T. Kato

Use of phase plate cryo-EM reveals conformation diversity of therapeutic IgG with 50 kDa Fab fragment resolved below 6 angstrom

This study uses phase plate cryo-EM to reveal conformational diversity in therapeutic IgG, achieving sub-nanometer resolution of the Fab fragment.

Structural and Dynamic Insights into the Biased Signaling Mechanism of the Human Kappa Opioid Receptor

This study investigates the structural dynamics of the human KOR-Gi signaling complex with G-protein-biased and balanced agonists, identifying key residues involved in signaling bias.

Cryo-EM inspired NMR analysis reveals a pH-induced conformational switching mechanism for imparting dynamics to Betanodavirus protrusions

This study reveals a pH-induced conformational switching mechanism in Betanodavirus protrusions that governs infectivity through dynamic structural changes.

Reduced ornamentation became elaborated in benign environments in a bird species

The study examines tail ornamentation in Pacific swallows, finding that those roosting in safer, less stressful environments have longer tail feathers, suggesting reduced ornamentation can become elaborated in benign conditions.

A stress sensor IRE1α is required for bacterial exotoxin-induced inflammasome activation in tissue-resident macrophages

The paper shows that IRE1α is essential for CTB and CT-induced IL-1β production in tissue-resident macrophages via NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasomes.

Cryo-EM of cytoskeletal 'fibril' protein involved in Spiroplasma swimming

The paper determines the structure of a fibril protein in Spiroplasma using cryo-EM, revealing its helical organization and interactions with MreB filaments.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

Development of a 1:1-binding biparatopic anti-TNFR2 antagonist by epitope selection

This study develops a biparatopic anti-TNFR2 antagonist that binds in a 1:1 ratio, preventing unwanted signal transduction and suppressing regulatory T cell proliferation.

A Checking Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Based on the Hypothalamic Defensive System Against a Potential Threat

This study shows that activating PeF UCN3 neurons in mice induces OCD-like checking behaviors, supporting a role for potential threats in OCD pathophysiology.

Structural basis of Irgb6 inactivation by Toxoplasma gondii through the phosphorylation of switch I.

The paper reveals how Toxoplasma gondii inactivates Irgb6 through ROP18-mediated phosphorylation, preventing its function in host defense.

Three-dimensional motions of GroEL during substrate protein recognition

The paper uses cryo-EM to study the 3D motions of GroEL during substrate recognition, revealing asymmetric binding and conformational dynamics at near-atomic resolution.

Cryo-EM structures of Na+-pumping NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae

This study presents cryo-EM structures of Na+-NQR from Vibrio cholerae with and without inhibitors, revealing cofactor arrangements and inhibitor binding sites.

Oral administration of S-217622, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, decreases viral load and accelerates recovery from clinical aspects of COVID-19

This study shows that oral S-217622 reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load and improves recovery in hamsters, with activity against multiple variants.

Mechanistic insights into intramembrane proteolysis by E. coli site-2 protease homolog RseP

This study elucidates the mechanism of intramembrane proteolysis by E. coli RseP through crystal structures and mutational analysis, revealing a gating mechanism for substrate entry.

Discovery of S-217622, a Non-Covalent Oral SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease Inhibitor Clinical Candidate for Treating COVID-19

This paper describes the discovery of S-217622, an oral non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor showing antiviral activity and favorable pharmacokinetics in preclinical studies.

Estimation of the reference lead (Pb) concentration levels affecting immune cells in the blood of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Laridae)

Interplay of adherens junctions and matrix proteolysis determines the invasive pattern and growth of squamous cell carcinoma

This study identifies factors determining collective invasion patterns in squamous cell carcinoma, showing that high cell-cell adhesion and proteolysis promote aggressive growth and invasion.

Structural snapshots of V/A-ATPase reveal a new paradigm for rotary catalysis

The paper determines atomic models of V/A-ATPase catalytic intermediates, revealing a ratchet-like mechanism for unidirectional rotation instead of a power stroke model.

Structure and dynamics of Odinarchaeota tubulin and the implications for eukaryotic microtubule evolution

This study presents the structure of Odinarchaeota tubulin and shows it forms tubules similar to FtsZ, suggesting it is an evolutionary intermediate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microtubule-forming proteins.

The kinesin KIF4 mediates HBV/HDV entry through regulation of surface NTCP localization and can be targeted by RXR agonists in vitro.

This paper identifies KIF4 as a critical regulator of NTCP surface localization for HBV/HDV entry and shows RXR agonists can suppress KIF4 to inhibit viral infection.

Hyperconcentrated Mucus Unifies Submucosal Gland and Superficial Airway Dysfunction in Cystic Fibrosis

This study identifies hyperconcentrated mucus as a unifying mechanism for submucosal gland and superficial airway dysfunction in cystic fibrosis.

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant is poised to acquire complete resistance to wild-type spike vaccines

The paper shows the Delta variant can escape NTD antibodies and gain infectivity when specific RBD mutations are present, suggesting the need for updated vaccines.

Change in the bladder function of rats with focal cerebral infarction induced by photochemically-induced thrombosis

This study establishes a rat model of urinary frequency after focal cerebral infarction using photothrombosis, showing altered micturition intervals and no fatal outcomes.

Chained structure of dimeric F1-like ATPase in Mycoplasma mobile gliding machinery

This study determines the structure of a dimeric F1-like ATPase in Mycoplasma mobile gliding machinery, showing it resembles F1-ATPase and supports an evolutionary link.

Isolation and structure of the fibril protein, a major component of the internal ribbon for Spiroplasma swimming

This study isolates and characterizes the fibril protein, a key component of the helical ribbon in Spiroplasma, revealing its structural organization and role in cell helicity.

Native structure of flagellar MS ring is formed by 34 subunits with 23-fold and 11-fold subsymmetries

The paper determines the native structure of the bacterial flagellar MS ring, revealing it is 34-fold symmetric with 23-fold and 11-fold subsymmetries in its inner and middle regions.

MafF is an antiviral host factor that suppresses transcription from Hepatitis B Virus core promoter

This study identifies MafF as an antiviral host factor that suppresses HBV core promoter transcription, contributing to host defense against HBV infection.

The mechanical inhibition of the isolated Vo from V-ATPase for proton conductance

The paper determines the cryo-EM structures of holo V/A-ATPase and isolated Vo to elucidate the auto-inhibited form of Vo and its regulation of proton conductance.

Refined mechanism of Mycoplasma mobile gliding based on structure, ATPase activity, and sialic acid binding of machinery

This paper elucidates the gliding mechanism of Mycoplasma mobile by combining structural analysis, ATPase activity, and sialic acid binding studies.

Structure of the native supercoiled flagellar hook as a universal joint

This paper reports the native supercoiled structure of the bacterial flagellar hook at 3.1 Å resolution using cryoEM single particle analysis, revealing its dynamic universal joint mechanism.