Jacinthe Frangieh

Covalently linked peptides and membrane potential enable CyaA segment translocation

This study investigates the translocation mechanisms of two CyaA-derived peptides, showing that P454 translocates independently of membrane potential while P233 requires a negative potential, and their covalent linkage enables translocation without potential.

Post-translational acylation drives folding and activity of the CyaA bacterial toxin.

This study shows that acylation stabilizes the native fold of CyaA and facilitates its membrane orientation, revealing how post-translational modification drives toxin activity.

The interpeduncular nucleus blunts the rewarding effect of nicotine

This study shows that the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) regulates nicotine reward by modulating VTA neuron activity through β4-containing nAChRs.