B. O'Shaughnessy

Three membrane fusion pore families determine the pathway to pore dilation

The paper derives exact solutions for membrane fusion pores, identifying three families and showing dilation involves transitioning from a narrow to wide pore with an intermediate unstable state.

Actin turnover protects the cytokinetic contractile ring from structural instability

The paper uses simulations to show cofilin-mediated actin severing prevents actin bridging in fission yeast cytokinetic contractile rings.

Contractile ring constriction and septation in fission yeast are integrated mutually stabilizing processes

This study models the integrated contractile ring and septation system in fission yeast, showing mutual stabilization between the two processes.

Dynamical transitions of the actomyosin cortex can trigger single cell morphogenesis

This study shows that complex single-cell shape changes can arise from cortical patterns in an active gel model, suggesting controlled cortical instability can trigger morphogenesis.

Why are SNAREpins rod-shaped?

This study uses simulations to show rod-shaped SNAREpins are necessary for efficient membrane fusion via entropic forces.

A hemifused complex is the hub in a network of pathways to membrane fusion

The paper develops a mathematical model to explain how a dynamic hemifusion complex determines the outcome of cation-mediated membrane fusion.

Myosins generate contractile force and maintain organization in the cytokinetic contractile ring

This study measures contractile ring tension in fission yeast and identifies Myo2 and Myp2 as key contributors to force generation and ring organization.

Host cell membrane capture by the SARS CoV-2 spike protein fusion intermediate

This study models the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fusion intermediate (FI) to understand its membrane capture mechanism and suggests potential drug targets.

Myosin turnover controls actomyosin contractile instability

The paper observes actomyosin contractile instability in isolated cytokinetic rings and shows myosin II turnover prevents catastrophic aggregation and fracture.

The neuronal calcium sensor Synaptotagmin-1 and SNARE proteins cooperate to dilate fusion pores

This study shows Synaptotagmin-1 promotes fusion pore dilation by reorienting SNARE complexes through calcium-induced C2 domain insertion, enhancing neurotransmitter and hormone release.

Membrane pore energetics and the pathways to membrane rupture

This study uses simulations to show that membrane rupture occurs through different pathways depending on tension, without requiring long-lived metastable pore states.

Anchoring of actin to the plasma membrane enables tension production in the fission yeast cytokinetic ring

This study shows that actin filament anchoring to the plasma membrane generates tension in fission yeast cytokinetic rings, explaining constriction dynamics through simulations.

Single-molecule force spectroscopy of protein-membrane interactions

The paper quantifies protein-membrane interactions using single-molecule force spectroscopy, showing C2 domains resist forces of 2-7 pN and have binding energies of 4-14 kBT.