H. Aihara

Designing Efficient Enzymes: Eight Predicted Mutations Convert a Hydroxynitrile Lyase into an Efficient Esterase

The paper identifies eight mutations that convert a hydroxynitrile lyase into an efficient esterase by correcting structural differences using shortest path maps.

Understanding ATP binding to DosS catalytic domain with a short ATP-lid

This paper investigates ATP binding in the short ATP-lid of DosS CA domain, showing it binds ATP under physiological conditions and revealing conformational flexibility affected by zinc concentration.

Transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants with resistance to clinical protease inhibitors

The paper identifies SARS-CoV-2 variants resistant to protease inhibitors nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir, showing pre-existing resistance and potential for spread.

Molecular determinants for Rous sarcoma virus intasome assemblies

This study determines the structure and molecular interactions of Rous sarcoma virus intasomes, revealing key residues involved in their assembly and catalytic activity.

Targeting N-Myc in Neuroblastoma with Selective Aurora Kinase A Degraders

This study develops a first-in-class Aurora-A/N-Myc degrader, HLB-0532259, which effectively reduces N-Myc levels and shows tumor reduction in neuroblastoma models.

Molecular basis of proteolytic cleavage regulation by the extracellular matrix receptor dystroglycan

This study identifies a unique mechanism by which dystroglycan is cleaved by MMPs, showing that structural changes disrupt DGC integrity and contribute to disease.

HIV-2 Immature Particle Morphology Provides Insights into Gag Lattice Stability and Virus Maturation

This study determines the 3D structure of HIV-2 immature Gag lattice using cryo-EM and identifies structural features critical for particle release and infectivity.

Structure and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 proofreading exoribonuclease ExoN

This study determines the structure of SARS-CoV-2 ExoN and its interaction with nsp10, revealing mechanisms of RNA substrate binding and exoribonuclease activity.

The Development of a Novel Nanobody Therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2

This paper develops a potent, low-cost nanobody therapeutic, Nanosota-1C-Fc, that effectively blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo with high affinity and stability.

Molecular underpinnings of ssDNA specificity by Rep HUH endonucleases and implications for HUH-tag multiplexing and engineering

The paper investigates the molecular mechanism of ssDNA specificity by HUH-endonucleases and demonstrates how this can be engineered for multiplexed HUH-tagging and bioconjugation.

Active site plasticity and possible modes of chemical inhibition of the human DNA deaminase APOBEC3B

This study reports structures of APOBEC3B with loop 7 from APOBEC3G, revealing inactive conformations stabilized by small molecules, providing insights for inhibitor design.

Importance of homo-dimerization of Fanconi-associated nuclease 1 in DNA flap cleavage

This study compares monomeric and dimeric forms of FAN1, showing that dimerization is required for efficient cleavage of long DNA flaps.

The Antiviral and Cancer Genomic DNA Deaminase APOBEC3H Is Regulated by a RNA-Mediated Dimerization Mechanism

This study identifies an RNA-mediated dimerization mechanism that regulates APOBEC3H DNA deaminase activity, localization, and antiviral function.