This study determines the structure of BoDV-1 nucleoprotein-RNA complexes using cryo-EM, revealing RNA-independent assembly mechanisms and conserved features across the Bornaviridae family.

Science Advances · Apr 10, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Structural basis for the folding of PINK1 by the HSP90-CDC37 chaperone complex

Kei Okatsu, Hayato Yamamoto, Akinori Okamoto, Shinya H. Goto, Yumiko Nishimoto, Yukihiko Sugita, Takeshi Noda, Shuya Fukai

This study presents the cryo-EM structure of the PINK1-HSP90-CDC37 complex, revealing how HSP90-CDC37 stabilizes PINK1 and how mutations may disrupt this process.

bioRxiv · Oct 17, 2025 · PreprintMolecular Biology

Molecular insights into nucleocapsid assembly and transport in Marburg and Ebola viruses

Yuki Takamatsu, Olga Dolnik, Ai Hirabayashi, Kenta Okamoto, Tomomi Kurashige, Shangfan Hu, Catarina Oda Harumi, Takeshi Noda

The paper identifies key nucleocapsid proteins in Marburg and Ebola viruses and shows their role in nucleocapsid assembly and transport, highlighting a conserved motif as a potential antiviral target.

mBio · Sep 22, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Influenza A virus circumvents the innate immune response through the sequestration of double-stranded RNA

Masahiro Nakano, Shô Miyamoto, C. Ohnishi, Chiharu Nogami, Nanami Hirose, Y. F. Fujita, Yukiko Muramoto, Takeshi Noda

This paper shows that influenza A virus sequesters dsRNA in infected cells to evade the innate immune response, with NS1 masking dsRNA and NEP controlling its nuclear translocation.

Journal of Virology · Sep 8, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Structural basis of Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly and functions

Yoko Fujita, Shangfan Hu, Ai Hirabayashi, Yuki Takamatsu, Yen Ni Ng, Kazuya Houri, Yukiko Muramoto, Masahiro Nakano, Yukihiko Sugita, Takeshi Noda

This study determines the structure of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid using cryo-EM and identifies VP24's role in assembly and function.

Nature Communications · Mar 10, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Coatomer complex I is required for the transport of SARS-CoV-2 progeny virions from the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment

Ai Hirabayashi, Yukiko Muramoto, Toru Takenaga, Yugo Tsunoda, Mayumi Wakazaki, Mayuko Sato, Yoko Fujita, Norimichi Nomura, Koji Yamauchi, Chiho Onishi, Masahiro Nakano, Kiminori Toyooka, Takeshi Noda

This study identifies COPI as essential for SARS-CoV-2 virion transport from the ERGIC, showing that COPB2 depletion inhibits viral replication.

mBio · Nov 29, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Step-by-Step Maturation Mechanism of Binary Toxin Pore Revealed by Cryo-EM Analysis

Tomohito Yamada, Yukihiko Sugita, Toru Yoshida, Takeshi Noda, Hideaki Tsuge

The paper determines the structures of intermediate stages of pore formation by the Iota toxin's membrane-binding component using cryo-EM, revealing a stepwise maturation mechanism.

bioRxiv · Oct 10, 2024 · PreprintMolecular Biology

Switching of OAS1 splicing isoforms mitigates SARS-CoV-2 infection

Kei Iida, Masahiko Ajiro, Yukiko Muramoto, Toru Takenaga, Masatsugu Denawa, Ryo Kurosawa, Takeshi Noda, Masatoshi Hagiwara

The paper identifies a splicing modifier that switches OAS1 isoforms, enhancing resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung cells.

bioRxiv · Aug 23, 2021 · PreprintGenomics

A live-cell imaging system for visualizing the transport of Marburg virus nucleocapsid-like structures

Yuki Takamatsu, Olga Dolnik, Takeshi Noda, Stephan Becker

The paper develops a live-cell imaging system to visualize Marburg virus nucleocapsid-like structures outside BSL-4 labs, showing they transport similarly to actual nucleocapsids.

Virology Journal · Dec 1, 2019Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology