This study shows FBH1 reverses replication forks through sequential unwinding of nascent strands without forming four-way junctions, distinct from other reversal factors.

bioRxiv · Jun 7, 2026 · PreprintBiochemistry

DNA binding and lesion recognition by the bacterial interstrand DNA crosslink glycosylase AlkX

Yujuan Cai, Dillon E. Kunkle, Marcel D. Edinbugh, Noah P Bradley, Eric Patrick Skaar, Brandt F. Eichman

This study identifies key motifs in AlkX critical for ICL repair and shows a genetic variant reduces its activity, increasing bacterial sensitivity to DNA crosslinking.

EMBO Reports · May 8, 2026Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

Structural basis for fork reversal and RAD51 regulation by the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex of F-box helicase 1

Briana H. Greer, Javier Mendia-García, E.A. Mullins, Emma M. Peacock, Sander Haigh, Carl J. Schiltz, Clara Aicart-Ramos, Miaw-Sheue Tsai, David Cortez, Fernando Moreno‐Herrero, Brandt F. Eichman

This study reveals how SCFFBH1 promotes fork reversal and regulates RAD51 through DNA binding and ubiquitination, using cryo-EM structures and in vitro experiments.

Nature Communications · Jan 26, 2026Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

Yatakemycin biosynthesis requires two deoxyribonucleases for toxin self-resistance

Jonathan Dorival, Hua Yuan, Allison S. Walker, Gong‐Li Tang, Brandt F. Eichman

This study identifies YtkR4 and YtkR5 as essential deoxyribonucleases for repairing DNA damage caused by yatakemycin, supporting their role in base excision repair.

RSC Chemical Biology · Dec 3, 2024Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

HLTF Prevents G4 Accumulation and Promotes G4-induced Fork Slowing to Maintain Genome Stability

Gongshi Bai, Theresa Endres, Ulrike Kühbacher, Valentina Mengoli, Briana H. Greer, Emma M. Peacock, Matthew D. Newton, Tyler H. Stanage, Maria Rosaria Dello Stritto, Roxana Lungu, Magdalena P. Crossley, Ataya Sathirachinda, David Cortez, Simon J. Boulton, Petr Ćejka, , Karlene A. Cimprich

This paper shows that HLTF has two roles in managing G4s: preventing their accumulation and slowing replication forks to maintain genome stability.

Molecular Cell · Aug 1, 2024Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology

Self-reversal facilitates the resolution of HMCES-DNA protein crosslinks in cells

Jorge Rua-Fernandez, Courtney A. Lovejoy, Kavi P.M. Mehta, Katherine A. Paulin, Yasmine T. Toudji, Celeste Giansanti, Brandt F. Eichman, David Cortez

The paper shows that HMCES-DNA protein crosslinks are resolved through self-reversal, which is crucial for managing ssDNA abasic sites and maintaining genome stability.

Cell Reports · Nov 1, 2023Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology

A comprehensive map of hotspots of de novo telomere addition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Katrina Ngo, Tristen H. Gittens, David I. Gonzalez, E. Anne Hatmaker, Simcha Plotkin, Mason Engle, Geofrey A. Friedman, Melissa Goldin, Remington E. Hoerr, Brandt F. Eichman, Antonis Rokas, Mary Lauren Benton, Katherine L. Friedman

The paper maps de novo telomere addition hotspots in yeast using a high-throughput method and computational analysis, showing enrichment in subtelomeres and Cdc13 binding.

Genetics · Apr 29, 2023Peer-reviewedGenetics

Resistance-guided mining of bacterial genotoxins defines a family of DNA glycosylases

Noah P. Bradley, Katherine L. Wahl, Jacob Lucas Steenwyk, Antonis Rokas, Brandt F. Eichman

The paper identifies AlkZ and AlkX DNA glycosylases involved in bacterial resistance to genotoxins, linking them to specific antimicrobial production.

mBio · Mar 21, 2022Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology