Tera C. Levin

Eukaryotic domestication of a TIR bacterial immune protein following horizontal transfer

This study identifies a horizontal transfer of a bacterial TIR immune protein to amoebae, showing how it was domesticated into eukaryotic physiology through functional adaptation.

Differential targeting of human pyroptotic Caspase-5 and Caspase-4 by Shigella OspC2 and OspC3

This paper identifies OspC2 and OspC3 as Shigella effectors that specifically target Caspase-5 and Caspase-4, respectively, through their PCS domains, revealing evolutionary adaptations in host and pathogen interactions.

Hypermutable hotspot enables the rapid evolution of self/non-self recognition genes in Dictyostelium

The paper investigates the rapid evolution of self/non-self recognition genes in Dictyostelium by analyzing genome sequences and identifying a hypermutable hotspot in the tgrBC locus.

Evolutionary dynamics of the tgr gene family in Dictyostelium allows escape from Crozier's Paradox

The paper examines Crozier's Paradox in Dictyostelium discoideum by analyzing tgrB1 and tgrC1 genes, finding no strong evidence for the paradox and suggesting recombination generates genetic variation.

Evolutionary dynamics of pro-inflammatory caspases in primates and rodents

This study examines the evolutionary history of pro-inflammatory caspases in primates and rodents, revealing differences in gene retention, pseudogenization, and positive selection across species.

Glycosyltransferases promote development and prevent promiscuous cell aggregation in the choanoflagellate S. rosetta

The paper identifies glycosyltransferase mutations causing defective rosette development and promiscuous cell aggregation in S. rosetta, suggesting an ancient role in development and multicellularity regulation.