P. J. Brown

Competing mechanisms for the buckling of an epithelial monolayer identified using multicellular simulation

The paper uses a multicellular simulation model to identify two competing buckling mechanisms in epithelial monolayers: stromal deformation and stromal separation.

Discovery of a cell-active chikungunya virus nsP2 protease inhibitor using a covalent fragment-based screening approach

This paper identifies and characterizes RA-0002034, a covalent inhibitor of CHIKV nsP2 protease, showing potent inhibition and selectivity against alphaviruses.

A resource to enable chemical biology and drug discovery of WDR Proteins

The paper develops a resource for discovering ligands for WDR proteins using experimental and computational methods, leading to the identification of drug-like ligands for 9 out of 20 targets.

Distinct ancient structural polymorphisms control heterodichogamy in walnuts and hickories

This paper identifies two ancient structural variants in walnut and hickory species that control heterodichogamy, a mating system with distinct genetic mechanisms in each genus.

Chemical Tools for the Gid4 Subunit of the Human E3 Ligase C-terminal to LisH (CTLH) Degradation Complex

The paper develops chemical tools and probes for the Gid4 subunit of the human CTLH E3 ligase complex, achieving sub-100 nM binding affinity for further study.

The shape and volume of air, kernels, and cracks, in a nutshell

This paper uses X-ray CT to measure walnut morphology and identifies volume-based traits that predict commercial qualities like shell strength.

Discovery and characterization of a chemical probe targeting the zinc-finger ubiquitin-binding domain of HDAC6

The paper identifies and characterizes a chemical probe, SGC-UBD253, that targets the HDAC6 UBD with selectivity, and a less active derivative as a negative control.

Reference compounds for characterizing cellular injury in high-content cellular morphology assays

The paper profiles 218 cytotoxic and nuisance compounds in U-2 OS cells to create reference compounds for improving assay optimization and compound prioritization in cellular morphology assays.

A small-molecule antagonist for the Tudor domain of SMN disrupts the interaction between SMN and RNAP II

This paper identifies a small-molecule antagonist targeting the Tudor domain of SMN, disrupting its interaction with RNAP II and mimicking SMN depletion effects.

Discovery of small molecule antagonists of human Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 4 (RBBP4)

This study identifies small molecule antagonists of RBBP4's top pocket, competes with protein and histone interactions, and reports the first crystal structure of RBBP4 with a small molecule.

Phenotyping stomatal closure by thermal imaging for GWAS and TWAS of water use efficiency-related genes

Rapid phenotyping of 659 Sorghum bicolor accessions revealed heritable stomatal responses to light decrease. GWAS/TWAS identified candidate genes influencing water-use efficiency traits.

Unipolar peptidoglycan synthesis in the Rhizobiales requires an essential class A penicillin-binding protein

The paper investigates polar peptidoglycan synthesis in Rhizobiales using fluorescent probes and finds that a single class A penicillin-binding protein is essential for this process.

Pharmacological targeting of a PWWP domain demonstrates cooperative control of NSD2 localization

The paper develops a chemical probe, UNC6934, that targets the PWWP1 domain of NSD2, revealing cooperative control of NSD2 localization through chromatin reader domains.

Probing the SAM Binding Site of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 in vitro Using SAM Competitive Inhibitors Guides Developing Selective bi-substrate Inhibitors

This paper identifies SAM competitive inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 methyltransferase and characterizes their mechanism, guiding the development of selective bi-substrate inhibitors.

A First-in-class, Highly Selective and Cell-active AllostericInhibitor of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6)

This paper reports the discovery of a first-in-class, highly selective allosteric inhibitor of PRMT6, SGC6870, with potent activity and selectivity in vitro and in cells.

Discovery of Small-Molecule Antagonists of the PWWP Domain of NSD2

This study identifies small-molecule antagonists of the NSD2 PWWP domain that block its interaction with H3K36me2, providing a tool for further investigation of NSD2's role in disease.

The regulatory landscape of early maize inflorescence development

The paper maps the regulatory landscape of early maize inflorescence development using chromatin accessibility data, identifying new SNP-trait associations and regulatory elements.

A Chemical Probe of CARM1 Alters Epigenetic Plasticity against Breast Cancer Cell Invasion

This study identifies SKI-73 as a CARM1 chemical probe that reduces breast cancer cell invasion by altering epigenetic plasticity, distinct from CARM1 knockout effects.

Pharmacological inhibition of PRMT7 links arginine monomethylation to the cellular stress response

This study identifies a PRMT7 inhibitor and shows its effect on arginine methylation of stress proteins, linking PRMT7 to cellular stress response.

Activation of SEDS-PBP cell wall synthases by an essential regulator of bacterial division

This study identifies FzlA as a regulator linking FtsZ to PG synthesis during bacterial division, showing it activates and spatially orients division-specific PG synthases.

The Dynamic Conformational Landscapes of the Protein Methyltransferase SETD8

This study reveals dynamic conformational landscapes of SETD8 using X-ray structures and molecular simulations, showing how protein dynamics influence catalysis and cancer-associated mutations.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens divisome proteins regulate the transition from polar growth to cell division

This study shows that FtsZAT in Agrobacterium tumefaciens is essential for cell division and regulates the switch from polar growth to mid-cell peptidoglycan synthesis.

Elevated ozone reduces photosynthetic carbon gain by accelerating leaf senescence of inbred and hybrid maize in a genotype-specific manner

This study shows elevated ozone reduces photosynthetic carbon gain in maize by accelerating senescence, with genotype-specific effects observed in both inbred and hybrid lines.