J. Vlach

Identification of glycosyltransferases that synthesize pectin heteroglycan block polymers and a structural motif required for their activity

This paper identifies GAUT13 and GAUT14 as enzymes that synthesize RG-I:HG heteroglycans and reveals a motif enabling functional domain swapping in glycosyltransferases.

Ctenophore mesoglea is composed of mucins and novel polysaccharides

This study identifies mucin-related proteins and novel sulfated polysaccharides as the main components of ctenophore mesoglea, revealing differences in ECM physiology compared to other metazoans.

Gram-positive bacterial cell wall components inhibit herpes simplex virus infection.

This study identifies gram-positive bacterial cell wall components, such as peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid, as inhibitors of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection in vitro and in a mouse model.

Deep structural analysis of rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) in Arabidopsis reveals new insights into pectin diversity

The paper provides a detailed structural analysis of rhamnogalacturonan-I in Arabidopsis, revealing novel structural features including O-acetylation of rhamnose residues.

Recognition of unique cell surface glycopolymers by diversified lectin domains specifies umbrella toxin targeting

The paper identifies teichuronic acid oligosaccharides as the receptor for umbrella toxins and shows targeting specificity arises from lectin domain recognition of variable TUA-WTA structures.