D. C. Ekiert

Modulation of FGF pathway signaling and vascular differentiation using designed oligomeric assemblies

This study designs synthetic oligomeric ligands to modulate FGFR signaling and shows their impact on vascular cell fate decisions.

Identification of a proteolysis regulator for an essential enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The paper identifies CoaX, a pseudokinase, and pantothenate as regulators of proteasomal degradation of the pantothenate synthesis enzyme PanB in M. tuberculosis.

Phospholipid transport to the bacterial outer membrane through an envelope-spanning bridge

This study identifies YhdP as a phospholipid transporter spanning the bacterial cell envelope, using AlphaFold, electron microscopy, and simulations to show its structure and function.

Sample preparation and data collection for Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy of Mammalian Cell Monolayers

The paper describes protocols for preparing and imaging mammalian cell monolayers using SBF-SEM, including embedding methods and data collection optimization.

3D reconstructions of parasite development and the intracellular niche of the microsporidian pathogen E. intestinalis

This study uses 3D imaging to analyze the development of the microsporidian E. intestinalis and its interaction with host cell mitochondria.

Energetics of the Microsporidian Polar Tube Invasion Machinery

This study analyzes the biophysical energy requirements of microsporidian polar tube ejection using 3D imaging and theoretical modeling.

Protein-protein interactions in the Mla lipid transport system probed by computational structure prediction and deep mutational scanning

The paper maps protein-protein interactions in the Mla lipid transport system using deep mutational scanning and AlphaFold2 structure predictions, revealing overlapping binding sites on MlaC.

Structure of an endogenous mycobacterial MCE lipid transporter

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of the Mce1 fatty acid import machine from Mycobacterium smegmatis, revealing its assembly and a previously unknown subunit, LucB.

A pals-25 gain-of-function allele triggers systemic resistance against natural pathogens of C. elegans

This paper identifies a PALS-25 gain-of-function mutant in C. elegans that activates immune responses against both epidermal and intestinal pathogens through cross-tissue signaling.

Role of Ring6 in the function of the E. coli MCE protein LetB

This study investigates the role of MCE domains in LetB, an E. coli protein, finding that deletion of Ring3 or Ring6 increases resistance to membrane perturbing agents and revealing a model for tunnel gating.

High-throughput small molecule screen identifies inhibitors of microsporidia invasion and proliferation in C. elegans.

This study screens FDA-approved compounds and natural products to identify inhibitors of microsporidia infection in C. elegans, finding five compounds that block spore firing and one that slows infection progression.

Targeting Allostery in the Dynein Motor Domain with Small Molecule Inhibitors

This study develops small molecule inhibitors targeting allostery in dynein motor domains by inhibiting regulatory ATPase sites rather than the main catalytic site.

Hierarchical design of multi-scale protein complexes by combinatorial assembly of oligomeric helical bundle and repeat protein building blocks

This paper describes a hierarchical method to design multi-scale symmetric protein complexes using repeat proteins and helical bundles, resulting in large symmetric assemblies like an icosahedral nanocage.

Structure of bacterial phospholipid transporter MlaFEDB with substrate bound

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of the MlaFEDB complex with bound phospholipids, revealing its transport mechanism and substrate binding.

Structure of MlaFB uncovers novel mechanisms of ABC transporter regulation

The paper reports the X-ray structure of MlaFB from E. coli, revealing how the regulatory subunit MlaB stabilizes the nucleotide binding domain and how the C-terminal tail of MlaF mediates dimerization and complex assembly.

3-Dimensional Organization and Dynamics of the Microsporidian Polar Tube Invasion Machinery

This study investigates the 3D structure and dynamics of the microsporidian polar tube invasion machinery using microscopy techniques, revealing high-speed ejection and nuclear deformation during infection.

Structure of LetB reveals a tunnel for lipid transport across the bacterial envelope

The paper determines the structure of LetB, showing it forms a hydrophobic tunnel for lipid transport across the bacterial envelope.