Publications by authors named "M D Whorton"

Rhinovirus C (RV-C) infects airway epithelial cells and is an important cause of acute respiratory disease in humans. To interrogate the mechanisms of RV-C-mediated disease, animal models are essential. Towards this, RV-C infection was recently reported in wild-type (WT) mice, yet, titers were not sustained.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling integrates information from diverse G-protein-coupled receptors, such as neuromodulator receptors, to regulate pivotal biological processes in a cellular-specific and subcellular-specific manner. However, in vivo cellular-resolution imaging of cAMP dynamics remains challenging. Here, we screen existing genetically encoded cAMP sensors and further develop the best performer to derive three improved variants, called cAMPFIREs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

C-type inactivation is a process by which ion flux through a voltage-gated K (K) channel is regulated at the selectivity filter. While prior studies have indicated that C-type inactivation involves structural changes at the selectivity filter, the nature of the changes has not been resolved. Here, we report the crystal structure of the K1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nucleotide-sugar transporters (NSTs) transport nucleotide-sugar conjugates into the Golgi lumen where they are then used in the synthesis of glycans. We previously reported crystal structures of a mammalian NST, the CMP-sialic acid transporter (CST) (Ahuja and Whorton 2019). These structures elucidated many aspects of substrate recognition, selectivity, and transport; however, one fundamental unaddressed question is how the transport activity of NSTs might be physiologically regulated as a means to produce the vast diversity of observed glycan structures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The glycoprotein α-dystroglycan helps to link the intracellular cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. A unique glycan structure attached to this protein is required for its interaction with extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin. Up to now, this is the only mammalian glycan known to contain ribitol phosphate groups.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF