Mingjie Zhang

Emergence of rigidity percolation and critical behavior in tunable protein condensates

This study investigates how protein condensates transition from liquid-like to networked states through tunable interactions, revealing critical behavior and percolation transitions linked to biological function.

Functional activation reveals a repressor-gated fourth type VI secretion system in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper identifies and characterizes a fourth type VI secretion system (H4-T6SS) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing it is repressor-gated and contributes to inter- and intraspecific antagonism.

Molecular basis of enfumafungin inhibition and resistance in Candida glabrata β-1,3-Glucan synthase FKS1

This study determines the molecular mechanism of enfumafungin inhibition and resistance in Candida glabrata FKS1 using cryo-EM and functional analyses.

The schizophrenia associated protein DISC1 is a multivalent tetrameric hub of conserved ancient fold

This study presents the cryo-EM structure of DISC1, revealing its homotetrameric architecture and its ability to bind multiple partner proteins.

Coordinated phase separation and phase transition underlie synaptic ribbon condensate formation and plasticity

This study shows that RIBEYE forms dynamic synaptic ribbon structures through phase transition and phase separation, enabling structural plasticity in response to physiological signals.

ERM proteins regulate the shape and number of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Plasma Membrane Junctions in neurons

This study identifies ERM proteins as regulators of EPJ shape and number in neurons through actin bundling and phase separation.

CDKL5 modulates structural plasticity of excitatory synapses via liquid-liquid phase separation

This study identifies CDKL5 as a regulator of synaptic structural plasticity through liquid-liquid phase separation, linking its dysfunction to CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

CaMKII autophosphorylation but not downstream kinase activity is required for synaptic memory

This study identifies that CaMKII autophosphorylation and binding to GluN2B are necessary for synaptic memory, while kinase activity is not required.

CaMKII activation triggers persistent formation and segregation of postsynaptic liquid phase

The paper shows that CaMKII activation leads to persistent liquid-liquid phase separation with GluN2B, forming stable postsynaptic assemblies that enhance synaptic transmission and memory formation.

Ankyrin-G Regulates Forebrain Connectivity and Network Synchronization via Interaction with GABARAP

This study shows that ankyrin-G regulates forebrain connectivity and network synchronization through its interaction with GABARAP, and identifies a variant linked to bipolar disorder.