S. C. Watkins

Spatiotemporal binding of cyclophilin A and CPSF6 to capsid regulates HIV-1 nuclear entry and integration

This study shows that sequential binding of CypA and CPSF6 to HIV-1 capsid is necessary for nuclear entry and integration, and that lenacapavir targets this process.

The chemotherapy-induced senescence-associated secretome promotes cell detachment and metastatic dissemination through metabolic reprogramming

This study shows that chemotherapy-induced senescence-associated secretome promotes metastasis in ovarian cancer by reprogramming metabolism and increasing cell detachment.

Alternative splice variants of the mitochondrial fission protein DNM1L/Drp1 regulate mitochondrial dynamics and cell fate in ovarian cancer.

This study identifies an alternative splice variant of Drp1 in ovarian cancer that promotes metastasis and chemoresistance by altering mitochondrial dynamics.

The AKT2/SIRT5/TFEB pathway as a potential therapeutic target in atrophic AMD

This study identifies the AKT2/SIRT5/TFEB pathway as a therapeutic target for atrophic AMD by showing its role in lysosomal dysfunction and drusen formation in RPE cells.

Instant polarized light microscopy pi (IPOLπ) for quantitative imaging of collagen architecture and dynamics in ocular tissues

This paper introduces IPOLπ, an improved version of polarized light microscopy that enhances collagen orientation discrimination and imaging speed in ocular tissues.

Genetically engineering endothelial niche in human kidney organoids enables multilineage maturation, vascularization, and de novo cell types

This paper genetically engineers an endothelial niche in human kidney organoids to enhance vascularization, maturation, and the emergence of new cell types.

Carcinoma associated mesenchymal stem cells promote ovarian cancer metastasis by increasing tumor heterogeneity through direct mitochondrial transfer

This study shows carcinoma-associated mesenchymal stem cells promote ovarian cancer metastasis by transferring mitochondria to cancer cells, increasing tumor heterogeneity and enhancing survival.

A gut commensal protist protects against virus-mediated loss of oral tolerance

This study identifies the protist Tritrichomonas arnold as a protector against virus-induced loss of oral tolerance to gluten, showing it reduces inflammation in dendritic cells and is underrepresented in celiac disease patients.

Hotspot ESR1 mutations are multimodal and contextual drivers of breast cancer metastasis

This study identifies ESR1 mutations as drivers of breast cancer metastasis by altering cell adhesion and migration through genomic and transcriptomic reprogramming.

Compensatory hepatic adaptation accompanies permanent absence of intrahepatic biliary network due to YAP1 loss in liver progenitors

This study shows YAP1 is essential for bile duct development and reveals hepatocyte adaptation in its absence.

Cytoplasmic CPSF6 regulates HIV-1 capsid trafficking and infection in a cyclophilin A-dependent manner

The paper shows CPSF6 and CypA interact to regulate HIV-1 capsid trafficking and infection by affecting capsid-CPSF6 complex formation and stability.

Systemic immune dysfunction in cancer patients driven by IL6 and IL8 induction of an inhibitory receptor module in peripheral CD8+ T cells

This study identifies a systemic immune dysfunction in cancer patients driven by IL6 and IL8, leading to CD8+ T cell dysfunction and poor prognosis.

Acetylation-mediated phase control of the nucleolus regulates cellular acetyl-CoA responses

The paper shows that acetyl-CoA depletion disrupts nucleolar integrity, activates p53 via ribosomal proteins, and is mediated by class IIa HDACs regulating nucleolar phase state.

3D-Reconstruction of the Human Conventional Outflow System by Ribbon Scanning Confocal Microscopy

This study uses ribbon-scanning confocal microscopy to compare the outflow tract anatomy of human and porcine eyes, finding humans have fewer and larger collector channels.

Blimp-1 in adipose resident Tregs controls adipocyte beiging and obesity

This study shows that Blimp-1 in adipose Tregs suppresses IL-10, reducing beiging and increasing obesity risk, while its ablation improves insulin sensitivity and reduces weight in mice.

Enhancing acute kidney injury regeneration by promoting cellular dedifferentiation in zebrafish

This study shows PTBA enhances AKI recovery in zebrafish by promoting RTEC dedifferentiation and reducing fibrosis, with effects also observed in cardiac injury.

The N-cadherin interactome in primary cardiomyocytes as defined by quantitative proximity proteomics.

The paper identifies the N-cadherin interactome in primary cardiomyocytes using proximity proteomics, revealing over 350 proteins, many unique to CDH2.

Lysosome enlargement during inhibition of the lipid kinase PIKfyve proceeds through lysosome coalescence

This study shows that PIKfyve inhibition causes lysosome coalescence, leading to fewer enlarged lysosomes, and that TFEB-mediated biosynthesis does not drive this swelling.

Genetically Targeted Ratiometric and Activated pH Indicator Complexes (TRApHIC) for Receptor Trafficking

The paper develops TRApHIC, a genetically targeted pH sensor for studying receptor trafficking, revealing agonist-specific differences in B2AR endocytosis and recycling.