Alex Montoya

A Neuronally Active Bacterial Siderophore Manipulates Host Behavior and Longevity

This study identifies bacterial enterobactin as a non-canonical neurotransmitter that modulates host behavior and aging via mitochondrial function and redox state.

Restoring Antibiotic Sensitivity via Metabolic Pathway Manipulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper shows that combining biotin biosynthesis inhibition with metformin reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and restores antibiotic sensitivity by targeting metabolic pathways.

A protein language model links the E. coli pangenome functional landscape geometry to host proteostasis

The paper develops a pangenome framework using a protein language model to link E. coli genetic diversity to host proteostasis by analyzing functional guilds and metabolic interactions.

Chromatin is dispensable for bacterial life

This study deletes nine NAPs from E. coli to create a strain lacking native chromatin, revealing gene expression homogenization and demonstrating that bacterial life can proceed without chromatin proteins.

Mechanisms of MCM2-7 helicase activation and initial DNA melting at near base-pair resolution

The paper identifies a DNA-bound intermediate during MCM2-7 helicase activation and shows how DNA unwinding is coupled to helicase complex disassembly and DNA exit.

A Bactericidal Phospholipase from Archaea

This study identifies and characterizes cinquedea, a bactericidal phospholipase from the archaeon Haloferax larsenii that kills halophilic bacteria by damaging their cell membranes.

Multimodal imaging reveals a lysosomal drug reservoir that drives heterogeneous distribution of PARP inhibitors

The paper uses multimodal imaging to show that lysosomes act as a reservoir for PARP inhibitors, leading to heterogeneous drug distribution and response in ovarian cancer.

In vivo functional profiling and structural characterisation of the human Glp1r A316T variant

This study investigates the human Glp1r A316T variant's effects on glucose metabolism and GLP-1RA responses using mouse models and structural analyses.

GLP-1R associates with VAPB and SPHKAP at ERMCSs to regulate β-cell mitochondrial remodelling and function

This study shows GLP-1R agonists improve mitochondrial health in beta-cells by forming a complex with VAPB and SPHKAP at ER-mitochondria MCSs, leading to mitochondrial remodelling and improved function.

Wee1 opposes APC/C(Cdh1) activity to promote S-phase entry

This study identifies a new role for Wee1 in promoting S-phase entry by inhibiting APC/CCdh1, revealing a mechanism that impacts the efficacy and toxicity of Wee1 inhibitors in cancer treatment.

Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies monocyte immune deficiency in patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis

This study shows that mitochondrial dysfunction in monocytes of severe alcohol-related hepatitis patients contributes to immune deficiency.

Enhancing autophagy by redox regulation extends lifespan in Drosophila

This study shows that enhancing autophagy through redox regulation extends lifespan in Drosophila by highlighting the role of a specific cysteine residue in Atg4a.

PBK/TOPK mediates Ikaros, Aiolos and CTCF displacement from mitotic chromosomes and alters chromatin accessibility at selected C2H2-zinc finger protein binding sites

The paper shows PBK/TOPK phosphorylates Ikaros, Aiolos, and CTCF to displace them from mitotic chromosomes, altering chromatin accessibility at specific zinc finger protein sites.

Conserved helical motifs in the Ikaros IDR mediate NuRD interaction and transcriptional repression

This study identifies conserved helical motifs in Ikaros that mediate NuRD interaction and transcriptional repression in pre-B cells and B-ALL.

Histone-organized chromatin in bacteria

This study shows that histones are essential and form chromatin in bacteria, with a unique DNA binding mode compared to archaea and eukaryotes.

Loss of H3K9 tri-methylation alters chromosome compaction and transcription factor retention during mitosis

The paper shows that loss of H3K9 tri-methylation leads to smaller, more compact mitotic chromosomes and altered transcription factor retention.

Sexually dimorphic roles for the type 2 diabetes-associated C2cd4b gene in murine glucose homeostasis

This study investigates the role of C2cd4b in murine glucose homeostasis, revealing sexually dimorphic effects on body weight and glucose tolerance.

A FGF2-mediated incoherent feedforward loop inducesErk inhibition and promotes naive pluripotency

This study identifies an FGF2-mediated incoherent feedforward loop that inhibits Erk and promotes naive pluripotency in ES cells and embryos.

The human SKI complex prevents DNA-RNA hybrid-associated telomere instability

This study shows the human SKI complex prevents telomere instability by resolving DNA-RNA hybrids at telomeres during G2 phase.

FACT mediates cohesin function on chromatin

This study shows that FACT is required for cohesin stability on chromatin and the formation of cohesin-dependent TAD-like structures, but not sister chromatid cohesion.

PP4 phosphatase cooperates in recombinational DNA repair by enhancing double-strand break end resection

This study shows that PP4 phosphatase dephosphorylates Rad53, enhancing DNA end resection and recombinational repair by counteracting Rad9's inhibitory effect on Sgs1/Dna2.

Spatial Regulation of Polo-like Kinase Activity during C. elegans Meiosis by the Nucleoplasmic HAL-2/HAL-3 Complex

This study identifies the HAL-2/HAL-3 complex as essential for regulating Polo-like kinase activity during C. elegans meiosis, ensuring proper homolog pairing and synaptonemal complex assembly.