SPR is a fast and straightforward method to estimate the binding constants of cyclic dinucleotides to their binding partners, such as STING or poxin.

The development of small molecule drugs that target protein binders is the central goal in medicinal chemistry. During the lead compound development process, hundreds or even thousands of compounds are synthesized, with the primary focus on their binding affinity to protein targets. Typically, IC or EC values are used to rank these compounds.

Enzymatic synthesis of reactive RNA probes containing squaramate-linked cytidine or adenosine for bioconjugations and cross-linking with lysine-containing peptides and proteins.

Protein-RNA interactions play important biological roles and hence reactive RNA probes for cross-linking with proteins are important tools in their identification and study. To this end, we designed and synthesized 5'-O-triphosphates bearing a reactive squaramate group attached to position 5 of cytidine or position 7 of 7-deazaadenosine and used them as substrates for polymerase synthesis of modified RNA. In vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase or primer extension using TGK polymerase was used for synthesis of squaramate-modified RNA probes which underwent covalent bioconjugations with amine-linked fluorophore and lysine-containing peptides and proteins including several viral RNA polymerases or HIV reverse transcriptase.

Coordination of transporter, cargo, and membrane properties during non-vesicular lipid transport.

Homeostasis of cellular membranes is maintained by fine-tuning their lipid composition. Yeast lipid transporter Osh6, belonging to the oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins family, was found to participate in the transport of phosphatidylserine (PS). PS synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum is delivered to the plasma membrane, where it is exchanged for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P).

Evaluating Antimalarial Proteasome Inhibitors for Efficacy in Blood Stage Cultures.

Tick-transmitted are a major global veterinary threat and an emerging risk to humans. Unlike their relatives, these erythrocyte-infecting Apicomplexa have been largely overlooked and lack specific treatment. Selective targeting of the proteasome holds promise for drug development.