Evidence for Geomagnetic Imprinting as a Homing Mechanism in Pacific Salmon

1. Download : Download high-res image (378KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Sockeye salmon use geomagnetic imprinting as a homing mechanism ? The homing route of salmon is predicted by magnetic field drift (secular variation)     

Structure of the Essential Diversity-Generating Retroelement Protein bAvd and Its Functionally Important Interaction with Reverse Transcriptase

1. Download : Download high-res image (245KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? bAvd forms a highly positively charged pentameric barrel ? bAvd binds both DNA and RNA, but without sequence preference ? The coding sequence for bAvd serves dual purposes ? The interaction of bAvd with bRT is likely to be important for retrohoming     

SIP1 Mediates Cell-Fate Decisions between Neuroectoderm and Mesendoderm in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

1. Download : Download high-res image (184KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Smad-interacting protein 1 (SIP1) regulates hESC differentiation ? SIP1 upregulation promotes neuroectodermal differentiation ? SIP1 inhibits mesendodermal and endodermal differentiation ? SMAD2/3 and NANOG/OCT4/SOX2 cooperatively regulate SIP1 expression     

Visualizing the Determinants of Viral RNA Recognition by Innate Immune Sensor RIG-I

1. Download : Download high-res image (685KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Crystallographic structure of RIG-I with 5′ triphosphorylated RNA duplex and ADP ? Solution biophysical analysis of ATP-dependent RIG-I conformational change ? The structural basis for ATP-stimulated RIG-I activation     

A unique spatial arrangement of the snRNPs within the native spliceosome emerges from in silico studies

1. Download : Download high-res image (350KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? We present a computational procedure for fast matching of thousands of conformers ? We obtained a unique model localizing the snRNPs within the native spliceosome ? The 5 snRNPs are accommodated mostly within the large subunit of the spliceosome ? The large spliceosomal cavity emerges as the site of mRNA binding and splicing     

β-Barrel Mobility Underlies Closure of the Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel

1. Download : Download high-res image (181KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? The rigid N-terminal helix of VDAC stabilizes the cylindrical β-barrel ? Removal of the helix leads to elliptical, semicollapsed pore shapes ? Semicollapse can quantitatively explain conductance and selectivity of closed VDAC ? The N terminus acts as a switch controlling VDAC entry into the closed state     

A Matrix Protein Silences Transposons and Repeats through Interaction with Retinoblastoma-Associated Proteins

1. Download : Download high-res image (133KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? The Arabidopsis matrix protein TEK silences transposons and repeat-containing genes ? Binding of TEK on targets affects chromatin conformation and histone modifications ? TEK protein associates with FVE/MSI5-containing histone deacetylation complex ? TEK directs repressive modification as a key structural component in gene silencing     

Keeping cell identity in Arabidopsis requires PRC1 RING-finger homologs that catalyze H2A monoubiquitination

1. Download : Download high-res image (139KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? AtBMI1A/B proteins prevent misexpression of embryonic traits in somatic cells ? PRC2 and AtBMI1A/B proteins maintain cells in their differentiated state ? AtBMI1A/B proteins mediate H2A monoubiquitination     

LSD2/KDM1B and Its Cofactor NPAC/GLYR1 Endow a Structural and Molecular Model for Regulation of H3K4 Demethylation

1. Download : Download high-res image (277KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Identifying NPAC as a novel LSD2 cofactor stimulating H3K4 demethylation ? Structure determination of LSD2 alone or in complex with NPAC and histone H3 peptide ? Defining the key NPAC residues essential for its intrinsic LSD2 cofactor activity ? Establishing a molecular model for how a cofactor regulates histone demethylation     

Protein model discrimination using mutational sensitivity derived from deep sequencing

1. Download : Download high-res image (318KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Individual mutant phenotypes in a saturation library derived via deep sequencing ? Residue depth and active-site residue derivation from mutant phenotypes ? Mutant-phenotype-derived parameters used for protein model discrimination ? Derivation of sequence-structure-function relationships without protein isolation     

Endothelial Cells Are Essential for the Self-Renewal and Repopulation of Notch-Dependent Hematopoietic Stem Cells

1. Download : Download high-res image (363KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Coculture with endothelial cells promotes HSC expansion and self-renewal ? Endothelial cell effect on HSCs mediated by Notch signaling ? In vivo, sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) express Notch ligands ? Blocking vessel remodeling impairs hematopoietic recovery after irradiation     

Human TFIID Binds to Core Promoter DNA in a Reorganized Structural State

1. Download : Download high-res image (197KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? TFIID has distinct conformations with different positions of the TBP-containing lobe ? A rearranged state of TFIID interacts with promoter DNA in a TFIIA-dependent manner ? TFIID induces multiple topological changes on promoter DNA around the start site ? The different conformations of TFIID may serve as targets for regulatory factors     

Ants Disinfect Fungus-Exposed Brood by Oral Uptake and Spread of Their Poison

1. Download : Download high-res image (382KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Ant grooming leads to mechanical removal and chemical disinfection of pathogens ? Ant poison acts as disinfectant, with formic acid as the main component ? Application occurs via grooming after oral uptake and storage of the poison ? Oral poison uptake allows decontamination of groomed brood and grooming worker     

The dark energy of proteins comes to light: conformational entropy and its role in protein function revealed by NMR relaxation

1. Download : Download high-res image (171KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Fast motion interconverts states with significant conformational entropy. ? Fast internal motion can be characterized in a site resolved way using solution NMR relaxation phenomena. ? Internal protein motion can be used as a proxy for conformational entropy. ? Conformational entropy can contribute significantly to ligand binding by proteins.     

Substrate recognition mechanism of atypical protein kinase Cs revealed by the structure of PKCι in complex with a substrate peptide from Par-3

1. Download : Download high-res image (151KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? The 3D structure of PKCι in complex with a peptide from Par-3 is determined ? PKCι does not need phosphorylation of Thr402 in its activation loop for its activity ? aPKCs do not need a priming kinase for their activations ? The PKCι/Par-3 structure reveals a unique substrate recognition patterns for aPKCs     

Mechanism for KRIT1 Release of ICAP1-Mediated Suppression of Integrin Activation

1. Download : Download high-res image (110KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Cocrystal structure of KRIT1 with ICAP1 shows a bidentate interaction interface ? Cocrystal structure of ICAP1 with integrin β1 shows a PTB-peptide interaction ? KRIT1 antagonizes ICAP1-modulated integrin activation by the bidentate interaction ? KRIT1 contains a previously undescribed N-terminal Nudix domain     

Structure and Dynamics of the Second CARD of Human RIG-I Provide Mechanistic Insights into Regulation of RIG-I Activation

1. Download : Download high-res image (154KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? The structure of a CARD of human RIG-I ? The mechanism and structural role of phosphorylation are revealed ? In trans interaction with the Helicase and regulatory domains is shown ? Lys172 lies in proximity to the CARD2:helicase-CTD interface     

Multiscale Simulations Reveal Conserved Patterns of Lipid Interactions with Aquaporins

1. Download : Download high-res image (329KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Multiscale MD simulations predict the interactions of lipids with membrane proteins ? The method is evaluated via comparison with the structure of Aqp0 in a membrane ? Simulations of aquaporins reveal a broadly conserved protein/lipid interface ? The results suggest interchange between annular and bulk lipids     

Structural and Functional Integration of the PLCγ Interaction Domains Critical for Regulatory Mechanisms and Signaling Deregulation

1. Download : Download high-res image (312KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights? Domains from PLCγ regulatory region show structural and functional integration ? Only cSH2 domain interacts with the PLC-core forming a high affinity surface ? Activation involves removal of autoinhibition and dissociation from the receptor ? Disease-linked mutations map to the autoinhibitory interface