Molecular insights into the modulation of the 5HT receptor by serotonin, psilocin, and the G protein subunit Gqα.

5HTR is a G-protein-coupled receptor that drives many neuronal functions and is a target for psychedelic drugs. Understanding ligand interactions and conformational transitions is essential for developing effective pharmaceuticals, but mechanistic details of 5HTR activation remain poorly understood. We utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations to investigate 5HTR's conformational dynamics upon binding to serotonin and psilocin.

Crystal structure of the tegument protein UL82 (pp71) from human cytomegalovirus.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an opportunistic pathogen that infects a majority of the world population. It may cause severe disease in immunocompromised people and lead to pregnancy loss or grave disabilities of the fetus upon congenital infection. For effective replication and lifelong persistence in its host, HCMV relies on diverse functions of its tegument protein UL82, also known as pp71.