Leifu Chang

Structural and genetic dissection of RNA-guided gene repression by TnpB-derived transcription factors

The paper identifies a TldR repressor in Enterococcus faecalis that directly represses OppA, revealing its role in regulating bacterial peptide import and uncovering a conserved structural mechanism inherited from TnpB ancestors.

DNA remodeling couples target recognition to directional transposition in a Tn7-like CAST

This study defines the assembly pathway of a Tn7-like CAST, showing how DNA remodeling and TnsC positioning convert target recognition into directional transposition.

Exapted CRISPR-Cas12f homologs drive RNA-guided transcription

The paper identifies a novel RNA-guided transcription mechanism using dCas12f and σE factors in E. coli, enabling gene activation without traditional promoter motifs.

Structural basis of RNA-guided transcription by a dCas12f-σE-RNAP complex

This study determines cryo-EM structures of the dCas12f-σE-RNAP complex to reveal a novel RNA-guided transcription mechanism in bacteria.

Structural basis of target DNA recognition by CRISPR-Cas12k for RNA-guided DNA transposition

This study determines the cryo-EM structure of Cas12k from Scytonema hofmanni complexed with sgRNA and target DNA, revealing mechanisms for PAM sequence recognition and DNA transposition.