Structural insight into EV-A71 3A protein and its interaction with a peptide inhibitor.

• Our results disclosed a dihelical structure of Enterovirus A71 3A protein in apo form. • We depicted rigid helices and a unique flexible C-terminus for apo-form 3A. • This study revealed a competitive binding-based molecular mechanism underlying inhibition of dimeric 3A by ER-DRI.

PD-L1 methylation restricts PD-L1/PD-1 interactions to control cancer immune surveillance.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) have enabled some patients with cancer to experience durable, complete treatment responses; however, reliable anti-PD-(L)1 treatment response biomarkers are lacking. Our research found that PD-L1 K162 was methylated by SETD7 and demethylated by LSD2. Furthermore, PD-L1 K162 methylation controlled the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and obviously enhanced the suppression of T cell activity controlling cancer immune surveillance.

Advances in developing ACE2 derivatives against SARS-CoV-2.

Extensive immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 rendered therapeutic antibodies ineffective in the COVID-19 pandemic. Propagating SARS-CoV-2 variants are characterised by immune evasion capacity through key amino acid mutations, but can still bind human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through the spike protein and are, thus, sensitive to ACE2-mimicking decoys as inhibitors. In this Review, we examine advances in the development of ACE2 derivatives from the past 3 years, including the recombinant ACE2 proteins, ACE2-loaded extracellular vesicles, ACE2-mimicking antibodies, and peptide or mini-protein mimetics of ACE2.

An ACE2-Based Decoy Inhibitor Effectively Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 Variant.

The recently circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 is rampaging the world with elevated transmissibility compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. Immune escape of BA.

Structural Insights into Mouse H-FABP.

Intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins are evolutionarily highly conserved proteins. The major functions and responsibilities of this family are the regulation of FA uptake and intracellular transport. The structure of the H-FABP ortholog from mouse () had not been revealed at the time this study was completed.

Systemic Screening in Drug Discovery for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) with an Online Interactive Web Server.

The emergence of the new coronavirus (nCoV-19) has impacted human health on a global scale, while the interaction between the virus and the host is the foundation of the disease. The viral genome codes a cluster of proteins, each with a unique function in the event of host invasion or viral development. Under the current adverse situation, we employ virtual screening tools in searching for drugs and natural products which have been already deposited in DrugBank in an attempt to accelerate the drug discovery process.