Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Conner J. Langeberg, Parker J. Nichols, Morkos A. Henen, Quentin Vicens, Beat Vogeli
Summary: The Za domain of ADARp150 is crucial for proper Z-RNA binding and plays a key role in the type-I interferon response pathway. Two point mutations (N173S and P193A) in this domain are associated with decreased A-to-I editing in neurodegenerative disorders. Biophysical and structural characterization of these mutated domains revealed a lower affinity for Z-RNA binding, which can be explained by structural changes in the beta-wing and alterations in protein dynamics.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mitchell Bruederlin, Raphael Boehm, Firas Fadel, Sebastian Hiller, Tilman Schirmer, Badri N. Dubey
Summary: In two-component systems, histidine kinases (HKs) relay information to response regulators (RRs) by transferring the phosphoryl group from HK to RR's Rec domain. Multi-step phosphorelays involve an additional Rec (Rec(inter)) domain in HK that acts as an intermediary for phosphoryl shuttling. This study focuses on the Rec(inter) domain of the hybrid HK CckA and reveals that it does not undergo structural changes upon pseudo-phosphorylation, unlike the well-studied homologs in response regulators.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marian Vincenzi, Flavia Anna Mercurio, Marilisa Leone
Summary: This study focuses on Protein Interaction Domains (PIDs) that can recognize post-translationally modified peptide segments and those that interact with simple peptide sequences composed of standard amino acids. PIDs are versatile in structure and function, playing important roles in signal transduction and disease pathways, making them potential therapeutic targets for drug discovery.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
You Wu, Yanbin Li, Chunming Zhou, Hao Chen, Sang-Wook Cheong, Yinwei Li, Xutang Tao, Le Zhang
Summary: RInO3 (R: rare-earth element) has attracted unprecedented research attention due to its geometric ferroelectricity and spin liquid state. However, further investigation on the structure-property relationship based on well-developed single crystals is needed. A EuInO3 crystal was obtained for the first time by the laser floating zone method. The presence of ferroelectricity and interesting topological vortex domains were revealed, providing great potential for vortex memory devices.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yulia Shalovylo, Yurii M. Yusypovych, Nataliya Hrunyk, Ivan I. Roman, Volodymyr K. Zaika, Hryhoriy T. Krynytskyy, Irina Nesmelova, Valentina A. Kovaleva
Summary: The recombinant PsDef5.1 defensin inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, and Candida albicans. The tissue-specific and developmentally regulated expression of seed-derived Scots pine defensins was observed. Novel defensins from Scots pine seeds show potential as candidates for transgenic application and the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weibin Gong, Qihui Liang, Yufeng Tong, Sarah Perrett, Yingang Feng
Summary: RBBP1 is involved in gene regulation, epigenetic regulation, and disease processes. The ARID domain in RBBP1 plays a key role in DNA binding and gene suppression, with unexpected involvement of the disordered acidic loop L12.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yingjie Cui, Chiheng Dong, Caida Fu, Zhongtang Xu, Minghui Tang, Chengduo Wang, Yanwei Ma
Summary: In this study, a simple annealing method was used to tailor flux pinning structures in slightly underdoped BaFe2-xNixAs2 single crystals, improving superconductivity. It was found that the post-annealing process may strengthen the orthorhombic distortion, generating twin domain boundaries or short-range antiferromagnetic clusters with sizes comparable to the in-plane coherence length. The inclusion of these abnormal structural/magnetic domains enhances electron scattering and provides potent flux pinning centers.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana S. Andre, Joana N. R. Dias, Sandra Aguiar, Sara Nogueira, Pedro Bule, Joana Ines Carvalho, Joao P. M. Antonio, Marco Cavaco, Vera Neves, Soraia Oliveira, Goncalo Vicente, Belmira Carrapico, Berta Sao Braz, Barbara Ruetgen, Lurdes Gano, Joao D. G. Correia, Miguel Castanho, Joao Goncalves, Pedro M. P. Gois, Solange Gil, Luis Tavares, Frederico Aires-da-Silva
Summary: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly growing therapeutic class in oncology, but they face significant engineering challenges. To develop more stable and effective ADCs, researchers explored the potential of rabbit-derived VL-single-domain antibody scaffolds (sdAbs) to selectively conjugate a payload to Cys80.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Chen Li, Lan Du, Yi Li
Summary: The mainstream synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR) methods mostly rely on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to extract visual information, but neglect the physical structural information. In this work, we propose a novel method that effectively combines global visual features and local structural features using CNN and graph convolutional networks (GCNs) for SAR ATR. Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our method in terms of classification accuracy.
IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Soheil Ershadrad, Sukanya Ghosh, Duo Wang, Yaroslav Kvashnin, Biplab Sanyal
Summary: Recent experiments on Fe5GeTe2 revealed a symmetry breaking in its crystal structure. Density functional theory calculations showed that the stabilization of the (root 3 X root 3)R30 degrees supercell structure is caused by the swapping of Fe atoms in the monolayer limit. Magnetic exchange parameters indicate the presence of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange among a specific type of Fe atom. Monte Carlo simulations showed a temperature-dependent behavior and large canting angle at T = 0 K, suggesting a complex noncollinear magnetic order resulting from the swapping between Fe sublattices.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Soheil Ershadrad, Sukanya Ghosh, Duo Wang, Yaroslav Kvashnin, Biplab Sanyal
Summary: By using density functional theory calculations, researchers have found that the stabilization of the (v3 x v3)R30 degrees supercell structure in Fe5GeTe2 is caused by the swapping of Fe atoms occurring in the monolayer limit. The study also shows the simultaneous presence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange among a particular type of Fe atom, leading to the presence of a complex noncollinear magnetic order.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Changyong Lan, Rui Zhang, Haolun Wu, Shaofeng Wen, Ruisen Zou, Xiaolin Kang, Chun Li, Johnny C. Ho, Yi Yin, Yong Liu
Summary: The study reports the epitaxial growth of WS2 monolayer films on sapphire with excellent electrical and optoelectronic properties via an enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. The research demonstrates the high quality of the synthesized WS2 monolayers, indicating potential practical applications for 2D materials.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sigal Zilcha-Mano, Xi Zhu, Amit Lazarov, Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez, Liat Helpman, Yoojean Kim, Carly Maitlin, Yuval Neria, Bret R. Rutherford
Summary: The study used a data-driven approach to identify structural brain markers of resilience, especially in regions implicated in trauma exposure such as the thalamus and rostral middle frontal gyrus.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Yannick Stephan, Angelina R. Sutin, Martina Luchetti, Damaris Aschwanden, Antonio Terracciano
Summary: This study found a prospective relationship between subjective age and performance in different cognitive domains among older adults. Older subjective age was consistently associated with worse performance in episodic memory and speed-attention-executive functions, with this association replicable and robust over up to 20 years of follow-up.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miriam Koppel, Rasmus Palm, Riinu Harmas, Margarita Russina, Nami Matsubara, Martin Mansson, Veronika Grzimek, Maarja Paalo, Jaan Aruvali, Tavo Romann, Ove Oll, Enn Lust
Summary: The reversible formation of graphitic structures in CDCs under hydrogen pressure is achieved by confining H-2 in the porous structure, increasing pressure and causing reversible formation of graphitic domains with distinct interlayer distances. The confinement of H-2 at elevated temperatures is possible due to ultramicropores and suitable curved carbon structures, resulting in highly pressurized, ordered, and disoriented graphitic domains with potential H-2/H intercalation. In situ neutron scattering and gas adsorption methods are used to study H-2 transport properties and interactions with CDCs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Corey R. Nelson, Tyler Mrozowich, Sean M. Park, Simmone D'souza, Amy Henrickson, Justin R. J. Vigar, Hans-Joachim Wieden, Raymond J. Owens, Borries Demeler, Trushar R. Patel
Summary: This study demonstrates that DDX17 can directly interact with and unwind RVFV non-coding RNA regions IGR and NCR, providing important insights into the mechanism by which DDX17 restricts RVFV replication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Piyada Supasa, Daming Zhou, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Chang Liu, Alexander J. Mentzer, Helen M. Ginn, Yuguang Zhao, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Beibei Wang, Guido C. Paesen, Jose Slon-Campos, Cesar Lopez-Camacho, Bassam Hallis, Naomi Coombes, Kevin R. Bewley, Sue Charlton, Thomas S. Walter, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Donal Skelly, Sheila F. Lumley, Natalie Baker, Imam Shaik, Holly E. Humphries, Kerry Godwin, Nick Gent, Alex Sienkiewicz, Christina Dold, Robert Levin, Tao Dong, Andrew J. Pollard, Julian C. Knight, Paul Klenerman, Derrick Crook, Teresa Lambe, Elizabeth Clutterbuck, Sagida Bibi, Amy Flaxman, Mustapha Bittaye, Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer, Sarah Gilbert, David R. Hall, Mark A. Williams, Neil G. Paterson, William James, Miles W. Carroll, Elizabeth E. Fry, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: Research on the UK-dominant variant B.1.1.7 shows that it is harder to neutralize than the parental virus, but widespread escape from antibodies or monoclonal antibodies has not been observed yet.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Daming Zhou, Helen M. Ginn, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Piyada Supasa, James Brett Case, Yuguang Zhao, Thomas S. Walter, Alexander J. Mentzer, Chang Liu, Beibei Wang, Guido C. Paesen, Jose Slon-Campos, Cesar Lopez-Camacho, Natasha M. Kafai, Adam L. Bailey, Rita E. Chen, Baoling Ying, Craig Thompson, Jai Bolton, Alex Fyfe, Sunetra Gupta, Tiong Kit Tan, Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo, William James, Michael Knight, Miles W. Carroll, Donal Skelly, Christina Dold, Yanchun Peng, Robert Levin, Tao Dong, Andrew J. Pollard, Julian C. Knight, Paul Klenerman, Nigel Temperton, David R. Hall, Mark A. Williams, Neil G. Paterson, Felicity K. R. Bertram, C. Alistair Siebert, Daniel K. Clare, Andrew Howe, Julika Radecke, Yun Song, Alain R. Townsend, Kuan-Ying A. Huang, Elizabeth E. Fry, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Michael S. Diamond, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: Antibodies play a crucial role in immune protection against SARS-CoV-2, with some being used as therapeutics. A study identified 377 human monoclonal antibodies, focusing on 80 that bind the virus spike, and found that most highly inhibitory antibodies can block the virus-receptor interaction. Novel binding modes of potent inhibitory antibodies were discovered, showing potential for prophylactic or therapeutic use in animal models.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daming Zhou, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Piyada Supasa, Chang Liu, Alexander J. Mentzer, Helen M. Ginn, Yuguang Zhao, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Beibei Wang, Guido C. Paesen, Cesar Lopez-Camacho, Jose Slon-Campos, Bassam Hallis, Naomi Coombes, Kevin Bewley, Sue Charlton, Thomas S. Walter, Donal Skelly, Sheila F. Lumley, Christina Dold, Robert Levin, Tao Dong, Andrew J. Pollard, Julian C. Knight, Derrick Crook, Teresa Lambe, Elizabeth Clutterbuck, Sagida Bibi, Amy Flaxman, Mustapha Bittaye, Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer, Sarah Gilbert, William James, Miles W. Carroll, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Elizabeth E. Fry, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: The race to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1, is ongoing as these variants have mutations in the spike protein, potentially leading to immune escape. A structure-function analysis of B.1.351 revealed tighter ACE2 binding and widespread evasion from monoclonal antibody neutralization, particularly driven by the E484K mutation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Daming Zhou, Piyada Supasa, Chang Liu, Alexander J. Mentzer, Helen M. Ginn, Yuguang Zhao, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Beibei Wang, Cesar Lopez-Camacho, Jose Slon-Campos, Thomas S. Walter, Donal Skelly, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Felipe Gomes Naveca, Valdinete Nascimento, Fernanda Nascimento, Cristiano Fernandes da Costa, Paola Cristina Resende, Alex Pauvolid-Correa, Marilda M. Siqueira, Christina Dold, Robert Levin, Tao Dong, Andrew J. Pollard, Julian C. Knight, Derrick Crook, Teresa Lambe, Elizabeth Clutterbuck, Sagida Bibi, Amy Flaxman, Mustapha Bittaye, Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer, Sarah C. Gilbert, Miles W. Carroll, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Ruben J. G. Hulswit, Thomas A. Bowden, Elizabeth E. Fry, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: Ending the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic requires global vaccination. New virus strains with mutations impact antibody responses, but some variants are less resistant than others. A monoclonal antibody can neutralize different variants and partially restore neutralization potency for other public antibodies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Jiandong Huo, Daming Zhou, Jiri Zahradnik, Piyada Supasa, Chang Liu, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Helen M. Ginn, Alexander J. Mentzer, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Beibei Wang, Aiste Dijokaite, Suman Khan, Ori Avinoam, Mohammad Bahar, Donal Skelly, Sandra Adele, Sile Ann Johnson, Ali Amini, Thomas G. Ritter, Chris Mason, Christina Dold, Daniel Pan, Sara Assadi, Adam Bellass, Nicola Omo-Dare, David Koeckerling, Amy Flaxman, Daniel Jenkin, Parvinder K. Aley, Merryn Voysey, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Felipe Gomes Naveca, Valdinete Nascimento, Fernanda Nascimento, Cristiano Fernandes da Costa, Paola Cristina Resende, Alex Pauvolid-Correa, Marilda M. Siqueira, Vicky Baillie, Natali Serafin, Gaurav Kwatra, Kelly Da Silva, Shabir A. Madhi, Marta C. Nunes, Tariq Malik, Peter J. M. Openshaw, J. Kenneth Baillie, Malcolm G. Semple, Alain R. Townsend, Kuan-Ying A. Huang, Tiong Kit Tan, Miles W. Carroll, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Bede Constantinides, Hermione Webster, Derrick Crook, Andrew J. Pollard, Teresa Lambe, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Elizabeth E. Fry, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, Gideon Schreiber, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: On November 24, 2021, the sequence of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron-B.1.1.529, was announced. Compared to previous variants, Omicron has a higher number of mutations in the Spike (S) protein. Serum neutralization of Omicron by individuals vaccinated or previously infected with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta variants is significantly reduced or ineffective. Third vaccine doses can boost neutralization titers against Omicron, and high titers are observed in both vaccinated individuals and those infected with the Delta variant. Most potent monoclonal antibodies and antibodies under development are unable to effectively neutralize Omicron due to mutations in its Spike protein. Omicron has structural changes compared to earlier viruses and utilizes mutations that enhance its binding to ACE2, allowing for immune escape. This results in a large number of mutations in the ACE2 binding site and a rebalancing of receptor affinity similar to earlier pandemic viruses.
Article
Microbiology
Chang Liu, Daming Zhou, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Helen M. Ginn, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Piyada Supasa, Alexander J. Mentzer, Beibei Wang, James Brett Case, Yuguang Zhao, Donal T. Skelly, Rita E. Chen, Sile Ann Johnson, Thomas G. Ritter, Chris Mason, Tariq Malik, Nigel Temperton, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Daniel K. Clare, Andrew Howe, Philip J. R. Goulder, Elizabeth E. Fry, Michael S. Diamond, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: This study investigated several variants of SARS-CoV-2 and found that the Beta variant has the largest antigenic difference compared to other variants, such as Delta, and is poorly neutralized by serum from early pandemic and Delta viruses. The study also revealed that certain antibodies can recognize conserved neutralizing epitopes, while others target specific mutated residues in the Beta variant.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Petra Lukacik, C. David Owen, Gemma Harris, Jani Reddy Bolla, Sarah Picaud, Irfan Alibay, Joanne E. Nettleship, Louise E. Bird, Raymond J. Owens, Philip C. Biggin, Panagis Filippakopoulos, Carol Robinson, Martin A. Walsh
Summary: The crystal structure of SapA, a component of the important Sap ABC transporter system in NTHi, has been found to be in a closed, ligand bound conformation, with its central ligand binding cavity likely occupied by di- or tri-peptides. Surface interactions between SapA and heme and dsRNA were observed, suggesting a potential role for SapA in the transport of di- or tri-peptides.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kuan-Ying A. Huang, Daming Zhou, Tiong Kit Tan, Charles Chen, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Yuguang Zhao, Helen M. Ginn, Ling Qin, Pramila Rijal, Lisa Schimanski, Robert Donat, Adam Harding, Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo, William James, Julia A. Tree, Karen Buttigieg, Miles Carroll, Sue Charlton, Chia-En Lien, Meei-Yun Lin, Cheng-Pin Chen, Shu-Hsing Cheng, Xiaorui Chen, Tzou-Yien Lin, Elizabeth E. Fry, Jingshan Ren, Che Ma, Alain R. Townsend, David Stuart
Summary: The study reveals that representative antibodies targeting non-overlapping epitopes are effective against wild type virus and emerging variants. The neutralization is associated with the inhibition of viral RBD binding to ACE2. Structural analysis shows that these antibodies have unique features while sharing some similarities with previously reported neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rungtiwa Nutalai, Daming Zhou, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Helen M. Ginn, Piyada Supasa, Chang Liu, Jiandong Huo, Alexander J. Mentzer, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc, Donal Skelly, Thomas G. Ritter, Ali Amini, Sagida Bibi, Sandra Adele, Sile Ann Johnson, Bede Constantinides, Hermione Webster, Nigel Temperton, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Derrick Crook, Andrew J. Pollard, Teresa Lambe, Philip Goulder, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Elizabeth E. Fry, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: This study compares the neutralization of Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 and finds that differences in neutralization mostly arise from variations in residues bordering the ACE2 binding site. Analysis of monoclonal antibodies isolated from vaccinated individuals shows that they can effectively neutralize early pandemic strains and exhibit broad reactivity with variants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc, Daming Zhou, Helen M. Ginn, Muneeswaran Selvaraj, Chang Liu, Alexander J. Mentzer, Piyada Supasa, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Raksha Das, Donal Skelly, Thomas G. Ritter, Ali Amini, Sagida Bibi, Sandra Adele, Sile Ann Johnson, Bede Constantinides, Hermione Webster, Nigel Temperton, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Derrick Crook, Andrew J. Pollard, Teresa Lambe, Philip Goulder, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Elizabeth E. Fry, Jiandong Huo, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread globally and has evolved into different sublineages, with BA.4 and BA.5 dominating in South Africa. These sublineages show reduced neutralization by vaccine and naturally immune serum, indicating the possibility of repeat Omicron infections.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Indran Mathavan, Lawrence J. Liu, Sean W. Robinson, Nelly El-Sakkary, Adam Jo J. Elatico, Darwin Gomez, Ricky Nellas, Raymond J. Owens, William Zuercher, Iva Navratilova, Conor R. Caffrey, Konstantinos Beis
Summary: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms. Treatment options are limited, but the study identifies SmVKR2 as a potential drug target. Screening of inhibitors against SmVKR2 led to the identification of compounds that could inhibit its enzymatic activity and induce phenotypic changes in the parasite.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bhumika S. S. Shah, Benjamin A. A. Ford, Deepa Varkey, Halina Mikolajek, Christian Orr, Vitaliy Mykhaylyk, Raymond J. J. Owens, Ian T. T. Paulsen
Summary: Despite low surface concentrations, phosphorus (P) availability in marine environments is crucial for biological processes. Picocyanobacteria strains possess a putative phosphorus transporter, PhnDCE, but lack the ability to degrade phosphite or utilize alternate phosphorus sources. Our study found that Synechococcus PhnD1 proteins selectively bind phosphorus compounds, with a higher affinity for phosphite. However, growth experiments showed that Synechococcus strains cannot utilize phosphite as a sole phosphorus source, suggesting that the PhnDCE transporter is a constitutively expressed, medium-affinity phosphate transporter.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jagan Mohan Kaipa, Ganna Krasnoselska, Raymond J. J. Owens, Joop van den Heuvel
Summary: This study compares the small-scale production of six selected eukaryotic integral membrane proteins in insect and mammalian cell expression systems using different techniques for gene delivery. The choice of expression systems has a significant impact on the yield and quality of the target proteins. Virus-free transient gene expression in insect High Five cells combined with solubilization in dodecylmaltoside plus cholesteryl hemisuccinate generated the most homogeneous samples for all six targets. TGE in High Five insect cells offers a fast and economically attractive alternative for the production of integral membrane proteins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milos Hricovini, Raymond J. Owens, Andrzej Bak, Violetta Kozik, Witold Musial, Roberta Pierattelli, Magdalena Majekova, Yoel Rodriguez, Robert Musiol, Aneta Slodek, Pavel Starha, Karina Pietak, Dagmara Slota, Wioletta Florkiewicz, Agnieszka Sobczak-Kupiec, Josef Jampilek
Summary: Knowledge of interactions between molecules is crucial for the advancement of biomedical and biological sciences. Chemical biology/biological chemistry serves as an interdisciplinary bridge, connecting the perspectives of chemistry and biology in the study of small molecules/peptidomimetics and their interactions in biological systems. Understanding the atomic structure and molecular properties in the context of cellular environment is vital for the design of highly druggable and drug-like medicines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)