Transcription initiation is regulated by proteins called transcription factors (TFs). Though TFs help determine phenotype across the tree of life, they are nonessential for minimal cellular life and are often absent in endosymbiotic and parasitic organisms. Given this and the idea that it is a certain level of organism complexity that calls for specific transcription […]
Transition metal-triggered immunity via an Arabidopsis NLR pair
Plants are challenged by multiple biotic (e.g. pathogens) and abiotic (e.g. heavy metals) stressors. Some transition metals can enhance plant’s defense against pathogens, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that an Arabidopsis head-to-head gene pair of intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors, both expressed in the endodermis of roots, antagonistically control transition metal-triggered […]
In-cell structural insights into fungal ER stress responses
Approximately a third of a cell’s proteome is folded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER results in ER stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) has evolved to attenuate ER stress by increasing the cell’s folding capacity and reducing the folding load in the ER. In metazoans, the latter […]
Optimization of AAV tools to target Müller glial cells for retinal gene therapy
Reprogramming of Müller glial (MG) cells into retinal neurons has the potential to treat vision loss by regenerating the retina. Development of efficient gene delivery systems to target the MG cells is critical. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes and promoter specificity are important factors that influence AAV transduction profile in the retina. However, studies that optimize […]
Structural features of E. coli Stx bacteriophage phi24B revealed with cryo-electron microscopy
Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages play a critical role in the emergence and virulence of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Despite their significance, detailed structural information on these phages remains scarce. Here we present a high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and proteomic analysis of the phi24B bacteriophage, revealing an icosahedral capsid with T=9 symmetry, decorated by a processed esterase protein […]
The Central Coupler of the AAA+ ATPase ClpXP Controls Intersubunit Communication and Couples the Conversion of Chemical Energy into the Generation of Force
ClpX is a clockwise hexameric helical arrangement that hydrolyzes ATP to unfold proteins and translocate them into the proteolytic chamber. We investigate the central coupler, a three -helix module conserved among AAA+ ATPases, which is proposed to enable intersubunit communication and mechanochemical coupling. Although fundamental in AAA+ ATPases, the molecular mechanism underlying these processes remains […]
Optimization of AAV tools to target Müller glial cells for retinal gene therapy
Reprogramming of Müller glial (MG) cells into retinal neurons has the potential to treat vision loss by regenerating the retina. Development of efficient gene delivery systems to target the MG cells is critical. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes and promoter specificity are important factors that influence AAV transduction profile in the retina. However, studies that optimize […]
The Central Coupler of the AAA+ ATPase ClpXP Controls Intersubunit Communication and Couples the Conversion of Chemical Energy into the Generation of Force
ClpX is a clockwise hexameric helical arrangement that hydrolyzes ATP to unfold proteins and translocate them into the proteolytic chamber. We investigate the central coupler, a three -helix module conserved among AAA+ ATPases, which is proposed to enable intersubunit communication and mechanochemical coupling. Although fundamental in AAA+ ATPases, the molecular mechanism underlying these processes remains […]