Cryo-EM reconstruction of yeast ADP-actin filament at 2.5 Å resolution. A comparison with vertebrate F-actin.

The core component of the actin cytoskeleton is the globular protein G-actin, which reversibly polymerizes into filaments (F-actin). Budding yeast possesses a single actin that shares 87%-89% sequence identity with vertebrate actin isoforms. Previous structural studies indicate very close overlap of main-chain backbones.

Reduced-Graphene-Oxide-Based Thin Films: An Alternative Coating for Harsh Space Environments.

Polymeric materials are commonly used as the outermost layer in spacecraft passive thermal control. However, in geostationary earth orbit environments, the polymeric layer is susceptible to environmental hazards, particularly electrostatic charges. In this study, we develop a graphene-based coating on a polymeric polyimide (Kapton) and discuss its suitability in simulated harsh space environments for electrostatic dissipation.

Elf1 promotes Rad26's interaction with lesion-arrested Pol II for transcription-coupled repair.

Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) is a highly conserved DNA repair pathway that removes bulky lesions in the transcribed genome. Cockayne syndrome B protein (CSB), or its yeast ortholog Rad26, has been known for decades to play important roles in the lesion-recognition steps of TC-NER. Another conserved protein ELOF1, or its yeast ortholog Elf1, was recently identified as a core transcription-coupled repair factor.

A room-temperature gas sensor based on 2D Ni-Co-Zn ternary oxide nanoflakes for selective and sensitive ammonia detection.

While most of the reports on NH gas sensors are either based on metal oxide composites with other 2D materials, polymers or noble metals or involve multi-step-based synthesis routes, this work is the first report on a pristine ternary metal oxide, 2D NiCoZnO nanoflake based room-temperature (RT) NH gas sensor. The 2D NiCoZnO nanoflakes were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. FESEM and TEM images displayed micro-flower like morphologies, containing vertically aligned interwoven porous 2D nanoflakes, whereas XPS and XRD data confirmed the successful growth of this ternary metal-oxide.

Lis1 relieves cytoplasmic dynein-1 autoinhibition by acting as a molecular wedge.

Cytoplasmic dynein-1 transports intracellular cargo towards microtubule minus ends. Dynein is autoinhibited and undergoes conformational changes to form an active complex that consists of one or two dynein dimers, the dynactin complex, and activating adapter(s). The Lissencephaly 1 gene, LIS1, is genetically linked to the dynein pathway from fungi to mammals and is mutated in people with the neurodevelopmental disease lissencephaly.