Crystal Structure and Enzymology of Inositol Tris/Tetrakisphosphate Kinase 1 (ITPK1).

Inositol phosphates and their pyrophosphorylated derivatives are responsive to the phosphate supply and are agents of phosphate homeostasis and other aspects of physiology. It seems likely that the enzymes that interconvert these signals work against the prevailing milieu of mixed populations of competing substrates and products. The synthesis of inositol pyrophosphates is mediated in plants by two classes of ATP-grasp fold kinase: PPIP5 kinases, known as VIH, and members of the inositol tris/tetrakisphosphate kinase (ITPK) family, specifically ITPK1/2.

Structure of a cereal purple acid phytase provides new insights to phytate degradation in plants.

Grain phytate, a mixed metal ion salt of inositol hexakisphosphate, accounts for 60%-80% of stored phosphorus in plants and is a potent antinutrient of non-ruminant animals including humans. Through neofunctionalization of purple acid phytases (PAPhy), some cereals such as wheat and rye have acquired particularly high mature grain phytase activity. As PAPhy activity supplies phosphate, liberates metal ions necessary for seedling emergence, and obviates antinutrient effects of phytate, its manipulation and control are targeted crop traits.

Oligomerization of the FliF Domains Suggests a Coordinated Assembly of the Bacterial Flagellum MS Ring.

The bacterial flagellum is a complex, self-assembling macromolecular machine that powers bacterial motility. It plays diverse roles in bacterial virulence, including aiding in colonization and dissemination during infection. The flagellum consists of a filamentous structure protruding from the cell, and of the basal body, a large assembly that spans the cell envelope.

Dynamic Assay for Profiling Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Their ACE2/Spike RBD Neutralization Capacity.

Serological assays have been widely employed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to measure antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to track seroconversion in populations. However, currently available assays do not allow determination of neutralization capacity within the assay protocol. Furthermore, commercial serology assays have a high buy-in cost that is inaccessible for many research groups.