Biochemical and Structural Characterization

Structure of an eDNA-scaffolded Scp-like protease filament from Streptococcus sanguinis

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of an eDNA-scaffolded Scp-like protease filament from Streptococcus sanguinis, revealing a novel supramolecular assembly and conserved dimerization and eDNA binding.

Computational redesign of TALE proteins for DNA-templated assembly of protein fibers

The paper redesigns TALE proteins to assemble linear protein-DNA complexes on double-stranded DNA templates, enabling controlled length and application in antigen display.

Sortase A-mediated farnesylation of Cdc42 in vitro

This paper introduces a Sortase A-based method to farnesylate Cdc42 in vitro, enabling efficient and reproducible prenylation for biochemical studies.

Analysis of the heterogenous structural states of the hexameric ATPase PilU of the Type IV pili from Vibrio cholerae

The paper determines six structural states of PilU, a retraction ATPase, revealing its homohexameric assembly and conformational flexibility, which may explain its weak ATPase activity and dependence on PilT.

Mining of natural diversity enables efficient and expressible peptide asparaginyl ligases

The paper discovers new peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs) from Viola species, identifies a highly efficient variant, and develops a structure-based engineering strategy to improve expression.

Diversification and functional expansion of archaeal TFF machineries

The paper identifies and classifies archaeal TFF systems using MacSyFinder2, revealing their diversity and functional expansion through structural and genomic analyses.

A bio-orthogonal and covalent 5 kDa small protein tag

The paper introduces a new protein labelling technology called CLUSTER that enables efficient and minimally invasive protein labeling in living cells using a bio-orthogonal approach.

SpyTag-Enabled Assembly of Bacterial Microcompartment Trimers into Macroscopic Layered Protein Materials

This paper describes the self-assembly of SpyTag-fused bacterial microcompartment trimers into macroscopic protein materials with functional properties in both solution and dried states.

Type IV pilus length determines virulence by regulating a hidden subpopulation of non-contributing filaments

This study shows that pilus length in Pseudomonas aeruginosa determines virulence by revealing a hidden subpopulation of non-contributing filaments and shows extension dynamics, not retraction force, as the key constraint.

Chemically encoded pH-tunable covalent adhesion by a bacterial thioester domain

This study shows that thioester domains in bacterial adhesins enable pH-responsive covalent adhesion, with reversible binding regulated by pH changes.

Amino acid variants at the P94 position in Staphylococcus aureus class A sortase modulate substrate binding and enzyme activity

This paper investigates how amino acid variants at position P94 in Staphylococcus aureus sortase A affect substrate binding and enzyme activity, identifying several variants with improved performance.

In situ Architecture of the Tad Pilus Machine in Caulobacter crescentus

This study uses cryo-ET and subtomogram averaging to determine the in situ architecture of the Tad pilus machine in Caulobacter crescentus, revealing its assembly intermediates and structural framework.

Bacterial Spores as a Scalable, Modular Platform forthe Production of Amyloids for Materials

This paper demonstrates a platform using engineered Bacillus subtilis spores to display amyloids for materials, achieving high yields and modified mechanical properties.

A universal surface functionalization technique to chemically enhance live microbial cells

This paper introduces a universal surface functionalization technique for microbes that enhances functionality without genetic modification, achieving higher efficiency and viability across diverse species.

C. mastitidis requires the protein Sortase F to colonize the eye

This study identifies Sortase F as essential for Corynebacterium mastitidis to colonize the eye and induce immune responses.

Targeted Sortase A Inhibition by Novel Peptidomimetic Antivirulents against Staphylococcal Infections

This study evaluates the selectivity of the peptidomimetic inhibitor BzLPRDSar against Gram-positive bacteria, showing potent inhibition of biofilm formation in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus species.

Reversible biological motion with unidirectional catalysis through inversion of ATPase orientation

The paper shows how the Tad motor ATPase CpaF achieves reversible pilus motion through physical inversion of its orientation, using a single unidirectional catalytic cycle.

Expression of soluble Type IV Minor Pilins and isolation of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae PilI-PilJ subcomplex

This paper describes a method to express and purify soluble type IV minor pilins from E. coli and identifies a heterodimeric interaction between PilI and PilJ in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

NanoBondy reacting through NeissLock anhydride allows covalent immune cell decoration

This paper introduces NanoBondy, a covalent cell-surface modification technology for immune cells using NeissLock chemistry, demonstrating robust and specific ligation to CD45.

Programmable protein editing by split intein-mediated recombination

This paper introduces a programmable protein editing platform using split intein-mediated recombination to enable precise modification of mature proteins in living cells.

From fibril to framework: P. abyssi AbpX illuminates a calcium-responsive family of microbial biomatrix proteins that form thermostable hydrogels

This paper investigates AbpX, a microbial biomatrix protein that forms thermostable hydrogels through calcium ion-dependent self-assembly and provides an atomic model of its fibril lattice.

Traceless protein semi-synthesis in cells using the promiscuous ultra-fast split intein NrdJ-1

This paper characterizes the split intein NrdJ-1, showing its rapid and promiscuous splicing properties for traceless protein modification in vitro and in cells.

An interaction between the transmembrane domains of Streptococcus pyogenes sortase A and its endogenous substrate M protein revealed by molecular dynamics simulations

The paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to model the interaction between Streptococcus pyogenes sortase A and its substrate M protein, revealing stereochemical features and potential transmembrane domain interactions that may enhance catalytic efficiency.

Antibodies disrupt bacterial adhesion by ligand mimicry and allosteric interference

This study identifies four antibody mechanisms that disrupt FimH-mediated bacterial adhesion by altering its conformation and glycan binding.

A global survey of intramolecular isopeptide bonds

The paper identifies and characterizes intramolecular isopeptide bonds in protein domains across organisms, revealing their structural and functional significance.

Synthetic Rewiring of Virus-Like Particles via Circular Permutation Enables Modular Peptide Display and Protein Encapsulation

The paper demonstrates the use of circular permutation to engineer virus-like particles, enabling peptide display and protein encapsulation through a comprehensive library and cryo-EM validation.

Machine learning guided engineering of conditional split inteins for regulated protein splicing in mammalian cells

The paper uses machine learning to engineer conditional split inteins for light-controlled protein splicing in mammalian cells.

Donor Strand Complementation and Calcium Ion Coordination Drive the Chaperone-free Polymerization of Archaeal Cannulae

This study identifies donor strand complementation and calcium ion coordination as key drivers of chaperone-free cannulae polymerization in archaea.

Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics

The paper identifies suppressor mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that restore twitching motility in fimX mutants, revealing FimX's role in regulating PilB ATP hydrolysis and pilus extension dynamics.

Naturally-occurring, strain-specific defects in the retraction of Acinetobacter baumannii type IV pili promote biofilm formation

The paper identifies strain-specific defects in Acinetobacter baumannii type IV pilus retraction that influence biofilm formation and pilus-dependent functions.