J. L. Johnson

Near-Zero Photon Bioimaging

This paper introduces near-zero photon imaging, a method that captures high-fidelity biological images at ultralow irradiance and high speed using AI.

Illuminating the Dark Cancer Phosphoproteome Through a Machine-Learned Co-Regulation Map of 26,280 Phosphosites

The paper constructs a co-regulation map of phosphosites using machine learning and phosphoproteomic data, revealing kinase-substrate associations and identifying potential therapeutic targets in cancer.

Cryo-EM reveals how Hsp90 and FKBP immunophilins co-regulate the Glucocorticoid Receptor

This paper presents cryo-EM structures of GR:Hsp90:FKBP51 and GR:Hsp90:FKBP52 complexes, revealing their distinct roles in regulating GR activity through different binding interfaces and allosteric mechanisms.

Keratinocyte desmosomal cadherin Desmoglein 1 as a mediator and target of paracrine signaling in the melanoma niche

The paper shows melanoma cells exploit keratinocyte Dsg1 reduction via paracrine signaling to enhance tumor spread through CXCL1/CXCR2 and Snai2/Grhl1 pathways.

Epinephrine inhibits PI3K alpha via the Hippo kinases.

The paper identifies Hippo kinases as inhibitors of PI3K alpha, showing epinephrine activates these kinases to suppress insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.

Evolution of host protease interactions among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and related coronaviruses

The paper examines how SARS-CoV-2 variants interact with host proteases and shows that some proteases remain effective against variant spike proteins.

NAK associated protein 1/NAP1 is required for mitosis and cytokinesis by activating TBK1

This study identifies NAP1 as a critical regulator of TBK1 activation at centrosomes during mitosis and cytokinesis, revealing its role in cell division through substrate interactions and degradation.

Indisulam synergizes with palbociclib to induce senescence through inhibition of CDK2 kinase activity

The paper identifies that combining indisulam with palbociclib enhances senescence in cancer cells by inhibiting CDK2 kinase activity.

SARS-CoV-2 hijacks p38β/MAPK11 to promote viral protein translation

This study identifies p38β as a critical host factor for SARS-CoV-2 replication and shows that inhibiting it reduces viral replication and cytokine production.

Coagulation factors directly cleave SARS-CoV-2 spike and enhance viral entry

This study shows coagulation factors like factor Xa and thrombin directly cleave SARS-CoV-2 spike, enhancing viral entry, and suggests anticoagulation could reduce infection.

Th17-skewed inflammation due to genetic deficiency of a cadherin stress sensor

This study investigates the systemic inflammatory response in Dsg1-deficient mice and humans, revealing a psoriatic-like IL-17-skewed inflammation due to genetic Dsg1 loss.

GR chaperone cycle mechanism revealed by cryo-EM: inactivation of GR by GR:Hsp90:Hsp70:Hop client-loading complex

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of the GR loading complex, revealing the molecular mechanism of GR inactivation and chaperone coordination.

EfgA is a conserved formaldehyde sensor that halts bacterial translation in response to elevated formaldehyde

This study identifies EfgA as a formaldehyde sensor in Methylorubrum extorquens that inhibits translation under formaldehyde stress, without enzymatic detoxification.

The FDA-approved drug Alectinib compromises SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphorylation and inhibits viral infection in vitro

This study identifies Alectinib as an FDA-approved drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphorylation and viral replication in vitro by targeting host kinases.

DYNC1LI2 regulates localization of the chaperone-mediated autophagy-receptor LAMP2A and improves cellular homeostasis in cystinosis

This study shows that DYNC1LI2 restores endolysosomal dynamics and cellular homeostasis in cystinosis by rescuing LAMP2A localization and reducing ER stress and mitochondrial fragmentation.

Broadly reactive influenza antibodies are not limited by germinal center competition with high affinity antibodies

This study shows that reducing germinal center competition does not increase broadly reactive influenza antibodies, challenging the hypothesis that competition limits their generation.

Identification of Candidate COVID-19 Therapeutics using hPSC-derived Lung Organoids

This study uses hPSC-derived lung organoids to identify FDA-approved drugs that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry and reduce infection in a model of human COVID-19.

ISG15 drives immune pathology and respiratory failure during viral infection

This study shows that lack of deISGylation during viral infection leads to immune pathology and respiratory failure, with extracellular ISG15 playing a key role in inflammation and disease severity.

Functional imaging of microbial interactions with tree roots using a microfluidics setup

The paper develops a microfluidic device to study root-microbe interactions in aspen trees and finds that bacterial colonization dynamics depend on host-bacterium compatibility.

A pivotal role for Nrf2 in endothelial detachment- implications for endothelial erosion of stenotic plaques

This study shows that Nrf2 activation under elevated flow and smoking induces endothelial detachment, contributing to atherosclerotic plaque erosion and acute coronary syndromes.

Keratinocyte desmoglein 1 regulates the epidermal microenvironment and tanning response

This study shows that Dsg1 in keratinocytes regulates melanocyte communication and tanning by affecting cytokine secretion and melanin production.

Genomic responses to selection for tame/aggressive behaviors in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes)

The paper identifies differentially expressed genes and SNPs associated with tame and aggressive behaviors in silver foxes.