This study identifies two structural switches in HIV-1 capsid protein that modulate host factor binding based on capsid curvature and oligomerization state.

bioRxiv · Dec 2, 2022Microbiology

Macrophage activation of cGAS and TRIM5 distinguish pandemic and non-pandemic HIV

L. Zuliani-Alvarez, M. Larsen, J. Rasaiyaah, C. Monit, S. O. Perry, R. Sumner, S. McAlpine-Scott, C. Dickson, K. M. Rifat Faysal, L. Hilditch, R. Miles, F. Bibollet-Ruche, B. H. Hahn, T. Bocking, N. Pinotsis, , G. J. Towers

The paper compares pandemic HIV-1(M) and non-pandemic HIV strains, finding that non-pandemic strains activate cGAS and TRIM5 in myeloid cells, leading to antiviral responses and poor replication.

bioRxiv · Jan 21, 2022 · PreprintImmunology

Tau assemblies enter the cytosol in a cholesterol sensitive process essential to seeded aggregation

B. J. Tuck, L. V. C. Miller, E. L. Wilson, T. Katsinelos, S. Cheng, M. J. Vaysburd, C. Knox, L. Tredgett, E. Metzakopian, L. C. James, W. A. McEwan

The paper investigates how tau assemblies enter the cytosol, finding that cholesterol levels and specific cellular machinery are critical for this process, which is essential for seeded aggregation.

bioRxiv · Jun 21, 2021Cell Biology

Single-dose immunisation with a multimerised SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) induces an enhanced and protective response in mice

R. Salzer, J. J. Clark, M. Vaysburd, V. T. Chang, A. Albecka, L. Kiss, P. Sharma, A. Gonzalez Llamazares, A. Kipar, J. A. Hiscox, A. Owen, A. R. Aricescu, J. P. Stewart, L. C. James, J. Lowe

This paper demonstrates that a multimerised SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine using a stable scaffold provides enhanced antibody responses and complete protection in mice.

bioRxiv · May 18, 2021Immunology

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein arrested in the closed state induces potent neutralizing responses

G. W. Carnell, K. A. Ciazynska, D. A. Wells, X. Xiong, E. T. Aguinam, S. H. McLaughlin, D. Mallery, S. Ebrahimi, L. Ceron-Gutierrez, L. C. James, R. Doffinger, J. L. Heeney, J. A. G. Briggs

This study evaluates closed-state SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunization in mice, finding it induces potent neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses, with unique binding properties compared to standard S protein constructs.

bioRxiv · Jan 14, 2021Immunology

Sequences in the cytoplasmic tail of SARS-CoV-2 Spike facilitate expression at the cell surface and syncytia formation

J. Cattin-Ortola, L. Welch, S. L. Maslen, J. M. Skehel, G. Papa, L. C. James, S. Munro

This study identifies cytoplasmic tail sequences in SARS-CoV-2 Spike that facilitate surface expression and syncytia formation by interacting with cellular factors like COPI, COPII, and ERM proteins.

bioRxiv · Oct 12, 2020Cell Biology

Furin cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 Spike promotes but is not essential for infection and cell-cell fusion

G. Papa, D. Mallery, A. Albecka, L. Welch, J. Cattin-Ortola, J. Luptak, D. Paul, H. T. McMahon, I. G. Goodfellow, A. P. Carter, S. Munro, L. C. James

bioRxiv · Aug 13, 2020Microbiology

A thermostable, closed, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer.

X. Xiong, K. Qu, K. A. Ciazynska, M. Hosmillo, A. P. Carter, S. Ebrahimi, Z. Ke, S. H. W. Scheres, L. Bergamaschi, G. L. Grice, Y. Zhang, The CITIID-NIHR COVID-19 BioResource Collaboration, J. A. Nathan, S. Baker, L. C. James, , J. A. G. Briggs

This paper designs a thermostable, closed SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer that remains in the pre-fusion state and can be used in serological assays.

bioRxiv · Jun 15, 2020Biochemistry