2022-11-08

Multifunctional chemical inhibitors of the florigen activation complex discovered by structure-based high-throughput screening

Structure-based high-throughput screening of chemical compounds that target protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is a promising technology for gaining insight into how plant development is regulated, leading to many potential agricultural applications.
2022-10-27

Rapid and comprehensive diagnostic method for repeat expansion diseases using nanopore sequencing

We developed a diagnostic method for repeat expansion diseases using a long-read sequencer to improve currently available, low throughput diagnostic methods. We employed the real-time target enrichment system of the nanopore GridION sequencer using the adaptive sampling option, in which software-based target assignment is available without prior sample enrichment, and built an analysis pipeline that prioritized the disease-causing loci.
2022-10-20

Structures and Mechanisms of the actin ATP hydrolysis

Significance A variety of cellular functions are driven by actin, which undergoes cyclic transitions between the monomeric G-form and the filamentous F-form. To gain insights into actin dynamics, the mechanism by which the energy is supplied by the ATP hydrolysis reaction in the F-form actin must be elucidated. This has been hampered by the lack of actin filament structures at atomic resolutions. Here, we have crystallized actin molecules trapped in the F-form without forming filaments, and based upon these structures we determined the reaction path by quantum mechanics calculations. The results are consistent with previous biochemical data. Remarkably, the hydrolysis reaction mechanism is essentially identical to those of motor proteins, while the process of Pi release is distinct.
2022-10-20

Global case fatality rate from COVID-19 has decreased by 96.8% during 2.5 years of the pandemic

We appreciate the commendable work by Wang et al.1 in evaluating the incidence and case fatality rate (CFR) of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants.