W. Nickel

The sterol transporter STARD3 transports sphingosine at ER-lysosome contact sites

The paper identifies STARD3 as a sphingosine transporter at ER-lysosome contact sites, showing its role in sphingosine integration into ceramide.

An optogenetic method for the controlled release of single molecules

This paper develops an optogenetic method to release single molecules in live cells, enabling controlled delivery of functional proteins and reconstitution of cellular functions at the single molecule level.

Mechanics of biomimetic free-standing lipid membranes: Insights on lipid chemistry and bilayer elasticity

This study investigates the mechanical properties of biomimetic free-standing lipid membranes and identifies the influence of cholesterol and sphingomyelin on bilayer elasticity and adhesion.

Disulfide bridge-dependent dimerization triggers FGF2 membrane translocation into the extracellular space

This paper identifies C95-C95 disulfide-bridge-mediated FGF2 dimerization as essential for membrane translocation and oligomer formation, while C77 is involved in Na,K-ATPase binding.

The Ebola virus VP40 matrix undergoes endosomal disassembly essential for membrane fusion

This study shows that Ebola virus VP40 matrix disassembles in endosomes due to pH changes, facilitating membrane fusion and viral entry.

Glypican-1 drives unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

This study identifies Glypican-1 as the key factor driving unconventional secretion of FGF2, revealing its structural requirements and implications for tumor progression.

Cholesterol promotes both head group visibility and clustering of PI(4,5)P2 driving unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

This study shows cholesterol enhances FGF2 secretion by promoting PI(4,5)P2 clustering and membrane pore formation.

The α1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase acts upstream of PI(4,5)P2 facilitating unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 from tumor cells

This study identifies a direct interaction between FGF2 and the Na,K-ATPase α1 subunit, showing it facilitates FGF2 membrane translocation upstream of PI(4,5)P2.