Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zibo Zhao, Kaixiang Cao, Jun Watanabe, Cassandra N. Philips, Jacob M. Zeidner, Yukitomo Ishi, Qixuan Wang, Sarah R. Gold, Katherine Junkins, Elizabeth T. Bartom, Feng Yue, Navdeep S. Chandel, Rintaro Hashizume, Issam Ben-Sahra, Ali Shilatifard
Summary: Epigenetic alterations in chromatin-modifying enzymes have been shown to be associated with human diseases, including cancer. This study investigated the cellular dependencies and vulnerabilities resulting from loss of COMPASS family members MLL3 and MLL4. The results revealed that MLL3/4-deficient cells are dependent on purine synthesis pathways and are highly sensitive to the purine synthesis inhibitor lometrexol. Furthermore, tumors with MLL3 and/or MLL4 mutations also showed high sensitivity to lometrexol in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Pavel Dostalik, Petra Krafcikova, Jan Silhan, Jan Kozic, Dominika Chalupska, Karel Chalupsky, Evzen Boura
Summary: The crystal structure of 29-O-RNA methyltransferase of the OC43 coronavirus was reported, showing both similarities and differences in comparison with other coronaviral enzymes. The conservation of the SAM binding site suggests the potential for designing antivirals effective against multiple human coronaviruses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangxin Zhao, Jingying Wang, Xi Chen, Hanjing Sha, Xin Liu, Yunfei Han, Guankai Qiu, Fantao Zhang, Jun Fang
Summary: Here, we demonstrate the important role of OsASHL1 and OsASHL2 in rice growth and development, regulating floral transition and plant hormone metabolism.
JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji-Yun Shang, Yu-Jia Lu, Xue-Wei Cai, Yin-Na Su, Chao Feng, Lin Li, She Chen, Xin-Jian He
Summary: The accessory subunits of the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex interact with different domains of the INO80 protein, playing roles in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activation. These interactions are essential for maintaining the balance between vegetative growth and flowering in plants under various environmental conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuxin Huang, Huining Ji, Jianting Zheng
Summary: Spinosyn's insecticidal activity depends on the methylation of rhamnose, which is regulated by the substrate specificity of three SAM-dependent methyltransferases. This study elucidated the molecular basis of substrate specificity of SpnK using crystal structures and molecular dynamic simulations, providing insights for engineering spinosyn derivatives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weixiao Yuan Wahlgren, Elin Claesson, Iida Tuure, Sergio Trillo-Muyo, Szabolcs Bodizs, Janne A. Ihalainen, Heikki Takala, Sebastian Westenhoff
Summary: Phytochrome proteins play a crucial role in detecting red/far-red light and regulating the growth, motion, development, and reproduction in plants, fungi, and bacteria. This study reveals the cryo electron microscopy structures of a phytochrome from Deinoccocus radiodurans, providing insights into the conformational changes that occur during protein activation and highlighting the importance of disorder in the effector domains for phosphatase activity in a two-component system. These findings have implications for understanding signaling in phytochromes and have potential applications in optogenetics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Xuejian Du, Zeng-Qiang Gao, Zhi Geng, Yu-Hui Dong, Heng Zhang
Summary: ASFV protein pNP868R with GTase activity plays a crucial role in mRNA capping process.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Asmat Ullah, Atia-tul-Wahab, Peng Gong, Abdul Mateen Khan, M. Iqbal Choudhary
Summary: The rapid spread of dengue virus is a major health problem worldwide. This study evaluated 75 compounds for their ability to interact with NS5 protein and identified 12 potential antiviral agents against dengue virus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hua Li, E. Sethe Burgie, Zachary T. K. Gannam, Huilin Li, Richard D. Vierstra
Summary: This study reports the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Arabidopsis PhyB in the Pr state, revealing a complex dimeric organization that is distinct from its prokaryotic relatives. The study also reveals connections between dimer assembly and Pfr stability, as well as asymmetry between the HKRDs and the platform. The unique structural dynamism creates a photostate-sensitive surface for conformation-dependent interactions between plant Phy photoreceptors and their signaling partners.
Article
Plant Sciences
Baofeng Zhang, Zhuwen Wang, Xiufang Dai, Jinghui Gao, Jinfeng Zhao, Rong Ma, Yanjie Chen, Yi Sun, Hongyan Ma, Shuang Li, Chenguang Zhou, Jack P. Wang, Wei Li
Summary: The study reveals the regulatory interplay between chromatin regulation and gene transactivation in drought adaptation, and the importance of H3K4 trimethylation in improving drought tolerance and growth in plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jialiang Wang, Dandan Li, Lu Chen, Wei Cao, Liangliang Kong, Wei Zhang, Tristan Croll, Zixin Deng, Jingdan Liang, Zhijun Wang
Summary: This study reveals the conformational changes and catalytic trajectory of the catalytic domains in nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) through cryo-EM structures, providing a foundation for the rational re-engineering of dimeric NRPSs for the synthesis of novel pharmaceutical agents.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jana Schmitzova, Constantin Cretu, Christian Dienemann, Henning Urlaub, Vladimir Pena
Summary: Pre-mRNA splicing follows a pathway driven by ATP-dependent RNA helicases. In this study, it is found that catalytic activation occurs in two ATP-dependent stages driven by two helicases, PRP2 and Aquarius. Aquarius plays a role in the splicing process that has been previously unknown. The findings provide insights into the catalytic activation in human splicing and shed light on how helicases coordinate their activities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia B. Zraly, Richard Schultz, Manuel O. Diaz, Andrew K. Dingwall
Summary: Enhancer activation by the MLR family of H3K4 mono-methyltransferases requires proper recognition of histones for the deposition of the mono-methyl mark. The PHD zinc finger domains of MLR proteins are responsible for recognizing specific histones and depositing the mono-methyl mark. The spacer between the first two PHD zinc finger domains is critical for optimal histone engagement.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
W-H Chang, H-H Lin, I-K Tsai, S-H Huang, S-C Chung, I-P Tu, S. S-F Yu, S. Chan
Summary: The particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) is a key enzyme in methanotrophic bacteria that converts methane into methanol. Structural studies have revealed the active site and catalytic mechanism of the enzyme, shedding light on the process of methane oxidation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Hengxia Jia, Yao Zhong, Chao Peng, Peng Gong
Summary: This study reports high-resolution crystal structures of MTase, which helps us understand the multi-step process of viral RNA capping. The structures capture previously unidentified GMP-arginine adducts and provide insights into the guanylyl transfer and methylation steps involved in capping.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen Yang, Peter L. Hsu, Fan Yang, Jae-Eun Song, Gabriele Varani
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2018)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Calvin Jon Antolin Leonen, Esha Upadhyay, Champak Chatterjee
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mikaela D. Stewart, Elena Zelin, Abhinav Dhall, Tom Walsh, Esha Upadhyay, Jacob E. Corn, Champak Chatterjee, Mary-Claire King, Rachel E. Klevit
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah B. Pierce, Mikaela D. Stewart, Suleyman Gulsuner, Tom Walsh, Abhinav Dhall, Jon M. McClellan, Rachel E. Klevit, Mary-Claire King
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric M. Janezic, Dorathy-Ann Harris, Diana Dinh, Kyung-Soon Lee, Aaron Stewart, Thomas R. Hinds, Peter L. Hsu, Ning Zheng, Chris Hague
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter L. Hsu, Hui Shi, Calvin Leonen, Jianming Kang, Champak Chatterjee, Ning Zheng
Article
Biology
Jennifer L. Fribourgh, Ashutosh Srivastava, Colby R. Sandate, Alicia K. Michael, Peter L. Hsu, Christin Rakers, Leslee T. Nguyen, Megan R. Torgrimson, Gian Carlo G. Parico, Sarvind Tripathi, Ning Zheng, Gabriel C. Lander, Tsuyoshi Hirota, Florence Tama, Carrie L. Partch
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abhinav Dhall, Patrick M. M. Shelton, Aurore M-F Delachat, Calvin J. A. Leonen, Beat Fierz, Champak Chatterjee
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erika L. Buckle, Janani Sampath, Nina Michael, Samuel D. Whedon, Calvin J. A. Leonen, Jim Pfaendtner, Gary P. Drobny, Champak Chatterjee
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yue Liu, Congcong Ma, Calvin J. A. Leonen, Champak Chatterjee, Gabriela Novakova, Ales Marek, Frantisek Turecek
Summary: The study of gas-phase riboguanosine radicals with a fixed charge provides insights into the mechanism of radical generation, which is crucial for exploring reactions and processes related to nucleic acids.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Calvin Jon A. Leonen, Miho Shimada, Caroline E. Weller, Tomoyoshi Nakadai, Peter L. Hsu, Elizabeth L. Tyson, Arpit Mishra, Patrick M. M. Shelton, Martin Sadilek, R. David Hawkins, Ning Zheng, Robert G. Roeder, Champak Chatterjee
Summary: Post-translational modification of histones by the small ubiquitin-like modifier protein SUMO plays a key role in gene silencing, centromeric localization, and DNA repair in eukaryotes. The study demonstrated that H4K12su inhibits acetylation of H4 tail and methylation of H3K4 associated with transcription activation, as well as transcription mediated by RNA polymerase II. Cell-based assays confirmed the negative crosstalk between histone sumoylation and acetylation/methylation in human cells.