Lewis E. Kay

The dynamic and heterogeneous structure of the non-canonical inflammasome

This paper determines the structure and dynamics of the non-canonical inflammasome using biophysical methods, showing it is heterogeneous and primed for rapid substrate cleavage.

Competing effects modulate the rate of poly(A) RNA deadenylation in a biomolecular condensate

The paper investigates how competing factors in biomolecular condensates modulate the rate of poly(A) RNA deadenylation by CNOT7, revealing concentration-dependent increases and diffusion-related decreases in enzymatic efficiency.

Making invisible excited state protein structures visible by combining NMR and machine learning

The paper combines NMR data with AlphaFlow to identify excited state conformers of pro-IL-18, revealing structural insights from transient states.

Assembly and substrate engagement mechanism of the bacterial proteasome activator Boa

This study defines the temperature-sensitive oligomerization mechanism of Bpa and elucidates its interaction with a surrogate substrate using biophysical techniques.

Client-scaffold interactions suppress aggregation of a client protein in model condensates

This paper shows that CAPRIN1 condensates suppress FUS RRM aggregation despite increasing its concentration and unfolding it, by outcompeting homotypic intermolecular contacts.

Atomic resolution map of the solvent interactions driving SOD1 unfolding in CAPRIN1 condensates

This study uses NMR to show CAPRIN1 condensates shift SOD1 folding towards unfolded states, promoting aggregation, while a zinc-bound dimeric form is more stable.

Design of amyloidogenic peptide traps

The paper designs peptide traps that bind amyloidogenic segments in {beta}-strand and {beta}-hairpin conformations, effectively blocking fibril assembly for A{beta}42.