Structural and functional organization of germ plasm condensates.

Reproductive success of metazoans relies on germ cells. These cells develop early during embryogenesis, divide and undergo meiosis in the adult to make sperm and oocytes. Unlike somatic cells, germ cells are immortal and transfer their genetic material to new generations.

Mapping the mammalian ribosome quality control complex interactome using proximity labeling approaches.

Previous genetic and biochemical studies from Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified a critical ribosome-associated quality control complex (RQC) that facilitates resolution of stalled ribosomal complexes. While components of the mammalian RQC have been examined in vitro, a systematic characterization of RQC protein interactions in mammalian cells has yet to be described. Here we utilize both proximity-labeling proteomic approaches, BioID and APEX, and traditional affinity-based strategies to both identify interacting proteins of mammalian RQC members and putative substrates for the RQC resident E3 ligase, Ltn1.

ZNF598 and RACK1 Regulate Mammalian Ribosome-Associated Quality Control Function by Mediating Regulatory 40S Ribosomal Ubiquitylation.

Ribosomes that experience terminal stalls during translation are resolved by ribosome-associated quality control (QC) pathways that oversee mRNA and nascent chain destruction and recycle ribosomal subunits. The proximal factors that sense stalled ribosomes and initiate mammalian ribosome-associated QC events remain undefined. We demonstrate that the ZNF598 ubiquitin ligase and the 40S ribosomal protein RACK1 help to resolve poly(A)-induced stalled ribosomes.

Monkeypox virus induces the synthesis of less dsRNA than vaccinia virus, and is more resistant to the anti-poxvirus drug, IBT, than vaccinia virus.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection fails to activate the host anti-viral protein, PKR, despite lacking a full-length homologue of the vaccinia virus (VACV) PKR inhibitor, E3. Since PKR can be activated by dsRNA produced during a viral infection, we have analyzed the accumulation of dsRNA in MPXV-infected cells. MPXV infection led to less accumulation of dsRNA than VACV infection.

Targeting protein multiple conformations: a structure-based strategy for kinase drug design.

Multiple conformations of a protein kinase target offer an opportunity to design small-molecule inhibitors with distinct but clinically useful profiles. This article analyzes and classifies the binding pockets in the kinase catalytic cleft in different conformational states. Targeting kinase multiple conformations as an emerging strategy in the field is exemplified with important small-molecule agents in the clinic.

Molecular targeting of protein kinases to optimize selectivity and resistance profiles of kinase inhibitors.

This article reviews several important observations in the field of protein kinase drug discovery, exemplified mainly by targeting c-Abl for the treatment of CML. Structure-based strategy and insight are provided for the optimization of the selectivity and resistant mutation profiles of protein kinase inhibitors.