J. J. DeStefano

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Airway Epithelium with a Xeno-Nucleic Acid Aptamer

This study shows that FANA-R8-9 aptamer inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in human airway epithelium models and is stable and non-toxic.

Cryo-EM Structure of the Pol Polyprotein Provides Insights into HIV Maturation

The paper determines the cryo-EM structure of the HIV-1 Pol polyprotein intermediate, revealing how RT dimerization activates proteolytic processing by bringing PR monomers together.

Physiological Magnesium Concentrations Increase Fidelity of Diverse Reverse Transcriptases from HIV-1, HIV-2, and Foamy Virus, but not MuLV or AMV

Xeno-nucleic Acid (XNA) 2'-Fluoro-Arabino Nucleic Acid (FANA) Aptamers to the Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Block ACE2 Binding

This study develops FANA aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD that block ACE2 binding with affinities comparable to DNA aptamers and neutralizing antibodies.

HIV reverse transcriptase pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of chain terminators and translocation inhibitors reveals interactions between magnesium and nucleotide 3'-OH

This study analyzes HIV reverse transcriptase kinetics with various nucleotide analogs under different Mg2+ concentrations, showing that 3'-OH interactions with Mg2+ significantly affect incorporation rates and inhibition.

Crystal Structure of a Retroviral Polyprotein:Prototype Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase (PR-RT)

This paper reports the crystal structure of prototype foamy virus protease-reverse transcriptase (PR-RT), revealing its monomeric architecture and domain organization compared to HIV-1 enzymes.