F. N. Barrera

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate drives the formation of EGFR and EphA2 complexes

This study uses PIE-FCCS to show that PIP2 enhances EGFR and EphA2 multimerization in live cells, revealing a role for anionic lipids in RTK interactions.

pH-responsive upconversion mesoporous silica nanospheres for combined multimodal diagnostic imaging and targeted photodynamic and photothermal cancer therapy

This paper develops ATRAM-functionalized upconversion mesoporous silica nanospheres for multimodal imaging and combined photodynamic/photothermal cancer therapy, showing effective tumor targeting and treatment with minimal toxicity.

Allosteric inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor through disruption of transmembrane interactions

This study develops a pH-responsive peptide, PET1, that inhibits EGFR-mediated cell migration by disrupting transmembrane interactions, offering a new strategy for targeting RTKs with reduced side effects.

Allosteric Inhibition of the T Cell Receptor by a Designed Membrane Ligand

This paper tests the allosteric model of TCR activation by designing a membrane ligand that inhibits TCR signaling, supporting the model and suggesting therapeutic applications.

The C. albicans virulence factor Candidalysin polymerizes in solution to form membrane pores and damage epithelial cells.

This study reveals that Candidalysin polymerizes in solution to form membrane pores, damaging epithelial cells, and identifies polymerization as a therapeutic target for candidiasis.

Conformational clamping by a membrane ligand activates the EphA2 receptor

The paper identifies a peptide that activates EphA2 by binding to its transmembrane domain, revealing a mechanism where the peptide acts as a molecular clamp to stabilize the active conformation of the receptor.

PIP2 promotes conformation-specific dimerization of the EphA2 membrane region

This study shows PIP2 promotes EphA2 TM dimerization specifically in the ligand-independent conformation by alleviating electrostatic repulsion between JM segments.

The effect of phosphatidylserine on the membrane insertion of the cancer-targeting ATRAM peptide is defined by its non-inserting end

This paper investigates how phosphatidylserine affects the membrane insertion of the ATRAM peptide, showing that sequence changes at the non-inserting end influence this process and that electrostatics are not the sole factor.

PS membrane asymmetry influences the folding and insertion of a transmembrane helix

This study investigates how PS membrane asymmetry affects pHLIP topology and insertion, finding that lipid asymmetry influences membrane protein behavior.