Cynthia S. Hinck

An efficient system for production of highly purified inhibins using mammalian cell expression and tandem affinity purification

This paper develops a method to produce highly purified inhibins using mammalian cell expression and tandem affinity purification, achieving high yields and purity with minimal activin contamination.

Decoding the Mechanism of Action of a Parasite TGFβAntagonist Inspires the Creation of Cell-type-specific TGFβ Modulators

This paper identifies co-receptors for a parasite TGFβ antagonist, uses structural data to design cell-type-specific TGFβ modulators, and demonstrates their selective antagonistic effects.

Pro-domain-dependent folding and co-receptor-mediated targeting to optimize an antagonistic TGF-β monomer for gene-based delivery

This paper improves the folding and targeting of an engineered TGF-β monomer for gene-based delivery by modifying its pro-domain and adding a CD44 binding domain.

Improved protein binder design using -pairing targeted RFdiffusion

Conditioning RFdiffusion on edge beta-strand pairing yields specific binders to polar targets, with in silico success above 9.2% versus 0.98% for hotspot-only conditioning.

Structures of TGF-beta with betaglycan and the signaling receptors reveal the mechanism whereby betaglycan potentiates receptor complex assembly and signaling

This study determines the structure of TGF-beta bound to betaglycan and its signaling receptors, revealing mechanisms of ligand selectivity and signal potentiation.

Molecular basis of interchain disulfide-bond formation in BMP-9 and BMP-10

This study investigates how BMP-9 and BMP-10 form disulfide bonds and dimers, showing that geometric strain, not cysteinylation, reduces dimerization propensity and that residue swaps can reverse this effect.

Immunocompetent murine model of Ewing sarcoma reveals role for TGFβ inhibition to enhance immune infiltrates in Ewing tumors during radiation

The paper develops an immunocompetent mouse model of Ewing sarcoma to show that TGFβ inhibition enhances immune infiltration and reduces metastasis during radiation therapy.

Design of High Affinity Binders to Convex Protein Target Sites

This paper designs high-affinity proteins that bind to convex protein sites using geometrically matching concave scaffolds, achieving low nanomolar to picomolar affinities.