Shawn M. Lyons

eIF4E3 drives translation of viral mRNAs with short 5' UTRs

The paper shows eIF4E3 enables efficient translation of viral mRNAs with short 5' UTRs, unlike the canonical eIF4E1, and identifies this as a mechanism used by viruses like VSV to bypass host translation suppression.

The enteroviral protease target LSM14A operates outside of P-bodies to augment antiviral innate immunity

This study identifies LSM14A's role in antiviral immunity independent of its localization to P-bodies and peroxisomes, revealing a specialized interaction network that enhances innate immune signaling.

Proteolytic dissection of eIF4G reveals the closed-loop mRNP as an architecture for translation repression.

The paper shows that eIF4G cleavage products can either rescue or repress translation, revealing the closed-loop mRNP's role in translational silencing rather than initiation.

Decreased tRNA abundance contributes to decreased translation elongation rate in a prolonged mitosis

The paper shows that decreased tRNA abundance reduces translation elongation during mitosis, leading to reduced protein synthesis.

Metal stress uncouples early pre-rRNA processing from ISR activation and reveals flexible checkpoints in human ribosome biogenesis

G-quadruplex topologies determine the functional outcome of guanine-rich bioactive oligonucleotides

This study shows that G-quadruplex topology determines the functional outcome of G-rich oligonucleotides, with parallel topologies inhibiting translation while antiparallel ones do not.

Repurposing tRNA isodecoders for non-canonical functions via tRNA cleavage

The paper shows that cleavage of tRNA isodecoders generates tRNA-derived RNAs (tDRs) with differential activities in mRNA reporter translation, suggesting a mechanism for repurposing tRNAs for non-canonical functions.

Cytoplasmic processing of human transfer RNAs

The paper shows that tRNA processing in human cells occurs primarily in the cytoplasm, challenging the notion that it is entirely nuclear.

Multiple ribonuclease A family members cleave transfer RNAs in response to stress

The paper shows that multiple RNase A family members cleave tRNAs under stress, producing tiRNAs that aid in translational reprogramming.