Venki Ramakrishnan’s group has solved the structure of the protein complex formed when mRNA is being scanned to find the start codon, providing new understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning initiation of translation.
Insight on Research
A synthetic molecule that can restore lost connections in the brain
The brain contains an enormous number of connections, known as synapses. Their loss is associated with many disorders. Radu Aricescu’s group and collaborators in Japan and Germany have designed a molecule that restores synapses in animal disease models, including Alzheimer’s.
A simple, novel mechanism to safeguard the integrity of the human genome
Nearly half of the human genome is composed of various forms of DNA repeat. Pierre Murat in Julian Sale’s group has revealed a mechanism that safeguards the genome from pathological expansion of one group of DNA repeats known as STRs.
Discovery of a chaperone for membrane proteins
Proteins embedded in the cellular membrane perform a wide variety of necessary tasks. Most are folded into complex shapes that pass back and forth across the membrane. Patrick Chitwood and Manu Hegde have discovered a new type of chaperone that helps them assemble correctly.
Studying the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2
John Briggs’ group has led two new studies of the spike (S) protein that mediates binding to the receptor ACE2 and is the dominant target of the immune system, with applications for development of vaccines and diagnostic tests.
Membrane characteristics tune enzyme activity
Lipid membranes surround our cells and form the boundaries around compartments within them. Roger Williams’ group has now shown how membrane characteristics can tune the activities of protein complexes with important roles in autophagy and endosomal membrane trafficking.