The paper determines the Cryo-EM structure of CLCA1, revealing its unique domain organization and regulatory mechanisms, and identifies it as a founding member of a new metzincin family.

bioRxiv · Oct 18, 2025 · PreprintMolecular Biology

The role of Akkermansia muciniphila sulfatases in colonic mucinutilisation

Debajit Dey, Naba D. Salman, Charles W.E. Tomlinson, Chunsheng Jin, Grete Raba, Sadie R. Schaus, Marcus Nilsson, Zak McIver, Adam J. Simpkin, Matthew Davy, Daniel John Rigden, Mirjam Czjzek, Dominic P. Byrne, Mihai Oltean, Alexander Case, , Alan Cartmell

This study investigates the role of Akkermansia muciniphila sulfatases in colonic mucin utilization, revealing unique adaptations compared to Bacteroides species.

bioRxiv · Sep 11, 2025 · PreprintBiochemistry

Arylsulfamates inhibit colonic Bacteroidota growth through a sulfatase-independent mechanism

Conor J. Crawford, Charles W.E. Tomlinson, Christian Gunawan, Zongjia Chen, Dominic P. Byrne, Cosette Darby, Martina Conti, Tony R. Larson, Ana Sofia Luis, Stefano Elli, Edwin Alexander Yates, David N. Bolam, Sjoerd van der Post, Spencer John Williams, Alan Cartmell

The paper shows arylsulfamates inhibit Bacteroides growth on sulfated glycans via a lipid kinase, not carbohydrate sulfatases, and identifies resistance mechanisms.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Jul 10, 2025Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

BPP43_05035 is a Brachyspira pilosicoli cell surface adhesin that weakens the integrity of the epithelial barrier during infection

Anandi Rajan, Pablo Gallego, Brendan Dolan, Piyush Patel, Chinmay Kumar Dwibedi, Ana Sofia Luis, Sergio Trillo‐Muyo, Liisa Arike, Sjoerd van der Post, Magnus Simrén, Thaher Pelaseyed

This study identifies BPP43_05035 as a Brachyspira pilosicoli adhesin that disrupts epithelial tight junctions, increasing barrier permeability during infection.

Gut Microbes · Sep 30, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology