A. N. Lupas

A computational model for lipid-anchored polysaccharide export by the outer-membrane protein GfcD

This paper presents a computational model of GfcD, an outer-membrane β-barrel protein, showing it facilitates lipid-anchored polysaccharide export through a lateral aperture.

Insights into the complex formation of a trimeric autotransporter adhesin with a peptidoglycan-binding periplasmic protein

This study identifies a stable complex between a trimeric autotransporter adhesin and a peptidoglycan-binding periplasmic protein, revealing structural and interaction details.

Tuning of granulopoietic signaling by de novo designed agonists

This paper designs and characterizes agonists that tune G-CSFR activity to bias granulopoiesis over proliferation, showing improved stability and selectivity compared to native G-CSF.

A conserved motif suggests a common origin for a group of proteins involved in the cell division of Gram-positive bacteria

The paper identifies a conserved N-terminal motif in proteins involved in Gram-positive bacterial cell division, suggesting a common evolutionary origin and defining a new domain family.

Minor deviations from randomness have huge repercussions on the functional structuring of sequence space

The paper compares the distribution of natural protein sequences to random models, finding that natural sequences are largely random in global sequence space when accounting for amino acid composition.

Gram-negative outer membrane proteins with multiple β-barrel domains

The paper identifies Gram-negative outer membrane proteins with multiple β-barrel domains, showing they result from lineage-specific fusion and are beneficial in specific environments.

The proteasome-related Connectase is a fast and specific protein ligase

The paper identifies Connectase, a proteasome homolog that efficiently and specifically ligates proteins with high affinity and low side reactions, outperforming Sortase A.

Structural diversity of oligomeric β-propellers with different numbers of identical blades

The paper investigates the structural diversity of oligomeric β-propellers formed from different numbers of identical blades and finds they can fold as homo-oligomers.

Allosteric structural alterations and auto-regulation of Rab5 GEF activity in Rabex5

This study reevaluates the autoinhibition mechanism of Rabex5 by analyzing structural changes and nucleotide exchange activity, revealing new regulatory roles for Ubiquitin binding domains.