This study uses molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical models to analyze the shape and budding propensity of lipid droplets, finding that their shape resembles a spherical cap and is influenced by membrane properties.

bioRxiv · Jul 13, 2026 · PreprintBiophysics

Post-translational acylation drives folding and activity of the CyaA bacterial toxin.

Corentin C. Leger, Samuel Hoff, Gaia Scilironi, Amiel Abettan, Roshan Shrestha, Jacinthe Frangieh, Vincent Deruelle, Nicolas Carvalho, Dorothée Raoux‐Barbot, Nathalie Duclert‐Savatier, Benjamin Bardiaux, Sébastien Brier, François Bontems, Gérard Pehau‐Arnaudet, Daniel Ladant, , Alexandre Chenal

This study shows that acylation stabilizes the native fold of CyaA and facilitates its membrane orientation, revealing how post-translational modification drives toxin activity.

bioRxiv · Sep 11, 2025 · PreprintBiophysics

GoMartini 3: From large conformational changes in proteins to environmental bias corrections

Paulo C. T. Souza, Luís Borges-Araújo, Christopher Brasnett, Rodrigo A. Moreira, Fabian Grünewald, Peter Park, Liguo Wang, Hafez Razmazma, Ana C. Borges-Araújo, Luis Fernando Cofas‐Vargas, Luca Monticelli, Raúl Mera‐Adasme, Manuel N. Melo, Sangwook Wu, ‪Siewert J. Marrink, , Sebastian Thallmair

This paper introduces an enhanced G[o]Martini model that improves protein dynamics simulation and addresses inaccuracies in the Martini protein model through diverse case studies.

Nature Communications · Apr 30, 2025Peer-reviewedBiophysics

Ist2, a protein involved in phosphatidylserine transport, is an ER lipid scramblase

Heitor Gobbi Sebinelli, Camille Syska, Hafez Razmazma, Véronique Albanèse, Ana Rita Dias Araújo, Cécile Hilpert, Cédric Montigny, Christine Jaxel, Manuella Tchamba, Karolina Belingar, Juan Martín D’Ambrosio, Luca Monticelli, Guillaume Lenoir, Alenka Čopič

This study identifies Ist2 as the first dedicated ER phospholipid scramblase in yeast and shows its role in ER membrane remodeling.

bioRxiv · Feb 13, 2025 · PreprintCell Biology