Michael J. Lynch

Lysinoalanine crosslinking in the extracellular flagellar hook of Synergistota

The paper identifies lysinoalanine crosslinking in the extracellular flagellar hook of Synergistota, expanding the known range of bacteria with this modification beyond spirochetes.

Bacterial internalins exploit E-cadherin to promote head-neck tumor metastasis and drug resistance

This study shows that Porphyromonas gingivalis internalins promote HNSCC metastasis and drug resistance by interacting with E-cadherin and activating signaling pathways.

A MinD-like ATPase couples flagellation and cell division in spirochetes

This paper identifies FlhG, a MinD-like ATPase, as a spatial regulator coupling flagellar assembly to cytokinesis in Borrelia burgdorferi, revealing how spirochetes coordinate flagellation with cell division.

An ELISA for discovering protein-protein interaction inhibitors: blocking lysinoalanine crosslinking between subunits of the spirochete flagellar hook as a test case

The paper develops an ELISA to screen for protein-protein interaction inhibitors, demonstrating its use in blocking lysinoalanine crosslinking in spirochete flagellar hook proteins.

Lactate dehydrogenase is the Achilles' heel of Lyme disease bacterium Borreliella burgdorferi

This study identifies lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) as essential for Borreliella burgdorferi survival and infectivity, and discovers inhibitors targeting this enzyme.

Inhibitors of lysinoalanine crosslinking in the flagella hook as antimicrobials against spirochetes

This study identifies two clinically approved small molecules that inhibit lysinoalanine crosslinking in spirochete flagella, reducing bacterial motility and suggesting a new therapeutic approach.

MCP5, a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein regulated by both the Hk1-Rrp1 and Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS pathways, is required for the immune evasion of Borrelia burgdorferi

This study identifies MCP5 as essential for Borrelia burgdorferi's immune evasion and transmission, regulated by two signaling pathways.