, Schweiger M, Kloss-Brandstätter A, Lamina C, Haun M, Erhart G, Paulweber B,
Rahman Y, Olpin S, Wolinski H, Cornaciu I, Zechner R, Zimmermann R, Kronenberg F.
Investigation and functional characterization of rare genetic variants in the adipose triglyceride
lipase in a large healthy working population. PLoS Genet 2010, 6: e1001239.
16. Holmes RS, Wright MW, Laulederkind SJ, Cox LA, Hosokawa M, Imai T, Ishibashi S, Lehner R,
Miyazaki M, Perkins EJ, Potter PM, Redinbo MR, Robert J, Satoh T, Yamashita T, Yan B, Yokoi
T, Zechner R, Maltais LJ. Recommended nomenclature for five mammalian carboxylesterase
gene families: human, mouse, and rat genes and proteins. Mamm Genome 2010; 21: 427-41.
17. Kosteli A, Sugaru E, Haemmerle G, Martin JF, Lei J, Zechner R, Ferrante AW, Jr. Weight loss
and lipolysis promote a dynamic immune response in murine adipose tissue. J Clin Invest 2010;
120: 3466-79.
18. Buchebner M, Pfeifer T, Rathke N, Chandak PG, Lass A, Schreiber R, Kratzer A, Zimmermann
R, Sattler W, Koefeler H, Frohlich E, Kostner GM, Birner-Gruenberger R, Chiang KP,
Haemmerle G, Zechner R, Levak-Frank S, Cravatt B, Kratky D. Cholesteryl ester hydrolase
activity is abolished in HSL-/- macrophages but unchanged in macrophages lacking KIAA1363. J
Lipid Res 2010; 51: 2896-908.
19. Chandak PG, Radovic B, Aflaki E, Kolb D, Buchebner M, Frohlich E, Magnes C, Sinner F,
Haemmerle G, Zechner R, Tabas I, Levak-Frank S, Kratky D. Efficient phagocytosis requires
triacylglycerol hydrolysis by adipose triglyceride lipase. J Biol Chem 2010; 285: 20192-201.
20. Gruber A, Cornaciu I, Lass A, Schweiger M, Poeschl M, Eder C, Kumari M, Schoiswohl G,
Wolinski H, Kohlwein SD, Zechner R, Zimmermann R, Oberer M. The N-terminal region of
comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) is important for lipid droplet binding and activation of
adipose triglyceride lipase. J Biol Chem 2010; 285: 12289-98.
21. Schoiswohl G, Schweiger M, Schreiber R, Gorkiewicz G, Preiss-Landl K, Taschler U, Zierler KA,
Radner FP, Eichmann TO, Kienesberger PC, Eder S, Lass A, Haemmerle G, Alsted TJ, Kiens B,
Hoefler G, Zechner R, Zimmermann R. Adipose triglyceride lipase plays a key role in the supply
of the working muscle with fatty acids. J Lipid Res 2010; 51: 490-9.
22. Radner FP, Streith IE, Schoiswohl G, Schweiger M, Kumari M, Eichmann TO, Rechberger G,
Koefeler HC, Eder S, Schauer S, Theussl HC, Preiss-Landl K, Lass A, Zimmermann R, Hoefler
G, Zechner R, Haemmerle G. Growth retardation, impaired triacylglycerol catabolism, hepatic

steatosis, and lethal skin barrier defect in mice lacking comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-
58). J Biol Chem 2010; 285: 7300-11.
23. Gorkiewicz G, Kienesberger S, Schober C, Scheicher SR, Gully C, Zechner R, Zechner EL. A
genomic island defines subspecies-specific virulence features of the host-adapted pathogen
Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. J Bacteriol 2010; 192: 502-17.
24. Schreiber R, Taschler U, Wolinski H, Seper A, Tamegger SN, Graf M, Kohlwein SD, Haemmerle
G, Zimmermann R, Zechner R, Lass A. Esterase 22 and beta-glucuronidase hydrolyze retinoids
in mouse liver. J Lipid Res 2009; 50: 2514-23.
25. Fex M, Haemmerle G, Wierup N, Dekker-Nitert M, Rehn M, Ristow M, Zechner R, Sundler F,
Holm C, Eliasson L, Mulder H. A beta cell-specific knockout of hormone-sensitive lipase in mice
results in hyperglycaemia and disruption of exocytosis. Diabetologia 2009; 52: 271-80.
26. Kienesberger PC, Oberer M, Lass A, Zechner R. Mammalian patatin domain containing proteins:
a family with diverse lipolytic activities involved in multiple biological functions. J Lipid Res 2009;
50 Suppl: S63-8.
27. Huijsman E, van de Par C, Economou C, van der Poel C, Lynch GS, Schoiswohl G, Haemmerle
G, Zechner R, Watt MJ. Adipose triacylglycerol lipase deletion alters whole body energy
metabolism and impairs exercise performance in mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2009;
297: E505-13.
28. Schweiger M, Lass A, Zimmermann R, Eichmann TO, Zechner R. Neutral lipid storage disease:
genetic disorders caused by mutations in adipose triglyceride lipase/PNPLA2 or CGI-58/ABHD5.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2009; 297: E289-96.
29. Riederer M, Erwa W, Zimmermann R, Frank S, Zechner R. Adipose tissue as a source of
nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and homocysteine. Atherosclerosis 2009; 204: 412-7.
30. Klar J, Schweiger M, Zimmerman R, Zechner R, Li H, Torma H, Vahlquist A, Bouadjar B, Dahl N,
Fischer J. Mutations in the fatty acid transport protein 4 gene cause the ichthyosis prematurity
syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2009; 85: 248-53.
31. Zimmermann R, Lass A, Haemmerle G, Zechner R. Fate of fat: the role of adipose triglyceride
lipase in lipolysis. Biochim Biophys Acta 2009; 1791: 494-500.
32. Kienesberger PC, Lee D, Pulinilkunnil T, Brenner DS, Cai L, Magnes C, Koefeler HC, Streith IE,
Rechberger GN, Haemmerle G, Flier JS, Zechner R, Kim YB, Kershaw EE. Adipose triglyceride
lipase deficiency causes tissue-specific changes in insulin signaling. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:
30218-29.
33. Zechner R, Madeo F. Cell biology: Another way to get rid of fat. Nature 2009; 458: 1118-9.
34. Peyot ML, Guay C, Latour MG, Lamontagne J, Lussier R, Pineda M, Ruderman NB, Haemmerle
G, Zechner R, Joly E, Madiraju SR, Poitout V, Prentki M. Adipose triglyceride lipase is implicated
in fuel- and non-fuel-stimulated insulin secretion. J Biol Chem 2009; 284: 16848-59.
35. Zechner R, Kienesberger PC, Haemmerle G, Zimmermann R, Lass A. Adipose triglyceride lipase
and the lipolytic catabolism of cellular fat stores. J Lipid Res 2009; 50: 3-21.
36. Alsted TJ, Nybo L, Schweiger M, Fledelius C, Jacobsen P, Zimmermann R, Zechner R, Kiens B.
Adipose triglyceride lipase in human skeletal muscle is upregulated by exercise training. Am J
Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2009; 296: E445-53.
37. Pinent M, Hackl H, Burkard TR, Prokesch A, Papak C, Scheideler M, Hammerle G, Zechner R,
Trajanoski Z, Strauss JG. Differential transcriptional modulation of biological processes in
adipocyte triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase-deficient mice. Genomics 2008; 92:
26-32.
38. Schweiger M, Schoiswohl G, Lass A, Radner FP, Haemmerle G, Malli R, Graier W, Cornaciu I,
Oberer M, Salvayre R, Fischer J, Zechner R, Zimmermann R. The C-terminal region of human

adipose triglyceride lipase affects enzyme activity and lipid droplet binding. J Biol Chem 2008;
283: 17211-20.
39. Reid BN, Ables GP, Otlivanchik OA, Schoiswohl G, Zechner R, Blaner WS, Goldberg IJ,
Schwabe RF, Chua SC, Jr., Huang LS. Hepatic overexpression of hormone-sensitive lipase and
adipose triglyceride lipase promotes fatty acid oxidation, stimulates direct release of free fatty
acids, and ameliorates steatosis. J Biol Chem 2008; 283: 13087-99.
40. Kienesberger PC, Lass A, Preiss-Landl K, Wolinski H, Kohlwein SD, Zimmermann R, Zechner R.
Identification of an insulin-regulated lysophospholipase with homology to neuropathy target
esterase. J Biol Chem 2008; 283: 5908-17.
41. Schweiger M, Schreiber R, Haemmerle G, Lass A, Fledelius C, Jacobsen P, Tornqvist H,
Zechner R, Zimmermann R. Adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase are the
major enzymes in adipose tissue triacylglycerol catabolism. J Biol Chem 2006; 281: 40236-41.
42. Haemmerle G, Lass A, Zimmermann R, Gorkiewicz G, Meyer C, Rozman J, Heldmaier G, Maier
R, Theussl C, Eder S, Kratky D, Wagner EF, Klingenspor M, Hoefler G, Zechner R. Defective
lipolysis and altered energy metabolism in mice lacking adipose triglyceride lipase. Science
2006; 312: 734-7.
43. Osibow K, Frank S, Malli R, Zechner R, Graier WF. Mitochondria maintain maturation and
secretion of lipoprotein lipase in the endoplasmic reticulum. Biochem J 2006; 396: 173-82.
44. Tschernatsch MM, Mlecnik B, Trajanoski Z, Zechner R, Zimmermann R. LPL-mediated lipolysis
of VLDL induces an upregulation of AU-rich mRNAs and an activation of HuR in endothelial
cells. Atherosclerosis 2006; 189: 310-7.
45. Schoenborn V, Heid IM, Vollmert C, Lingenhel A, Adams TD, Hopkins PN, Illig T, Zimmermann
R, Zechner R, Hunt SC, Kronenberg F. The ATGL gene is associated with free fatty acids,
triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes 2006; 55: 1270-5.
46. Lass A, Zimmermann R, Haemmerle G, Riederer M, Schoiswohl G, Schweiger M, Kienesberger
P, Strauss JG, Gorkiewicz G, Zechner R. Adipose triglyceride lipase-mediated lipolysis of cellular
fat stores is activated by CGI-58 and defective in Chanarin-Dorfman Syndrome. Cell Metab
2006; 3: 309-19.
47. Kurat CF, Natter K, Petschnigg J, Wolinski H, Scheuringer K, Scholz H, Zimmermann R, Leber
R, Zechner R, Kohlwein SD. Obese yeast: triglyceride lipolysis is functionally conserved from
mammals to yeast. J Biol Chem 2006; 281: 491-500.