G. Hummer

Passage of the HIV capsid cracks the nuclear pore

This study investigates how HIV-1 capsids pass through nuclear pores, finding that capsids retain their structure and cause NPC scaffold rings to crack.

Robotic-inspired approach to multi-domain membrane receptor conformation space: theory and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein case study

The paper develops a robotic-inspired method to define the conformational space of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using DH parameters, showing improved distinction of conformations compared to spherical coordinates.

Intrinsically disordered region amplifies membrane remodeling to augment selective ER-phagy

This study investigates the role of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in ER-phagy by modeling and simulating their membrane interactions and remodeling effects.

Nuclear pores as conduits for fluid flow during osmotic stress

This study shows that Dictyostelium discoideum uses nuclear pores as conduits for fluid flow during osmotic stress, distinct from passive diffusion and active transport.

Structure and regulation of GSDMD pores at the plasma membrane of pyroptotic cells

The paper visualizes GSDMD nanostructures at the plasma membrane of pyroptotic cells and identifies PI(3,4,5)P3 as a regulator of pore formation.

Mechanism and cellular function of direct membrane binding by the ESCRT and ERES-associated Ca2+-sensor ALG-2

This study investigates how ALG-2 binds membranes and proteins in a Ca2+-dependent manner, revealing its role in membrane repair and ERES function.

Structural pathway for class III PI 3-kinase activation by the myristoylated GTP-binding pseudokinase VPS15

This study maps the structural pathway of class III PI 3-kinase activation by showing how N-myristoylation of VPS15 stabilizes the inactive conformation and how GTP binding promotes activation.

Structural and mechanistic insights into human choline and ethanolamine transport

This study identifies FLVCR1 and FLVCR2 as choline and ethanolamine transporters, revealing their structural dynamics and substrate selectivity mechanisms.

Mechanism of proton-powered c-ring rotation in a mitochondrial ATP synthase

This study uses atomistic simulations to reveal the mechanism of directional c-ring rotation in mitochondrial ATP synthase, showing how proton transfer and residue interactions ensure rotation directionality.

Hierarchical assembly of single-stranded RNA

This study introduces a method to assemble ssRNA structures using hierarchical chain growth, showing agreement with experimental data and improving accuracy with Bayesian refinement.

Thinner is not always better: Optimising cryo lamellae for subtomogram averaging

This study benchmarks cryo-ET resolution based on lamella thickness and particle depth, showing no negative impact up to 180 nm and ion-induced damage extending 30 nm from surfaces.

Three-step docking by WIPI2, ATG16L1 and ATG3 delivers LC3 to the phagophore

The paper identifies three sequential steps by which the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex delivers LC3 to the phagophore via WIPI2, ATG16L1, and ATG3.

Structure and assembly of a bacterial gasdermin pore

This study determines the structure of a bacterial gasdermin pore and reveals a conserved mechanism of pore assembly and membrane targeting.

Molecular mechanisms of inorganic-phosphate release from the core and barbed end of actin filaments

This study identifies a molecular backdoor mechanism for inorganic phosphate release from actin filaments, showing how a disease-linked mutation alters Pi release rates and filament structure.

Crosstalk between regulatory elements in the disordered TRPV4 N-terminus modulateslipid-dependent channel activity

The paper investigates how disordered regions in TRPV4 modulate channel activity through lipid-dependent interactions and identifies a conserved autoinhibitory patch that regulates PIP2 binding.

Deciphering the conformations and dynamics of FG-nucleoporins in situ

This study uses fluorescence microscopy and modeling to reveal the conformation and dynamics of FG-NUPs within the nuclear pore complex, showing good-solvent conditions facilitate transport.

Sublytic gasdermin-D pores captured in atomistic molecular simulations

This study uses atomistic simulations to show that small GSDMDNT oligomers form stable, ion-conducting pores during early pyroptosis, explaining nonselective ion flux without full cell lysis.

TriMem: A Parallelized Hybrid Monte Carlo Software for Efficient Simulations of Lipid Membranes

The paper introduces TriMem, a parallelized hybrid Monte Carlo simulation tool for lipid membranes, capable of simulating large and curved sub-cellular structures and validating phase diagrams of vesicles.

Membrane curvature sensing and stabilization by the autophagic LC3 lipidation machinery

The paper investigates how the LC3 lipidation machinery interacts with curved membranes during autophagy initiation, showing that ATG12-5-16L1 stabilizes membrane curvature.

In situ structural analysis reveals membrane shape transitions during autophagosome formation

This study uses cryo-electron tomography to analyze autophagosome formation in yeast, revealing membrane shape transitions and interactions during biogenesis.

Tracing the substrate translocation mechanism in P-glycoprotein

This study reveals the substrate translocation mechanism in P-glycoprotein by determining cryoEM structures and using molecular dynamics simulations to identify conformational changes in TM1 that regulate transport.

Dissecting the conformational complexity and flipping mechanism of a prokaryotic heme transporter

The paper identifies CydDC as a heme flippase essential for cytochrome bd maturation, revealing its conformational mechanism through cryo-EM and molecular dynamics.

Disease-linked TDP-43 hyperphosphorylation suppresses TDP-43 condensation and aggregation

This study shows that hyperphosphorylation of TDP-43 reduces its phase separation and aggregation, suggesting it may act as a protective mechanism against neurodegeneration.

Global Structure of the Intrinsically Disordered Protein Tau Emerges from its Local Structure

This study uses a computational method to model the structural ensemble of tau K18, showing how local structure influences global conformational states and disease-related aggregation.

Cryo-EM structures of pentameric autoinducer-2 exporter from E. coli reveal its transport mechanism

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of AI-2 exporters from E. coli, revealing their pentameric structure and elevator-type transport mechanism.

Evidence for a trap-and-flip mechanism in a proton-dependent lipid transporter

This study investigates the mechanism of LtaA, a proton-dependent MFS lipid transporter, revealing a trap-and-flip mechanism for lipid translocation.

Structural basis of polyamine transport by human ATP13A2 (PARK9)

This study determines cryo-EM structures of ATP13A2 to elucidate its polyamine transport mechanism and structural basis for specificity.

Binding of SARS-CoV-2 fusion peptide to host membranes

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that the SARS-CoV-2 fusion peptide binds rapidly to host membranes via two amphipathic helices and can withstand mechanical forces up to 250 pN, facilitated by a conserved disulfide bridge.

Cysteine crosslinking in native membranes establishes the transmembrane architecture of Ire1

The paper uses cysteine crosslinking to determine the transmembrane architecture of Ire1 in ER stress signaling, showing an X-shaped configuration independent of stress type.

The evolutionary making of SARS-CoV-2

This study identifies evolutionary innovations in SARS-CoV-2 protein sequences, highlighting functional changes in the spike protein and its furin cleavage site relevant to immune evasion and infection.