M. L. Reese

A DRP-like pseudoenzyme coordinates with MICOS to promote cristae architecture

The paper identifies Mmc1, a DRP-like pseudoenzyme that interacts with MICOS to maintain cristae architecture in S. pombe.

Cryo-tomography reveals rigid-body motion and organization of apicomplexan invasion machinery

This study uses cryo-electron tomography to show that the apical complex in apicomplexan parasites moves as a rigid body, with the conoid structure remaining unchanged during protrusion and retraction.

Divergent kinase WNG1 is regulated by phosphorylation of an atypical activation sub-domain

This study identifies two phosphosites on the kinase WNG1 that are essential for its activity and reveals that its activation is triggered by increased ATP concentration upon trafficking to the parasitophorous vacuole.

Multivalent interactions drive the Toxoplasma AC9:AC10:ERK7 complex to concentrate ERK7 in the apical cap

This study identifies multivalent interactions among AC9, AC10, and ERK7 that stabilize the apical complex in Toxoplasma, concentrating ERK7 kinase activity in the apical cap.

Toxoplasma ERK7 defends the apical complex from premature degradation

This study identifies ERK7 and CSAR1 as critical for apical complex stability in Toxoplasma gondii, showing CSAR1's role in maternal cytoskeleton turnover and its mislocalization affecting parasite replication.

Ancient MAPK ERK7 is regulated by an unusual inhibitory scaffold required for Toxoplasma apical complex biogenesis

The paper identifies AC9 as an essential scaffold for ERK7 regulation during apical complex biogenesis in Toxoplasma gondii, revealing a novel inhibitory mechanism for an ancient MAPK.

Loss of the conserved Alveolate kinase MAPK2 decouples Toxoplasma cell growth from the cell cycle

This study identifies MAPK2 as essential for Toxoplasma gondii cell division by regulating centrosome duplication, leading to parasite death when MAPK2 is lost.

Loss of a conserved MAPK causes catastrophic failure in assembly of a specialized cilium-like structure in Toxoplasma gondii

The paper identifies ERK7 as essential for conoid assembly in Toxoplasma gondii, causing severe defects in parasite motility and invasion.

Naïve CD8 T cell IFNγ responses to a vacuolar antigen are regulated by an inflammasome-independent NLRP3 pathway and Toxoplasma gondii ROP5

This study identifies NLRP3-dependent but inflammasome-independent pathways regulating CD8 T cell IFNγ responses to Toxoplasma gondii vacuolar antigens, independent of ROP5 virulence factors.