Neil Q. McDonald

Discovery of a sulfotyrosine-motif in the human TrkB extracellular domain required for agonist activation

The paper investigates how ZEB85 activates TrkB by identifying a sulfotyrosine motif essential for agonist activation, while BDNF uses a different binding site.

PKN2 regulates cell-junctions to limit colitis

This study identifies PKN2 as a regulator of tight junctions that limits colitis and colorectal cancer by maintaining intestinal barrier integrity during inflammation.

A long-chain heparan sulfate capture mechanism directs paracrine GDNF-GFRα1 signalling through RET

The paper reveals how long-chain heparan sulfate (HS) facilitates paracrine GDNF-GFRα1 signaling by forming a multi-protein complex with RET, essential for signaling in trans but not in cis.

The penetrant chordoid glioma PRKCA mutation is an oncogenic gain-of-function kinase inactivation eliciting early onset chondrosarcoma in mice.

The PRKCA D463H mutation, an inactivating kinase mutation, acts as a gain-of-function oncogenic driver in mice, promoting chondrosarcoma through non-catalytic mechanisms.

Capture, mutual inhibition and release mechanism for aPKC-Par6 and its multi-site polarity substrate Lgl

The paper reports the structure of aPKC-Par6 bound to Lgl1 and proposes a model for its mutual inhibition and release mechanism in cell polarity.

Bimodal regulation of axonal transport by the GDNF-RET signalling axis in healthy and diseased motor neurons

This study shows that blocking the GDNF-RET signalling axis rescues axonal transport deficits in ALS models, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Study of an FBXO7 patient mutation reveals Fbxo7 and PI31 co-regulate proteasomes and mitochondria

This study identifies an FBXO7 mutation that disrupts its interaction with PI31, affecting proteasome and mitochondrial function in patient cells.

Cryo-EM Structures of the XPF-ERCC1 Endonuclease Reveal an Auto-Inhibited Conformation and the Basis for Activation

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of XPF-ERCC1 in DNA-free and DNA-bound states, revealing an auto-inhibited conformation and activation mechanism.