W. Steinchen

Membrane binding properties of the cytoskeletal protein bactofilin

This study identifies the membrane-targeting sequence of bactofilin BacA and reveals its molecular mechanism, conservation across bacterial species, and functional interplay with polymerization and client protein recruitment.

Discovery of a synthetic small molecule targeting the central regulator of Salmonella pathogenicity

The paper identifies a synthetic small molecule, C26, that inhibits HilD, a key regulator of Salmonella secretion systems, thereby preventing bacterial invasion of host cells.

The fungal protein Jps1 facilitates unconventional protein secretion through a direct phosphoinositide interaction

This study identifies Jps1 as a key protein facilitating unconventional secretion in Ustilago maydis by interacting with phosphoinositides, revealing its structural and functional roles in Cts1 export.

Layered entrenchment maintains essentiality in protein-protein interactions.

The paper shows that multiple mechanisms of essentiality in protein-protein interactions can persist over time, even if individual mechanisms are lost, using Rubisco as a case study.

The virulence regulator VirB from Shigella flexneri uses a CTP-dependent switch mechanism to activate gene expression

This study shows VirB, a virulence regulator in Shigella flexneri, uses CTP binding and hydrolysis to control DNA binding and sliding, thereby regulating gene expression.

Archaeal self-activating GPN-loop GTPases involve a lock-switch-rock mechanism for GTP hydrolysis

This paper investigates the structural dynamics of archaeal GPN-loop GTPases, revealing a lock-switch-rock mechanism for GTP hydrolysis and its functional impact on archaeal motility.

HilE represses the activity of HilD via a mechanism distinct from that of intestinal long-chain fatty acids.

This study identifies two distinct mechanisms by which HilD activity is repressed: LCFAs bind to a conserved pocket, while HilE forms a heterodimer with HilD.

Crosstalk between regulatory elements in the disordered TRPV4 N-terminus modulateslipid-dependent channel activity

The paper investigates how disordered regions in TRPV4 modulate channel activity through lipid-dependent interactions and identifies a conserved autoinhibitory patch that regulates PIP2 binding.

Peptide-mediated inhibition of the transcriptional regulator Elongin BC induces apoptosis in cancer cells

The paper develops a peptide inhibitor targeting the Elongin BC dimer, showing reduced cancer cell viability and increased apoptosis by blocking its interaction partners.

Structural and functional analysis of YopR and identification of an additional key component of the SPβ phage lysis-lysogeny management system

The paper identifies YopR and YosL as key components of the SPβ phage lysis-lysogeny system, showing YopR's DNA-binding role and YosL's necessity for lytic cycle induction.

Structural and functional analysis of the cerato-platanin-like effector protein Cpl1 suggests diverging functions in smut fungi

The paper presents the atomic structures of Cpl1 and Uvi2 from smut fungi, revealing their chitin-binding properties and suggesting diverging functions through structural differences.

A GGDEF domain serves as a spatial on-switch for a phosphodiesterase by direct interaction with a polar landmark protein

The paper shows how the GGDEF domain of PdeB acts as a spatial on-switch by interacting with HubP to restrict phosphodiesterase activity to the flagellated cell pole, influencing surface interaction and environmental spreading.

The CTPase activity of ParB acts as a timing mechanism to control the dynamics and function of prokaryotic DNA partition complexes

This study identifies how ParB's CTPase activity regulates DNA partition complex dynamics and function by controlling clamp sliding time and spreading.

IM30 IDPs form a membrane protective carpet upon super-complex disassembly

This study identifies that IM30 forms a membrane-protecting carpet upon super-complex disassembly, revealing a novel mechanism of membrane stabilization by intrinsically disordered proteins.

Molecular architecture of the DNA-binding sites of the P-loop ATPases MipZ and ParA from Caulobacter crescentus

This study identifies the DNA-binding residues of MipZ and ParA from Caulobacter crescentus, revealing sequence-independent electrostatic interactions and conserved binding mechanisms across ParA-like ATPases.

The alarmone (p)ppGpp is part of the heat shock response of Bacillus subtilis

This study shows that (p)ppGpp, a bacterial alarmone, mediates the heat shock response in B. subtilis by reducing translation and enhancing stress tolerance.