Y. Kawaguchi

Regulatory Mimicry of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases by Conserved Herpesvirus Protein Kinases

This study identifies herpesvirus protein kinases that mimic CDK regulation, showing their role in viral replication and pathogenicity.

Evasion of APOBEC1-mediated Intrinsic Immunity by a Herpesvirus Uracil DNA Glycosylase Is a Determinant of Viral Encephalitis

This study shows that HSV-1's vUNG enzyme evades APOBEC1 immunity by preventing DNA editing, leading to more severe encephalitis in mice.

Direct Relationship between Protein Expression and Progeny Yield of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Unveils a Rate-limiting Step for Virus Production

This study identifies a direct relationship between viral protein expression and progeny yield in herpes simplex virus 1, revealing DNA cleavage/packaging as a rate-limiting step for virus production.

Dual Impacts of a Glycan Shield on the Envelope Glycoprotein B of HSV-1: Evasion from Human Antibodies In Vivo and Neurovirulence

This study identifies an N-glycan shield on HSV-1 gB that mediates evasion from human antibodies in vivo and contributes to neurovirulence.

Antiviral roles of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1, 3 and 7 against human coronavirus infection

This study investigates the antiviral roles of IRF1, IRF3, and IRF7 against human coronavirus infection, finding that IRF3 is critical for restricting 229E and OC43 infections.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike H655Y mutation is responsible for enhancement of the endosomal entry pathway and reduction of cell surface entry pathway

This paper investigates how the H655Y mutation in the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhances endosomal entry and reduces cell surface entry, altering viral tropism and fusogenicity.

Metalloproteinase-dependent and TMPRSS2-independnt cell surface entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2 requires the furin-cleavage site and the S2 domain of spike protein

This study identifies a TMPRSS2-independent metalloproteinase-dependent entry pathway for SARS-CoV-2 that requires the furin cleavage site and S2 domain of the spike protein, highlighting new therapeutic targets.

Experimental evidence for the gaze-signaling hypothesis: White sclera enhances the visibility of eye gaze direction in humans and chimpanzees

This study shows that white sclera improves eye-gaze detection in humans and chimpanzees, especially under challenging visual conditions.

The anticoagulant nafamostat potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro: an existing drug with multiple possible therapeutic effects

This study shows nafamostat inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro by blocking TMPRSS2-mediated fusion, with potency exceeding its blood concentration, suggesting it as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Analysis of insertion mutants in distal α9 portion of C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) of HIV-1 gp41 subunit

The paper analyzes insertion mutants in the HIV-1 gp41 C-terminal heptad repeat, finding that alanine insertion (653+A) attenuates membrane fusion due to slower 6HB formation kinetics, not 6HB stability.

Characterization of oral microbiota in marmosets: feasibility of using the marmoset as a human oral disease model

This study characterizes the oral microbiota of marmosets and compares it to humans and other animals, finding similar microbial types but greater diversity and less variation in marmosets.