David Degen

Structural basis of ECF-sigma-factor-dependent transcription initiation.

This study reports crystal structures of ECF-sigma-factor-dependent transcription initiation complexes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, revealing conserved interactions with RNAP and promoter DNA.

Structural basis of transcription inhibition by fidaxomicin (lipiarmycin A3)

This paper reports the cryo-EM structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNAP holoenzyme bound to fidaxomicin, revealing its unique binding site and mechanism of transcription inhibition.

Antibacterial nucleoside-analog inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase: pseudouridimycin

This paper discovers pseudouridimycin, a novel antibacterial compound that inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase and shows potent activity against drug-resistant pathogens.

Structural basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcription and transcription inhibition

This study reports crystal structures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase with and without antituberculosis drugs, revealing a new class of inhibitors and their binding mechanisms.