Merja Joensuu

A rational design strategy and validation for protease-resistant fusion-inhibitor antiviral peptides

This study designs and validates protease-resistant antiviral peptides that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 fusion, showing improved efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Omicron evolution drives increased ciliated cell tropism and dysfunction in nasal epithelia.

This study compares SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants' effects on nasal epithelial ciliated cells, finding increased tropism and dysfunction in BA.5 and XBB compared to BA.1 and ancestral virus.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-derived neurons is cathepsin-dependent and causes accumulation of HIF1alpha and phosphorylated tau

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infects hiPSC-derived neurons via endosomal-lysosomal pathway dependent on cathepsins, leading to HIF1alpha accumulation and phosphorylated tau, suggesting neurodegenerative effects.

DDHD2 provides a critical flux of saturated fatty acids to support neuronal energy demands

The paper shows that DDHD2-generated saturated fatty acids are essential for neuronal energy production and synaptic function.

Nanobinders for Synaptotagmin 1 enable the analysis of synapticvesicle dynamics in rodent and human models.

The paper introduces NbLumSyt1 nanobinders for analyzing synaptic vesicle dynamics in rodent and human models with improved precision and versatility.

VAMP2/Munc18-1 domain 3a interaction controls the nanoscale reorganization underpinning vesicular priming

The paper identifies key residues in Munc18-1 domain 3a that regulate the interaction with VAMP2, controlling nanoscale reorganization necessary for vesicular priming and secretion.

Synaptotagmin 1 mediates toxicity of botulinum neurotoxin type A

This paper shows that botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) toxicity relies on synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), which forms nanoclusters with PSG and SV2 on neuronal membranes, enabling endocytic targeting and neuronal communication disruption.

DDHD2 interacts with STXBP1 to mediate long-term memory via the generation of myristic acid

This study shows that DDHD2 and STXBP1 interact to generate myristic acid, which is essential for long-term memory formation in mice.

Surface SV2A-Syt1 nanoclusters act as a sequestration hub that limits dynamin-1 recruitment and targeting to recycling synaptic vesicles

The paper shows that SV2A-Syt1 nanoclusters limit dynamin-1 recruitment, thereby controlling the re-entry of Syt1 into recycling synaptic vesicles.

SV2A-Syt1 interaction controls surface nanoclustering and access to recycling synaptic vesicles

This study shows that the SV2A-Syt1 interaction forms surface nanoclusters, which regulate their entry into recycling synaptic vesicles.

Radial contractility of Actomyosin-II rings facilitates cargo trafficking and maintains axonal structural stability following cargo-induced transient axonal expansion

This study shows that actomyosin-II radial contractility regulates axonal cargo trafficking and structural stability by controlling transient radial expansion during cargo transport.