Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin J. LaFrance, Johanna Roostalu, Gil Henkin, Basil J. Greber, Rui Zhang, Davide Normanno, Chloe O. McCollum, Thomas Surrey, Eva Nogales
Summary: By studying GTP hydrolysis-deficient MTs, we found that their lattice structure is remarkably plastic, distinct from wild-type GDP-MTs. End-binding proteins of the EB family have the ability to affect the structure of mutant GTP lattices and promote the transition of the GTP cap. The seam plays an important role in MT stability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miao Gui, Jacob T. Croft, Davide Zabeo, Vajradhar Acharya, Justin M. Kollman, Thomas Burgoyne, Johanna L. Hoog, Alan Brown
Summary: This study used single-particle cryo-electron microscopy methods to investigate the structure of human ciliary microtubules. Two types of microtubules were studied, and atomic models were built. It was discovered that SPACA9 is a polyspecific microtubule inner protein capable of binding different types of microtubules.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yoshimasa Takizawa, Hitoshi Kurumizaka
Summary: Chromatin is a dynamic molecular complex that packages DNA in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Recent studies using cryo-EM have revealed the structural details of different chromatin units and their functions in the cell.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wim J. H. Hagen
Summary: Researchers have presented an energy filter-based plasmon imaging method for rapid screening of gold foil grids, in order to save expensive imaging time.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica J. Farmer, Marija Zanic
Summary: Almost 40 years since the discovery of microtubule dynamic instability, the molecular mechanisms underlying microtubule dynamics remain an area of intense research interest. Recent studies challenge the standard model of microtubule dynamics, proposing a new perspective where dynamic transitions between different structural conformations of the growing microtubule end ultimately drive microtubule catastrophe.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Domen Kampjut, Julia Steiner, Leonid A. Sazanov
Summary: Our study systematically investigated the effects of buffer components, blotting conditions, and grid types on membrane protein grid preparation. We found that aggregation was a common issue, which could be addressed by adjusting detergents, salt concentration, or reconstitution methods. Furthermore, we discussed strategies for achieving optimal ice thickness, particle coverage, and orientation distribution on both free ice and support films. Our findings provide a clear roadmap for comprehensive screening of conditions for cryo-EM grid preparation of membrane proteins.
Article
Biology
Fumiya K. Sano, Hiroaki Akasaka, Wataru Shihoya, Osamu Nureki, David Drew
Summary: This study reports the structure of the complex between the endothelin ETB receptor and G-protein, revealing how endothelin activates the ETB receptor and expanding the diversity of G-protein binding modes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Jia, Ye Xiang
Summary: In this study, the cryo-EM structure of a M13 mini variant bacteriophage was reported. The mini phage has two cap-like complexes at its distal ends, formed by minor coat proteins. The inner single stranded DNA genome adopts a helical structure similar to double-stranded DNA.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tae Jin Jeon, Seong-Gyu Lee, Suk Hyun Yoo, Myeongbin Kim, Dabin Song, Joonghyun Ryu, Hwangseo Park, Deok-Soo Kim, Jaekyung Hyun, Ho Min Kim, Seong Eon Ryu
Summary: In this study, cryoelectron microscopy was used to investigate bovine respiratory supercomplexes, revealing large intercomplex motions and a dynamic substrate pool between complexes I and III. These findings provide insights into the regulation of metabolic flux and reactive oxygen species by supercomplexes.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shanshan Li, Michael Z. Palo, Grigore Pintilie, Xiaojing Zhang, Zhaoming Su, Kalli Kappel, Wah Chiu, Kaiming Zhang, Rhiju Das
Summary: The Tetrahymena group I intron has provided valuable insights into the folding and misfolding of RNA. In this study, cryo-EM was used to visualize the misfolded structures of the Tetrahymena L-21 ScaI ribozyme. Multiple misfolded substates were identified and compared to the native state, revealing topological differences that explain the failure of substrate docking and suggest pathways for refolding.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Xiaoxing Huang, Youwang Wang, Cong Yu, Hui Zhang, Qiang Ru, Xinxin Li, Kai Song, Min Zhou, Ping Zhu
Summary: This study reports the structures of human alpha-2-macroglobulin and reveals its dynamic transformation as a protease inhibitor and the molecular mechanism of substrate entrapment.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anjie Xia, Xihao Yong, Changbin Zhang, Guifeng Lin, Guowen Jia, Chang Zhao, Xin Wang, Yize Hao, Yifei Wang, Pei Zhou, Xin Yang, Yue Deng, Chao Wu, Yujiao Chen, Jiawei Zhu, Xiaodi Tang, Jingming Liu, Shiyu Zhang, Jiahao Zhang, Zheng Xu, Qian Hu, Jinlong Zhao, Yuting Yue, Wei Yan, Zhaoming Su, Yuquan Wei, Rongbin Zhou, Haohao Dong, Zhenhua Shao, Shengyong Yang
Summary: This study presents the cryo-EM structures of GPR34 bound with LysoPS and its inhibition by the antagonist YL-365. The findings provide mechanistic insights into the endogenous agonist recognition and antagonist inhibition of GPR34, highlighting GPR34 as a promising target for disease treatment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne M. Jecrois, M. Michael Dcona, Xiaoyan Deng, Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Steven R. Grossman, Celia A. Schiffer, William E. Royer
Summary: C-terminal binding proteins 1 and 2 (CtBP1 and CtBP2) are transcriptional regulators that can activate or repress genes involved in cellular development, apoptosis, and metastasis. This study reveals the mechanism by which NADH triggers the tetramer formation of CtBP2 and demonstrates that the tetramer is the functional oligomeric form of CtBP2.
Review
Biophysics
Deryck J. Mills
Summary: Cryo-electron microscopy is now the preferred technique for structural biology of macromolecular assemblies, achieving resolutions better than 2 angstrom. Proper instruments and cooperative samples are essential for collecting high-quality images.
QUARTERLY REVIEWS OF BIOPHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiao Fan, Jian Huang, Xueqin Jin, Nieng Yan
Summary: Voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.6 is crucial for neuronal firing and its dysfunction can lead to epilepsy and neurological disorders. The cryo-EM structure of human Nav1.6 reveals its inactivated state with closed pore domain and all up voltage-sensing domains. The presence of an unidentified molecule bound to the Nav1.6 PD suggests a potential target for developing specific blockers.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)