José A. Rodríguez

Computationally hybridized pathogenic mammarenavirus receptor binding domains reveal cryptic variants that elicit cross-neutralizing immune responses

The paper investigates hybridized JUNV-MACV GP1 variants, showing they enable virus entry and are recognized by cross-neutralizing antibodies, suggesting potential for antiviral therapy design.

Cryo-EM provides insight into how the Staphylococcus aureus IsdH receptor removes hemin from the hemoglobin:haptoglobin complex

This paper uses cryo-EM to show how the Staphylococcus aureus IsdH receptor extracts hemin from the hemoglobin:haptoglobin complex by selectively engaging βHb and using N-linked glycans on haptoglobin to facilitate this process.

Visual exoproteomics of Clostridium thermocellum during anaerobic biomass-degradation identifies functional spirosomes

The paper uses visual proteomics to identify functional spirosomes in Clostridium thermocellum during biomass degradation.

Structural basis for L-isoaspartyl-containing protein recognition by the PCMTD1 cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase

This paper shows PCMTD1, a cullin-RING ligase, recognizes L-isoaspartyl residues and targets damaged proteins for ubiquitylation and degradation.

Leveraging structurally-informed bioorthogonal conjugation for alpha synuclein fibril surveillance

This paper develops a method to label alpha synuclein fibrils with fluorophores for tracking their structure and function in cells.

Biosynthetic characterization and combinatorial biocatalysis of the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64

This study characterizes the biosynthesis of E-64, a cysteine protease inhibitor, and demonstrates its biocatalytic potential for generating potent analogs.

Combining MicroED and native mass spectrometry for structural discovery of enzyme-biosynthetic inhibitor complexes

This paper combines MicroED and native mass spectrometry to determine structures of enzyme-inhibitor complexes and identify high-affinity ligands from crude samples.

De novo determination of mosquitocidal Cry11Aa and Cry11Ba structures from naturally-occurring nanocrystals

The paper determines the structures of Cry11Aa and Cry11Ba toxins using serial femtosecond crystallography, revealing new insights into their in vivo crystallization patterns and toxicity.