H. Remaut

A novel class of ultra-stable endospore appendages decorated with collagen-like tip fibrillae

The paper identifies a novel class of ultra-stable endospore appendages in Bacillus paranthracis, revealing their structure, genetic basis, and phylogenetic distribution.

Colibactin-induced genotoxicity and colorectal cancer exacerbation critically depends on adhesin-mediated epithelial binding

This study shows that pks+ E. coli's ability to worsen colorectal cancer depends on adhesins that allow it to bind to host cells and produce the genotoxin colibactin.

The folding-limited nucleation of curli hints at an evolved safety mechanism for functional amyloid production

This study investigates the molecular mechanism of curli amyloid formation in Salmonella and Escherichia coli, revealing a folding-limited nucleation process that balances efficient polymerization with avoiding premature aggregation.

The outer membrane and peptidoglycan layer form a single mechanical device balancing turgor

The peptidoglycan and outer membrane are interconnected layers that cooperate to balance cytoplasmic turgor.

Identification of small molecule antivirals against HTLV-1 by targeting the hDLG1-Tax-1 protein-protein interaction

The paper identifies a small molecule that inhibits the Tax-1-hDLG1 interaction, reducing HTLV-1 cell-to-cell transmission in a T-cell model.

Ultrapotent SARS coronavirus-neutralizing single-domain antibodies that bind a conserved membrane proximal epitope of the spike

The paper identifies ultrapotent SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing nanobodies that bind a conserved epitope on the spike protein, showing therapeutic efficacy in hamsters.

A molecular plugin rescues GroEL/ES substrates from pre-folding oxidation

This study identifies CnoX as a redox quality-control plugin for GroEL, showing it binds outside the substrate-binding site and forms mixed-disulfides with substrates.

Structural analysis of the bacterial amyloid curli

The paper presents an atomic model of bacterial curli protofibrils using AlphaFold2 and cryo-EM, revealing structural diversity and explaining their robustness and inter-species promiscuity.

Efficient long-range conduction in cable bacteria through nickel protein wires

This study identifies nickel-ligated proteins as the conductive core of cable bacteria's periplasmic wires, revealing a novel mechanism for long-range electron transport.

Bacillus endospore appendages form a novel family of disulfide-linked pili

The paper identifies and characterizes endospore appendages (Enas) in Bacillus cereus, revealing their structure and adaptation to harsh environmental conditions.

Structural insight into the formation of lipoprotein-β-barrel complexes by the β-barrel assembly machinery

The paper reports the crystal structure of BamA in complex with RcsF, revealing a push-and-pull mechanism for RcsF export and providing insights into BAM function and antibiotic development.

Megabodies expand the nanobody toolkit for protein structure determination by single-particle cryo-EM

The paper introduces megabodies, engineered nanobodies that improve cryo-EM resolution by addressing particle size and orientation issues, and demonstrates their application in solving a membrane protein structure.