Helen R. Flynn

CDKL5 phosphorylates neuronal ELAVL proteins to promote mRNA binding, protein synthesis and visual cortex development

This study identifies CDKL5 as a kinase that phosphorylates nELAVL proteins, enhancing mRNA binding and protein synthesis, and shows its role in visual cortex development.

The phosphoproteomic landscape of the neurological manifestations in tuberous sclerosis complex

This study performs phosphoproteomic analysis of TSC brain lesions, finding strong mTORC1 activation and widespread mRNA splicing changes in SEGAs but not tubers.

Streptococcus pneumoniae accessory capsular genes modulate fitness, pathogenicity and immune evasion

The paper shows that accessory capsular genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae enhance fitness, pathogenicity, and immune evasion without capsule switching.

Plasmodium falciparum protein phosphatase PP7 is required for early ring-stage development

This study shows that PP7 is essential for early ring-stage development in Plasmodium falciparum but not for erythrocyte invasion.

Congenital heart defects in Down syndrome are caused by increased dosage of DYRK1A

The paper shows increased DYRK1A dosage causes mitochondrial dysfunction and congenital heart defects in Down syndrome, which can be mitigated by a DYRK1A inhibitor.

The master energy homeostasis regulator PGC-1alpha couples transcriptional co-activation and mRNA nuclear export

This study identifies a novel RNA-binding function of PGC-1alpha that couples transcriptional co-activation with mRNA nuclear export and mitochondrial homeostasis.

Cell-specific Bioorthogonal Tagging of Glycoproteins

The paper introduces BOCTAG, a method to label glycoproteins in specific cell types within mixed cultures, enabling analysis of cell-specific glycosylation.

OxoScan-MS: Oxonium ion scanning mass spectrometry facilitates plasma glycoproteomics in large scale

OxoScan-MS enables sensitive and scalable glycoproteome profiling of plasma samples, revealing differential glycosylation in severe COVID-19 patients.

NDR1/2 kinases regulate membrane trafficking, enable efficient autophagy and prevent neurodegeneration

This study shows that dual loss of NDR1/2 kinases in neurons causes neurodegeneration, disrupts endocytosis, and impairs autophagy by affecting membrane trafficking and protein homeostasis.

Metabolic precision labeling enables selective probing of O-linked N-acetylgalactosamine glycosylation

This paper introduces GalNAzMe, a monosaccharide probe that selectively labels O-GalNAc glycosylation in living cells, enabling detailed study of this cancer-relevant modification.

Molecular basis for substrate specificity of the Phactr1/PP1 phosphatase holoenzyme

The paper identifies the molecular mechanism by which Phactr1/PP1 phosphatase achieves substrate specificity through structural and phosphoproteomic analysis.

A Structure-Based Mechanism for DNA Entry into the Cohesin Ring

This study uses cryo-EM and biochemical experiments to reveal the mechanism of DNA entry into the cohesin ring, showing how ATP binding and hydrolysis regulate the process.