Article
Biology
Kwok-Chi Lau, Anthony Hiu-Fung Lo, Kam-Bo Wong
AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kwok-Ho Andrew Choi, Lei Yang, Ka-Ming Lee, Conny Wing-Heng Yu, David K. Banfield, Kosuke Ito, Toshio Uchiumi, Kam-Bo Wong
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonglun Zeng, Baiying Li, Changyang Ji, Lei Feng, Fangfang Niu, Cesi Deng, Shuai Chen, Youshun Lin, Kenneth C. P. Cheung, Jinbo Shen, Kam-Bo Wong, Liwen Jiang
Summary: This study uncovered a novel role of a specific Sar1 homolog, AtSar1d, in plant autophagy in coordination with a unique Rab1/Ypt1 homolog, AtRabD2a. The research identified mechanistic connections between ATG machinery and specific COPII components, with a dominant negative mutant of AtSar1d showing distinct inhibition on YFP-ATG8 vacuolar degradation upon autophagic induction. AtRabD2a was found to be essential for bridging the specific AtSar1d-positive COPII vesicles to the autophagy initiation complex and contributing to autophagosome formation in plants.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ho Sing Lo, Kenrie Pui Yan Hui, Hei-Ming Lai, Xu He, Khadija Shahed Khan, Simranjeet Kaur, Junzhe Huang, Zhongqi Li, Anthony K. N. Chan, Hayley Hei-Yin Cheung, Ka-Chun Ng, John Chi Wang Ho, Yu Wai Chen, Bowen Ma, Peter Man-Hin Cheung, Donghyuk Shin, Kaidao Wang, Meng-Hsuan Lee, Barbara Selisko, Cecilia Eydoux, Jean-Claude Guillemot, Bruno Canard, Kuen-Phon Wu, Po-Huang Liang, Ivan Dikic, Zhong Zuo, Francis K. L. Chan, David S. C. Hui, Vincent C. T. Mok, Kam-Bo Wong, Chris Ka Pun Mok, Ho Ko, Wei Shen Aik, Michael Chi Wai Chan, Wai-Lung Ng
Summary: Simeprevir has been identified as a promising repurposable drug for treating COVID-19, reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load significantly and synergizing with remdesivir in vitro. Additionally, Simeprevir inhibits key viral proteins and modulates host immune responses.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rukmini Mukherjee, Anshu Bhattacharya, Denisa Bojkova, Ahmad Reza Mehdipour, Donghyuk Shin, Khadija Shahed Khan, Hayley Hei-Yin Cheung, Kam-Bo Wong, Wai-Lung Ng, Jindrich Cinatl, Paul P. Geurink, Gerbrand J. van der Heden van Noort, Krishnaraj Rajalingam, Sandra Ciesek, Gerhard Hummer, Ivan Dikic
Summary: Famotidine has no effect on viral replication but can modulate specific signaling pathways, reducing TLR3-dependent signaling processes and subsequent activation of IRF3 and the NF-kappa B pathway, leading to control of antiviral and inflammatory responses.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuangli Sun, Lanlan Feng, Kin Pan Chung, Ka-Ming Lee, Hayley Hei-Yin Cheung, Mengqian Luo, Kaike Ren, Kai Ching Law, Liwen Jiang, Kam-Bo Wong, Xiaohong Zhuang
Summary: The study uncovered an atypical interaction mode of Arabidopsis ATG8f with the plant unique adaptor protein SH3P2, showing unique conformational changes in ATG8f upon binding to the AIM sequence of the autophagic receptor NBR1. Additionally, the gel filtration assay revealed that the ubiquitin-associated domain of NBR1 outcompetes the SH3 domain of SH3P2 for ATG8f interaction. Biochemical and cellular analysis demonstrated distinct interfaces used by ATG8f to interact with NBR1 and SH3P2.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yiping Wang, Yingying Wu, Huan Zhong, Shuai Chen, Kam-Bo Wong, Yiji Xia
Summary: This study reveals the critical roles of PUB2 and PUB4 in plant immunity, as they positively regulate defense responses by connecting PTI components and enhancing their interactions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hsi-En Tsao, Shu Nga Lui, Anthony Hiu-Fung Lo, Shuai Chen, Hiu Yan Wong, Chi-Kin Wong, Liwen Jiang, Kam-Bo Wong
Summary: In Arabidopsis, vacuolar sorting receptor isoform 1 (VSR1) plays a key role in directing 12S globulins and other storage proteins to the protein storage vacuoles during seed development. The crystal structure of VSR1-PA in complex with the C-terminal pentapeptide of cruciferin 1 sheds light on the molecular mechanisms involved in the sorting process. The study provides insights into how VSR1 recognizes and interacts with the C-terminal sorting determinants of various storage proteins, which could potentially aid in targeting recombinant proteins to seed storage vacuoles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Yang, Ka-Ming Lee, Conny Wing-Heng Yu, Hirotatsu Imai, Andrew Kwok-Ho Choi, David K. Banfield, Kosuke Ito, Toshio Uchiumi, Kam-Bo Wong
Summary: The N-terminal residues of uL11 are flexible and become structured when bound to ribosomes. The conserved MPPKFDP motif of the N-terminus interacts with uL10 and plays a role in the ribosome function and protein synthesis.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jia-Qi Lu, Kam-Bo Wong, Pang-Chui Shaw
Summary: Tian Hua Fen, a herbal extract used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains trichosanthin (TCS) and is used for abortifacient purposes. Research and development on TCS have expanded the knowledge and applications of ribosome-inactivating proteins, demonstrating the scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chen Xiao, Kaien Li, Jingmin Hua, Zhao He, Feng Zhang, Qiongfang Li, Hailei Zhang, Lei Yang, Shuying Pan, Zongwei Cai, Zhiling Yu, Kam-Bo Wong, Yiji Xia
Summary: Arabidopsis DXO1 is an essential component in the methylation of the guanosine cap to form the m(7)G cap. It activates RNA guanosine-7 methyltransferase (AtRNMT1) to catalyze this conversion. This study reveals an important mechanism in m(7)G capping in plants and the role of DXO1 in this process.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amit Kumar Gaurav, Marjia Afrin, Xian Yang, Arpita Saha, S. K. Abdus Sayeed, Xuehua Pan, Zeyang Ji, Kam-Bo Wong, Mingjie Zhang, Yanxiang Zhao, Bibo Li
Summary: Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis. TbRAP1, a telomere protein, has been shown to silence VSG genes by binding to dsDNA. However, the mechanism by which TbRAP1 allows the expression of a single active VSG gene was unknown. In this study, the researchers unexpectedly discovered an RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) in TbRAP1, which is unprecedented for RAP1 homologs. They found that TbRAP1 RRM, assisted by a specific patch, can recognize and bind to the 3'UTR sequences of VSG genes. Mutating the conserved residues in RRM abolished RNA binding activity, significantly decreased the level of active VSG RNA, and derepressed silent VSG genes. Their findings suggest a monoallelic expression mechanism for VSG genes, in which the abundant RNA of the active VSG gene antagonizes TbRAP1's silencing effect.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yap Shing Nim, Ivan Yu Hang Fong, Justin Deme, Ka Lung Tsang, Joseph Caesar, Steven Johnson, Longson Tsz Hin Pang, Nicholas Man Hon Yuen, Tin Long Chris Ng, Tung Choi, Yakie Yat Hei Wong, Susan M. Lea, Kam-Bo Wong
Summary: Urease is an essential enzyme for the colonization of Helicobacter pylori in the human stomach, and cells have evolved metallochaperones to deliver toxic nickel ions to specific protein complexes. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of H. pylori and Klebsiella pneumoniae UreFD/urease complexes reveal the formation of a 100-angstrom-long tunnel through which the nickel ion is delivered to the active site of urease.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ka Lung Tsang, Kam-Bo Wong
Summary: Nickel ions play vital metabolic functions in life, but their cytotoxicity requires specific protein complexes to transfer them to the active sites of nickel-containing enzymes without releasing the toxic metal. Metallochaperones and accessory proteins form these complexes, allowing the trafficking of nickel along the hydrogenase and urease maturation pathways.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yap Shing Nim, Kam-Bo Wong