J. Al-Bassam

Cryo-EM structures of the tubulin cofactors reveal the molecular basis for the biogenesis of alpha/beta-tubulin

The paper determines cryo-EM structures of tubulin cofactors bound to β-tubulin, revealing a vise-like mechanism for GTP-hydrolysis dependent α/β-tubulin biogenesis.

The mechanochemical origins of the microtubule sliding motility within the kinesin-5 domain organization

This study investigates how the structural features of kinesin-5, specifically tail-motor domain interactions and minifilament length, influence microtubule sliding motility and spindle organization.

Drag-induced directionality switching of kinesin-5 Cin8 revealed by cluster-motility analysis

This study reveals that directionality switching of kinesin-5 Cin8 motors is caused by an asymmetric response to drag forces, identified through cluster-motility analysis and biophysical modeling.

The Kinesin-5 Tail Domain Directly Modulates the Mechanochemical Cycle of the Motor for Anti-Parallel Microtubule Sliding

This study shows the kinesin-5 tail domain regulates motor activity by modulating ATP hydrolysis and microtubule sliding, leading to slow motility and force generation.

Structural Basis of Tubulin Recruitment and Assembly by Tumor Overexpressed Gene (TOG) domain array Microtubule Polymerases

The paper elucidates the structural mechanism by which TOG domain arrays in Alp14 recruit and polymerize tubulins through square-shaped assemblies that unfurl to facilitate polymerization.

Structural Basis for Katanin Self-Assembly

This study reveals the structural basis for katanin self-assembly, showing how ATP binding and conformational changes regulate its oligomerization and microtubule-severing activity.