Multi-layered heterochromatin interaction as a switch for DIM2-mediated DNA methylation.

Functional crosstalk between DNA methylation, histone H3 lysine-9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is essential for proper heterochromatin assembly and genome stability. However, how repressive chromatin cues guide DNA methyltransferases for region-specific DNA methylation remains largely unknown. Here, we report structure-function characterizations of DNA methyltransferase Defective-In-Methylation-2 (DIM2) in Neurospora.

The FAM86 domain of FAM86A confers substrate specificity to promote EEF2-Lys525 methylation.

FAM86A is a class I lysine methyltransferase (KMT) that generates trimethylation on the eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (EEF2) at Lys525. Publicly available data from The Cancer Dependency Map project indicate high dependence of hundreds of human cancer cell lines on FAM86A expression. This classifies FAM86A among numerous other KMTs as potential targets for future anticancer therapies.

Structure of DNMT3B homo-oligomer reveals vulnerability to impairment by ICF mutations.

DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B plays an essential role in establishment of DNA methylation during embryogenesis. Mutations of DNMT3B are associated with human diseases, notably the immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome. How ICF mutations affect DNMT3B activity is not fully understood.

Identification of novel epitopes targeting non-structural protein 2 of PRRSV using monoclonal antibodies.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is leading to huge losses in the swine industry worldwide. Its nonstructural protein 2 (Nsp2), with a cysteine protease domain (PL2), is crucial for virus replication and as a trigger to host innate immune regulation. In this study, three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to Nsp2, designated 4A12, 4G8, and 8H11, were generated.

Secondary Haemophilus parasuis infection enhances highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) infection-mediated inflammatory responses.

Highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) infection often predisposes pigs to secondary bacterial infection, which induces robust inflammatory responses. However, whether the secondary bacterial infection synergizes HP-PRRSV infection and enhances inflammatory responses is not fully understood. Here, we characterized HP-PRRSV infection-mediated secondary bacterial infection and robust inflammatory responses.

Identification of a linear B-cell epitope on non-structural protein 12 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, using a monoclonal antibody.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused tremendous economic losses and continues to be a serious problem to the swine industry worldwide. The structure and function of PRRSV nonstructural protein 12 (NSP12) is still unknown. In this study, we produced a monoclonal antibody, named as 1E5, against the NSP12 protein of HP (highly pathogenic) -PRRSV strain HuN4.