A. Schmitt

Mitochondrial maintenance is involved in the exceptional longevity of reproductive queens of the eusocial ant Lasius niger

This study investigates mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress in queens of Lasius niger, finding that their longevity is associated with better mitochondrial maintenance rather than reduced oxidative damage.

Functional redundancy revealed by the deletion of the mimivirus GMC-oxidoreductase genes

The study shows that deleting GMC-oxidoreductase genes in mimiviruses does not impair genomic fiber or fibril layer formation, indicating functional redundancy.

Structures of two main components of the virophage and Marseilleviridae virions extend the range of unrelated viruses using fiber head as common receptor binding fold

The paper structures two ORFan proteins from virophages and giant viruses, revealing a conserved trimeric fiber head fold used for receptor binding across unrelated viruses.

Functional synapses between small cell lung cancer and glutamatergic neurons

This study identifies glutamatergic synaptic interactions between SCLC cells and neurons, showing that these interactions support tumor growth and can be targeted therapeutically.

Structural foundation for the role of enterococcal PrgB in conjugation, biofilm formation and virulence

The paper reports the structure of PrgB from Enterococcus faecalis and shows how specific domains affect conjugation, biofilm formation, and virulence.

The giant Mimivirus 1.2 Mb genome is elegantly organized into a 30 nm helical protein shield

The paper reveals the Mimivirus genome is organized into a 30 nm helical protein shell with super-helical DNA strands and a central channel accommodating transcription machinery.

A fast Myh super enhancer dictates adult muscle fiber phenotype through competitive interactions with the fast Myh genes

Enterococcal PrgA extends far outside the cell and provides surface exclusion to protect against unwanted conjugation

This paper reports the structure and function of Enterococcus faecalis PrgA, showing it extends outside the cell to provide surface exclusion and reduce plasmid uptake.

Ferroptotic pores induce Ca2+ fluxes and ESCRT-III activation to modulate cell death kinetics

This study shows that ferroptosis involves Ca2+ fluxes and ESCRT-III activation, which delay cell death and modulate inflammation.

Air-interfaced colonization model suggests a commensal-like interaction of Neisseria meningitidis with the epithelium, which benefit from colonization by Streptococcus mitis.

The paper uses an air-interfaced model to show Neisseria meningitidis behaves like a commensal in mucus and is supported by Streptococcus mitis.