J. M. Jez

Investigating the biosynthesis and roles of the auxin phenylacetic acid during Pseudomonas syringae-Arabidopsis thaliana pathogenesis

This study investigates the role of phenylacetic acid (PAA) produced by Pseudomonas syringae during infection of Arabidopsis thaliana, showing that PAA/IAA homeostasis affects plant-microbial interactions.

C4 Grasses Employ Distinct Strategies to Acclimate Rubisco Activase to Heat Stress

This study investigates how different C4 grasses regulate rubisco activase under heat stress, revealing species-specific adaptations in isoform abundance and biochemical regulation.

Chemical inhibition of auxin inactivation pathway uncovers the metabolic turnover of auxin homeostasis

This study inhibits the auxin inactivation pathway using a novel chemical inhibitor, revealing rapid auxin turnover and dynamic regulation of auxin homeostasis.

Enzymatic and structural characterization of HAD5, an essential phosphomannomutase of malaria parasites

This study characterizes HAD5, a phosphomannomutase essential for GPI anchor biosynthesis in malaria parasites, showing its role in parasite egress and reinvasion and identifying a specific inhibitor.

Structure-guided microbial targeting of antistaphylococcal prodrugs

This study identifies microbial esterases in Staphylococcus aureus and determines their substrate specificities to guide the design of serum esterase-resistant antistaphylococcal prodrugs.

Multiple routes of functional diversification of the plant BAHD acyltransferase family revealed by comparative biochemical and genomic analyses

The paper investigates how the BAHD acyltransferase family evolved to use diverse substrates through phylogenetics, biochemistry, and protein structure analysis.

Potent, specific MEPicides for treatment of zoonotic staphylococci

This paper identifies DXR as a druggable target for zoonotic staphylococci and develops potent prodrug inhibitors (MEPicides) that bypass transporter requirements.

Bifunctional Substrate Activation via an Arginine Residue Drives Catalysis in Chalcone Isomerases

The paper elucidates the catalytic mechanism of chalcone isomerases, showing how an arginine residue activates substrates via Bronsted and Lewis acid interactions, and highlights structural differences between type-1 and type-2 enzymes.

Indole-3-Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase-dependent Auxin Synthesis Contributes to Virulence of Pseudomonas syringae Strain DC3000

This paper identifies a novel pathway in Pseudomonas syringae for auxin synthesis via AldA, showing it enhances virulence by suppressing host defenses.