The paper investigates how DNA ligases handle non-canonical base pairs in hachimoji DNA, finding that consecutive non-canonical bases at the 3-end reduce ligation efficiency.

bioRxiv · Jul 1, 2026 · PreprintBiochemistry

3D Variable Analysis Reveal a Hidden Conformational Dynamics Controlling Ammonia Transport in Human Asparagine Synthetase

Adriana Coricello, Alanya J. Nardone, Antonio Lupia, Carmen Gratteri, Matthijn R. J. Vos, Vincent Chaptal, Stefano Alcaro, Wen Zhu, Yuichiro Takagi, Nigel G. J. Richards

The paper uses 3DVA and MD simulations to reveal that Arg-142 in ASNS acts as a gate controlling ammonia transport through an intramolecular tunnel.

Nature Communications · Dec 3, 2024Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology

Molecular basis of human asparagine synthetase inhibitor specificity

Wen Zhu, Ashish Radadiya, Claudine Bisson, Brian E. Nordin, Patrick Baumann, Tsuyoshi Imasaki, Sabine A. Wenzel, Svetlana E. Sedelnikova, Alexandria H. Berry, Tyzoon K. Nomanbhoy, John W. Kozarich, Yi Jin, Yuichiro Takagi, David W. Rice, Nigel G. J. Richards

The paper determines the X-ray crystal structure of human ASNS and builds a computational model of the enzyme-inhibitor complex to understand specificity.

bioRxiv · Sep 29, 2018 · PreprintBiochemistry